Searching for the 6%

“I wish there was a community or group of adults who are starting from the basics so we could learn and grow together.” – Erikka Cole

Resurrection Life (Reslife), an eight-year-old church planted in the heart of New York City (NYC), applied for a grant through Imaginarium at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) with the intent of reaching emerging adults who had recently come to faith. The initiative was inspired by a compelling insight from Barna research: only 6% of people become Christians after the age of 18. When adults do come to faith, Reslife noticed a lack of resources and community designed to help them “catch up” compared to those raised in the church. From this need, the 6% Project was born.

A team of young adults at Reslife launched the 6% Project by surveying individuals in their congregation who had come to faith in adulthood. A recurring theme emerged: new believers often felt embarrassed by their limited biblical knowledge and unfamiliarity with church language.

One member of the team – Natilyn “Natty” Hepburn-Beaty – who is part of the “6%” herself, shared this feeling. She recalled how lost she felt when she came to faith during college. Unlike many others, Natty had access to theological classes that helped her grow; but she recognized this isn’t a luxury all young adult believers have.

Reslife currently offers the Alpha course for new believers or those exploring faith. Alpha is designed to introduce the Christian faith and create space for open dialogue in a small group setting. In Phases 1 and 2 of the Imaginarium grant (which awarded $500 and $1,000, respectively), the 6% Ministries team surveyed individuals who had completed the Alpha course. While the program proved helpful, the surveys revealed a continued gap—more was needed.

In Phase 3 of the grant, which garnered an award of $15,000, the 6% Ministries team shifted focus toward building both community and biblical knowledge for adult believers. They initially considered hosting a two-day conference but soon realized that even in the Upper East Side of NYC (which is the most densely populated area in the country) loneliness and lack of community are pervasive. Rather than a large, one-time gathering, what these adults needed was intentional, relational time to grow and learn alongside others in similar stages of faith.

To begin building that kind of community, the team identified young adults who might be interested and created “Christian Starter Packs” for individuals who had recently been baptized. These packs included branded items (like shirts and hats) to spark conversation and build a sense of belonging, along with practical tools like notebooks, pens, and a copy of The Jesus Storybook Bible. Although originally written for children, this Bible was chosen for its clear, accessible retelling of Scripture’s overarching story—an ideal starting point for those who, in many ways, are just beginning their journey of faith. 

Ephesians 4:12–13 calls the church to equip God’s people to do his work and to build up the body of Christ toward maturity. Just as raising children takes time and care, so does raising Christians. With that in mind, the 6% Ministries team developed two new courses to teach Scripture in practical, approachable ways: Ignite and Ablaze.

If Alpha is for “infant” Christians, Ignite is designed for “toddler” believers and Ablaze for those ready for “elementary” growth. Given the transience of New York City, where people often stay only a few years, both courses are designed to be completed in one semester—providing a year-long foundation for participants to grow in faith and then take what they’ve learned into new communities.

The team based the content of these courses on the actual questions young adults were asking about faith. They recently completed a pilot of Ignite, which met in a congregant’s apartment in a small group format, including a shared meal to foster a sense of family and belonging.

At the end of the pilot, the team identified several ways to make the course more effective. Many young adults face disruptions—work, school, relationships, and family obligations—that make consistent attendance difficult. To address this, sessions were recorded, and the team is developing an online platform to make content more accessible. They also chose to shorten the videos from around an hour to about 20 minutes or less.

Along with these adjustments, they are transitioning from a small-group format to a mentorship-based model. In this updated structure, the course can be completed with as few as two people. A mentor is paired with a mentee, and the two meet—over coffee, at home, or in a restaurant—to go through the Ignite or Ablaze content. With online access, participants can view material before or during their meeting, making space for conversation, connection, and discipleship, even amid demanding schedules.

In the heart of a city where space and time are precious, the Imaginarium grant has provided 6% Ministries with a launchpad to equip mentors with funding for meals, meeting space, and resources. And as mentees grow, they’re encouraged to become mentors themselves: passing on what they’ve received and carrying the light of discipleship into new seasons and places, from New York City into all the world.