Pakistan

Partner with Local Missionaries in Pakistan

Located in the 10/40 Window

Nearly twice the size of California, Pakistan is located between India, Afghanistan, China, and Iran. Its climate ranges from hot and dry to arctic in the northern highlands. The country is home of a 62-mile long glacier system, the largest outside the north and south poles.

Formerly a part of British-controlled India, it separated in 1947. With a 1973 constitution stating that all laws are to conform to Islam as outlined in the Koran and Sunnah (sayings and deeds of Muhammad), the state religion in Pakistan is Sunni Islam. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution, but longstanding discrimination and persecution against Christians has intensified in recent years as Islamic extremism has spread. The population is 96 percent Muslim, 1.85 percent Hindu and 1.5 percent Christian, among other tiny religious minorities. Pakistan has the second-largest number of Muslims in the world after Indonesia.

Urdu and English are the official languages, with Urdu a symbol of national, Islamic unity and English used primarily in business, government and legal matters. More than 75 percent of Pakistanis understand Urdu, but more than 60 languages are spoken in the country. The major ethnic groups are the Punjabis (44.7 percent), Pashtuns (15.4 percent), Sindhis (14.1 percent), Saraikis (8.4 percent) and Muhajirs (7.6 percent).

Longstanding political disputes and lack of foreign investment has led to the underdevelopment of Pakistan. Lack of economic opportunity contributes to widespread poverty. A large portion of the population does not have access to clean water or education.

Of the hundreds of indigenous missionaries bringing the gospel to remote areas where Christ’s name is unknown, many of them have no means of supporting their families and work by faith that the worldwide Body of Christ will support them. Devoting all their time to evangelism, discipleship and church-planting, local missionaries have established fellowships in every major city and numerous towns and villages. Thousands of communities remain unreached, however, and workers request assistance for evangelistic outreaches, distribution of gospel literature and construction of church buildings.

Multiple ministries have undertaken the challenge of meeting the need for trained church leaders. They need support for training programs to equip missionaries to teach Sunday schools, work with teenagers, adults, youth and families, lead women’s groups and plant and pastor congregations. Most of these ministries train about 100 full-time or part-time workers each year; one Bible correspondence school trains 3,000 per year.

Sources: Joshua Project, Wikipedia, CIA World Factbook

219.9 million

Population

0.7%

Evangelical Population:

512

People Groups:

512

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Pakistan

Pray for provision, courage, and wisdom for local missionaries and church leaders as they share the gospel.
Pray missionaries, their families and those the are serving will be protected from poverty and disease.
Pray the spread of the kingdom of God would transform communities into holy beacons of light and love.

More stories from Pakistan

Provide Bible Study Materials in Pakistan

Many people write to a local ministry about how its Bible correspondence courses have led them to Christ. The ministry sends its Bible courses to Christian youths and adults, as well as to seekers, with non-Christians representing 25 percent of those enrolled. Workers have also designed children’s stories for Sunday schools. A church leader in a remote area said the children’s courses and the stories are opening a way for people to learn the Bible. Ministries seek donations to provide such materials. Pray for follow-up meetings with those who learn about Christ through the Bible courses.

Form And Strengthen Disciples in Pakistan

A native ministry that provides Bible correspondence courses also distributes a magazine as a follow-up tool to address issues for those exploring Christianity. Evangelists, Sunday school teachers and other church leaders also use the magazine to bring people closer to Christ. “We work for church enrichment and spiritual growth,” the ministry leader said. “For this vision, we encourage and teach our fellow evangelists and pastors to go where people do not have the opportunity to listen to the gospel.” Local missionaries need donations for such evangelism and discipleship. They request prayer for follow-up with new believers and for church enrichment seminars.

Help Provide the Bread of Life in Pakistan

The Lord is working through a native ministry that recently distributed hundreds of Bibles, including audio Bibles. One recipient said, “I am an illiterate person who had a thirst for the Word of God. Now after receiving the audio Bible, I listen to the Psalms and am being blessed by it.” Workers distributed 200 audio Bibles over three months to people who were either illiterate, blind or had poor vision. “Hundreds are waiting for the Bread of Life to satiate their hunger for the Word of God,” the leader said. Workers need donations to proclaim Christ and disciple new believers. Pray that acceptance of the gospel will result in people serving and glorifying the Lord throughout their lives.

Help the Lost to Know Christ in Pakistan

Native Christian workers are finding ample opportunities to share the gospel with the unreached as four new house churches regularly receive visitors. People from the surrounding communities have never heard about Christ’s grace. “Listening to the Word of God, they have started knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit has changed their lives,” the ministry leader said. Of 50 people who recently showed interest in learning more about the gospel, 10 have put their faith in Christ. Workers need donations to proclaim the kingdom and disciple new believers. Pray the Lord’s name would be glorified in areas where new Christians face opposition.

Help Power Gospel Proclamation in Pakistan

Non-Christian students visiting native ministry events often asked about fasting, a common topic in their culture, so leaders trained workers on the New Testament teaching about it. “In our context, non-Christians have many misconceptions regarding Christian fasting,” the ministry leader said. Workers previously were trained in contemporary methods of Christian outreach and follow-up. About a quarter of those receiving the ministry’s Bible correspondence courses are non-Christians, many of whom come to faith through them. Donations are sought for these and other evangelistic outreaches in Pakistan. Pray God’s Word will penetrate hard hearts.

Help Build the Kingdom with God’s Word in Pakistan

A native ministry’s correspondence courses focus on the theme of salvation through Christ and also include studies of biblical books, such as the Psalms, the Gospel of John and 1 Corinthians, among others. A monthly magazine acts as a follow-up tool for teachings on timely subjects and has been helpful for evangelists, Sunday school teachers and pastors. “Many times people send us their testimony about how they came to know Jesus Christ and how the materials answered their misconceptions about the Christian faith,” the ministry leader said. Donations are sought for such evangelism and discipleship. Pray God’s Word would find fertile soil through the country.

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