Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

'UK needs more missionaries from overseas' 

A new poll of Christians reveals overwhelming acceptance that there is a need in the UK for missionaries from overseas

 
The research from the Evangelical Alliance reveals that 95 per cent of UK Christians feel they can learn from and be inspired by the church abroad. Seventy four per cent thought the country needed missionaries from other countries to come and bring the gospel to people in the UK.

These figures concur with research into Christian behaviour from 2011 that showed 90 per cent believe Christians should be actively involved in evangelism but only 60 per cent are actually doing it.

'As a nation we are quite comfortable showing both reservation and determination in equal measure,' said Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance.

'But when you are blessed with this tension in your identity it's no surprise that, though we are eager to be evangelists, we do struggle with it. It explains why Christians might look to the overseas Church when they hear it confidently spreading the gospel despite often being victims of intense levels of religious persecution.

'But we must accept overseas missionaries as a gift and let them inspire us. We need to increase our confidence in speaking about our faith and also asking ourselves "what can I do today in my own church that weaves the values of Christianity into our local communities?"'

The World on our Doorstep?, the latest quarterly research booklet from the Evangelical Alliance's research club, explores the dichotomy of the British evangelical.

It shows that UK Christians have a high level of interest, understanding and empathy with overseas need but a limited understanding of how to engage with the world on our doorstep. Its findings suggest that Christians huddle together with others from their own culture and ethnicity, which encourages a sense of being in a minority and feeling harassed. And it is into this space that overseas mission can thrive.

The World on our Doorstep? also reveals that:
  • More than 50 per cent of evangelical Christians feel that immigration has benefitted the Church over the last 50 years

  • 68 per cent feel that of all the world's regions, the UK should receive the highest priority for church mission, prayer and support. Over the last 10 years, 25 per cent had started to give more generously to UK causes than to overseas ones

  • 75 per cent of those surveyed said their own church gave significant support to an overseas church

  • 82 per cent are more likely to give to a Christian organisation than a secular one

  • 79 per cent agreed that international sport - such as the 2012 Olympics - is an excellent way to build friendships between the nations, while 76 per cent think the Olympics is an excellent way to communicate the gospel. Of those surveyed, 30 per cent said their churches will hold at least one outreach event linked to the Olympics. One person in the survey will be a competitor in the Olympics.

The response to the poll was 38.5 per cent (1,151 people from a total of 3,000).

Download or order a copy of The World on our Doorstep? at: http://www.eauk.org/church/resources/snapshot/the-world-on-our-doorstep.cfm


Click here to read Baptist minister Israel Olofinjana's view on this issue - Israel believes there should be more partnerships and co-operation between African churches and European mission agencies
 
    Post     Tweet
‘We can choose to tell a new story – one of gracious growth’
​General Secretary Lynn Green urged Baptists to embrace a story of hope and renewal rather than decline in her closing address at the Baptist Assembly
'God's Baptist people are in good heart' - Steve Finamore's reflections
Outgoing Baptists Together President Steve Finamore shared encouraging signs of church growth and renewed hope across Baptist networks
More than 60 ministers and pastors commissioned at Baptist Assembly
Ministers who have transferred to the fully accredited list, nationally recognised pastors and recognised local ministers were commissioned and prayed, in a session which also featured the In Memoriam
Mission Resolution introduced at Assembly
Designed to build a shared understanding of mission across Baptists Together, this marks the beginning of a two-year process of discernment, dialogue, and engagement, with the goal of the resolution being adopted at the 2027 Baptist Assembly
'We thank God for all the ways that he is graciously at work in and through us'
General Secretary Lynn Green celebrated the power of collaboration across Baptists Together in sharing three highlights from the past year
'Every fellowship is a disciple making environment'
A mission conference led by BMS World Mission formed the first 24 hours of the Baptist Assembly weekend
     Latest News 
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast