For centuries, missionaries sailed from Europe to the ends of the earth. Today Europe is a mission field again — full of cathedrals, Christian calendars and Christian names, and full of people who have never heard the Gospel as good news for them.
Europe at a glance
About 553 million of Europe's roughly 748 million people identify as Christian — around 73.9%. The trend: declining. The continent that carried the Gospel to the world is now a field again.
The gap that matters in Europe is between identity and faith. Large numbers still tick "Christian" on a census; far fewer pray, read Scripture or belong to a church. A generation is growing up with no church background of any kind — which also means no bad memories of it, and often an openness to explore.
A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.”
Acts 16:9 (WEB)
Where God is breaking through
Diaspora congregations re-evangelising the cities that once sent missionaries, and Bible translation advancing among Russia's minority peoples.
What stands in the way
Deep secularism, historic churches emptying faster than new ones are planted, and restrictions on evangelism in Russia.
Pray for the nations
Each nation links to its full profile — its church's story, the peoples still unreached, and more ways to pray. The line in italics is one prayer to start with.
- Russia — 144 million people · about 71% Christian · 110 of 230 people groups unreached
Pray for spiritual awakening beyond cultural Christianity. - Germany — 84 million people · about 48% Christian · 30 of 90 people groups unreached
Pray for renewal in the land of the Reformation. - United Kingdom — 69 million people · about 46% Christian · 64 of 270 people groups unreached
Pray for Britain — a nation that sent the Gospel and now needs it again. - France — 66 million people · about 48% Christian · 32 of 105 people groups unreached
Pray for French towns with no evangelical church of any kind. - Ukraine — 37 million people · about 85% Christian · 12 of 60 people groups unreached
Pray for peace and justice in Ukraine. - Romania — 19 million people · about 92% Christian · 6 of 35 people groups unreached
Pray for churches to disciple a generation shaped by emigration. - Albania — 2.8 million people · about 17% Christian · 10 of 22 people groups unreached
Thank God for a church that exists where atheism was once the law.
Pray for the whole region
- Pray for Europe — a continent that sent the Gospel and now needs it again.
- Thank God for African, Caribbean and Asian congregations bringing vitality to European cities.
- Ask God to reach a generation with no church background of any kind.
- Pray for the Tatar, Chechen and Caucasus peoples — unreached inside a 'Christian' continent.
Revival has happened here before
Europe has seen awakening again and again — and some of the most vibrant churches in its cities today were planted by believers from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. The continent that sent missionaries is now receiving them. Pray that the rest of the church would welcome them as gifts.
Keep going
- Europe — the full region profile, with its story and every nation.
- Where do most Christians live? — how the Church moved south.
- Your city is already international
- Global Prayer Atlas — save nations to your own prayer list.
Regional figures: Pew Research Center and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, rounded. Nation figures are rounded estimates from each profile on this site.
Questions people ask
What percentage of Europe is Christian?
About 73.9% of Europe's 748 million people — roughly 553 million — identify as Christian, though active faith and church attendance are far lower than that figure suggests.
Is Christianity declining in Europe?
Christian identification is declining in much of Europe, especially the west, and historic churches are emptying faster than new ones are planted. At the same time, diaspora and migrant congregations are growing in many European cities.
How can I pray for Europe?
Pray for a generation with no church background to hear the Gospel as good news, for new churches in Europe's cities, for diaspora congregations bringing new life, and for the unreached peoples living inside Europe.
Which European nations are least reached?
Among the European nations profiled here, Albania, France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom are classified as less-reached: a large Christian identity, but a small share of active, evangelical faith.