Europe is the 3rd most populous continent in the world with about 750 million people (11% of the world population). Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey, which are in both Europe and Asia, add another 110 million people to that number.
After Asia, Europe is the second-most densely populated continent in the world and has over 60 cities with more than 1 million people. All of these people are people for whom Christ died, and we must tell them the good news of the gospel.
For 600 years, Europe has played a significant role in global affairs, and it still wields worldwide influence. Europe is actually home to the highest number of migrants of all global regions (over 70 million migrants). The influence and financial resources of Europe should be leveraged to make it a strong missionary sending continent again.
Estimates of the number of Christians in Europe can greatly vary depending on how you define a “Christian.” Operation World estimates that only about 2.5% of the population of Europe are evangelical Christians which according to them is the lowest percentage of all the continents. Sadly, not only are there many false religions in Europe but secularism is quite entrenched and Islam is on the rise. By 2030, 8% of people in Europe are expected to be Muslims.
A recent report (North American Mission Handbook, 22nd Edition) revealed that the number of North American Baptist missionaries to Europe declined by nearly 50% over the last 16 years. Despite many European countries having a strong Christian heritage and a history of sending out missionaries, there is a real shortage of labourers in Europe. There are many areas across the continent where it would be very difficult to find a doctrinal sound church to attend.
Because of the misconceptions and challenges, must negativity has developed about mission work in Europe. It is most certainly not an easy place, but there are many opportunities for those who come with the right training and the right mentality. There are many places across the continent where God is at work and doors are open.
Albania
Andorra
Austria
Azerbaijan*
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and H.
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Georgia*
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Kazakhstan*
Kosovo
Latvia
Liechenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia*
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey*
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Vatican City
*Partially in Asia
My wife and I have served as church-planting missionaries to Europe since 2002. We are very aware of the challenges of European mission work but we are also very optimistic about the opportunities here.
We’d loved to talk with you about whether European missions might be God’s plan for your life. Please get in touch!
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