Oh, He’s big—really big! And we’ve got the numbers to prove it!
Covid.
It’s been the biggest global topic for over two years now. Not a day goes by that there aren’t new statistics and numbers coming out about cases, deaths, restrictions, vaccines, protests—you name it! But there is something spreading faster and further than Covid-19: The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our friends at 24:14 Ministries have been collecting data of disciple making movements amongst unreached people groups around the globe since 1995. In their January report, the number of those with an Islamic background who have now turned to Christ and are involved in discipleship groups are…drum roll please…
97 million!!!
And that’s what they’re calling a “conservative estimate.” (Yeah, they rounded the number DOWN!)
Just to give some perspective, here’s a little graph of the recorded cases of Covid-19 in Canada, compared to the number of recorded deaths due to Covid-19 worldwide, compared to what the Holy Spirit has been doing in the hearts of the Muslim community:
“But Alycia,” you may be saying, “that 97 million is data collected over the last two decades, while Covid’s only been going on for a couple of years.”
Good point. Well, what if I told you that more than 80 million of those new believers have come to faith in only the last five years! That’s right,
80 MILLION IN 5 YEARS!!!!
Now, I’m not the savviest when it comes to numbers, but I know a big number when I see one, and that, my friends, is a big number!
Compare that to Canada’s population which is just over 30 million; or the United Kingdom which is close to 68 million. Or take the truckers convoy that happened in Ottawa, Canada. They’re setting world records with their numbers, some reporting around 250,000 trucks taking part in that movement. Listen to just one minute of the protesting noise as it was happening. It is pretty overwhelming! Here’s one minute:
If that’s the sound of 250,000 people in one minute, then you’d have to listen to this video clip for five and a half hours to get 80 million people’s worth of audio!
(Now, just to be clear, in no way am I trying to trivialize or minimalize the effects this pandemic has had on our world. I’m just saying – God is BIG.)
How is This Happening?!?!?
Interestingly, there have been two key catalysts in this wave: The first being Covid. As the pandemic swept across these communities, so did the opportunities for believers to be obedient to Christ in loving and serving their neighbours. As a result, hundreds of thousands – even millions – have now come to faith in Christ.
The second, and more crucial factor? Prayer. And this is where things get really crazy: Do you know what worldwide initiative started five years ago? Here’s a hint:
GOD. IS. BIG.
The 10 Year Fast launched in January 2017 with a plan to coordinate Christians around the world to take part in a constant, unbroken wave of prayer and fasting for the Muslim world. The vision was to see 10% of the Muslim population come to Christ in that decade – or about 180 million people. And, whaddya know, in the last five years, 80 million have given their lives to Jesus! Coincidence? I think not!
Thank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support to all of us out here. We pray for God’s BIG blessings to return to you as well!
