Revival Is Here. Are You Ready?
Across the world—and here in Australia—we’re seeing signs of a Christian revival.
In the middle of rising anxiety, fractured communities, and a search for stability, more people are returning to faith. And not just in theory—church attendance is increasing, interest in Christianity is growing, and spiritual conversations are becoming more common.
This shift isn’t loud or headline-grabbing. But it’s measurable. It’s real. And for churches, ministries, and Christian professionals, it demands attention.
Global Signs of a Spiritual Awakening
Recent research out of the UK shows young adult church attendance has quadrupled according to The Times UK. Between 2018 and 2024, it climbed from just 4% to 16%. Among young men, it’s even higher—21% now attend church regularly. For a nation often labelled post-Christian, this points to a deep spiritual hunger and a new openness to the gospel.
In the US, similar trends are emerging. After decades of decline, church attendance has started to rise again, hitting 32% in early 2025—up from 28% just the year before. And among Millennials and Gen Z men in particular, commitment to Jesus has grown by nearly 20 percentage points in under six years.
The narrative that younger generations are walking away from God isn’t wrong—but it’s incomplete. Those who remain in the Church are more devoted than ever. And increasingly, some who left are starting to return.
Australia’s Undercurrent of Faith: A Revival of Return
In Australia, revival is looking a little different—but it’s no less real.
McCrindle’s 2025 report An Undercurrent of Faith shows that more than 784,000 Australians who identified as having no religion in the 2016 Census now identify as Christian. Remarkably, the largest portion of this shift is coming not from young adults—but from older Australians, particularly those over 55.
This trend—driven by retirees, the recently bereaved, and those going through significant life transitions—suggests a growing openness to faith later in life. It’s a quiet return. A seeking. A need to reconnect with something deeper.
At the same time, young Australian Christians who remain in the Church are showing strong levels of commitment: over 70% of Gen Y and 68% of Gen Z believers attend church at least once a month. This is not casual cultural Christianity. It’s convictional. Intentional. Grounded. Christian revival is here in Australia.
In short, revival in Australia is not a one-size-fits-all movement. It’s an intergenerational awakening—emerging in unexpected places and among different groups.
What the Church Must Do Now
It means we need to be ready. Christian revival is in Australia now.
- Ready to walk with people who are exploring faith for the first time—or returning after decades away.
- Ready to support people processing grief, identity, purpose, or transition in light of renewed spiritual questions.
- Ready to pastor not just from the pulpit—but in the quiet spaces of doubt, pain, and rediscovery.
That means being ready not just with good preaching, but with skilled, compassionate, Christ-centred support.
The Role of the Christian Counsellor Has Never Been More Vital
This is where the need is greatest—and the opportunity clearest.
As more Australians (young and old) turn toward faith, many bring with them trauma, mental health challenges, family breakdowns, and emotional wounds. Revival doesn’t erase those realities—it brings them into the light.
We need a generation of highly trained Christian counsellors who can:
- Integrate faith and psychological best practice
- Offer hope rooted in Christ, not just optimism
- Walk long-term with people rebuilding their lives and beliefs
- Understand spiritual formation, not just mental health symptoms
These counsellors will be on the frontlines of revival in Australia—often not on stages, but in rooms with one person at a time.
They are the current teachers, mothers, grandparents, carers—those already walking alongside others in meaningful ways. And we need more of them.
The Moment Is Now
Revival is not coming. It’s already moving—in our churches, schools, workplaces.
The question is: are we ready?
- Ready to meet the need.
- Ready to equip and raise up counsellors who are spiritually grounded and clinically competent.
- Ready to support churches and ministries that can’t carry the weight alone.
The harvest is ready. Let’s not miss it because we were unprepared.
Have you thought about becoming a qualified counsellor? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God's love and grace to the hurting out in the community.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
Enrolment Season - opens approximately 2 months prior to our courses commencing. Enrol online here during our enrolment season.
We also offer two modes of study:
A Master of Counselling course was introduced in 2018.