School kids on the frontlines of evangelism

It is well documented that Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) and Generation Alpha (2013–2024) are showing growing spiritual curiosity and openness. Happily, many Christian young people are finding natural, winsome ways to share their faith in their school communities.

These stories offer a snapshot of what is happening and, hopefully, encouragement for you.

(1) Prayer and pupil chaplaincy teams

Young people are wholehearted. When they commit, they commit fully.

I hear stories of young people impressively invested in daily personal prayer, of others organising and supporting one another in corporate prayer (often digitally) and of those who are establishing revival prayer meetings on school premises.

They recognise that prayer is crucial if they are to see school culture and friends’ lives transformed by Jesus.

In primary schools there is also significant push towards giving pupils greater opportunity to lead worship/prayer/be involved pastorally. Many schools are setting up pupil prayer or chaplaincy teams (usually reliant on the Christian children to lead the way but often involving children who are spiritually curious). This provides opportunities for Christian children to share their faith and journey alongside their friends.

(2) Running CUs and ‘Grill a Christian’

Across the country, new Christian Unions are being launched and existing ones are growing, largely initiated and led by pupils. Many are centred on prayer.

Some have discovered that worship gatherings attract large numbers of spiritually curious non-Christians, while others have seen growing interest in Youth Alpha, 3-2-1 and other seeker courses.

Young people have big questions and want safe spaces to ask them. One CU organises a popular Easter "Grill a Christian" where pupils are invited to bring a question in return for an Easter Egg. Pupils sit in small groups with a Christian, work through their questions and receive chocolate at the end. It is wildly popular – and local churches fund the large quantity of eggs needed.

Other teenagers tell of how they simply sit with their friends at lunch break and answer questions. They have stopped attending other lunch clubs in order to make space for this. Topics of conversation often revolve around death, purpose, how to live a good life, and anxieties around geopolitics and global warming. Invariably they want to know how the Bible speaks to these things.

(3) Reading the Bible with friends

Young people can be remarkably brave. Bibles are being passed around in schools and young people are suggesting to their friends that they read a Gospel and talk it through together. Some share QR codes linking to helpful Bible-reading resources and suggested starting points.

I have heard multiple stories from around the country of young people inviting friends for sleepovers so that they can read the Bible together and make the invitation to church easier.

(4) Attitude to learning

Post-pandemic, classroom culture has shifted, with teachers finding the behaviour management aspect of their work more challenging. Countless teachers, both Christian and those of other faiths or none, report that Christian pupils have a noticeably positive influence through their attitude to learning, willingness to serve, and the way they treat others.

There are multiple stories of teenagers who have started exploring faith because of the witness of Christians in their year group. Many say they were drawn in because the Christian pupils did not seem as weighed down by the same worries and pressures. Interestingly, the Christians often failed to recognise this in themselves.

(5) Correcting theology

I heard recently of a year-six child who was frustrated with the way Christianity was mis-taught, with grace absent.

One assembly involved a tube of toothpaste, squeezed out a section at a time to represent the unkind things people say and do. Volunteers were challenged (and failed) to feed the toothpaste back into the tube. The point drawn out was that Christianity teaches you cannot take back your actions and words – so try harder not to be nasty in the first place.

This child was furious with the misteaching. Would it leave his friends thinking they could never be Christians because they were not good enough? His response: a tube of toothpaste left on his headteacher’s desk with a simple note:

You might not be able to return the toothpaste to the tube but in me there are new mercies every day. Enjoy your new toothpaste tube. Love God.

To his delight, the deputy used it to explain grace that same week.

A different primary school child put his hand up in RE (religious education) and told the teacher: "I’m a Christian and what you just explained is different to what I believe."

For the rest of term, the teacher invited him to explain his understanding of Christianity each lesson, effectively co‑teaching the RE unit. When the parents heard, they connected the school with the local church to support future RE teaching.

Take heart

Children and young people love Jesus, and many are courageously and winsomely walking with Him in their schools. Stories are surfacing everywhere.

Where can you quietly encourage, pray, and support your youngsters on the frontline?