The Cities at a Glance
The population in our cities is exploding. In 1900, 14 percent of the world’s population lived in urban areas, and only 12 cities had more than one million inhabitants. Today, more than half the world’s population lives in cities, and that number is expected to rise to at least 70 percent by 2050. More than 500 cities in the world have a population of 1 million or more. More than 37 megacities have populations of more than 10 million.
Urban People Have Needs We Can Meet
- They’re busy and need the rest the Sabbath can bring
- They’re stressed, often struggling to cover living expenses and care for their families
- Long commutes to work add anxiety and fatigue to the workday—they need rejuvenating fellowship and recreation
- Loneliness leaves individuals looking for relationships with people they can trust
- Many need access to fresh fruit and vegetables
- They need hope
In the following pages, you’ll find tips for how you and your church can follow Jesus’ method of ministry to help those living in a city near you.
Christ’s Method of Ministry
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’”—Ellen White, The Ministry of Healing, page 143.