A period of several decades from the 1960s in which great emphasis was given to numerical growth within churches. 

The movement is largely based on the work of Donald A. McGavran, who had served as a missionary in India.  During this time period, churches were urged to re-capture their mission to reach people in the local community through active involvement.  The church growth movement in North America countered a simultaneous trend of irreligion spurred on by rising secularism, removal of prayers from schools, and the sexual revolution.