What does the 21st century church look like? While some have called us "A sleeping giant" and others would like to see the church disappear altogether, the truth is, we are not in decline or dying...the Church is on the rise! In fact, a recent poll has found that the fastest growing religion in the world today is still Christianity.
Did you know that in the U.S., denominations such as the Church of God in Christ, The Assemblies of God, and the Church of God (along with many independent Churches) have experienced phenomenal growth in recent years?
Not just in America
According to research Christianity is making a tremendous impact worldwide. In Latin-America there are over 18 million Protestants. In fact, more than 75% of these are members of a Pentecostal/charismatic denomination.
A recent survey found that about 50% of all Africans were church members in the Christian faith while 42% were Muslim. African countries such as Kenya, Congo and Lesotho are more than 70% Christian (Keen, pp. 74-81).
This is largely due to missionaries from America and Europe and other parts of the world who travel to foreign lands preaching the gospel, planting churches, and training men and women to become spiritual leaders in their own native land.
That's exactly the work many mission-minded congregations are a part of today all over the World.
Churches are impacting the lives of men, women, and children across the globe and in their own communities as well, for the glory of God!
The word of God will prevail! This should encourage us all as we continue to do our part to reach the world with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.
Until Jesus returns for His Church
We are to be faithful and work for the Kingdom
Sharing the gospel and telling others what God has done for you is not just the job of the Pastor, preacher or Sunday school teacher. It is the calling and commission of every born again believer. We are all called to be His witnesses.
Telling others about the amazing love of God should be the desire and hearts cry of every one who knows Him!
Consider these verses as you pray about ways to share your faith with others this week.
“And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.” (Acts 1:8)
And He (Jesus) said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15)
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*Reference taken from the book “Christianity” By Michael Keene. Lion Publishing. Pp. 74-81)