A quiet UK revival? How can we respond?
Rebecca Chapman
Date posted: 9 Apr 2025
As we look forward to Easter, some of us may reflect on how many people attended Christmas services, and be recalling the joy of overflowing churches.
There has been talk of a Christian revival in the UK for at least a year – and speculation about it everywhere from the press to podcasts. But where is the data showing us how the Spirit is moving? Instead, we are often presented with disappointing data from various denominations about decreasing numbers of people attending church.
Will the ‘Quiet Revival’ change our civic life?
Paul Blackham
Date posted: 29 Dec 2025
Jesus said to a government official of His day: “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above” (John 19v11)
Power does not flow up from below, from the people, but rather, true power flows down from the Divine Empire, from the throne room of heaven. True earthly authority can only be given by King Jesus, not the ballot box nor the barrel of a gun.
Andrew Ollerton: 'Let the Word move in power'
John Woods
Date posted: 6 Oct 2025
Dr Andrew Ollerton is a theologian, pastor, author and presenter who likes to “make complex ideas simple and relevant”. He lives in Wales and regularly speaks at conferences, festivals and churches, and films video content on locations around the world. He recently developed a new edition of The Bible Course with Bible Society. Here, he is interviewed by en reviews editor John Woods.
en: When was the first time that you began to find Christianity compelling?
AO: I was brought up by parents who made it compelling. In my family life, faith was not just a Sunday experience or a creed but was lived out. I credit my parents for that. I did have moments in my teenage and adult years when I had a crisis of faith. When I went to university to study geography I bumped into issues around the reconciling of science and faith which troubled me. What made Christianity compelling at that time included books I read, but also people I met. One professor had a PhD in science and in theology. The fact that he brought those two horizons together and embodied them was compelling.
What is faithful church ministry?
James Burnett
Date posted: 7 Dec 2025
Would you make a good "Traitor"? Have you got the mojo of a chameleon to hoodwink fellow contestants, like the comedian Alan Carr - this year’s winner of BBC’s The Celebrity Traitors?
Game show The Traitors was inspired by the sinking of the Dutch ship Batavia in 1629. When the Batavia sank off Australia, 250 survivors scrambled ashore an island archipelago. Mutinous traitors fought against a small band of faithful soldiers, culminating in a live-or-die boat race towards an oncoming rescue ship. Who would get there first - the "Traitors" or the "Faithful"? A true story!
Sharing Jesus in the barracks and over a brew
SASRA
Date posted: 17 Aug 2025
The UK’s “quiet revival” is a God-given opportunity for Christian evangelism.
For the Soldiers’ and Aviators’ Scripture Readers Association (SASRA), this means sharing the gospel in the military with more troops and their families, in barracks and stations that are inaccessible to churches.
Too many of our churches offer no connection to God
Matthew Roberts
Date posted: 30 Dec 2025
In my home town of York in the 1960s, archaeologists discovered a stone pillar. It has originally towered nearly 10 metres vertically, to the roof of what must have been a very imposing building, the headquarters of the Roman city in the 2nd Century AD. Now, a sad shadow of its former glory, it was lying on its side; its stone sections sprawling horizontally through the mud.
We live at a time when, for the first time in decades, perhaps in centuries, people are starting to yearn for something transcendent. The spell of secularism, with its creed that there is nothing higher than us, is for some at least being broken. If there is anything to the “Quiet Revival”, it is because people want to encounter truths, values, and ultimately a God who is higher than us. They want to revert to the vertical.
Armed forces gospel work brings encouragement
SASRA
Date posted: 27 Dec 2025
The organisation that seeks to read the Bible with members of the Armed Forces says its work is growing significantly – and military personnel are coming to faith.
Just two years ago, the Soldiers’ and Aviators’ Scripture Readers Association (SASRA) employed 13 Scripture Readers, all committed to sharing the gospel with the Armed Forces. Today there are 21 of them, serving across the UK and overseas, reaping a harvest in what many are calling a quiet revival – this being within the military.
New report reveals Gen Z's priorities - not just in the West, but worldwide
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 12 Dec 2025
A new report, published today and authored by Peter Dray, reveals that "Generation Z" prizes living better, not just living longer.
Gen Z Insights for Global Student Ministry - published by the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) - examines four "Gen Z" traits across multiple countries: pursuit of wellbeing; digital immersion; cultural awareness; and spiritual openness.
everyday evangelism
‘Tis the season to be… invitational!’
