Urban globalization. Have you heard about it yet? If you haven't yet, you will soon. To put it simply, urban globalization is the movement of people leaving rural areas and entering the city. Over 50% of the world's population live in a city of 100,000 people or more, and that number is estimated to skyrocket to 70% by 2050. You might be asking yourself (like we asked ourselves!), but why are so many people moving to the city? The city is attractive to many because it offers more hope of economic growth, educational opportunities, and modern conveniences.
The Church of the Nazarene in the Mesoamerica Region (Mexico, Central America and and Caribbean) has been paying attention to these trends and began to think strategically about our presence in the city. We did some research, and you know what we found out? We have little to no church presence in the biggest cities of the region. Sure, we have a handful of churches in some of the big cities, but in order to be a hope-bringing, life-giving, holiness-preaching presence in the highest population areas of our region, we need active congregations in the city that are doing something new.
In Genesis, we believe that a healthy church is a missional church. In particular, we believe that:
- A missional church in the city will practice authentic worship of a God that transforms lives through His mercy, grace and love.
- A missional church in the city is a community of believers that embrace the call of God to go and make Christ-like disciples in the nations, both in their surrounding neighborhood and in the world.
- A missional church in the city will be a presence in their neighborhoods, living lives of holiness and compassion in very difficult places.