A ground breaking global survey of church leaders reveals a renewed optimism for mission and evangelism, says Jason Watson. But in a rapidly changing world, there is an urgent need for cross-cultural collaboration, a strong digital presence and more work to share the good news with the wealthy
How would you describe the state of the Church at the end of 2025?
Your answer will likely be shaped by where you are reading this and whose voices you are listening to.
For instance, if you are in the UK, you may be filled with hope. Testimonies are emerging from churches across the country that point to a fresh move of God among young people, who are turning to Christ in numbers not seen for years.
But the global Church is far broader than the experience of any one nation. There is great value in listening to the voices and testimonies of leaders around the world. The encouragement of what God is doing in the UK does not remain within UK borders; when believers in other nations hear these stories, they are strengthened in prayer and expectation for what God might do in their own contexts.
Across all regions, the wealthy are the least effectively reached demographic
Paul affirms this interconnected reality in 1 Corinthians 12:26, reminding us that we are one body in Christ and that “if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it”. The global Church is a family, and listening to one another is essential for our shared discernment, unity and mission.
Learning together
It is for this reason that the Lausanne Movement commissioned the first of what we hope will become an annual Global Voices survey, creating space to listen more intentionally to the global Church and understand the needs, hopes and perspectives shaping mission around the world today.
We spoke to more than 1,000 people in 119 countries from a diverse range of ministry settings, including pastoral, theological, marketplace, educational and creative contexts. Rather than offering a top-down assessment, the survey sought to find out what grassroots leaders are seeing, sensing and hoping for at this moment in time.
It revealed several key insights. Firstly, there is a renewed sense of hope among believers in every region regarding the future of the Church and its mission. Despite the challenges of recent years, leaders expressed a growing confidence that God is at work in unexpected and diverse ways.
What will it take to reach those most often overlooked: the wealthy, the urban, the disconnected?
Leaders also identified five key drivers they believe will most significantly advance the Great Commission in the decade ahead. These include collaboration and partnership, a renewed emphasis on discipleship, the use of digital technology, marketplace ministry and youth engagement.
In addition, 95 per cent of respondents affirmed that digital spaces now form a crucial part of the mission field, underscoring the need for the Church to think creatively and strategically about its presence online.
A striking finding was that, across all regions, the wealthy are the least effectively reached demographic, highlighting a missionary gap that is often overlooked.
Finally, many leaders acknowledged feeling underprepared for the rapid changes shaping their ministry environments. They described a need for greater equipping, resilience and innovation as they strive to minister faithfully in a complex and rapidly shifting world.
A starting point
This report is not the final word, but a starting point for conversation and learning. It invites reflection, dialogue and discernment within the body of Christ. As we consider the findings, we must also ask ourselves several important questions:
- How can we build on the new-found hope for the Church in the near future?
- How do we form disciples and leaders who are prepared for the emerging world?
- How can the Church collaborate effectively across regions and occupations to advance the gospel?
- How can we be present, faithfully and fruitfully, in digital and cultural spaces?
- What will it take to reach those most often overlooked: the wealthy, the urban, the disconnected, etc?
These questions are not abstract. They are grounded in the lived experiences of more than 1,000 leaders serving across 119 nations. May their voices not only inform us, but inspire us to walk more boldly into God’s mission in 2026.
To download the Global Voices survey visit lausanne.org
