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

Stand With Missionaries Through Their Trials in South Asia
Pray for Christian workers who are persecuted for their faith. A local ministry leader who has spent years translating the Bible, teaching Bible classes, and leading prayer groups was arrested by local authorities who opposed his work. Many people from the village demanded his release, and when the village leader offered bail for the missionary, the authorities released him. His experience has drawn more people to the Lord, with another local ministry leader noting that the church there is now growing faster than ever before. Donations of $60 or $120 assist missionaries who serve the Lord in places opposed to the gospel.
Build Christ-Centered Friendships in Bangladesh
Pray for missionaries as they build relationships and share the gospel with others. A farmer gave his life to Christ through the evangelism of a local missionary in his village, and through the missionary’s discipleship, the farmer not only learned how to share the gospel and pray, but he also learned the importance of tithing. Now, not only does the farmer host a small Bible study for other farmers who are interested in the gospel, but he also regularly tithes. Your donations support evangelism and discipleship such as this.
Share About God’s Love and Protection in South Asia
Pray Christ’s light will penetrate places of spiritual darkness. When a local missionary visited a nearby village to share the gospel, the leader forbade him to talk of Jesus. When the missionary visited a second time to pray with a family, the leader tried to assault him. Several months later, the leader’s father was diagnosed with cancer, and treatment failed. The leader asked the missionary to pray for his father, which he agreed to do, and when the father’s health improved, the entire family gave their lives to Jesus. “Now we have regular fellowship in their house,” the ministry leader said. Donations support missionaries with such evangelism and discipleship despite opposition.
Urge the Lost Toward Christ’s Saving Grace in Sri Lanka
Pray the gospel message will ignite revivals across communities. Because of the diligent and faithful service of Christian workers at a local ministry’s Bible institute, alumni return to their own communities prepared in pastoral care, teaching, prayer, counseling, and evangelism. “Various segments of the Sri Lankan community are being reached,” the ministry leader said. His own evangelism efforts have brought numerous children to Jesus as he shares the gospel in impoverished areas. “The impact of spreading the gospel has been profound,” he said. Your donations play a key role in such evangelism and outreach.
Stand Alongside Persecuted Believers in South Asia
Pray for protection over missionaries in dangerous places. Over the course of many years, a pastor with a local ministry developed a friendship with the people of an indigenous tribe. His work with the people included translating the Bible and distributing tracts, conducting Bible classes and prayer groups, and starting approximately 20 house churches among them. Recently, when local officials had him arrested because they opposed his teachings, members of the tribe demanded his release and paid his bail. “Now, the church among those people is growing faster than before,” the ministry leader said. Donations support missionaries as they persevere in dangerous places.
Train Christian Workers for Gospel Work in South Asia
Pray for believers as they deepen their faith and prepare to serve the Lord. Eight years ago, a young man participated in a local ministry’s evangelism training program and was eager to use what he learned to share his faith in his community. Recently, he returned to the ministry and sought out one of the leaders to express his gratitude for the training he received. “With great joy, he shared that as a result of the training, he planted eight house fellowships,” the ministry leader said. Donations of $60 or $120 help local ministries prepare believers to share their faith with others.