Why the Gen Zs might just be the revival Africa’s churches forgot they were waiting for.
The question that 700 Pastors and Leaders grappled with for three days, from May 21-23, at the Generations Conference.
Hosted by One Hope Kenya in partnership with International Christian Center (ICC), Imara
Day 1: The Ghost of Pentecost Past, and the Future It Forgot
Three stories echoed through the halls of the Conference. Like ancient scrolls unrolling before new scribes.
🍃 Story 1: The Pentecostal movement in Africa (cue the 1980s) was ignited by youth. Disillusioned by dry liturgy and stiff upper collars. They stormed heaven with prayer and gospel fire. Today, Gen Zs are asking if church is still relevant. Irony, anyone?
🍃 Story 2: In the 70s, Korea was Buddhist, with only 4% Christians. The 80s saw evangelical revivals catapulting numbers to 34%. But two decades later, Christianity there is back down to 3%. Momentum lost is revival reversed.
🍃 Story 3: In Singapore, Heart of God Church is writing a different script with 5,000+ youths. Youth-led. Discipled. Mobilized. Revived.
As we listened, three questions stirred:
🍁 Are we watching the African Pentecostal boom hit reverse gear?
🍁 Are our churches adopting Europe and Korea into the “Grey Awakening”, aging believers, empty pews?
🍁 What lessons lie in Singapore’s youthful blueprint?
We were reminded of the sons of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:32) who understood the times. And of a post-Joshua generation (Judges 2:1) who tragically did not know the Lord.
Time to read the room. Or in this case, the generation.
Gen Zs have what Boomers banked, and what Millennials budgeted: Time and Energy.
Why not let wisdom and wealth from older saints meet the raw potential of the young? The shortfalls of one generation can be offset, twice over, by the surpluses of another.
💡 A church where every generation gets to shine? Now that’s a revival worth preaching.
Day 2: When a Church Becomes a Home, with a Father’s Embrace
Confession: I only cry in weddings. Specifically, when the bride walks down the aisle. (A story for another blog post…)
But today, tears came unexpectedly. Listening to Klennan from Singapore’s Heart of God Church broke something open.
His mother? An alcoholic. His father? A criminal.
His family? Broken. His church? Home.
There, he found a spiritual father in Pastor How. Every year on Father’s Day, he received handwritten notes. Not sermons. Just love and affirming letters. That’s what Jesus would do, right?
Ten years later, Klennan is a church media leader. Traveling the world with the gospel. From Hong Kong 🇭🇰 to Thailand 🇹🇭 and now Kenya 🇰🇪.
Which begs the soul-searching question:
👉 Can Gen Zs and Gen Alphas call church home? A home with fathers, mothers, and spiritual siblings?
We were challenged to rethink discipleship.
Are we pursuing the ancient hierarchy of Believe → Become → Belong?
Or embracing the inclusive flow of Belong → Believe → Become?
It’s time to ACT and build. Not just tear up. If we don’t captivate this generation, the world certainly will.
Day 3: From Dependency to Destiny. Africa’s Turn to Lead
Final day. And what a finish.
Over 700 pastors and leaders gathered to close out three days of mind-renewing and heart-realigning insight.
Africa’s Lead, Dr. John Walada, dropped both stats and Spirit:
📊 Africa now has the world’s highest Christian population. It has reached 756 million people.
📊 It’s the youngest, fastest-growing, and most rapidly urbanizing continent
📲 One Hope has reached 2 billion children globally. Through the Book of Hope, GodMan Film, and Bible App for Kids
And through research on Global Youth Culture, they’re using data like prophets use scrolls. Not to panic, but to prophesy.
Dr. John from Togo issued a powerful call. He said it’s time for Africa to stop being the mission field. Africa should start being the mission force.
We are no longer poverty-stricken. We are resource-rich in spirit.
We are givers. We are senders.
We are called to raise a Missional Generation.
“Whom shall I send?” God asks (Isaiah 6:8). Here we are. Send us.
Final Word
The Generations Conference didn’t just open our eyes. It gave us lenses. Not rose-tinted ones, but prophetic ones.
The revival we yearn for might not be in imported music or borrowed branding. It may be in embracing the bold. Sometimes brash, ever-beautiful chaos of Gen Z.
Let’s build churches where old dreams and new energy collide.
Where spiritual fathers write Father’s Day notes. Where the past is honored, the future is invited, and everyone has a seat.
Church, shall we?
💬 I’d Love to Hear From You!
This conversation is just beginning. As church leaders, children / youth workers, and believers across generations, your perspective matters.
👉 What stood out to you most from my reflections above?
👉 How is your church engaging Gen Zs and Alphas?
👉 What’s one bold idea from Singapore’s model you’d love to see adapted locally?
Drop your thoughts, testimonies, or even your challenges in the comments below. Let’s sharpen one another and dream together. Because revival is generational!
#GenerationsConference #PentecostalFuture #YouthLedChurch #SingaporeModel #ChurchRevival #MissionalGeneration #GenZInChurch #OneHopeKenya #CrossGenerationalFaith
Joseph Ngaara is inspired by people’s life experiences. Do you have an intriguing life story and need to share your triumph or tragedy? Email: j.mungai@hotmail.co.uk
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