by Greg Mundis

  Something to Think About

Recently I read in a missionary newsletter a quick fact about religious beliefs in France. Choosing a random group of 200 French people would yield an average 155 atheists, 20 Muslims, 20 Catholics, 2 Buddhists, 2 Jews, and 1 evangelical believer. This illustration graphically portrays what I have shared in the past—the demographics of Europe are rapidly changing.

We see a similar trend in a powerful, economically strong country like Germany. In 1960, 2500 people of Turkish descent lived in Germany; by the year 2000 there were over 2.5 million. It has been stated that 1 in every 8 people in Frankfurt are of Turkish descent.

The United States is undergoing a time of massive immigration, like Europe. The greatest probable difference between immigrants to Europe versus the U.S. is that those immigrating to America have a Christian worldview, whereas those immigrating to Europe more likely have a non-Christian worldview.

What are the ramifications for us who minister in Europe? They are fairly simple—our opportunities to share the gospel are not limited to Europeans; we can also reach these dear people who are coming from many parts of the world to live and find their future on the Continent.

This makes our ministry in Europe much more difficult and much more exciting. It is exciting in the sense that immigrants to Europe may come from countries where missionary presence and the church are so small that it is difficult for the national church to reach its own people. So, God has given us an opportunity to share the gospel with people who for generations have not heard this message.

Our personnel in Europe as well as the national churches are stepping up to the task of sharing the gospel with native Europeans and non-native Europeans. That is something to think about.

May the Lord richly bless you today.

Greg Mundis
AGWM Europe Regional Director

Home