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When Americans become Christian

Evangelism statistics: At what age is outreach most effective? How old are people when they get saved?

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." -- 2 Timothy 1:5

Ages at which Americans say they initially placed their belief and faith in Jesus of Nazarenth as the promised Messiah and thus became evangelical, born-again Christians

The data in the pie graph or chart comes from researech done at the Global Ministry Center of the Church of the Nazarene.

Another survey -- by the International Bible Society ( www.biblica.com ) -- indicated that 83% of all Christians make their first commitment to Jesus between the ages of 4 and 14, that is, when they are children or early youth. Surverys done by the Barna Research Group ( www.georgebarna.com ) indicate that American children ages 5 to 13 have a 32% probability of accepting Christ, but youth or teens aged 14 to 18 have only a 14% probability of doing so. Unbelieving adults age 19 and over have just a 6% probability of becoming Christians.

This data illustrates the importance of influencing children to consider making a decision to follow Christ and embrace Him as Savior and Lord.

Because the 4-14 age period slice of the pie is so large, many have started talking about a "4-14 Window." Many people serving as career cross-cultural missionaries have testified that they first felt God calling them to missionary service during that 4-14 age period.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." -- Matthew 9:14

How do you start a conversation in which you talk about your own spiritual pilgrimage and of the divine invitation for us to put our trust in Jesus of Nazareth as Savior and Lord?

There are lots of questions one can ask to move conversations to talking about spiritual things. [ read more ]

     -- Howard Culbertson

Being proactive: Starting spiritual conversations with unbelievers   Sharing your own faith story   Seeking God's will?   African martyr's commitment   Mission trip fundraising   Ten ways to ruin mission trips   Ministry, Church and Society course resources

World missions course materials and syllabi

Howard Culbertson, 5901 NW 81st, Oklahoma City, OK 73132  |  Phone: 405-740-4149


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