Countries Where We
Assist Native Ministries
Overview
Southeast Asia is home to an incredibly diverse population. The island nation of Papua New Guinea alone is home to more than 1,000 people groups who speak more than 800 languages. Christianity has taken root and continues to grow among ethnic minorities who face increasing persecution from oppressive regimes.
Islam is another challenge to native believers in Southeast Asia. Christians in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, face high levels of persecution from radical Muslims, who are pushing Sharia-inspired laws in more communities. Meanwhile, a growing Muslim population on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines continues to breed radicalism and hatred for Christians. In both of these countries, however, Christianity has sustained continued growth.
With the growth of Christianity in Southeast Asia comes an enormous need for trained church leaders. Thousands of rural congregations languish without adequate leadership, falling into unbiblical teaching, moral failure, and syncretism.
In addition to persecution from radical Muslims and hostile governments, native missionaries in Southeast Asia are challenged to minister to unreached people groups in regions of extreme poverty and where there is rampant drug usage. The countries of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand comprise Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle, one of Asia’s two main opium-producing areas. Myanmar is also the world’s largest producer of methamphetamines.
How You Can Make a Difference
Ways To Give
Evangelism & Discipleship
Through the work of one indigenous ministry in Vietnam, more than 3,000 house churches exist in the country’s Central Highlands. A ministry on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines has shared the gospel and planted churches among the island’s 13 Muslim-majority tribes through carefully trained native missionaries. Though ministry inside North Korea is impossible under the present regime, native missionaries established underground churches in six locations in northern China among North Korean women who were trafficked across the border. GIVE NOW to help evangelistic and discipleship ministries like these in Southeast Asia.
Community Engagement
In Indonesia, several Christian Aid Mission-assisted ministries are providing business training to desperately poor pastors and equipping them to start microenterprises to support their families and fledgling churches. GIVE NOW to help community engagement ministries like these in Southeast Asia.
Compassion
In Myanmar, where multitudes fall prey to drug addiction, a ministry is sharing the love of Christ through its two addiction recovery centers where addicts are cared for and discipled in God’s Word. GIVE NOW to help compassion ministries like this one in Southeast Asia.
Exclusive Stories from the Mission Field
Lead Idol Worshippers To Jesus in the Philippines
When native missionaries learned that the aunt and uncle of one of the ministry’s Bible students practiced witchcraft, they journeyed to the couple’s home to present the gospel. “It is her [the Bible student’s] prayer that all her family will hear and believe the gospel and be saved,” the ministry leader said.
Support Missionaries With Their Gospel Work in Palestine
In the midst of economic and political hardship, native missionaries serve their communities through local churches, which not only provide Bible training and fellowship, but also compassionate aid to those who need it, such as delivering medication to the sick. Christian leaders recently organized a women’s retreat, youth meetings and activities, and home visitations.
Lift Up Weary Persecuted Believers in Southeast Asia
When a widow chose to put her faith in Christ, her son and daughter-in-law forced her to leave their home and she was banished from the village. Christians in another village built her a small hut and now help to take care of her. In another place, a believer who was a successful nurse was constantly asked to renounce his faith, which he refused to do.
Distribute Bibles In Indigenous Languages in Laos
A native ministry is preparing to distribute audio versions of the books of Matthew, Mark, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Galatians in an indigenous language, as well as Bible stories, worship songs, and copies of the entire Bible. “These audio tools have been a key source in proclaiming the gospel, as well as spiritually feeding both new and existing believers,” the ministry leader said.
Assist Those Whose Worship Is Monitored in China
Native missionaries continue to face more restrictions in their evangelism and discipleship efforts. Churches were required to install surveillance cameras on their pulpits, villagers have been told to report anyone under the age of 18 who attends church meetings, a particular translation of hymns has been banned, and wastebaskets were installed in churches in which anything deemed illegal must be thrown.
Praise The Lord Alongside New Believers in Ghana
A native ministry organized a four-day convention and spent many days training ushers, counselors, prayer warriors, and other committees to ensure the event ran smoothly. “Praise the Lord!” the ministry leader said following its conclusion. “The Lord ministered and won many souls to the glory of God.”