Vista 39: World Christianity in Europe
At the beginning of the 19th century, well over 90 percent of Christians lived in Europe and North America. By the end of the 20th century, over 60 percent lived in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Pacific. In terms of Acts 1:8, “Jerusalem” today is to be found in São Paulo, Abuja or Manila, and Europe is at “the ends of the earth”.
So we are delighted that Vista finally has an editor from the Majority World: Harvey Kwiyani. His lead article draws on his research and lived experience as a Malawian in the UK. His article is a “must read” and I would also encourage you to get to know him by reading Jo Appleton’s interview with him later in this edition.
Following Harvey, Jim Memory adds some of his own reflections especially on the need to look at our language, and a tribute to the late Andrew Walls, whose writings on World Christianity alerted so many of us to this shift in “the Christian centre of gravity”.
As we say hello to Harvey, we also say goodbye to Darrell Jackson, one of the founding editors of Vista. His article includes new research on migration in Europe but also looks back at the beginnings of Vista and the ground we have covered together. We will miss him. God speed Darrell.
The final article is a taster of the Europe 2021 Report which Jim Memory published earlier this year. The report, and the accompanying discussion guide, are free to download and share.