South Asia

Where We Assist

South Asia

At a Glance

  • Religious (Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist) nationalism
  • Increasing violence toward Christians
  • Poverty, especially among Christians
  • High number of unreached people groups
  • Increasing numbers of evangelical Christians
  • Unreached people groups: 3,661

Persecution of Christians is on the rise throughout South Asia, yet Christianity is rapidly spreading. In many areas, believers are subject to physical violence and false accusations leading to imprisonment. Northern India still contains the world’s largest number of unreached people groups; however, India’s Christian leaders are beginning to collaborate to reach them. Christians are often at the bottom of the socio-economic strata, as the gospel is taking root among low-caste populations. Though India is the world’s largest democracy, more than 300 million people live below the poverty line. Indigenous ministries provide holistic care to improve people’s situations while sharing the hope of Christ.

Ministry Highlight

Through its Bible correspondence course, a ministry in Pakistan provided thorough biblical instruction to more than 3,000 students throughout the country. They also helped nearly 900 persecuted Christians, including those whose homes were burned due to accusations of blasphemy against Islam. In their seven children’s centers, they provided Christian education to over 300 children.

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How You Can Make a Difference

Radical groups in South Asian countries are actively pursuing the eradication of Christians, making ministry increasingly difficult for local believers. Higher levels of persecution have not deterred indigenous missionaries from sharing the gospel; however, they need your support to help them continue making disciples for Christ amid fierce opposition.

From the Mission Field in South Asia

Encourage Persecuted Believers To Stay Faithful in South Asia
A native ministry organized 20 trauma healing workshops in various locations and in six different languages to encourage and support Christian workers and first-generation believers who have been persecuted for their faith. One of the workshop goals was to train counselors to help address the challenges Christians across the region face as they try to live out their faith in places hostile to the gospel. “To God be the glory, great things He is doing!” the ministry leader said. Your donations support ministry to persecuted Christians. Pray the Lord’s protection over believers in dangerous places.
Share the Salvation Message in South Asia
Pray for missionaries as they travel for the sake of the gospel. Because some villages that local missionaries visit are surrounded by mountains and difficult to reach, the missionaries will often stay for several days before they return home. During these visits, the missionaries lead continuous evangelism and fellowship meetings in which dozens of people over a six-month period have given their lives to Christ and were baptized, and others have been healed of sickness. “In every place we keep one or two trained leaders to continue the ministry,” the ministry leader said. “This type of ministry is called ‘penetrating the whole village.’” Your donations support missionaries in their evangelism efforts.
Usher the Broken Toward Jesus’ Arms in Sri Lanka
Pray the healing presence of the Lord will bring the lost into His arms. During a visit with the most vulnerable families of one particular village, missionaries met a 27-year-old woman who could not walk. The missionaries prayed over her, and she was healed. Overjoyed by this miraculous healing that enabled their daughter to walk for the first time in her life, her parents came to church that Sunday, where they accepted Christ as their Savior. “Praise the Lord!” the ministry leader said. Your donations support outreach and evangelism.
Support Aid to Children in South Asia
Pray that orphaned children will feel the presence of Jesus in their lives. Many years ago, a 2-year-old orphan arrived at a local ministry’s orphanage, where he was raised in the Christian faith and provided a formal education. Now, he has received an advanced degree and helps support the ministry’s work. The orphanage where he grew up is committed to raising the children—19 currently—to know the Lord, and they also strive to ensure the children will succeed as adults. “All resident children are brought up in Christian love and Christian faith based on the Holy Bible,” the ministry leader said. Your donations of $30 or $60 support such ministry to children.
Share Jesus in Remote Areas in South Asia
Native missionaries have begun to share the gospel in villages located deep in the jungle that are inaccessible by road and have no electricity or basic amenities. The missionaries walk many miles to bring the love of Christ to the approximately 130 people who live here, including young teenage girls who are pregnant and children addicted to alcohol. “It is a very heart-wrenching scene,” one of the missionaries said. Donations of $25 or $50 enable native missionaries to carry out evangelism such as this. Pray for the salvation of those with whom they share the gospel message.
Support Missionaries Serving Those Opposed to Jesus in South Asia
A native missionary leads a church in a community in which many people oppose his presence. They complain that he causes too much noise and disturbance, and they have pressured several people to stop attending altogether. But one day, the missionary came across a woman possessed by an evil spirit, and when he prayed for her, she was delivered from the spirit. Witnesses to the event saw the power of the Lord at work and began to attend the church. Your donations of $60 or $120 support missionaries as they persevere in their kingdom work. “Please pray that these souls may grow in the word of God,” the ministry leader requests.