When speaking with a friend concerning Christianity, I indicated that it is the largest religion in the world. My friend however responded that the only reason it is so big is that “they just went around converting everyone”. The Church over the centuries has sent many missionaries to proclaim the Gospel. What should I tell people who think the only reason the Church has many members is because it “goes around converting people” or because of its power rather than because of its message?
Signed: Challenged Christian

Dear Challenged Christian,

I’m happy to hear that you’re thinking about the faith you have and are asking questions about it. That’s the only way to grow!

The Christian church is the largest religious group in the world, as you said. And part of the reason it is that way (as you know) is that, people have gone out across the world to bring the message of Jesus to others. You were right in saying that. Missionaries have gone out for hundreds of years, preaching about Jesus to people who had never heard about him. Many of them became Christians.

It’s hard to know why thousands of people became Christian. Each one had a different reason. In some places, they might have become Christian because they were impressed with the material power behind the missionaries. But that wasn’t the only reason. Often missionaries went alone or in a small group to places where European power wasn’t known. These missionaries spoke of Jesus, and people converted to the Christian faith only because something in what these missionaries said struck a chord in their heart. They could see the truth of what they were hearing.

In fact, missionaries went out from the very first days of the Christian faith. The apostles were the first, three hundred years before the Christian church had any material power. They were just ordinary people going out with a message that burned in their hearts. And others caught that fire.

That’s why the message of Jesus is still around. People recognize that Jesus is speaking deep truths. And they want to live by that message.

I hope there will always be people who love Jesus enough to bring his good news to others. It is a great gift we can make to others.

aka Fr. Bill C.Ss.R.