In his book A Concise History of Christian World Mission Herbert Kane writes: Although [Jesus’] untimely death at the age of 33 sent his disciples into confusion, His resurrection on the third day revived their Messianic hope, rejuvenated their flagging spirits, and sent them out to win the world. Their task was formidable. Their chances of success? Almost nil. They had no central organization, no financial resources, no influential friends, no political machine. Arrayed against them was the ecclesiastical power of the Sanhedrin, the political and military power of the Roman Empire, and the religious fanaticism of the Jews. Moreover, their leader, whose life and teachings were to constitute their message, was unknown outside his small circle of friends. He had written no books, erected no monuments, endowed no institutions. The task looked hopeless.
And yet . . .
Within five hundred years, Christianity had dislodged classical paganism and had become the dominant faith of Western civilization, the established religion of the Western world.
How?
Not by developing central organizations, raising large amounts of capital, or courting favor in the halls of political power. In fact, for most of those years the Christian faith faced opposition and persecution.
What did work, and what still cannot help but work, was individual Christ followers living the message of Jesus and sharing it with their friends. That was, and is, the secret to growth. It’s what Luke tells us. Despite great persecution, Christ followers did not shrink from Christ’s commission, but scattered and spoke the word of the Lord everywhere they went. The Lord’s hand was with them and “a great number of people were brought to the Lord” (Acts 11:19-21).
When the people of God engage the will of God, the power of God will guarantee success in the work of God – no matter and despite whatever else is going on in the world.