A new report by Youth for Christ (YfC) has found that a majority of British teenagers are open to learning more about God, with 67 per cent saying they believe in a higher spiritual force.
The Z-A Growing Spirituality report looks at the belief, trust, and faith perceptions of a new generation—those younger than Gen Z, but older than Gen Alpha. The findings reveal spiritual openness, curiosity around prayer, and largely positive attitudes to local churches.
The study was carried out by DJS Research, which received 1,009 completed surveys from across the UK. To maintain neutrality, the questionnaire made no mention of Youth for Christ. Of the sample size, 52 per cent identified their religion as ‘Christian’, 40 per cent said they had ‘none’, and per cent were Muslim. Notably, although 52 per cent identified as Christian, only 35 per cent considered themselves a “follower of Jesus”.
Currently aged 11 to 18, Gen 'Z-A' is growing up with a unique set of challenges. Having had their early experiences shaped by the pandemic, lockdowns, and the cost of living crisis, they now lead increasingly “inside lives”. Sixty-one per cent ranked social media as the top place they choose to seek connection.
“We’ve witnessed a significant shift in how young people choose to spend their time,” Laura Hancock, who led the report, said.
“In 2025, many are spending more time in isolated environments, in the safety of a home with those they trust, engaging with the world primarily through their screens. This shift has deeply influenced not only whom they trust, but also what shapes their beliefs and decisions.”
Most respondents regarded family and friends as their most trusted source of information, and “Social Media/Influencers” as the least, despite it being the top-ranked platform to seek connection. “Church” was one of the least trusted institutions, alongside “Government” and “Celebrities”.
Yet, despite broad mistrust in “Church” as an institution, 53 per cent said they would consider going to a local church if invited by a friend. When asked how they viewed the local churches in their community, 65 per cent said they felt “positively” towards them, while 30 per cent were unsure and only six per cent felt negatively.
Over half of the teens said they had attended their local church as part of a Christmas or carol service, which Hancock says should be a huge encouragement for churches.
“Events like Easter, and big carol services—they might be the only time a young person sets foot in a church. It feels like a few years ago, [churches] wondered if there was any point trying with these events, because we thought: ‘No one really bothers to come.’
“But in recent years, we’ve seen Easter services packed with people who never normally go to church… They do come,” she added.
Since similar research in 2020, there has been a twelve per cent increase in the number of teenagers who say they follow Jesus.
Laura Hancock said the findings align with anecdotal evidence of teens coming to Christ after individual dreams or spiritual encounters.
She shared the story of a teenage boy from a troubled home, who called out to “the universe” during a drug-induced fit. He told Youth for Christ: “Jesus came to me”, and then sought out a Christian youth group.
“It feels like in some cases, Jesus is almost going around the church to meet with these young people,” Hancock said.
“I wonder whether the Church has lost confidence in reaching those young people, but what Jesus is doing is bringing those young people to us.”
Youth for Christ is urging churches to be bold and confident in their youth ministry.
“Reach out and get involved with the young people in your communities,” Hancock added. “The time is now. It is urgent. Young people are looking for Jesus and waiting for someone to tell them about him.”