UK's Quiet Awakening 

Let’s not be too quick to speak of a revival in progress

Some weeks ago, Prophecy Today published a lengthy article examining reports that a ‘Quiet Revival’ of Christianity was underway across the British Isles.

Bible Society report

The reports largely emanated from a striking new survey commissioned by the Bible Society, which showed, among other things, that church attendance in England and Wales increased by a massive 56% between 2018 and 2024; and that it had quadrupled among Gen Z (ages 18-24). The report found especial growth within Roman Catholicism and Pentecostalism.

My Prophecy Today article gave evidence of increased attendance at mass Christian youth gatherings across the UK; unprecedented spiritual openness among students; and showed how even traditional churches like the Catholic Church – widely regarded as being in terminal decline – have seen a degree of growth.

The article noted some concerns over a few of the statistics quoted in the Bible Society’s report, but rejoiced at the evidence of something of a quiet spiritual movement, at least among Gen Z, across the United Kingdom.

A new survey by the Evangelical Alliance has found that evangelical churches in the UK are in a season of growth ...

Others also expressed some doubt over the claims, leading the Bible Society to double down on the reliability of its now famed Report, stating that the YouGov poll used very large, nationally representative samples and consistent methodology, and that it offered a high confidence level and low margin of error.

Gathering momentum

Since that article was published, a string of further ‘revival’-leaning reports has appeared in the Christian media – albeit, many of the overall stories stem from a single source (Premier Christianity).

A new survey by the Evangelical Alliance has found that evangelical churches in the UK are in a season of growth, with churches seeing “twice as many people approaching them with questions about the Christian faith, and reported twice as many people making first-time commitments to follow Jesus compared to 2021.”

The Alpha Course recently announced that it experienced its most successful year since it began nearly fifty years ago. More than two million people took part in the course worldwide in 2024 – more than in any previous year. Alpha is on track to welcome over 200,000 guests this year — potentially doubling the 115,000 recorded as recently as 2021. 

Alpha has experienced its most successful year since it began nearly fifty years ago.

In early June, the Awakening Project conference in East London saw more than 2,000 people attend an all-night prayer vigil (in a 1,300-capacity venue). At a Pursuit of Worship night recently put on by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, there was “a mind-blowing response to the gospel”, when, noted one youth leader, “We saw whole youth groups give their lives to God!” Another said it was “the most profound and powerful response to the presence of God I have ever witnessed.” 

Signs of growth have also emanated from the furthest reaches of the UK, the Scottish Highlands and Islands. In the year to Easter 2024, a small Baptist church on Arran doubled in number, forcing a relocation to larger premises. Skye Bible Church reported 16 youngsters being added to the fledgling student union at Portree High School, while in Pitlochry, a quarter of the local high school now attends church.

Scores of other good news stories are being shared – of Scottish SU workers in schools saying they’re being asked for Bibles in a way they’ve never previously experienced, of Christian bookshops receiving an unprecedented number of requests for the same Scriptures, and of countless individual testimonies of people with little or no Christian background ‘suddenly’ showing a deep interest in the things of God.

Meanwhile, new research suggests increasingly favourable attitudes towards Christianity in Ireland. And there are ongoing claims that Britain’s quiet revival is part of a global move of God.

... believers have simply been finding more people turning up to their services, seeking God, and noting a general wider openness to the gospel.

Big noise – quiet move

Sceptical of the claims of 'revival', the Rev David Robertson also notes the irony of its ‘quiet’ moniker, given that it has become one of “the most publicised, broadcast and commented-on revivals in history!” Yet ‘quiet’ is probably appropriate in the sense that the movement was largely under the radar until the Bible Study report came out.

It’s ‘quiet’ too, of course, in that it has been happening gradually and surreptitiously, without the employment of big-name evangelists or special 'revival meetings'. Rather, believers have simply been finding more people turning up to their services, seeking God, and noting a general wider openness to the gospel.

Revival hype

But are some taking too much from the various reports? The cover of the latest edition of Premier Christianity asks whether revival fires could be spreading again (they’re not); though Editor Sam Hailes admits he’s personally hesitant about the language of ‘revival’, which he considers “a step too far.”

On the other hand, American revivalist Larry Sparks believes the UK “is spiralling toward one of those ‘suddenly’ moments: A Spirit-birthed shift that could shake nations”. He is hosting the “Flame of Revival Gathering” in Telford (next weekend) “as we press in for this next move of God.”

Most believers in Britain have never experienced genuine revival. 

I fully appreciate a longing to see a move of God in our midst. Most believers in Britain have never experienced genuine revival. We read stirring accounts of it happening in the past – even in our own communities; we hear exciting reports of it happening in different places across the world – even in our day. We sing about it in our worship times and hold prayer vigils to intercede for it. We desperately long for it.

