You may have heard or read that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. According to Pew Research Center the number of Muslims will be nearly equal to the number of Christians around the world by 2050

There are several factors that have contributed to the growth of Islam:

1. High Birth Rates: Muslims have, on average, higher birth rates compared to other religious groups. In many predominantly Muslim countries, the population growth rate is relatively high. This demographic trend has led to an increase in the Muslim population worldwide.
2. Conversion: While conversion rates vary across different regions, there have been instances of people embracing Islam through conversion. Factors influencing conversion include personal spiritual experiences, interfaith marriages, and exposure to Islamic teachings and communities.
3. Migration: Global migration patterns have also influenced the growth of Islam. Muslims have migrated to various parts of the world, either seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing conflict and persecution. This has resulted in Muslim communities being established in countries with non-Muslim majority populations.
4. Religious Outreach: Islamic organizations and individuals have engaged in active missionary work, promoting Islamic teachings and inviting people to embrace the religion. Mosques, Islamic centers, educational institutions, and online platforms play a role in disseminating information about Islam and providing resources for those interested.
5. Religious Reversion: Some individuals who were born into Muslim families but had previously abandoned or distanced themselves from the religion may have experienced a religious reversion, contributing to the overall growth of Islam.

However, when Christians hear that Islam is the fastest-growing religion, they must put this into perspective. The growing number of Muslims doesn’t necessarily reflect Islam’s persuasiveness.

According to A. S. Ibrahim who serves as professor of Islamic studies and director of the Jenkins Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,  Christians’s response to the growth of Islam should be to pray for God to use them to reach out to the Muslims and to also thank God because many Muslims are coming to Christ.

“We should humbly pray for Christ to use us as his laborers among Muslims. While some of us are called to go to the ends of the earth—including Islamic countries—others have Muslim neighbors where they live. We should be encouraged by the work of the Holy Spirit among Muslims today as we realize that now is a great time to proclaim the gospel among them…We have ample reports from Christian workers evangelizing Muslims around the world that God is at work in marvelous ways. Many are coming to Christ. This should encourage us that the gospel of Jesus remains persuasive and powerful to save.” Ibrahim wrote.