The State of Global Christianity - Fall Learning Lab Series

Over the past century, Christianity has undergone a profound demographic transformation. In 1900, 82% of Christians lived in Europe and North America; today, nearly 70% reside in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. This dramatic shift, shaped by factors such as missions, local evangelism, and population growth in the global South, presents both challenges and opportunities for those engaged in Christian leadership and philanthropy. As the Church becomes increasingly multilingual, multicultural, and decentralized, how should Christians in the global North respond? How might philanthropy adapt to better serve a faith community that now looks, sounds, and operates very differently than it did a generation ago?

To help us explore these pressing questions, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Gina A. Zurlo, Co-Director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. A leading voice in global religious trends and mission studies, Dr. Zurlo will guide us through three sessions focused on the big-picture shifts in Christianity’s demographics, the role of women in congregational life, and the evolving landscape of global mission. Last fall, we hosted a call with Matthew Niermann on the Lausanne State of the Great Commission report, and much of the data featured in that report comes from the World Christian Database maintained by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. Dr. Zurlo served as a peer reviewer for that report, further connecting her work to these broader conversations.

The State of Global Christianity

A Three-Part Series with Dr. Gina A. Zurlo

Overview of World Christianity

Thursday, September 11 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET

Christianity is no longer centered in the West—and hasn’t been for some time. In 1900, only 18% of Christians lived outside the global North; today, that number is nearly 70%. What does it mean when the future of Christianity speaks Swahili, Spanish, or Tagalog—not English? This session explores the global Church’s dramatic demographic transformation and what it means for missions, theology, and leadership today.

Women in World Christianity: Facts, Figures, Challenges, Opportunities

Thursday, October 16 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET

Women are the backbone of the global Church, but often not its voice. Despite making up the majority in congregations worldwide, women still face systemic barriers in leadership, education, and recognition. This session dives into groundbreaking data on women’s roles in faith-based spaces, exposing both the glaring gaps and the inspiring movements driving change. Together, we’ll consider how the global Church might thrive by more fully recognizing the gifts and leadership of women.

Global Mission and Gospel Access

Thursday, November 6 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET

The world isn’t getting less religious, it’s getting more complex. While the secular West debates the relevance of faith, global religious affiliation is booming. Yet billions still lack meaningful access to the gospel. Why? This presentation unpacks three surprising and under-discussed barriers—fertility, ethnicity, and gender—that are shaping spiritual landscapes today. If mission work is to matter in the decades ahead, we’ll need to rethink how, where, and with whom we engage.