From: https://research.lifeway.com/2024/01/22/8-encouraging-trends-in-global-christianity-for-2024/ "The 2024 Status of Global Christianity report provides at least eight positive trends that paint a picture of a healthy, growing global church. By Aaron Earls Our view of Christianity is limited. We often only directly observe and experience the movement of God’s Kingdom in our local context. Even mission trips to other areas only give us a brief glimpse at the work of Christ somewhere else. We can expand our gaze across time by reading church history and seeing how God moved in previous generations. We can also examine stories and statistics of what is happening around the world in our day. These eight trends from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s 2024 report may give you a better picture of global Christianity and help you see the expansiveness of God’s work. 1. Christianity is growing This may surprise many, but Christianity is growing around the world and is growing faster than the rate of population. From 2020 to the mid-point of 2024, the world’s population is expected to grow from more than 7.84 billion people to more than 8.11 billion, a 0.87% growth trend. The number of Christians worldwide is expected to climb from more than 2.52 billion to 2.63 billion, a 1.08% growth. The Christian population is projected to top 3 billion before 2050 ... 5. Atheism is shrinking While Christianity and other religions are growing around the world, the global atheist population is falling. The current growth trend for atheism is -0.12%, with their number falling from 147 million in 2020 to 146 million in 2024. Atheism peaked around 1970 with 165 million people." https://research.lifeway.com/2024/01/22/8-encouraging-trends-in-global-christianity-for-2024/
