IMPACT Magazine Issue 1.4 | Page 6

TWO ABLE TO TACKLE THE DEMOGRAPHICS What do you notice about the population graph below? the largest continent in terms of population. First, of course, it shows that the world population is growing. That in itself is a huge challenge. Every minute new people are appearing who have never heard the Gospel. Things never stand still. Why? Asia is the continent with the fewest Christians (see the map on page 5 – it is only 14 percent Christian). And that is why Haggai Institute takes 75 percent of its participants from this area. But second, look at where the growth is happening. Europe and North America aren’t growing much at all. Africa is growing quickly, accounting for the bulk of the new people. But Asia, projected to have 5.28 billion by 2050, remains by far The Middle East and North Africa is a region we carve away from Africa and Asia. It has the lowest percentage of Christians, as shown on the map. As a continent (including the Asian part of the Middle East), Asia is about 8.5 percent Christian. It’s not just a percentage issue; the vast population of Asia and the multitudes of Asians who have never heard the Gospel contribute to our focus on that continent. Also, Haggai Institute recognizes that the massive demographic challenge demands a new way of thinking about missions.  We don’t send missionaries: instead, we help effective, local leaders multiply their evangelistic skills in others. 12 10 BILLIONS 8 6 4 2 0 1950 6 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060