Signs of Hope: What’s Happening with Christianity in England
For more than 30 years, CMF missionaries Aaron and Diane Lincoln have invested their lives in ministry in England. Since moving there in 1993, they have been deeply involved in church planting, discipleship, community engagement, and leadership development across multiple contexts. Today, they live in Gloucester, where they serve with a young church plant while also helping train and support emerging church leaders.
Drawing on decades of experience, the Lincolns continue to focus on building relationships, equipping believers, and helping communities encounter the gospel in both word and action.
Local Growth with National Echoes
Over the past year, Aaron and Diane have seen steady signs of spiritual openness in their local context.
“As we have shared with you in the past year, we have seen a regular stream of new people come to the church we work with. Some pop in from the busy main street for part of the gathered worship. Some attend for a few months. And some stay, are discipled, and have been baptized.”
Not every encounter leads to long-term involvement, but the consistent flow of new faces has been encouraging. And importantly, what they’re seeing locally reflects a broader pattern across England.
Recent national surveys suggest an increase in engagement with Christianity, both in attitudes and participation. Programs designed to explore faith have seen substantial growth, with significantly more people attending and more opportunities being offered nationwide. Church statistics also point to rising numbers of baptisms and first-time participants across a variety of traditions.
Interest in Scripture has grown as well. Bible sales have increased dramatically—up more than 130% since 2019—suggesting curiosity about the Bible that extends beyond what can be easily measured or tracked.
A Cultural Shift, Especially Among Younger Generations
Among younger people, spiritual practices and beliefs appear to be increasing. More teenagers report that they pray, and many express belief in God. University students, in particular, are engaging with the Bible as something meaningful and relevant to real life rather than a distant religious artifact.
Alongside these measurable changes, the Lincolns see signs of a wider cultural shift. Followers of Jesus are becoming more visible in public spaces, with athletes, influencers, and media platforms speaking more openly about faith. These conversations are creating space for people to ask questions, learn more, and, in some cases, encounter Jesus for the first time.
Overall, there is a growing openness to faith—especially among younger generations who are searching for meaning, identity, and purpose in an increasingly complex world.
Giving Thanks
While challenges remain, Aaron and Diane are encouraged by what they are witnessing and are careful to point beyond trends or statistics to the work of God Himself.
As they shared in their update, “We thank God for His work in the world.”
Please continue to pray for the Lincolns and for the many people across England who are opening their hearts to the gospel.