Christianity in the World

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 ESV

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

The Good

China

Persecution:

“Church leaders anywhere in the country can be invited for ‘tea’ by the Chinese authorities, usually a thinly veiled excuse to check on Christian activities. More leaders of house churches are being convicted of fraud or other economic crimes, and face long and arduous prison sentences. The relative openness the Chinese church experienced for many years is slowly closing. Each year, the expression of Christian faith becomes subject to increasingly complex legal restrictions.”

Bible Apps Banned

Facial Recognition in registered churches

Children under 18 are banned from churches

Praise:

Projections from 10 years ago showed that China would pass the U.S. in number of Christians by 2030

Strong House Church Movement

Back to Jerusalem Movement

Iran

Persecution

Both leaders and ordinary members of Christian groups are often arrested, prosecuted and given long prison sentences for ‘crimes against national security’.

Praise

Highest Rate of Growth of Christianity in the World - 19.6%

North Korea

Persecution

Number 1 on the world watch list in persecution for almost every year since 2002

‘Anti-reactionary thought laws’ were enacted in December 2020 and made even clearer that being a Christian or owning a Bible is a serious crime and will be severely punished through death or labour camps

Family Members or Extended Families are endangered for any religious activity

Recently, OpenDoors ministry moved the country from a 96 to a 98 score of persecution of Christians

Churches in Pyongyang

Praise

About 100,000 to 400,000 Christians live in North Korea

Matthew 5:10 ESV

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Mid

Nigeria

Persecution

Many believers are killed, particularly men, while women are often kidnapped and targeted for sexual violence. More believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world. These militants also destroy homes, churches and livelihoods.

We will worship God because He has preserved our lives… I still have God and He is still on the throne. He will surely deliver me. - ABRAHAM, DISPLACED CHRISTIAN IN NIGERIA

Praise:

114 Million Christians compared to 213 million Christians in the U.S.

Strong growth for a large country

Problem:

Prosperity Gospel

God wants believers to have health and wealth

Poverty is a sign of lack of faith

Speaking confessions of faith

Brazil

Praise:

234 Million Christians

Problem:

Strong Portion of Catholics

Prosperity Gospel

God wants believers to have health and wealth

Poverty is a sign of lack of faith

Speaking confessions of faith

South Korea

Praise:

Explosion of Christianity in the last 100 years

Ex. Yoido Full Gospel Church (750,000 Members)

Strong Missions focus

Problem:

80% of youth are identifying as nones (no religion)

MegaChurch Burnout

U.S.A.

Praise:

A history of Christian freedom

A legacy of strong teaching and churches in the last 100 years

Separation of Church and State

Strong Teaching against problems such as prosperity Gospel

Strongest Missions in the World

Problem:

Weak Community

Consumerism

Lack of Global Awareness

Rise of nones with the youth

The Ugly

Scandinavia, Netherlands, Britain

A history of cultural Christianity

Around 1 in 100 people who claim Christianity actually go to church

Anti Evangelism

Deep Church and State ties

Matthew 7:21 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 ESV

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.