The most recent US census also told us that a large part of our growth is immigrant population. Houston's international community is massive with hundreds of people groups who have people that call Houston home. They bring with them their religions. Many world religions are practiced right here in Houston. Not only that, but large false religions are intentionally targeting Houston as a critical piece of their strategies to win America: the Mormons built a megatemple here in the last 10 years, Islam has stated in the last two years that Houston will be the testing ground for strategies that will later be used across our country—there are more than 10 Islamic mosques being built in Houston in a 3 year span—including the north side.
Check out this recent article on Houston's Hindu community.
Christian orgs outside Houston long ago concluded our city has attained “gospel saturation” and thus nobody outside Houston talks about reaching our city. Literally nobody. There are no plans from outside out city to advance the gospel in Houston and no plans for non-Houston churches to plant churches here. The bigger problem, it seems, is that even the churches in Houston have a mindset that we have plenty of churches and thus our city has a strong enough gospel witness. Houston’s Christian community has been lulled to sleep thinking we are in good shape. Satan has taken advantage of this. He waited until so many churches were here that the Christian world decided to move their attention on from Houston and then just came in behind everyone and has laid the groundwork for Christianity to be a tiny minority. Christian churches in Houston are right now the frog in the kettle whose water temp is already rising.
If our Houston churches don’t start planting churches, nobody is going to. If Houston pastors don’t catch a vision to reach our international community, there wont be a vision to reach our city. We must get the word out and pray for an unction from the Holy Spirit of God to mobilize Houston’s Christian community. The competitiveness and territorialism b/w churches and the corporate approach to church life is killing us. The Christian community is currently losing the battle for Houston.
Need proof? Houston is the largest city in the USA ever to elect a homosexual leader--a sincere and accomplished lady to be sure, but one who nonetheless openly defies the Scriptures as a way of life. Houston has been electing officials that openly defy the bible for years now. It's become a pattern. Further, the national homosexual community has targeted Houston as a stronghold because they are confident their agenda for family planning can win the day here. Also, Planned Parenthood operates their largest abortion clinic in the western hemisphere right in the heart of our city--they already won the day in our city for their agenda. And these are just three high profile evidences that the Christian community is losing the battle here in Houston.
Our hope, our confident assurance, is that it is never too late for redemption. Jesus Christ can become the God of this City again. It rests on the Christian community living holy lives and being verbally on mission for the gosple "as we go" about our daily routines and activities throughout the city. We don't need a big program. We don't need a bunch of big meetings, nor a giant strategy and catchy slogan to win back our city. We just need Christians living holy lives and boldly living on mission whereever they are in the city. Pray for revival in our churches that preach the true gospel. Pray for spiritual awakening across our city. Pray for the grace of God to flow in Houston.
Posts
