A little data about Chattanooga, and the world
This past Sunday, in the second sermon of our Vision 2019 series, we looked at the Great Commission. I also shared some demographic data about Chattanooga, North Georgia and the world. We have had quite a few requests for that data since I shared it, so you will find the information below.
As we pointed out this past weekend, this data is a helpful indicator that instructs us as we seek to reach our community, and is a powerful motivator to encourage us as we move forward helping those who are far from God become committed followers of Jesus Christ.
Chattanooga Metro
528,000 people (according to the 2010 census)
Collegedale is the 3rd fastest growing city in Tennessee (this according to data given to me by the TN Governor’s office)
According to The Association of Religion Data Archives
45% claim to be Evangelical Protestant or Black protestant
40% have no religious affiliation at all
Catoosa County, GA
According to The Association of Religion Data Archives
Only 25% of the county is Evangelical Protestant or Black Protestant
70% of the county has no religious affiliation at all
Across the World
1/4 to 1/3 of the world today has never even heard of Jesus Christ or the gospel. (This is according to numerous groups, including the IMB, Operation World, Joshua Project and The Center for the Study of Global Christianity)
Only 6.4% of all money given by Christians, around the world, to Christian causes, makes it to missions. (The financial data comes from multiple sources, including The International Bulletin of Missionary Research & The Traveling Team)
.00006% of all money given to missions makes it those who are unreached and unengaged with the gospel.
The amount of money the global church spends on missions among UUPGs is only about 20% more than Americans spent on Halloween costumes for their pets in 2014.
How is Brainerd doing?
As we mentioned in the sermon, we are going to provide a fuller update during the Member’s Meeting on February 24th. However, here are a few specific data points that give a small indication of how the church is doing.
Attendance
YTD: 1906 (4.8% increase) Last Year: 1818
Since August 19: 1994 (8% increase) Last Year: 1847
Since January 1: 2139 (16% increase). Last Year: 1837
Baptisms
YTD: 50 (108% increase) Last Year: 24
Missions
We currently have 8 units on the international field (A unit is an individual family segment. A single individual is a unit, as would be a family of 5.)
We currently have 8 more units in process, preparing to move overseas.