The Mission

Week 44, 2026

Protestantism

In the 500 years since Martin Luther began seeking renewal and reformation within the Catholic Church, Protestant denominations have grown to include nearly 570 million people.

Protestantism’s strengths are its Bible-centeredness, its greater inclusion of the laity, its dynamism, flexibility, and capacity to innovate. It has thrived particularly among newly urbanizing populations around the world. Its weaknesses might include endless division and a strong focus on the individual, rather than on the community or the world. Alongside these, Protestantism shares with other religious groups the temptations to abuse money, sex and power.

Protestantism is increasingly an African, Asian and Latin American faith. Only 13% of the world’s Protestants remain in its European homelands.

Pentecostalism

From its birthplaces in Kansas and Los Angeles in the USA, Pentecostalism has grown from Protestant roots but developed its own identity. In parallel to it, the charismatic movement has adapted Pentecostal aspects into existing denominations. Pentecostals and charismatics together have grown from almost zero in 1900 to nearly 700 million people in 2019, 9% of the world’s population, a transformation of both world and Church.

Pentecostalism has brought new life and hope to the poor around the world, yet it faces numerous challenges.

• Discipleship – many people have had an intense spiritual conversion or renewal experience but have not gone on to live a new life in Christ.

• Prosperity theology – the false teaching that the Christian faith will make you healthy, wealthy and successful.

• Churches built around a single, dominant leader which can distort Biblical patterns of church life and growth.

• Praise God for the advance of the gospel through Protestantism, Pentecostalism, and the charismatic movement, which has impacted the whole world.

• Pray for further waves of renewal to sweep the world, transforming millions of lives and thousands of communities!

The Nations

SOMALIA

The economic, social, and physical health of this East African nation of 16 million people is in a terrible state. Many have died from violence and famine. Decades of chaos provided cover for pirates and terrorists. Somalia has one of the highest infant mortality rates on earth and is a leading source of refugees.

Somalia’s clan-based Islamic society is intensely intolerant of Christians, especially those with a Muslim background. According to the agency Open Doors, 23 followers of Jesus were killed in Somalia in 2017. Yet still, despite the danger, Somalis turn to Christ and meet together in secret.

• Praise God for the Somali church that grows despite severe persecution. Pray also for a work of Christ among Somalis overseas.

SOUTH AFRICA

The African National Congress has governed South Africa’s 58 million people since the miraculously peaceful end of white rule in 1994. The ANC has succeeded in holding the nation together and moving it forward, but has made grave mistakes. Government inaction left South Africa with the largest HIV epidemic in the world – 19% of all people with HIV are South African.A culture of corruption has led to state officials robbing the people rather than serving them. Unemployment is very high and education standards are poor.

Yet, Biblical Christianity is strong in South Africa Many churches and agencies minister to needy sections of society. Beautiful stories tell of Christians who show love to people who are HIV positive, to victims of crime, prisoners, slum-dwellers, and the very poor.

• Pray the economy, state institutions, and businesses will be repaired after years of corruption, so that justice and opportunity flow through the nation.

• Pray that South Africa’s Church will continue to serve the poor and marginalized, and share the light of Christ with the whole nation.