Current State of the Christian Church Around the World: Growth or Decline?
Asia
Historically, the Christian Faith has found a great opposition in most Asian countries, particularly the Far East. It's still punishable by jail, torture or worse, to possess a Bible in North Korea. Similarly, in China, there is still not much improvement from the terrible things that the Christian churches suffered in the 70s under the savage government of Chairman Mao. In fact, the Chinese underground Church is still underground even in this 2026. There is not much to rejoice about in Afghanistan either, which is still the second most dangerous place to be a Christian believer, according to Christian watchdogs. Other nations like India, Pakistan, etc., are still very much dominated by Hinduism and Islam — significantly so. Nonetheless, it's not all doom and gloom. The brothers in Asia are gradually gaining ground through the Gospel of Jesus, all thanks to countries like South Korea, where God’s people are free to serve the Lord, and can even produce missionaries from there.
Middle East
Israel, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and perhaps Egypt, make up the Middle East territory. As you might guess, these usually war-torn zones are not a good ground for Christian growth, mostly because of their Islamic dominance. As for Israel, the founder of the Christian religion, there is still much work to be done. The Jewish religion is still very much in control. If anything, the Palestinian side of that State has seen a significant rise in the Christian population. Much to the hope of the rest of us.
Europe
If we are talking about the sad state of affairs, Europe is a good example. Remember the great heroes that we read about? The likes of John Wesley, George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon, Hudson Taylor, David Livingstone, the Puritans, Moravians, all the way to John Calvin and Martin Luther? All that heritage is completely gone! That Europe that used to be the breadbasket of the Christian Church is but a distant memory. Over the last few decades, there has been a saddening decline of Christianity in Europe. Churches are being closed virtually every week in Germany. Sunday, once a national Sabbath, has become just a normal day in Scotland. Here is something to alarm you more: there is an unprecedented growth of the Islamic faith in Europe than in any other place on earth. I am sure France will bear witness to my statement. How sad.
Americas
The American population is, in fact, the opposite of their EU counterparts. That is, Christianity is not only growing in America, but it is thriving. Since about a century ago, the USA has taken the driving seat in the propagation of this Great Message. Most of the good doctrine that we currently enjoy, the good preachers, and a ton of other helpful Bible resources, is all owed to our brethren across the Atlantic. It is not without its challenges though, for example, Canada has already thrown a few pastors in prison for preaching against homosexuality. Regardless, we can safely say that there is no region on earth where the Christian Church is at its best than in North and South America. It is truly the centre of gravity for the modern Christian era.
Africa
It has been said that African Christianity is 1mile wide and 1nch deep. What it means is that it's like the Christian eagle has spread its wings successfully across the Black Land, although most of it is a distorted version of it, i.e. Roman Catholicism and Charismatic prosperity theology. In all fairness, this reality is also true with every other region that I have mentioned above, America included. That said, I bid you to look at the brighter side of things. That is, about a millennium ago, Africa was in total darkness as to who Jesus is. Therefore, let us at least, rejoice about the fact that our Lord is now a common figure in our Motherland. That is a positive thing in my opinion. Then we can live to correct bad theology sometime later.
Final observation
I think the major question that we have to ask is: is Christianity really growing as it used to be or is it on the decline? Well, my overall observation is that indeed, our Faith is growing, albeit it's much slower now than in the previous decades. Also, there are some regions, as we have highlighted above, that are on the decline, while others are on the rise. Speaking from my immediate community, I can concede that things are not looking good. What we call “zeal for the Lord” has become nothing any more than an alien saying. However, I am of the private opinion that there are two types of Christianity: the biblical, historic Faith and the counterfeit, cultural churchianity. It's the latter, that I believe, is on the slippery slope. I have realized that— because of the difficulties that go with believing, alongside the rise of the technological toys, — a great many who were once “Christians” for the sake of blending in, have since given up pretending and returned to who they were to begin with. They had no choice but to succumb to the natural desires of their hearts. At the same time, there remains genuine believers who have set their hearts on eternity. They are the ones who are thriving through a slow, but steady growth. Therefore, the message I want to remind us is that the Christian Faith is not going anywhere anytime soon. No it is not dying, I refuse to buy into that lie. Christ is the Rock of the Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Mat 16:18). His people will continue to hold onto the true Gospel of our salvation without wavering. They will maintain their service to Him, go on praying to Him and continue to represent Him wherever they go. Will you be one of them?
Sinothi Ncube
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