YMI Europe

Europe in a Post-Christian Era

At one time Europe was a bastion of Christianity. While over 90% of Western Europeans today claim to have been baptized in either the Catholic Church or in traditional denominations, less than 22% attend a service even once a month.

As a whole Europe is distinctly the most secular region of the world. Practicing and non-practicing (the majority) Christians in general share a common belief with those who have no religious affiliation and believe that religion should be kept totally separate from government policies. In fact, many European governments consider evangelical Christianity to be a cult.

Along with a decline in any semblance of faithful Christianity in Europe, there is also a decline in the population in general, at least in the nations of the European Union. The current population of 741 million is expected to drop to 715 million by 2050.

With Europe becoming increasingly more secular and the population aging, youth cannot be overlooked.

Approximately one-third of the population is under 30 – compared to the rest of the world which is 51% under the age of 30. Living in a pronounced secular culture young people are being exposed to ideas, belief systems and ways of life that are antithetical to a biblical worldview.

Europe’s youth need Christian leaders who will step up and provide a solid biblical alternative to what they are seeing and experiencing. Christian leaders need to be trained to communicate a biblical worldview with a balanced cultural understanding.

“More than anything else, our youth need Jesus at the core of their lives. Since the Great Commission commands us to teach and make disciples, we have to ask the question: What are we doing to make true and passionate disciples among our young people?” (Spectrum magazine, September 2018)

Youth Ministry International envisions seeing leaders trained at our European Centers for Youth Ministry taking that training to their local churches to train and equip more leaders who will impact their communities and countries with the gospel.