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

Assist Missionaries as They Disciple Others in Pakistan
Pray for indigenous leaders as they disciple their congregations. A woman who leads a women’s group at her church received Christian curriculum from a local ministry, a resource that has made it much easier for her to teach and disciple the 25 participants. “I didn’t have a proper curriculum or printed matter to teach the ladies of my congregation,” she said. “I wanted to teach and let them know about the Savior, and the difficulty was solved when I received the booklet ‘Lord and Savior.’” Your donations help with such evangelism and discipleship needs.
Share the Good News of Christ in South Asia
Pray that the sick will feel God’s healing hand. Local missionaries conduct a hospital ministry in which they lead devotions with the hospital staff and pray with pre-op patients for successful surgeries and with post-op patients for a speedy recovery. “The gospel is shared through parables and the healing and miracle stories of Jesus with printed pictures related to the stories,” the ministry leader said. The missionaries also encourage and motivate staff to be humble servants for Jesus. During a six-month period, more than 1,000 people were reached with the gospel, and missionaries distributed approximately 300 New Testaments. Your donations support outreach and evangelism opportunities.
Lift Up Believers Who Need Refreshment in South Asia
Pray that fellowship among believers will strengthen their faith and refresh their spirits. An indigenous ministry recently held multiple events across several regions, including celebrations to dedicate new churches and conferences to encourage the body of Christ. In one town, the ministry hosted an annual retreat in which missionaries and approximately 300 believers from 23 church plants participated. During the event, attendees fellowshipped through songs, skits, special messages and testimonies, and communion. A free medical clinic and children’s service were also available. Donations support events such as this.
Help Plant New Churches in South Asia
Pray for believers to be bold as they share the gospel in their communities. A community of rickshaw drivers is located near a local ministry’s office, and, after one of the drivers gave his life to Christ, he began to bring other drivers and their families to the ministry. Soon, seven drivers and their families became believers. The ministry planted a church in their community and now, not only do the drivers share the gospel with travelers, but they also fellowship at church as they learn the word of God together. Your donations support church planting efforts.
Distribute Life-Saving Resources in Bangladesh
Pray the Lord will meet people’s needs in difficult circumstances. Families from several mountain villages have been forced to leave their homes in search of food and a way to better afford their expenses. Many of them have settled in a village in which a local ministry works, and missionaries helped 50 families over a six-month period through the distribution of rice, oil, blankets, salt, and Bibles. “We have been working fervently as a ministry among the unreached people,” the ministry leader said. Your donations of $35 or $70 help provide basic necessities to vulnerable people.
Deliver Bibles to Believers in Pakistan
Pray that God’s word will bring joy to His people. For two years, an elderly, illiterate Christian woman prayed she might obtain an audio Bible. That prayer was answered when she received one through an indigenous ministry. “The word of God is as precious as gold,” the woman said. “I listen and my faith is strengthened.” She is one of many illiterate believers who now have access to the Scriptures because of the availability of audio Bibles, but many more still hope to receive one. Donations of $16 or $32 enable ministries to procure and distribute this invaluable book.