Gavin Matthews
Date posted: 3 Dec 2025
When Paul charged Timothy to preach the word in season and out of season, he wasn’t referring to the calendar or the climate. Rather, that we experience times of openness to the Bible’s message, as well as periods of stubborn resistance. Timothy was to press on, in both “seasons”.
The Christmas “season” annually generates gospel opportunities that we would be foolish to miss though. The church is like a striker facing an open goalmouth, on the six-yard line, with the goalie nowhere in sight! In every church or CU I have ever been part of, in England or Scotland, people from outside the fellowship have accepted invitations to Christmas events, like carol or watchnight services. Christmas does seem to be “in season” – every year.
Is there really a ministry recruitment crisis?
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 22 Nov 2025
“Ministry recruitment crisis.” How do those words make you feel? Do they fill you with dread? Panic? Are you tempted to let out a sigh as you mutter that you aren’t surprised?
Back in September, Carrie Sandom, of the Proclamation Trust, told us that there is a fall in the number of men and women coming forward for ministry training. What are we to think? en spoke to key players in the evangelical world, including principals and directors of some of the UK's leading seminaries and colleges.
‘The last two years have been the most encouraging... of the past 30 years’
John Woods
Date posted: 13 Nov 2025
en Reviews Editor John Woods speaks to John Stevens about his time thus far serving with the FIEC.
en: You have been serving as National Director of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (FIEC) for 15 years. What was you first experience of the FIEC?
How do we disciple Gen Z men?
Graeme Shanks
Date posted: 15 Oct 2025
“If you’re not a liberal when you’re 25, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative by the time you’re 35, you have no brain.” A friend reminded me recently of this quip often attributed to Winston Churchill. It is, of course, a massive generalisation. However, it is not one without a kernel of truth to it.
A quick glance at the way Britons voted at the 2024 general election would indicate that age was indeed a significant dividing line. It’s a trend that’s presented itself through the generations. To quote another group of influential wordsmiths from my childhood: "it’s like that and that's the way it is." Or is it?
Students invited to ‘uncover Jesus' with their friends
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 27 Sep 2025
“See for yourself” – that’s been the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship’s (UCCF’s) invitation through its Uncover publication series. The first Uncover, released in 2011, explored Luke’s Gospel and was followed by Uncover John (2015) and Uncover Mark (2018). This year marks the next release in the family – a new version of Uncover Luke.
“How much do your friends know about the most famous Person in world history?” UCCF writes. Designed to help students and their friends discover more about Jesus and the life He offers, Uncover Luke (2025) was launched at this year’s national Forum conference where more than 1,000 students gathered to encourage one another, share Christian Union mission ideas, and pray together.
everyday evangelism
What helps people in Britain today find faith?
Gavin Matthews
Date posted: 27 Jul 2025
The "Finding Jesus" report from the Evangelical Alliance has landed. They surveyed hundreds of people who have put their faith in Jesus in adulthood.
This was followed by intensive interviews with 20 of them about their experience. Along with a battery of statistics, the report contains stunning insights and is enhanced by heart-warming testimonies. It’s divided into three sections looking at what started people’s spiritual searching, how they were converted, and what the path of discipleship has looked like. It’s free to download!
letter from Australia
Renewed faith down under?
David Robertson
Date posted: 20 Jul 2025
There has been a great deal of talk about the “quiet revival” in the UK, but has it arrived in Australia?
Like the UK, there has been a lot of discussion and numerous articles and anecdotes that this is indeed the case. The statistical evidence has come through the McCrindle Research 2025 report – An Undercurrent of Faith: Australia’s Renewed Relationship with Christianity. McCrindle is an excellent research organisation with a good track record.
More UK adults exploring Christianity? New report reveals why
Milla Ling-Davies
Date posted: 2 Jul 2025
Amid recent reports of a “quiet revival” and renewed exploration of Christianity in the UK, the question remains: Why the growing interest? A new report from the Evangelical Alliance has helped reveal the answer.
The Evangelical Alliance’s (EA) “Finding Jesus” research, conducted in 2024 and released this June, found that UK adults are investigating Christianity primarily due to a need for meaning and hope – often prompted by a personal crisis.
Is the 'quiet revival' getting louder?
Every September, more than two million young people start their university adventure. It’s a season of fresh freedom, big questions, and new identities being shaped.
Spiritual openness is greater than you might think: 30 per cent of students say they’ve never been personally told the story of Jesus, 45 per cent would like to hear it, and 34 per cent say “maybe later." [1]