{"id":31062,"date":"2022-09-10T15:15:19","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:15:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/how-the-growing-global-church-can-encourage-american-christians\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:15:19","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:15:19","slug":"how-the-growing-global-church-can-encourage-american-christians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/how-the-growing-global-church-can-encourage-american-christians\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Growing Global Church Can Encourage American Christians"},"content":{"rendered":"
Greg Rosenke photo – Unsplash <\/p>\n

By Y Bonesteele<\/em><\/p>\n

Even through a pandemic, God is moving. He\u2019s always moving and growing His Kingdom, not despite traumatic events, but through<\/em> them. All around the world we have seen God continue to make Himself known, grow His disciples, and bring good news to a world yearning for hope.<\/p>\n

In a recent Lifeway Research article, we find that \u201cIn 1900, twice as many Christians lived in Europe than in the rest of the world. Today, the Christian population in Europe has a flat growth rate, while Africa and Asia continue to experience dramatic growth.\u201d Also, \u201cCurrently, almost 640 million Christians live in Africa and 604 million in Asia, while 544 million call Europe home.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 1900, twice as many Christians lived in Europe than in the rest of the world. Today, almost 640 million Christians live in Africa and 604 million in Asia, while 544 million call Europe home. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Christianity is no longer predominantly a white, Western religion as some perceive it to be. God\u2019s Spirit is reaching beyond all borders and calling all nations to Himself.<\/p>\n

The Middle East<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A new survey found that 1.5% of Iranians identify as Christian. According to Article18, a London non-profit promoting religious freedom in Iran, \u201cIf this figure is extrapolated across Iran\u2019s over 80 million people, then even taking into account the approximately 300,000 \u2018recognized\u2019 Christians of Armenian and Assyrian descent, this would suggest an additional one million converts to Christianity.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the Iranian government has failed to live up to its promises, its people have had to seek hope in other places. A source from this article states, \u201cWater is limited, pollution is terrible, structural planning is poor. A lot of people don\u2019t trust the government at all.\u201d And since the government and Islam is one, people are turning away, toward a God who is always faithful.<\/p>\n

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Latin America<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In Mexico, as well, the Protestant\/evangelical movement has surged from 7.5% in 2010 to 11.2% in 2020.<\/p>\n

Protestant Christianity has grown by close to 50% in Mexico since 2010. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Christianity Today<\/em> quotes Rosa A. Duarte de Markham, coordinator of the department of biblical translation at the Missionary Cooperation of Mexico (Comimex), saying, \u201cMexico has been in mourning for several years due to enforced disappearances. Surely this has led to the search for God as a comforter, to value peace and justice. \u2026 On the other hand, the need to rescue the family nucleus has led mothers and fathers to search in the Word of God for values such as fidelity in marriage, harmony, love of children, honesty, and a healthy lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

People understand the value of love and peace and morality for better living. They are understanding that can only come through the Word of God.<\/p>\n

Asia<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In Cambodia, the number of Christians have grown to more than 300,000 with an 8.8% growth rate, according to this article. Within tribal areas, varying missions organizations work together in unity to translate the Bible in tribal languages, to train future leaders, and raise up a new generation of believers.<\/p>\n

China, too, is seeing growth in Christianity even amid persecution. According to The Economist<\/em>, \u201cProtestant Christianity is probably the fastest-growing faith, with at least 38 million adherents today (about 3% of the population), up from 22 million a decade ago, according to the government\u2019s count. The true number is probably much higher: perhaps as many as 22 million more Chinese Protestants worship in unregistered ‘underground’ churches, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Notre Dame.\u201d<\/p>\n

Protestant Christianity is probably the fastest-growing religion in China, with 38 million government-recognized adherents and potentially 22 million more worshipping in underground churches, according to The Economist. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Especially under persecution, Chinese Christians are not only creating converts but disciples as they risk it all to be believers.<\/p>\n

