The Evangelical Alliance has predicted that openness to God, spiritual mysteries, and a hunger for the Bible will lead the way in 2026.

Following a turnaround in church attendance in 2025, the organisation has outlined its anticipated ‘missional trends’ for the year.

Topping the list is an increasing openness to God.

“Look out for the spiritually open in 2026,” said the organisation’s missiology senior specialist, Phil Knox. “Belief is back.”

However, he noted that a desire for spiritual transcendence does not necessarily equate to more people at church.

“The rising tide will cause seekers to turn not only to all forms of Christianity, but to other religions, paganism and the occult,” he warned, adding that witch practices are also gaining traction online. TikTok occult videos, known as “Witchtok”, have become more popular over the last year, with an emphasis on tarot and manifestation.

However, Knox noted that the church has an opportunity to “join the dots” for people seeking both the divine and community, through its practical expressions of Christ’s love.

“It’s worth remembering almost every foodbank in the UK is connected to a church,” he said. “Many will become Christians… 74% 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."

The EA has also predicted Bible engagement to soar over the next year. 2025 saw an uptick in sales of the scriptures, which some US Christians attributed to the death of activist Charlie Kirk. However, the EA suggested that a newfound curiosity for God’s word is a direct result of living in a “post-truth” age.

“In a ​‘fake news’ world, younger generations are particularly drawn to good news that is true, profound and beautiful,” Knox said. “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.”

A further trend, reflected in anecdotal accounts of a 'Quiet Revival', will be unexplainable spiritual encounters, Knox added. 

In 2025, Youth for Christ reported that teenagers were having dreams of Jesus, which led many to want to attend youth groups. Meanwhile, the Evangelical Alliance noted that 28% of new Christians said a spiritual experience prompted them to seek Christ.

Knox said it pays for church leaders to be prepared to tackle questions of wonder. “Expect people to turn up to your church asking: ‘What was that?!’” he said.