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.

Countries
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People who heard the gospel last year
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New churches planted
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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

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.
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.