And probably more than anything, your wondering why we are going to a country that is not in financial poverty. Germany is a wealthy country with a fairly stable economy and whose cities and towns look a lot like ours in America. But is it really the financial wealth of a people group that we as Christians should be MOST concerned about? In a study done in 2005, teenagers around the world were asked if they believe that the Bible is in fact the true word of God. In Israel 50% said yes, Poland 49%, and then there was Germany with a staggering 2.3%. For most Germans, God isn’t even on the radar screen anymore; in one survey Germans were asked who they find most trustworthy. At the top of the list were gas station attendants and store workers… at the very bottom were politicians and the church. When looking at eastern Germany we see even more of a spiritual poverty, as a whole in Germany 27% claim to be Atheist, but in Eastern Germany by itself over 50% claim to be Atheist. This is how we know that there needs to be a renewal and a revival in Germany. For we are not our own, we belong to God and are his treasured possessions (Deut. 7:6)!
This concludes my little series of Preconceived Ideas blogs, but PLEASE feel free to ask us for more info or ask us questions! Danke!
-Ryan and Elyse
I always felt like Germany was spritually worse off than most places.. but seeing the statistics is so heartbreaking.. I hope one day I can help serve with you guys over there.. I think what you are doing is so important.. I am totally with you on reaching places that are "well off" in the monetary area.. because usually they think they don't need to depend on God anymore.. I see America as the same way.. Thanks for following Jesus in this way!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read more :)