Thought for the day

I read on the internet the other day that the face of christianity is changing.

"Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah spoke on the topic of 'The Next Evangelicalism,' focusing on the account of Acts 15 in which the Church experiences a dynamic shift from Jew to Gentile-centered faith. Rah began his address with statistics on the increasing racial diversity of Christianity and American evangelicalism, indicating that the typical face of 1950s Christianity--a middle-aged, white, North American male--has now shifted to individuals from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

In 2005, Rah said, 40 percent of Christians in the world were white, while 60 percent were non-white. By 2050, it is predicted that 20 percent of Christians will be white North Americans and Europeans, while 71 percent of Christians will be African, Asian or Latino."

Click here for the full article- http://www.bethel.edu/bethel-news/inter/2008/oct-2008/10-09-08reconciliation-week


I have noticed even here, at my YWAM base, the people from Africa and Asia are very "hard core" and passionate people. I would actually say that in comparison to their Western counterparts, those who have come as missionaries from Asia, Africa, and South/Latin America have often shown dedication and lengths of faith that I haven't seen before. One of my very best friends, Prya, is from India and she is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She has unshakable faith, and is known for her joy and transparency. Also, I have been working with 2 guys from Nigeria whose faith is impacting to watch as they walk it out in ways that I, as a westerner (with the need to be entertained, secure, and seen) don't understand or couldn't do. I am trying to take a page from thier books!

If you ever here of a single Christian woman in the States complaining that there are no good Christian men, maybe you should suggest to her that she might be looking in the wrong continent, cause I bet there are plenty of Christian men in Africa, Asia, and South America!

"We are looking at American evangelicalism through the lens and framework of Western white Christianity,'said Rah.

Rah left the congregation with two challenges: that Americans address racism as sin, and that they also recognize the changing world and engage in relationships with those different from themselves.'The challenge I have for you,' said Rah, 'is to be mentored by someone of a difference race, because you are going to see the major shift towards a global, non-white church."