Where is Christianity growing fastest today?

In the global South, in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Some of the largest and fastest-growing Christian populations are now in countries such as Nigeria, China, and Brazil.

Is Christianity a Western religion?

No. Christianity was born in the Middle East and reached Ethiopia, Egypt, India, and China in its early centuries. Today most Christians live outside Europe and North America.

Christianity around the world

Christianity Around the World

Christianity is the most widespread faith on earth, followed by more than two billion people across every continent. It was born in the Middle East, in the land of Jesus, and spread outward from Jerusalem, so that ancient churches have flourished in Africa and Asia for many centuries, not only in the West. Today the faith is growing fastest in the global South, in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Each nation has its own Christian story, and here are some of them.

How the faith went to the ends of the earth

On the day he ascended, Jesus told his followers where they were going.

“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

They went. Within a few centuries there were Christians in Ethiopia and Egypt, in India and Armenia, and by 635 in China. In every place the faith took a form shaped by that people, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and indigenous, while confessing the same Lord. What follows is not one story exported everywhere but many true stories of how Christ came to be loved in many lands.

Nations

Ethiopia →One of the oldest Christian nations, since the fourth century.Egypt →The Coptic Church and the birthplace of monasticism.The Middle East →Where the faith was born, and its ancient churches.India →The Saint Thomas tradition and the churches of Kerala.China →From the Church of the East in 635 to the house churches.Japan →Francis Xavier and the hidden Christians.South Korea →A lay-founded church and remarkable growth.The Philippines →Asia's great Catholic nation.Indonesia →A vibrant minority in the largest Muslim nation.Nigeria →Mission-born and now one of the world's largest churches.Kenya →Missions, revival, and a Christian-majority nation.Brazil →Iberian Catholic roots and Pentecostal growth.Mexico →Guadalupe and a deep Catholic faith.The United States →A nation of many churches and revivals.The United Kingdom →Ancient roots from Canterbury to today.Germany →The land of the Reformation.Russia →Orthodoxy from Kyiv to Moscow.

Cities: for travelers and expats

Tokyo →For visitors and expats in Tokyo.Dubai →The global church in one city.Singapore →A diverse, English-speaking church.Mexico City →A great Catholic capital.

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Come and see

Wherever you are in the world, the same Jesus who has been loved here for generations still draws near to anyone who comes to him with an open heart. You do not have to have it all figured out. Read his own words, and if you are seeking, find people near you who walk with him. The Gospel of John is a gentle place to begin, and it costs you nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.

Find a church near you Meet Jesus Read the Gospel of John

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Frequently asked questions

Where did Christianity begin?: In the Middle East, in the land of Jesus. It spread outward from Jerusalem, so that ancient churches flourished in Africa and Asia, not only in the West.
Where is Christianity growing fastest today?: In the global South, in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Some of the largest and fastest-growing Christian populations are now in countries such as Nigeria, China, and Brazil.
Is Christianity a Western religion?: No. Christianity was born in the Middle East and reached Ethiopia, Egypt, India, and China in its early centuries. Today most Christians live outside Europe and North America.