A man is nailed to a cross for over six hours. His hands sore, stomach empty, legs limp, head in agony. He is charged with blasphemy of the highest order, claiming to be something entirely false, harmfully false. He takes his final breath, somehow forgiving those that have killed him. The year is AD 30. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is dead. The revival of Christianity is formed.
“In that moment, Jesus made sure He became an important part of how I define myself as a person,” Nathan explained.
Nathan Moughtin, 21, is part of the loneliest age demographic in society, yet feels closer to his faith than ever before.
Studies have shown that Generation Z are classed as the loneliest and least connected generation when compared to others, with a report by the Global Web Index finding 80% of their Gen-Z respondents have felt “generally lonely over the last 12 months.”
Supporting studies by OXFAM continue this pattern, with nearly half of all Gen-Z respondents saying they often feel isolated or lonely, and over a quarter saying they lack a connection to a community.
“I have made so many friends directly because of me focusing on my faith and becoming a better Christian. I look forward to every Sunday, socialising with the people of my faith,” Nathan said.
Alongside being a committee member for the University of Lincoln’s Christian Society, Nathan regularly attends his local Alive Church, worshipping every Sunday and helping organise church specific events.
“I can see a shift happening in people’s perception to church, and in part it starts with people like Nathan” said Dan Hargreaves, location paster at Alive Church Lincoln.
“I think the younger generation are crying out for some familiarity and community in their life. In the world of fast-fashion, social media trends, what’s cool or what’s not, I’ve seen churchgoing and building a connection to Christ really positively shape that generations lives.”
According to data published by the Bible Society, Christian church attendance has risen by 50% over the last six years, with Gen Z making the most dramatic jump in numbers.
In 2018 just 4% of Gen Z’s reported going to church, but this number has since quadrupled in size, and makes Gen Z the second largest demographic of churchgoers.
“We want to feed into this shift, we want to welcome more young people to come to Alive. We feel more like a family horseshoe rather than family circle, there’s a church community there, even if you’re not religious,” Dan explained.
Alive Church offers an “Alpha” programme tailored specifically for young adults.
It encourages atheists to learn more about religion and to meet people of other beliefs for those wanting to explore it, focusing on community led activities like social fire pits, holiday retreats, and get-together meals.
“I do strive to be the best Christian I can be,” Nathan said.
“I give a lot of thanks to my friends I’ve met through my university life and church life. Both socially and personally, being a Christian has really helped ground myself as a person.”
The year 2025, not 30 AD. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is dead, but His messages bring meaning for an increasing number of young adults. The generation that needs it the most. The revival of Christianity is formed, and for people like Nathan and Dan, continues to persist today.
