In 1900 less than 5% of the world's population lived in cities. By 2010 50% of the world's population lived in cities. In 2010 there were 25 cities with each having more than 10 million in population. By 2050, 25 cities will have grown to over 16 million each. By 2030 we will have moved from a world of 200 cities to a world of 400 cities with over 1 million population, which will grow to over 1,450 such cities.

Cities are the main purveyors of cultures, values and beliefs. They are the center of education, arts, music, literature, film, television and other media. Cities tend to stimulate the gifts, talents, capacities and deep potential of human hearts and minds.

Every city is, and always has been, a magnet for young people to move from rural areas. The climate found in cities is for constant change and innovation. 45% of all people 18-34 years of age would like to live in a city, while only 14% of people over 34 years old want to live in a city, and just 8% of people over 65 are drawn to the city. Cities are also places where schools and universities are; therefore they are filled with students.

The cultural elite also live there. People who have a disproportionate influence on life live in cities because this is where business, publishing, media, academics and government are located.

Unreached people groups are gathered in cities in North America. Every large city is a portal for reaching the world for Christ because the USA is a land of immigrants and immigrants are still coming to the USA in large numbers.

The city has many poor who come with expectations that people will do things for them to help them. We are called to love the poor and since cities are where they are congregated together, the cities become an important place to minister to the poor.

The city connects people who are different than you, so you must think differently. City living changes who people are and how they see themselves. People are attracted to cities because cities are a magnet for talent and ambition. If you transform a city, you transform the province/ state.

Cities create a seedbed for creative thinking, providing access to new ideas and new ways of dealing with problems and challenges. Healthy cities have resources. More people can have a sustainable existence in a city, at a cheaper cost, than in rural areas.

God values cities. The word cities is mentioned 1,250 times in the Bible. Cities are strategic to God in working out his plans.

The early Christian movement was primarily urban. All ambitious missionary movements are, or soon become, urban. Any study of how Christians converted an empire show that they targeted major trade centers found in key cities.