Countries Where We
Assist Native Ministries
Overview
Persecution of Christians is on the rise throughout South Asia, as radical Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists seek to “purify” their countries of religious minorities.
Despite this persecution, Christianity is rapidly growing in this region. Today in India, between 15,000 and 20,000 people are baptized every day. Northern India still contains the world’s largest number of unreached people groups, however. India’s Christian leaders are beginning to collaborate on how to reach these groups.
In the Islamic country of Pakistan, radical Muslim groups flourish. Many Christians are falsely accused of violating Pakistan’s “blasphemy laws” and imprisoned. Islamic extremism has significantly increased during the last 10 to 15 years due in large part to Islamic education centers where 40 million children are taught to persecute religious minorities like Christians.
Christians comprise less than 2 percent of Pakistan’s population and are at the bottom of the socio-economic strata. Likewise, Christians are typically the poorest members of society in India, where the gospel is taking root among the low-caste populations. Though India is the world’s largest democracy, more than 300 million people in India still live below the poverty line.
How You Can Make a Difference
Ways To Give
Evangelism & Discipleship
Workers with one Christian Aid Mission-assisted ministry South Asia have planted a total of 600 churches, which are attended by approximately 24,000 people. The ministry’s theological institute trains and equips native believers for Christian service. Church-planting missionaries settle in urban and rural communities, establishing relationships to win souls to Christ. This ministry has established a church in every major city inside of its country. GIVE NOW to help evangelistic and discipleship ministries like this one in South Asia.
Community Engagement
Since 1974, a Christian hospital has provided medical care, along with the gospel message, to poverty-stricken people suffering from ailments such as leprosy, tuberculosis, blindness, and malnutrition. The staff conducts free eye camps in the villages surrounding the hospital, performing simple surgeries to restore sight to thousands of people who would otherwise be severely limited in their ability to earn a modest living. Every year, the medical team screens approximately 10,000 patients at the eye camps and performs around 2,000 surgeries, mainly for cataracts. A hospital chaplain shares the gospel with patients and 30 gospel workers have established fellowships in several outlying villages. The hospital has helped construct church buildings in many small communities. GIVE NOW to help community engagement ministries like this one in South Asia.
Compassion
Human trafficking runs rampant in India. Every hour, four girls enter prostitution, three of them against their will. Girls as young as 10 years are trafficked from economically depressed neighborhoods to major prostitution centers. An indigenous ministry is successfully rehabilitating survivors of forced prostitution back into the community as self-sustaining citizens who love the Lord Jesus. Through basic life skills, education, vocational training, counseling, and help with housing, survivors of trafficking are finding healing and restoration. GIVE NOW to help compassion ministries like this one in South Asia.
Exclusive Stories from the Mission Field
Support Gospel Outreach in South Asia
A man had decided to divorce his wife because they had only one child, a mute girl, and the couple had been unable to conceive other children despite many medical treatments. They then met native Christian workers who shared the gospel with them, and both put their faith in Christ.
Give the Lost a Chance for Salvation in South Asia
Traveling nine hours by car, native Christian workers recently reached a town where a local church member had organized a meeting on her rooftop; many of her non-Christian friends and relatives were gathered. “The session was very anointed and blessed,” the ministry leader said. “Many people surrendered their lives for Jesus.” The Lord has been doing amazing things. “It has honestly been hard to keep up with sometimes, but we are just so excited for what is happening, and what is still to come,” the leader said. Such workers in the region need donations to share Christ and disciple new believers. Pray the truth of the Lord’s salvation would liberate more troubled hearts.
Help Send the Gospel to the Unreached in Bangladesh
A native ministry has sent new workers to share the gospel with two major tribes, joining those already working among six ethnic groups. “We have seen that lives among the people groups have been improving since the native missionaries started working in the three hill districts,” the ministry leader said. “Many people have given up drinking wine and doing bad things. They have been interested to hear the Word of God and to go to the church.” Workers visiting hospitals also have shared the gospel, and another recent outreach resulted in eight tribal people accepting Christ. Donations are sought for such gospel work. Pray the love among the brethren would glorify God.
Provide Food and Compassionate Aid in Sri Lanka
The number of children arriving hungry at a native Christian ministry’s primary school grew amid economic and social unrest, and workers provided them with lunches of nutritious rice and curry. “The mid-day meal is the most important one in Sri Lanka, and we are glad that we are able to feed these children,” the ministry leader said. “The parents too are happy that their children receive a nutritious meal.” Workers also provided families going hungry with food boxes. Some of the children at the school are orphans living with grandparents too poor to feed themselves. Donations are sought for food and other compassionate aid. Pray such aid will open more hearts to the gospel.
Help Spread the Kingdom Message in Pakistan
Villagers labor long hours as indentured servants, working off insurmountable debt making kiln-fired bricks. Their children are trapped in the cycle of poverty but receive hope in Christ through Sunday schools that native Christian workers provide in various villages. Recently teams of evangelists visiting villages also shared the gospel with many people, distributing Bibles and planting four house churches in remote areas that more than 200 people now attend. Donations of $25 or $50 are sought for such evangelistic outreach and follow-up. Pray for opportunities for children to break the cycle of poverty.
Help Form Strong Disciples in Nepal
A 36-year-old man gradually descended into madness, neglecting his family and drinking so much he often slept on the street. Attending a native ministry’s church, the gospel sank deeply into his heart, and he met with the pastor and put his faith in Christ. “I am very thankful that God has given a new life to a dead person like me, and now I am telling the Good News to many people through my life testimony,” he said. Workers sharing 6,859 tracts have continued to share the gospel in spite of legal restrictions and other obstacles. They need donations to proclaim Christ and strengthen the faith of those who commit to the Lord. Pray the Lord’s protection over workers.