Africa<\/strong><\/h3>\n

According to research from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, \u201cAs Christianity continues to grow worldwide, the main driver of the growth remains Africa, increasing at a 2.86% rate. Before 2050, it will be the first continent that is home to more than 1 billion Christians.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conrad Mbewe states that in his own country of Zambia, \u201cthe church provides 60% of the health facilities of the entire nation. The church also runs the best schools in the country, in terms of both the physical structures and the holistic development of the students. Even when there has been need for disaster relief, the church has tended to be the vehicle chosen by donors to deliver help at the grassroots level. This has helped the nations of Africa that are on the brink of abject poverty to appreciate the church and to still have hope for the younger generation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before 2050, Africa will be the first continent that is home to more than 1 billion Christians. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

What We Learn<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As we look at these soundbite statistics of Christian growth around the world, what lessons can we learn as we try to reach those around us? Of course, our Western world lives in a different context, but through these articles and research, those of us from the U.S. can take some things to heart.<\/p>\n

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See also  8 Ways to Persevere in Ministry<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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People are looking for hope, knowing the world can\u2019t satisfy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In countries like Iran or China, where governments try to enforce their beliefs upon their people with promises of utopia, unfulfilled hopes are helping people realize that this world and other gods (spiritual or political ones) can\u2019t be trusted or can\u2019t satisfy.<\/p>\n

When confronted with a God who doesn\u2019t change, who is all-good and all-sovereign, people are finding the good news they\u2019ve longed for.<\/p>\n

The Bible helps us live morally and upholds the family unit which leads to greater joy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most countries outside the Western world, operate around the family unit. No other belief system lifts that up with more sound counsel and advice than Christianity. People are looking for practical, honest, real ways to live better, and the Word of God provides that.<\/p>\n

Although a good, moral system isn\u2019t what saves, truth with grace found in the Bible provides a way for all who believe to find a joyful way to live rightly. The Bible provides wisdom this world is craving for.<\/p>\n

Although a good, moral system isn\u2019t what saves, truth with grace found in the Bible provides a way for all who believe to find a joyful way to live rightly. \u2014 Y Bonesteele Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Unity between believers builds a stronger witness.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In countries where Christians are not the majority, like Cambodia for example, where workers are few, the primary issues of the gospel are essential, but the secondary and tertiary issues of the faith are not. Christian workers learn to work together for the sake of the gospel and the Kingdom beyond personal preferences.<\/p>\n

When different denominations have a unified front seeing Jesus as Lord of all without bickering, they become a stronger witness to those around them. When we fight amongst ourselves over less important issues, those who watch us see only confusion and chaos which isn\u2019t appealing to those searching for truth.<\/p>\n

Persecution for beliefs build stronger disciples.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In many of the countries mentioned above, persecution leads to stronger disciples. Faith doesn\u2019t become a popularity issue or a trend; it\u2019s a life or death decision. A convert\u2019s commitment comes with a cost that causes transformation and new life. In the U.S., sometimes we fear persecution for our beliefs, so we worry about government or cultural influences.<\/p>\n

But if no persecution is present, how does our faith cost us anything? Without suffering for our convictions, how do we know we truly believe? When our faith costs us little, we tend to make little of our faith.<\/p>\n

When our faith costs us little, we tend to make little of our faith. \u2014 Y Bonesteele Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Helping the poor and marginalized out of love garners respect from unbelievers.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The church in many countries is the vehicle bringing life, hope, and love to many where the government can\u2019t. Like in Zambia, mobilizing food distributions, engaging in education, fighting for human rights\u2013\u2013these are just some of the ways the church is alive and at work, bringing mercy and justice to a world in need.<\/p>\n

We can learn from churches around the world that we worship inside<\/em> the church so we can reach outside<\/em> the church. We must be the hands and feet of Christ to our neighbors around us that the world may see Him, know Him, and love Him.<\/p>\n

We can learn from churches around the world that we worship inside the church so we can reach outside the church. \u2014 Y Bonesteele Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Throughout history, the Christian church has been a force for bringing good news to all, spiritually and otherwise. And in doing so, God\u2019s Kingdom grows. Let\u2019s continue learning these lessons from believers in other countries to help us grow in our own maturity and the maturity of God\u2019s church for the glory of God.<\/p>\n

Let us praise God that one day all tribes and tongues will worship and bow before Christ Jesus, our King! And with that, come, Lord Jesus, come!<\/p>\n

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Y Bonesteele<\/h2>\n

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Y is an editorial coordinator at Lifeway Christian Resources. She has her M.Div. from Talbot School of Theology with an emphasis in Evangelism and Discipleship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n