Missions Fair

As you spend time today at the MISSIONS FAIR (11:15-12:15), and as you head home with all kinds of ideas about how to serve the Lord and love our neighbors, here are a few facts about the West Chester community to ponder and pray over:

 104,592 people live in zip codes 19380 and 19382—and that’s an increase of 23% since 1990 (Source: Percept Group 2012).

 Millennials (born 1982-2001) make up 28% of the population, Survivors (1961-1981) 29%, and Boomers (1943-1960) 22%

 35.1% of the population is single (never married), 52.4% married, and 12.5% divorced or widowed.

 84% of the area population is white, 5.2% African-American, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.2% Asian.

 Education levels are high—95% of adults 25 or older are high school graduates compared to 85% nationwide. 55% of area adults 25 or older are college grads compared to 28% nationally.

 Average household income is $110,380 (per capita is $40,958).

 2% of area households with children are below the poverty line, while nationwide 7.9% of households fall into this category.

 34% of area households indicate a Catholic “religious preference” (nationwide it’s 24%); 8% are Jewish (3% nationally); 6% are Baptist (16% nationwide); 10% indicate no religious preference.

 An estimated 35% of households are “strongly involved” with their faith, 30% “somewhat involved,” and 35% “not involved.”

 Some key concerns: households dealing with aging parent care (19% locally—16% nationally); dealing with neighborhood gangs (3% vs. 9%); dealing with teen/child problems (16% vs 21%).

So how can these statistics prompt us to pray for and love our neighbors? ♦ Thousands around us have no faith involvement at all—they need to meet Jesus … through you! ♦ People who look successful on the outside still struggle with pain and fear on the inside—so pray for them, and love them as your friends. ♦ Your neighbors are bright—you can assume their minds grapple with complex issues and tough questions. So ask them what they think—and pray!