Children and Youth Conference 2026: Influenced

Divisional Children’s Worker Charlotte Reid (South West) reports on a day of worship, learning and reflection on how the world influences the younger generation.

At William Booth College, the atmosphere was one of expectancy as youth leaders from across the UK and Ireland Territory arrived with excitement, ready to understand more deeply the culture influencing children and young people, and to consider how we can respond.

Samuel Taylor (Plexus) opened the day with a powerful challenge: What are we hungry for: manna or the Man? He invited us to examine whether our ministries are fuelled by a genuine hunger for the person and presence of Jesus, or by a reliance on familiar patterns that simply get us through the day.

Drawing on the story of Exodus 16, he reminded us that manna was a temporary provision, but Jesus – the bread of life – offers a relationship that satisfies fully and sustains us for the long journey of discipling the emerging generation. His message was a call to go the distance, to pass the baton with intention, and to cultivate a desire for Jesus that overflows into the lives of children and young people.

This theme of connection and relationship continued as Laura Hancock from Youth for Christ presented findings from their recent research, Meet Gen Z and Gen Alpha. She highlighted the significant cultural shift in how young people spend their time, with many now engaging with the world primarily through screens. Digital spaces offer opportunities for discipleship with more content than ever at their fingertips, but they also expose young people to harmful influences, such as the manosphere.

Yet, despite these challenges, the research revealed something deeply encouraging: spiritual openness is rising. Belief in God has increased by 16 per cent over the past nine years, and more young people are expressing interest in prayer and spiritual experiences. If invited to explore faith, 33 per cent of young people would say yes – a 15 per cent rise in less than a decade.

The invitation still matters, but the culture into which we extend it has changed. Isolation, digital engagement, shifting social patterns and incorrect presumptions from the Church mean that our approach must adapt. If Jesus became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood, then we must also be present in the neighbourhood – listening, learning and offering an invitation that resonates with the real lives of children and young people.

This neighbourhood has expanded beyond postcodes, into the metaverse and beyond, rapidly expanding and changing day-by-day! Is our influence keeping up? Do we need to change and be more creative for God’s will to be done here as in Heaven?

Listening emerged as a key theme throughout the day. Social media content creator Joel Saunders modelled what it looks like to engage young people by asking meaningful questions and genuinely listening to answers. Conversation sparks curiosity, he reminded us, modelling this through recording interviews with the public on the streets.

Guest speaker Gareth Cheesman encouraged us to consider how AI influences our relationships, sense of identity and faith.

The Participation People organisation reinforced this by demonstrating the importance of allowing young people’s responses to shape our ministry and our introduction to Jesus. A relevant invitation begins with attentive listening, which was modelled by the Children and Youth Team through videos and a panel of young people and children contributing to the conference.

Territorial Youth and Children’s Secretary Captain Jonny Whitmore concluded the day by inviting everyone to engage with God’s dynamic, diverse and life-affirming Kingdom here on Earth.

As a divisional children’s worker, attending this conference was a joy. We had space to reflect on our contexts, share ideas, pray for one another, and strengthen relationships with officers, long-time volunteers and fairly new volunteers. Being surrounded by people who long to be led by Jesus – and desire to influence others to follow him – was humbling and energising.

The day left me with a sense of excitement, and challenged me to think, dream and pray about how our influence can shift our culture.

• Find practical resources for ministry with children and young people at salvationist.org.uk/children-and-youth.