Most people think of the "Christian countries" as those of the west, Europe and North America". Historically, this is correct. However, there is a phenomenon going on in the world today that relatively few people really understand. Over the past few decades there has been an explosive growth of Christianity, not so much in it's traditional domain but across the rest of the world.
Today, there is at least some kind of Christian community in every country in the world. Quite a few of China's middle class has embraced Christianity. Numerous crosses are to be seen on buildings in Seoul. Possibly the most extensive recent Christianization has been in Africa. This phenomenon is sweeping the world even as growth in the secular western countries is somewhat tepid.
These millions of new Christians are, as a rule, extremely devout. I have had quite a few as penpals and have been influenced by their spirit. The increase in Christianity seems to be mainly born-again Protestant but Catholicism is making great gains too. The days of rivalry between Catholic and Protestant are over and I, as a Protestant, am a great admirer of the present Pope Benedict and I do not see how anyone could not be an admirer of his predecessor, John Paul.
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