But when none of these efforts result in the reality of revival breaking out among us – even after several years – it is common to react in one of two ways:

1. Disillusionment: beginning to see the quest for revival as the chasing of the end of a rainbow; something practically unachievable. The very term ‘revival’ begins to develop a negative connotation (I know of more than one person to whom this has happened); OR
2. Increased longing, accompanied by agitation: feeling the need to do everything in our power to ‘help’ God by engaging in efforts to work up a ‘revival-type’ scenario.

Hype history

We’ve seen this occur many times over recent decades. There was much anticipation of revival in the 1980s, largely spurred by the 'Third Wave' and the signs and wonders movement. But the predicted revival failed to materialise.

Let’s not be tempted to go along with the hype, by calling something revival that clearly isn’t. 

Hype attended the so-called Lakeland Outpouring in Florida in 2008, when the flamboyant and somewhat unbalanced Todd Bentley led nightly revival services, broadcast live around the world via God TV. Praying hands were laid on UK visitors, who were assured revival was about to be unleashed on their homeland. Nothing by way of genuine revival resulted, to the disappointment of many.

The ‘R’ word

The situation isn’t entirely the same with today’s reported ‘quiet revival’, in that we’re not talking about emotive revival gatherings, but of a general tuning-in to Christian spirituality across the land. But does what is currently happening constitute biblical revival?

As believers we are prone to see revival where it is not. Let’s not be tempted to go along with the hype, by calling something revival that clearly isn’t. Let’s be careful with our terminology, especially when using the ‘R’ word. To abuse it will only ultimately lead to disillusionment in the long term.

Revival characteristics

Historically, certain features are viewed by revival historians as holding true of virtually all revival movements. These include Christ-centred preaching and the authority of the Word of God; conviction of sin and genuine repentance; a release of peace and joy; and a marked change in lifestyle. The overall effect on society is positive and lasting. As David Robertson reminds us, the essential focus of any true revival is Christ, and His glorification.

... the essential focus of any true revival is Christ, and His glorification.

Are we witnessing these elements across the UK in the present day? Rather, much of what is being enthusiastically reported constitutes a general increased interest in Christian spirituality – and something of a cultural shift towards that faith among young people, and especially young men. But we’re certainly not (yet) seeing the widespread surrender of people’s lives to Christ that would accompany genuine revival.

Indeed, where in the UK is revival currently taking place? Could it truly be occurring in a general sense across the nation but nowhere specifically? Remember, an increase – even a notable growth – in attendance at any particular church, though very much welcome, does not in itself equate to revival. And true revivals aren’t confined to churches anyway – they take place in local communities. 

God-patterns

Some will say, ‘God is doing a new thing’ (Is 43:19), and bypassing the old ways. And maybe He is. What’s happening certainly seems unprecedented in my lifetime. And it’s probably the case that revival today would look rather different to how it looked a century ago. It’s probably also relevant to confess that I’m simply not in touch with kids of Gen Z (18-24) to inquire where they're at and what God is doing in their lives.

But Christians can be a bit too hasty sometimes in making the ‘God is doing a new thing’ claim. Generally, God does follow patterns – otherwise how can we learn from what He has done in the past?

When this happens on a national level, as I believe it will, then we will see true, genuine revival occur.

Hard times and revival

Revivals are more likely to arise under times of intense societal difficulty, be that political instability, economic hardship or whatever. In particular, they often occur under persecution.  Such has been the case in recent decades in China, and is currently so in Iran.

It has ever been the human condition that great need is likely to induce humankind to reach beyond itself and call on a higher power. As times get harder in the months and years ahead, people are going to become more ready to cry to God for help.

Certainly, political and social instability is already on the rise in the West, and not least in Great Britain. But are people currently desperate enough to come to the end of themselves, and take seriously the claims of Jesus Christ in significant numbers and surrender their lives to Him?

When this happens on a national level, as I believe it will, then we will see true, genuine revival occur. It is time to prepare our hearts and lives for such a day. For while it is our sovereign God who brings revival, believers need to be ready to pray, to share Jesus with those seeking, and to disciple new Christians. 

... with definite signs of increased spiritual interest across Britain, especially among our youth, let’s be cautiously optimistic regarding the spiritual quickening spreading through our nation.

God is moving

Meanwhile, with definite signs of increased spiritual interest across Britain, especially among our youth, let’s be cautiously optimistic regarding the spiritual quickening spreading through our nation.

But let us not be too quick to term the movement in progress revival. And let us not be too hasty, either, in assuming that it is sure to snowball in the next few months into a mighty, national spiritual awakening. It may do - and I would love if it did - but I am not convinced the signs are pointing expressly to such imminent outcome.

Clearly, the Spirit of God is on the move. Let’s rejoice in what He is doing, while ever tempering the more over-enthusiastic reports with a healthy dose of realism.