​5 signs of revival to watch for in 2026

Opinion over Bible Society’s Quiet Revival report dominated much of 2025. I’ve talked to some whose enthusiasm would have you believe the second coming had already taken place - and others whose caution makes doubting Thomas look like a raging optimist.

For the record, I don’t think it’s quiet (there’s been a lot of noise about it) and I don’t think it’s revival (if this is ‘it’, I’m disappointed). But it is something. I wholeheartedly believe that God is doing a new thing - and it’s really exciting.

Whatever your opinion, there are seven ‘marker points’ that indicate a significant rise in church attendance and openness to the gospel. It’s also not just Bible Society - research from OnePoll, The Times, YouGov, Savanta ComRes, Youth for Christ, Evangelical Alliance, Gallup and Whitestone Insight all indicate similar trends.

And across the UK, I have been listening to encouraging stories from hundreds of church leaders. The stats and the stories point to the start of something wonderful.

What can we expect to see next?

Here are five themes to look out for in 2026:

1. Look out for the spiritually open

2026 will be the most spiritually open year in living memory. Atheism will continue its decline. Belief is back. The evangelical Church will grow. But the rising tide will cause seekers to turn not only to all forms of Christianity, but to other religions, paganism and the occult. #WitchTok may be as popular as Alpha.

2. Look out for the unexplained

2026 will see spiritual experiences, dreams and unexplained events drawing thousands to church. In the last year, we have heard countless examples of this, previously rarely cited as a pathway to faith. Our Finding Jesus research revelaed that 28 per cent of new adult Christians say a spiritual experience prompted them to explore the Christian faith.

Expect people to turn up to your church who are asking: “What was that?!”

3. Look out for the gospel opportunities

2026 will see the church needing to better join the dots between compassion ministry and faith sharing. In 2026, foodbank use will sadly but predictably increase as inflation and the cost of living hardship continues. But it’s worth remembering almost every foodbank in the UK is connected to a church. However, just a fraction of service users will be invited to take the next step on the journey of faith. For those who are, many will become Christians.

Savanta resarch found that 74 per cent of all parents with children under the age of five have attended a church activity in the past 12 months. Churches that join the dots between these ministries and faith sharing will grow rapidly.

4. Look out for booming Bible engagement:

2026 will see Bible sales continue to soar with seekers turning up to church having done their theological research. Bible sales have increased by 87 per cent in recent years and the UK’s bestsellers will grow in popularity. In a ‘fake news’, ‘post-truth’ world, younger generations are particularly drawn to good news that is true, profound and beautiful. Churches that keep the substance the same but relate relevantly to culture will flourish.

Expect new Christians to cite reading the Bible as pivotal in their journey of exploration and decision moment.

5. Look out for discipleship questions and challenges

2026 will see more people come to faith through new pathways, so good answers about what’s next in their discipleship journey will be essential. EA’s Sharing Jesus research revealed that, when people come to faith, their greatest needs are in helping to establish spiritual disciplines and find new community. Many new believers will leave church because they have not been nurtured or built meaningful relationships.

In 2026, newcomers to church will cause leaders to invest time in early spiritual formation and empower spiritual fathers and mothers.

How can we play our part?

1. Always invite people to take the next step

We know that the number one thing that prompts people to begin exploring the Christian faith is needing help with life. But we also know that the majority of churches say that they could improve the connection between their compassion ministries and sharing faith.

I know one Baptist minister who saw significant growth just by making sure every parent and carer at the toddler group was invited to Alpha or church!

2. Remember we all get to join in

The most significant human influence on someone’s journey to faith is a friend, neighbour, colleague or family member. Let’s be praying, inviting, preparing to share our story and expecting to see more open doors where they may have been closed in the past.

At a Christmas service, I saw a whole family become Christians because a friend had invited them along!

3. Be ready to welcome those who have had spiritual experiences

Almost every church I have preached at in the last few months has had someone turn up because they felt compelled to come, were inexplicably drawn in or had a dream. I heard about one guy who turned up because Chat GPT told him where to go. Prepare to receive them well.

All my life the church has been in numerical decline. Until now. It finally feels like we are playing for a team that are winning every week. May we rejoice that the winter has passed and learn how to be a church in the spring.

For a full timeline of the revival research, some stories behind the stats and resources to make the most of the moment, search ‘Missional Trends’ at eauk.org