Its aim is to establish 300 churches in the country by 2030. To date, 145 have been created, with 155 remaining to be launched over the next six years, which will require the training of 800 new leaders.
By Patricia Scott
Recently, a demographic survey revealed a decline in Christianity in Australia. In response, local churches became involved in evangelizing campaigns and establishing new congregations. The network, called Reach Australia, has more than 260 churches and is implementing a plan to bring the gospel to Australians.
During the network’s national conference this year, Plante director and advocate for gospel-centered church leaders Derek Hanna discussed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook on evangelism in the times to come. In his “State of the Nation in Church Planting” talk, Hanna presented an ambitious target: planting 300 churches in Australia by 2030. So far, 145 churches have been established, with the need to start 155 over the next six years, which will require 800 new leaders.
Hanna addressed the psychological challenges that could make this approach impossible: “You may think it’s impossible, but we’re in a room where we all believe that God raised Jesus from the dead,” he told conference attendees in May. “It is impossible! Each of us was dead, but now we are alive in Christ”, he insisted, as reported by the Christian Daily portal.
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He highlighted the multiplication rate of the network as a driving factor, with an average growth of 4% per year over the past 20 years. If this trend continues, the goal of 300 new churches will be met.
“The lie is, ‘We believe in a God who could do this, but probably won’t.’ Look around: We have 1,300 people here this week, from different denominations, united in their conviction to reach Australia with the gospel. It’s not about triumphalism, it’s about recognition. What God is doing in this historical moment”, declared Derek Hanna.
australian census 2021
According to the 2021 Australian census, less than half the population (44%) declare themselves Christian, an 8% decrease from 2016. At the same time, 10 million Australians, which is equal to a quarter of the population, do not consider themselves Christians. Any religion.
Younger age groups are more likely to have no religious affiliation or to adhere to alternative spiritual or secular beliefs. This trend is evidenced by the increase in civil marriages, which now outnumber religious ceremonies. A census report states that while Christian traditions are in slow decline, other religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism are continuing to grow in Australia. Christian Daily with information
