Like most Nordic countries, and for all of Europe for that matter, participation in the Christian faith in Finland has been declining over the past few decades.

Church attendance is down in the county of 5.6 million people.

But while the decline seems to be continuing in neighboring counties, church attendance has stabilized in Finland in recent years. This is due in part to an awakening that is taking place among Finland’s young men.

Hanna Salomäki heads the Institute for Research and Advanced Training which is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. He recently spoke at a church conference sponsored by Perusta Magazine in early January 2024, Evangelical Focus reports.

In his presentation, Salomäki released some stunning data on a remarkable move of God taking place among the young men of that Nordic county.

He said there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of young men (ages 15 to 29) attending church monthly in that Nordic country in recent years. It has risen from 5% in 2011 to 12% in 2019.

In comparison, while there has also been an increase in the number of women in the same age group attending church services over those eight years, it only rose from 3% to 4%.

According to Salomäki, this awakening among young men is not just showing up in church attendance, but it also reveals itself in another way.

Surveys have shown that the number of men in that age group who prayed at least once a week has increased from 16% in 2011 to 26% in 2019.

In a surprising contrast, the number of young women of similar age who pray at least once a week actually declined over the same period.

Salomäki stated that Finland is the only country in Europe reporting an increase in religious interest among young men, and specifically added that researchers have no explanation for why this is happening.

When there is no rational explanation for an unusual event, we must then consider a spiritual one.

In recent years, young men have been bombarded, particularly by those on the radical left, with accusations of toxic masculinity.

They have specifically been targeted and marginalized, and God has a heart for the downtrodden.

Is it possible that the Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts of Finland’s young men? If so, it may soon start happening in other countries as well.