An open generation

By Hannah Penwright 

The world that young people are growing up in today is constantly evolving, and churches and other Christian organisations are seeing a huge shift in the spiritual openness of young people as a result. In 2025, research by Youth for Christ found that 48% of young people say that they believe in God, up 17% from 2016.

The growing spiritual hunger among Gen Z isn’t confined to the UK, with countries including France and New Zealand reporting similar trends. Last year, YouVersion, which created the hugely popular Bible app, also recorded a 33% rise in daily engagement across the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.

“The next generation are God’s children, and so many of them are living in difficult circumstances, without positive role models, without hope.”

Yet these are the very regions where only 3% of mission workers are currently sent by churches – a gap SIM UK is determined to address.

In Thailand, SIM UK worker Steph is serving in children and youth ministries and says: “The next generation are the future leaders of our world. What we sow into them now can impact not only their lives but generations to come. But more than that, the next generation are God’s children, and so many of them are living in difficult circumstances, without positive role models, without hope.

“YouVersion… recorded a 33% rise in daily engagement across the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.”

“When we reach out to them, we get to share God’s radical love and grace and to see their lives transformed. Often, when one life in a family is transformed by God’s love, doors are opened for the whole family to receive his love.”

In North Africa, where more than half the population is under 25, the vast majority is living without any Christian witness.

They are, for the most part, well-educated and connected online, yet there’s growing discontent with traditional religious beliefs and practices, and many are open to hearing about Christian teachings. Recently, workers came alongside young local believers to run a two-day sports camp in a remote town. Because this area is an underdeveloped part of the country, the youth have few opportunities and activities during school holidays.

“When we reach out to them, we get to share God’s radical love and grace and to see their lives transformed.”

More than 50 young people participated in the programme. Alongside a range of sports, there were discussion groups about different topics, including self-worth, responsibility and a healthy life balance.

The camp was well received by the community, building trust and strengthening relationships between workers and local believers. The camp also provided an opportunity for North African believers to grow in leadership and discipleship skills as they taught and modelled Kingdom values – often in contrast to local belief systems.

In Central Asia, younger people, especially secondary school pupils and particularly university students, are coming to faith more quickly than their parents and grandparents. In a phase of life where they’re figuring out who they are and who they want to become, many local believers and workers are seeing the critical importance of sharing the gospel with them.

Some workers are involved in English conversation clubs, discipling young believers and building relationships with those who don’t yet know the Lord. Through this, they support local churches and volunteer with other groups who are focused on student ministry.

God is also opening doors through relationships with school staff in villages, where workers teach English. Being able to live and work there, and to see an openness among some of the staff, is a huge blessing.

“These are the very regions where only 3% of mission workers are currently sent by churches.”

Not only is it important to go out and share the gospel with the next generation in least-reached areas, but we need to inspire and equip the next generation in the UK as they consider how God might use them, both now and in their futures. That’s why we’ve created our new youth resource, Beyond My World. This interactive, hour-long session is designed to encourage the young people of today to look beyond their own worlds and consider mission for themselves.

We’re bringing Beyond My World to churches and youth groups across the UK, and we’d love to bring it to yours, at no cost. Visit sim.co.uk/beyond-my-world to find out more.

“We need to inspire and equip the next generation in the UK as they consider how God might use them, both now and in their futures.”

This article was originally published in Serving Him magazine, by SIM UK.