The so-called “Quiet Revival” report by the Bible Society noting an upsurge in Christianity amongst young people within the U.K. can be seen to an extent amongst young New Zealanders, in response to a report by Baptists.
In the 2025 Annual Report for the Baptist Churches of New Zealand, Ethan Miller, Youth Catalyst for the denomination, made the comments in reference to the Bible Society report published in April 2025 and titled “The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendance emerging across parts of the Western world.”
Miller shared the findings in a chapter titled, “Fanning the Flame: Is the Quiet Revival Here?” referring to the Bible Society report that found a measurable rise in Christian faith within the U.K., with Gen Z (born 1997–2012, now aged 13–28) “leading the best way.”
He then asked whether similar signs of renewal is also seen in Aotearoa New Zealand.
He listed a series of figures from the Baptists showing a marked increase in church attendance in New Zealand by younger people, arguably showing that a “quiet revival” can be being noticed within the country.
These figures show between 2022 and 2024, youth in Baptist churches increased by 24%. Easter Camps grew 42% between 2023 and 2025. KB Youth Leaders Training, predominantly young adults, also grew by at the least 100 people (30%) to 445 youth leaders between 2024–2025, said Miller.
Meanwhile, of the 710 baptisms reported in Baptist churches, 58% (411) were under 25, with the bulk under 18 (43%), he said. There are 8+ recent youth ministries (over 100+ youth ministries in total) over the past two years.
“We expect many more to start over the approaching years,” said Miller, and he commented on the true life stories behind the figures. “We’re hearing remarkable stories of young people walking into church with no faith background, inquisitive about Jesus, reading Scripture—and even bringing their Bibles to highschool; sharing faith, starting Alpha courses, and welcoming friends to church.”
Showing passion for mission and justice for the poor, sick, and marginalized had also been noted amongst younger people. This social motion interest complemented a demonstrable hunger for prayer and worship.
“My favourite story is a few 15-year-old girl from an unchurched background who got here to faith at Easter Camp two years ago,” recalled Miller. “After moving towns, her passion for Jesus led her to begin a youth group. Today, 30 of the 40 highschoolers in her area school gather to worship, read scripture and grow together.”
“God is on the move, and Gen Z— what [Christian researcher] Barna calls [the open generation] —appears to be leading the best way,” he added.
However, Miller cautioned that much work remained in evangelistic witness amongst youths in New Zealand with challenges in resources.
“Although Jesus is moving and there was significant progress, there remains to be much work to be done,” he said.
“The best challenge impacting youth ministry is the reduction of resources, between 50-60% lower than it was 10 years ago, at an area, regional and until recently national level.”
Miller believed that a robust and ongoing emphasis upon discipleship and leadership training is required to achieve kids.
“The way forward for the Baptist churches lies within the leaders we raise. We must recapture our vision and fervour for the following generation and younger leaders; they’re essentially the most strategic investment we will make! We would like to see this increase in the approaching years, particularly with what Jesus is doing in young people! As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.’”
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