The Greatest Opportunity since the Reformation?!

What is God birthing in Europe?

As core team leaders of NXT Move Europe and active members of the global NXT Move community, Marina and I are committed to advancing youth and young adult ministries across Europe. We facilitate the European Evangelical Alliance’s Youth and Young Adults network and help lead the European Youth Ministry Network, dedicated to training and equipping youth leaders to spread the gospel.

What is God birthing?

Isaiah 54:1-3 serves as a prophetic image for Europe, depicting a barren woman bursting into song and expanding her tent to accommodate more children. Statistics underscore the urgency: 38% of Millennials are leaving the church, 52% of teens never read religious scripture, and only 11% of young people in Europe are committed to following Jesus. Despite these challenges, there is immense potential among young people, with 80% of Christians deciding to follow Jesus before the age of 18.

Two key elements emerge: Boldness among Christians and Hunger among non-Christians. We are witnessing a ‘bold remnant’ of committed young Christians who, despite the challenges of the pandemic, wars, and cancel culture, have remained steadfast in their faith. There is also a profound spiritual hunger among those unfamiliar with God. This generation, more spiritually aware than ever, is searching for meaning.

As Sarah Breuel insightfully questions, ‘Is Europe post-Christian or pre-revival?’ The answer lies in recognizing this period as an extraordinary opportunity, potentially the most significant since the Reformation.

The Pre-Christian Opportunity

I see Generation Z and Generation Alpha as “blank pages” rather than “burnt pages.” Although these generations may have misconceptions about the church, they are generally open and seeking authenticity. This openness necessitates a shift in evangelistic approaches, allowing us to introduce people to the real, radical, life-changing Jesus.

The Gift of the Diaspora

The diaspora church, mainly from MENA (Middle East and North Africa) regions, plays a crucial role in shaping the young church in Europe. With significant migration, diaspora churches are growing and diversifying the Christian landscape.

Challenges and Opportunities

1. Own Truth vs. Post-Truth Culture: Younger generations build truth in a ‘pick n mix’ way. In an experience-driven culture, a direct introduction to Jesus and personal encounters with Him may prove more powerful than traditional apologetics.
2. Cancel Culture: Being a Jesus follower is challenging today, necessitating a strong apologetic and experiential approach to faith.
3. Social Justice Causes: Engaging with young people’s passions for climate change and social justice can demonstrate that these issues are central to God’s heart.
4. Harassed, Helpless, and Hopeless: Addressing the needs of younger generations with compassion and understanding.

What is NXT?

Looking ahead, our primary goal is to develop a community of leaders who support and invest in each other, creating a unified vision and strategy for reaching and empowering the next generation in Europe. Our approach emphasizes three key actions: pray, connect, and start conversations. By facilitating “NOW” conversations — “Not On Our Watch” — we aim to address the decline in Christian engagement among younger generations in Europe and globally.