By Gigi Kotze
31/07/2025
In a world marked by rapid transformation, the Church is called to be both watchful and wise. As we continue our exploration of the “signs of the times”, we shift our focus to global forces that are reshaping societies, influencing belief systems, and challenging the Body of Christ to respond with relevance and resilience.
In this second part of the series, we will examine key global dynamics—including globalisation and urbanisation, rising instability, deception, and the significant shifts occurring within global Christianity. Each of these factors presents both challenges and opportunities for the Church to discern God’s voice and align its response with His purposes.
Jesus Himself warned us to stay spiritually alert, saying: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (Luke 12:54–56, NIV)
This is not a time for fear or passivity—it is a time for clarity, conviction, and courage. As we explore these pressing global trends, may the Holy Spirit guide us to understand the times and know what the Church must do.
1. Globalisation and Urbanisation: Nations on Our Doorstep, Cities in Our Hands
Understanding Globalisation – God’s Heart for the Nations
Globalisation is a big word, but simply put, it means the world is becoming more connected than ever before. People, ideas, goods, and cultures are moving across borders faster and more easily—through travel, trade, technology, and migration. As a result, people from many different countries, languages, and backgrounds are now living side by side in towns and cities all over the world.
One of the most profound effects of globalisation is that it has brought the nations to our doorstep. The command to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) has now become easier than ever, because of migration—people moving from one country to another. As a result, the Church has an incredible opportunity to reach people from cultures that were once considered “unreached”. Those who may have never heard the Gospel in their home country can now hear it in ours. We no longer have to travel to distant nations to be cross-cultural missionaries. God has brought the nations to us.
The Bible tells us that God has always had a heart for the nations: “From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him…” (Acts 17:26–27, NIV)
Globalisation may seem like a modern idea, but it is deeply rooted in God’s purposes. He orchestrates the movements of people so that they might encounter Him. As His Church, we must open our eyes to this divine opportunity.
How Can the Church Respond?
- Welcome the stranger: God’s Word reminds us to love the foreigner in our midst (Deuteronomy 10:19). Simple acts of hospitality—inviting someone for a meal, offering practical help, or just being a friend—can lead to deep spiritual impact.
- Create cross-cultural ministries: Sunday services, Bible studies, and children’s programmes can be adapted to include those from different languages and backgrounds.
- Learn from others: Globalisation is not a one-way street. We don’t only give—we receive. The global Church is rich with wisdom, experience, and expressions of faith that can strengthen and challenge our own.
- Equip Believers: Pastors can equip and train congregation members to be cross cultural missionaries in their communities, workplaces and social circles.
Globalisation is not just a worldly trend—it is a divine strategy. Let us be faithful stewards of this moment in history.
Understanding Urbanisation – Cities That Shape the Future
Urbanisation simply means that more and more people are moving into cities. Across the globe, rural villages are shrinking while cities are growing. In many countries, most people now live in towns and cities rather than in the countryside. Cities are places of opportunity—jobs, education, and services often draw people in. But they are also places of pressure—poverty, loneliness, and spiritual need often grow alongside physical growth.
From towering skyscrapers to overcrowded slums, our cities reflect humanity’s deepest need—not material wealth or advancement, but the hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ. Behind the noise and busyness lies a deep spiritual poverty that only He can satisfy.
Yet cities are not new to God. In Scripture, we see that God has always worked through cities. Think of Jerusalem, Nineveh, Babylon, and even the New Jerusalem described in Revelation. Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), and the early Church was born in the city of Jerusalem at Pentecost, before spreading to major cities across the Roman Empire. “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7, NIV)
Opportunities in Urban Spaces
- Diverse and dense mission fields: Cities gather people from every background, making them prime locations for multicultural ministry.
- Influence and innovation: What happens in cities often spreads to the rest of the country. Culture, politics, and social change are usually driven from urban centres. By reaching the cities, the Church can shape national values.
- Church planting potential: Cities often have large populations but few vibrant churches. New expressions of church—house churches, workplace gatherings, café outreaches—can take root in urban settings.
- Discipleship in daily life: In urban settings, people are busy and connected. This creates opportunities for digital discipleship, one-on-one mentoring in coffee shops, and workplace evangelism.
Urbanisation is not a threat—it is a mission field. Just as the early Church thrived in cities like Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome, today’s Church must rise to the challenge of reaching our urban centres.
A Call to the Church Today
We are living in a time when the world is coming to us and gathering in our cities. The Church must not shrink back or isolate itself. Now is the time to step in with boldness, love, and wisdom. Globalisation and urbanisation are not obstacles—they are divine invitations.
“Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35, NIV)
Let us not miss what the Spirit is saying. The harvest is here—on our streets, in our city blocks, in our workplaces, and in our neighbourhoods. May we be a Church that understands the times and knows what to do.
2. Rising Global Instability: A Call for Gospel-Centred Response in Crisis
We live in a time of increasing global instability. From armed conflicts and civil unrest to natural disasters, health crises, political turmoil, and economic uncertainty—our world is groaning under the weight of brokenness. Yet none of this is a surprise to God. Jesus Himself foretold these realities in Matthew 24:6–8 (NIV): “You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
These “birth pains” are not just signs of the end—they are reminders that the world is desperate for hope, truth, and restoration. As followers of Christ, we are not called to fear instability, but to engage with it, empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in the hope of the Gospel.
In the midst of global crises, the Church has a unique opportunity to respond with compassion and conviction. Where there is chaos, we can bring peace. Where there is suffering, we can offer comfort. And where systems fail, we can serve with Kingdom excellence. Crisis becomes an access point—opening doors for humanitarian response, spiritual care, and relational evangelism.
Throughout history, the Church has often flourished in times of hardship, not because it escaped trouble, but because it stepped into it with the love of Christ. Now is no different. We must be equipped, both practically and spiritually, to step into spaces of need—bringing food, shelter, medical care, trauma support, and, above all, the message of salvation.
We must not leave these responsibilities solely to secular governments or aid agencies. As James 2:15–17 (NIV) exhorts us: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
God is calling His Church to rise up—not with fear, but with faith; not with withdrawal, but with engagement. Global instability does not diminish the mission—it amplifies it. Now is the time to prepare the Body of Christ to meet both physical and spiritual needs, being the hands and feet of Jesus in a shaking world.
3. Discerning Truth in an Age of Deception: Guarding the Church from Falsehood
We are living in a time where deception is not only prevalent but celebrated. Scripture warns us clearly that this would be the case. 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NIV) declares: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
This sobering reality is unfolding before our eyes. The rise of false teachers, diluted theology, and man-centred messages has created a dangerous environment within and outside the Church. We must be vigilant in guarding the truth of God’s Word and careful about whom we allow to speak into our lives and congregations. Discernment is not a luxury in these times—it is a necessity. Jesus warned in Matthew 24:11 (NIV): “And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”
Beyond the Church walls, deception permeates secular media, entertainment, and education systems. The sexual revolution, the redefinition of identity, and the promotion of transgender ideologies are not merely social trends—they are spiritual battles. What is portrayed as love and liberation in the world often stands in direct opposition to God’s truth and design.
Romans 1:24–25 (NIV) speaks to this cultural departure from truth: “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”
As the world normalises confusion, the Church must remain anchored in clarity. We are not called to conform to culture, but to transform it through the truth of the Gospel (Romans 12:2). The Church cannot afford to remain silent or passive. We must speak truth in love, with wisdom and courage, refusing to compromise under cultural pressure.
So how should the Church respond?
- Teach sound doctrine: Ground believers in the full counsel of God’s Word, not just the parts that are popular or easy to accept.
- Raise discerning disciples: Equip people to test every spirit (1 John 4:1) and to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
- Engage the culture: Do not retreat from cultural conversations. Instead, enter them with grace, truth, and a deep compassion for those who are deceived.
- Stand firm with love: We must uphold biblical convictions while extending Christ-like compassion to those caught in deception.
Truth is not a weapon to beat people with—it is a light to guide them home. In a time of spiritual confusion, the Church must be a beacon of clarity, conviction, and compassion. We must remember that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
4. The Global Shift in Christianity: Africa’s Emerging Leadership in Mission
Over the past century, the landscape of global Christianity has undergone a profound transformation.
Once centred in Europe and North America, the heart of the Christian faith is now pulsating with vibrant energy in the Global South, particularly in Africa.
The Decline in the West
Historically, Europe was the stronghold of Christianity, with a significant majority of the world’s Christians residing there.
However, recent decades have witnessed a steady decline in Christian affiliation across Western nations. This trend is attributed to factors such as secularisation, cultural shifts, and a growing disinterest in organised religion. For instance, Europe’s Christian population is projected to decrease from 553 million in 2010 to 454 million by 2050.
The Rise of African Christianity
In stark contrast, Africa has experienced an unprecedented surge in Christian growth. The Lausanne Movement wrote an article titled “Is Christianity Shrinking or Shifting?” and commented, “In many ways Africa is hailed as the ‘success story’ of World Christianity, growing from 9 percent Christian in 1900 to 49 percent in 2020.” According to the article “The Rapid Growth of Christianity in Africa”, in 1900, fewer than 10 million Christians lived on the continent, many of them non-native missionaries. By 2000, that number had grown to 350 million, and by 2025, it is expected to nearly double—to between 630 and 700 million believers.
