“A Fresh Look at Global Missions in a Connected World”
Our world, in many ways, is closer today than ever before. Social media connects us instantly with people on the other side of the globe. Planes can carry us across hemispheres in mere hours. Translation apps eliminate language barriers, and digital devices bring constant updates on both local and international events.
Yet, with all this connectivity, the much-needed gospel still has not saturated a spiritually needy world. In fact, its spread seems to be waning.
The other day, I was watching a sporting event taking place in Hungary. The camera panned across a section of the bleachers packed with fans—laughing, cheering, and chanting. Then it zoomed in on a smaller group of individuals. As the faces came into clearer focus, I had a quiet moment of reflection:
“I wonder what their lives are like… I wonder if those people go to church… Even more importantly, I wonder if they’ve ever heard the gospel—or even the name of Jesus?”
Sobering thoughts. The people on my screen were real souls going somewhere for eternity. And in that moment, I was struck by the reality: I would likely never know the answer—and worse, I probably wouldn’t do anything about it. But the probable answer haunted me: No. They likely do not know the gospel. And unless something changes, they will perish separated from God.
That evening, still burdened by the thought, I was swinging on a hammock with my daughter. We gazed up at a beautiful, cloud-streaked blue sky, cooled by a gentle breeze on a perfect 76-degree evening. As we talked, my mind drifted to Vienna, Austria. Why Vienna? Long story—and admittedly, my mind tends to wander. Not knowing much about the city, I pulled out my phone and asked ChatGPT about it. I learned that Vienna is a historically rich city with a population of over 2 million people—and growing. Then I asked how many Baptist churches were in Vienna. The answer? Eleven1.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Andrew, there are more than 11 churches in Vienna. Baptist churches aren’t the only gospel-preaching denomination.”
And I agree. But I was looking for a specific metric to use for comparison. Consider this: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has a population of around 1.5 million and approximately 340 Baptist churches2. Something about that contrast should stir us.
So, why aren’t more people going as missionaries?
I understand not everyone is called into ministry, and not everyone in ministry is called to the mission field. But fewer and fewer people are surrendering to ministry at all.
Does that mean God wants fewer people to hear the gospel? As the world population grows, is God content to let more souls slip into eternity without Christ? Is God calling fewer people?
I think we all would agree: Of course not.
Then the problem isn’t with God not calling —The problem is with us not listening.
“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” – Luke 10:2
Again, not everyone is called into full-time ministry or to serve as a foreign missionary. So this isn’t simply a call for more people to “go.” Rather, it’s a plea for all of us to adopt a new perspective—to recognize the immense spiritual need before us and to let that awareness stir our hearts. The task of global missions isn’t just for the few who are called to distant lands; it’s for all believers. We must each do our part—whether through praying, giving, sending, or going—so that the gospel can reach the ends of the earth.
- ¹ According to the Baptist Union of Austria (Bund der Baptistengemeinden in Österreich), the number of Baptist churches in Vienna increased from 3 in 1990 to 11 by 2020. Source: “Baptists in Austria,” baptisten.at, accessed August 3, 2025, https://baptisten.at/en/about-baptists/baptists-in-austria/ ↩︎
- ¹ Estimates for the number of Baptist churches in Philadelphia vary significantly depending on the source and methodology. A July 2025 export from Poidata.io—a commercial location data aggregator—lists 340 Baptist churches in the city. However, this figure likely includes duplicates, inactive listings, and churches in surrounding areas. Other directories such as JoinMyChurch.com report 141 Baptist congregations, while denominational sources like the Philadelphia Baptist Association list about 120 member churches. These differences highlight the challenge of obtaining a precise count and the importance of verifying local data. ↩︎
Interesting article…I still believe people are being called by God, but are they listening to the call…are people becoming more afraid?
That is likely—afraid of losing simple comforts or of failure. But imagine the fear we should have of not accomplishing God’s call for our lives: loss of blessing, the chastening of the Lord, or disappointment at the judgment seat of Christ. The same God who calls is the same God who supplies.