Great Commission Update
- Worldwide Christian churches devote more than 85% of their resources on their own development. That is, only 15% of this arsenal of personnel, finance, prayer, and tools goes to bless unreached people groups.
- In the U.S., the picture is even bleaker. According to the Bibles for All World Prayer Map, American Christians spend 95% of offerings on home-based ministry, 4.5% on cross-cultural efforts in already-reached people groups, and 0.5% to reach the unreached.
- American evangelicals could provide all of the funds needed to plant a church in each of the 10,000 people groups with only 0.2% of their income.
- If all the missionaries needed came from this country, less than 0.5% of evangelicals aged 18 - 35 could form the teams required.
- Only 10% (43,000 of 430,000) foreign missionaries are where 95% of the world's needs are.
- Over two billion have never heard the name of Jesus - even one time.
Sources: Urbana, and The Traveling Team.
Oct 2nd 2005 
5 Comments 
Oct 2nd 2005
Have you read Revolutions in World Missions? These facts reminded me of that book. Such an indictment against the church today...we really need to get our act together.
Oct 3rd 2005
No, but I've heard great things about it. I know the author believes that native missionaries should do all the work and we just support. While it has its positives, I believe it has more negatives.
None the less, I do plan on reading it.
Oct 3rd 2005
Hmm... this strikes something fierce within me. In fact, it is something we addressed in my Contemporary World Missions class at CU last semester (I will send you some things from it... don't want to leave a huge comment w/it). Ooo man... The facts are disturbing and only a few try and do something about it. I wish the "Christians" in America would get off their rears. Not that everyone is called to foreign missions but at least give towards it. That is one thing I love about my church. While the giving is not where it should be, 40% of the tithes and offerings go to missions. This global perspective is indeed one lacking within many people. Many of us are so stinkin content with our Western bubble that the only thing that matters to us are indeed our wants and needs. We have been blessed materially and I believe "that to whom much is given, much is required"... however, not many people seem to share that mindset. Anyway, I shall prevent myself from ranting... Grace and peace. -Alecia
Oct 3rd 2005
Old Man,
When I heard these stats at your talk at Fall Retreat it made me so fired up. If you read my blog already you know that I would go out and buy a plane ticket right this second if God didn't want me to finish things here first. I still have a lot to learn and grow from before I can go and spread the gospel.......and the bunny dance. Becky
Oct 12th 2005
Hey Chris,
Shall we say APOSTOLIC PASSION! It's kind of funny and ironic, how God uses random things in life to remind us what we know to be true already. We all, even (maybe especially) IT alumni, need to be reminded to focus our passions with God's passion. Thanks for the reminder! And it seems that your retreat went well. I'm so glad. Keep it up!
Jessica Wolf