UNITED KINGDOM – GENERAL

Answers to Prayer

1 The cease-fire in the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ has largely been maintained since 1998

2 Evangelical Christians are basically maintaining numbers, despite considerable church decline, and are becoming more prominent in mainline denominations

3 Some ethnic minorities have been more receptive with considerable growth in African-initiated churches, multi-ethnic churches and also over 6,000 ‘Travellers’ (Roma/Gypsy) coming to Christ in the past few years (Gypsy Evangelical Movement)

Challenges for Prayer

1 Britain needs to regain a sense of purpose and direction for the 21st Century

2 A sense that all is not well pervades the country

3 A national awakening is needed

4 Tolerance is the ‘in’ word

5 The future of the Church of England is crucial for the country and is the ‘mother’ Church for the world’s 80 million Anglicans

6 There are signs of hope – water these tender plants with prayer:

a) Traumatic social change and the devastating consequences of violence, family breakdown and fear for the future have brought a new openness to consider spiritual solutions

b) Renewal movements

c) New younger generation movements are emerging with radically new approaches – Internet café gatherings, WEB prayer and culturally appropriate worship styles, such as Tribal Generation, flowing from the Church of England, and also others spontaneously springing up in different parts of the country

d) The Alpha Course phenomenon has spread across the country to nearly every denomination and across the world as one of the most successful outreach programmes run by churches in the UK today

e) Christian leaders from across the denominational spectrum are meeting regularly for prayer together in many cities and towns

7 Evangelical Christianity has grown slowly in percentage of the population, of church-goers and as a proportion of active membership in mainline denominations, but there are definite challenges:

a) To maintain and increase unity in fellowship and vision

b) A widespread loss of confidence and certainty about models for church life and outreach

c) A common cynicism about the future and the state of the Kingdom of God in the world which cripples enthusiasm for missions locally or overseas

Geography

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Area 244,110 sq.km. Two main islands: Britain and the north-east of Ireland. A union of four countries: England 103,400 sq.km, Scotland 78,800 sq.km, Wales 20,800 sq.km and Northern Ireland 14,100 sq.km.

Population (2000) 58,830,160 +0.18%AGR

Capital London 11.8 mill.

Peoples

Anglo-Saxon/Celtic 89.3%.

Asian 4%.

European 2.1%.

Afro-Caribbean 1.7%.

Middle Eastern 0.8%.

African 0.5%.

Other 1.6%.

Literacy 98%. Official language English; in Wales both English and Welsh. All languages 15 indigenous, over 200 immigrant languages. Indigenous languages with Scriptures 7Bi 2NT.

Economy

The world’s first industrialized economy – now increasingly a service economy. HDI 0.918; 10^th/174. Public debt 33% of GNP. Income/person $20,870 (67% of USA).

Politics

Parliamentary, constitutional monarchy.

Religion

There is full religious freedom.

Missionaries from United Kingdom

10,654 in 183 agencies to 198 countries

Missionaries to United Kingdom

1,604 in 170 agencies from 54 countries

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