With close to 8 million people in New York City and more than 22 million in the metro area, it is the largest city in the United States, the largest metro area in the world and considered by many to be the city with the most influence worldwide. Boasting such authority and impact, the tri-state area (including New York, New Jersey and portions of Connecticut) has the overwhelming power to dictate the movement of culture in this country and around the globe back to Christ. In order for this to happen, the city needs dedicated churches, planters and partners to commit to the arduous work of evangelizing a diverse and difficult population.
In New York City and the rest of the tri-state area, church planting can be an intimidating task. Some 36 percent of the population is foreign born and these people bring with them their own cultural and religious backgrounds. Though 83 percent of New Yorkers are affiliated with some form of organized religion, only 3 percent identify themselves as evangelical, according to a recent study by the Values and Research Institute.
Most in the area are slower in receptivity to receiving the gospel, making evangelism no quick effort. Church planters face the difficult task of breaking into the culture and presenting the truth of Christ to a skeptical population.