This remarkable growth is not merely a numerical increase but signifies a dynamic and youthful Church, rich in spiritual fervour and cultural diversity.
Africa: A Rising Force in Global Missions
As the centre of gravity in global Christianity continues to shift, Africa holds tremendous potential to become a leading force in global evangelism. With a rapidly growing and youthful Christian population, the continent is uniquely positioned to play a strategic role in the fulfilment of the Great Commission.
While there are already many African missionaries serving across nations—reaching communities in Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond—this movement is still emerging. Historically, the flow of mission work was from the West to Africa. But today, that dynamic is being reshaped. Africa is gradually stepping into its own as a sender of missionaries, not merely a receiver.
This shift offers exciting possibilities. African believers, shaped by resilience, vibrant faith, and strong communal values, bring a fresh and vital perspective to cross-cultural mission work. Their lived experience of hardship and hope can resonate deeply with people in post-Christian or spiritually disillusioned societies.
As Jesus commanded in Acts 1:8 (NIV), “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The African Church is well poised to embody this calling—if it is equipped and empowered.
Realising this potential requires intentional investment. Churches and mission organisations across Africa need training in cross-cultural ministry, resources for sustainable mission work, and financial and spiritual support. Strategic partnerships, both within the continent and globally, can accelerate the equipping of African believers to engage in missions beyond their borders.
Africa has a God-given opportunity to take the Gospel to the nations, even to places where Christianity is in decline. With the right support, “Africa to the world” can become more than a vision—it can become a powerful and enduring reality.
Investing in Africa’s Missionary Potential
To harness this momentum, it is imperative to invest in Africa’s missionary infrastructure:
- Theological training: Establish and support seminaries and Bible colleges that provide sound theological education, equipping leaders for cross-cultural ministry.
- Resource development: Produce and distribute culturally relevant Christian literature, media, and digital content to aid evangelism and discipleship efforts.
- Financial support: Encourage global partnerships that provide financial assistance to African missionaries and mission organisations.
- Capacity building: Offer training in areas such as language acquisition, cultural sensitivity, and strategic planning to prepare missionaries for effective service abroad.
The shift in global Christianity presents both challenges and opportunities. As the Western Church grapples with secularisation, the African Church offers a beacon of hope, vitality, and missionary zeal. By recognising and supporting Africa’s emerging leadership in global missions, the universal Church can foster a more inclusive and dynamic expression of faith, fulfilling the vision of a Gospel proclaimed to all nations.
As we discern the global trends shaping our world—be it the interwoven forces of globalisation and urbanisation, the realities of rising instability, the dangers of deception, or the historic shift within Christianity—we are reminded that the Church is not called to be reactive, but responsive. Not driven by fear but led by faith. These changes are not merely sociological—they are spiritual invitations to align more deeply with the purposes of God.
We are witnessing a moment in history where the Church must rise with discernment and direction. It is a time to build bridges across cultures, plant Gospel-rooted communities in urban centres, proclaim truth amid confusion, and embrace Africa and the Global South as emerging leaders in missions. The future of the Church will not be shaped by comfort or tradition, but by those willing to listen, pray, act, and go—fuelled by the Spirit and anchored in Scripture.
A Prayer for the Global Church
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, recognising the urgency of the times and the weight of the call upon Your Church. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth, and for Your Word which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Lord, awaken Your Church across every continent. Stir our hearts to discern the signs of the times with clarity, and to respond with wisdom and courage. Where there is fear, replace it with faith. Where there is confusion, bring Your truth. Where there is weariness, renew our strength.
We pray for unity among Your people. Let the Global North and South walk together in love and humility, learning from one another, and labouring side by side for the sake of the Gospel. Raise up labourers from every nation to go into every nation—bold, compassionate, and full of the Spirit.
We lift up the Church in cities, in villages, in refugee camps, and in war zones. Empower us to be light in darkness and salt in decay. May we be a voice that calls people back to truth, a healing balm in crisis, and a faithful witness of Christ in every season.
Guard us, Lord, from deception. Strengthen us in sound doctrine. Let Your truth be written on our hearts, and may our lives reflect the beauty of Your holiness. Equip pastors, leaders, missionaries, and every believer to stand firm, speak truth, and love well.
May Your Church rise in this hour—not with timidity, but with Spirit-empowered boldness.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen
