The gospel spread through these many years of upheaval. Although the conflicts created terrible suffering, they made the Church more mature. The wars scattered Christian refugees throughout the country, so even through suffering, the good news spread. Churches formed in places and among people who previously had no Christians!

Why has real growth occurred in the midst of devastation and upheaval? Kind of crazy, right? The church in Western Europe is disappearing even though there wasn’t persecution. Look at Spain. The country still allows a percentage of the people's personal income tax to go to the Catholic Church, but from 2013 to 2023, the number of people who consider themselves Catholic has dropped by 20%.

What’s the problem? Believe it or not, “Opposition Produces Growth.”