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

Support Unprotected and Persecuted Believers in Bangladesh
Pray the Lord will protect believers in places where it is dangerous to follow Him. A local missionary received word that people in his community planned to damage or possibly burn down the church building as well as his home, and the ministry was uncertain whether officials would protect him. The threats are part of an increasing number of attacks on minorities—including Christians—due to intense unrest within the country’s government. “Please pray to the Lord for their safety because only He is our refuge,” the ministry leader said. Donations support missionaries who serve in dangerous places.
Support Life-Changing Ministry Work in South Asia
Pray the Lord will provide for the needs of missionaries in remote places. A local ministry recently supplied two-week’s worth of dry rations to more than 100 missionary families who were affected by intense and ongoing rainstorms in remote areas of one South Asian country. In addition, the ministry gifted goats to 50 pastors so they could earn an income and support their families. “These leaders were trained in our regional Bible school,” the ministry leader said. “Now, they live below the poverty line and serve in remote villages.” Donations of $60 or $120 support missionaries who serve in poor and difficult-to-reach places.
Help Missionaries Be a Light for Jesus in South Asia
The wife of a man addicted to drugs asked a native missionary to pray for her husband. When the man discovered what his wife had done, he sought out the missionary and tried to harm him, but the missionary continued to pray. When the man later met with an accident and believed he would die, he pledged that if God was real and delivered him, he would follow Him. Someone happened upon him, pulled him from the hole, and brought him to the hospital. Later, the man gave his life to Christ. Your donations support native missionaries in their service to the Lord. Pray for their protection as they serve the lost.
Support Christian Workers as They Serve in South Asia
>Pray that missionaries will daily seek God’s guidance. A member of a local ministry’s youth group became addicted to drugs, and his family contacted the ministry leader for help. “I discussed with him my commitment to supporting him throughout his journey toward recovery, not only as a spiritual guide but also as a mentor and friend,” the ministry leader said. “I listened to his struggles without judgment and integrated the principles of his faith into his recovery process. By the grace of God, he left all the bad habits and turned to God.” Your donations of $60 or $120 support missionaries as they serve in their communities.
Help With Selfless Ministry Work in Sri Lanka
Pray for local missionaries to be encouraged in their every-day service for Jesus. Every Friday and Sunday, approximately 60 men, women, and children come together at a local ministry’s church for lunch and fellowship. In addition to organizing this gathering, the ministry workers lead 16 monthly home groups and multiple house churches, they organize seminars and training programs, care for the widowed and elderly, visit hospitals, and distribute gospel tracts. “After distributing gospel tracts, we send our evangelical team to visit the people who are interested to know more or who want to come to church,” the ministry leader said. Donations of $25 or $50 support this evangelism and discipleship.
Reach the Lost in Jesus’ Name in Bangladesh
Pray the Lord will touch the hearts of those who read His word. A man from an indigenous tribe received a Bible from local missionaries and, after reading of Jesus and the salvation message, he gave his life to Christ. He was one of many people from four different tribes who were gifted a Bible by those missionaries during a six-month period. “Many people have read the Bibles, and the word of God has touched their hearts, and they’ve accepted Jesus Christ,” the ministry leader said. “Their lives have been changed.” Your donations support missionaries in their evangelism efforts to unreached people.