Converting The French

What do you do when places like Africa no longer need missionaries? As the developing world becomes one of the growth markets for Christianity. Where does the intrepid young Christian turn to bring more to the flock? Why secular Europe of course! The Telegraph has a story of how France is turning into a hot-spot for missionaries from Britain.

“New figures show that the modern missionary is eschewing countries such as Nigeria, Papua New Guinea or India in favour of that unlikely heart of darkness: France. The latest edition of Religious Trends, a compilation of Christian statistics published last week, shows that France overtook Kenya last year as the leading destination for British mission agencies. In further evidence that Europe is increasingly seen as more spiritually needy than Africa or Asia, in third place is another country with strong Roman Catholic roots, Spain.”

Martin Thompson of the Church Mission Society says that Europe is quickly becoming “a strategic priority”. Why the priority? What is causing the alarm?

“According to France Mission, there are more mediums and occult practitioners in France than there are registered doctors, and practicing Muslims outnumber practicing evangelical Christians by 12 to one.”

Ah yes, Christianity’s two favorite targets. Islam and Paganism. Since the population of both groups are growing in the first world don’t be surprised if religious tensions rise in Europe as more mission agencies try to “save” these unbelievers. Is America next on the list? Will our missionaries stop going to South America in favor of sneaking into Pagan festivals? Popping into the next public Pagan gathering? If conservative Evangelicals start to lose overt political power in the next couple elections expect more old-school “dangers of the occult”-type missions targeting teens in the “fallen” America. What is that curse about living in “interesting” times?

Tags: Neopaganism