Young people finding God in our churches as national report finds 'quiet revival' of faith among 18-24 year olds
It was a special day in Melksham on Sunday as 22 adults and young people from the church family were confirmed, with 11 being baptised or reaffirming their baptism vows. The baptisms were by full immersion, thought to be the first in the long history of the medieval parish church!
Bishop Andrew led the service in the packed church of St Michael & All Angels, with Revs Charlie Thomson and Francis Moloney baptising alongside him, witnessing what the Bible Society have described in a new report as a ‘Quiet Revival’ taking place amongst Gen Z.
Many of those being baptised had come to faith through recent Alpha courses held in the local pub. They shared moving testimonies of Jesus powerfully at work in their lives - being set free from addiction, anxiety and depression, and leaving behind new age spirituality to find freedom and salvation in Christ. Click here to watch highlights of the testimonies.
In Trowbridge and Poole, those running young alpha courses have welcomed dozens of young people, who have been turning up and bringing along friends to sessions.
Helen Shields, Youth Alpha Course leader in St Thomas, Trowbridge said: "The young people have been brilliant at engaging and inviting friends along and we have regularly had the world through Youth Alpha content.
"As well as being blessed with great food and weather on the youth alpha weekend, it was a real privilege to see the young people praying for each other and experiencing God’s Spirit in what may have been a new way for many of them. around 20 young people each week to discuss and reflect on testimonies told from around the world, in a Youth Alpha context.
"The Youth Alpha course is now complete and we want to build on it. Please pray with us about how to continue to best support such a talented and caring group, which, as a church, we are truly blessed to have."
In St Mary's Longfleet (SML), Poole, Youth Alpha has ran since the start of 2025, with around 75 yo
ung people across various ages engaging with it. Revd Andy Perry, said the findings of the Bible Society's Quiet Revival report were being experienced n Poole.
"The report resonates with various churches around the country seeing an awakening in a rising generation and reflects what we’re seeing amongst youth and young adults at SML. Amidst the wider turbulence across the Church in these days, the Spirit is on the move…!"
The Diocese of Salisbury is piloting the Flourish project as one way of engaging younger people in faith, and investing in Growing Faith, a means of deepening partnerships between schools, home and church. To find out more about these projects email Mandy Christopher.