South Asia
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
Building Christ’s Church
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
Being Salt and Light
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
Sharing the Love of Christ
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.
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
Help Bring Aid for the Poor in Africa
A native ministry leader in Zimbabwe was thankful to native workers who made it possible for impoverished families to prepare meals for their families at Christmas. “There were elderly people too who deeply appreciated the food, especially this time of the year when many have zero,” the leader said. Workers provided food and Bible lessons to 300 children regularly throughout the year, including 95 orphans and other needy kids who attended the ministry’s school. Donations of $35 or $70 are sought to provide such compassionate aid to the poor throughout Africa. Pray that children who experience the love of Christ will still be praising him as seniors.
Provide Gospel Tools and Training in Spain
Native Christian workers have planted a church with its own building in one city and a house church in another. Besides reaching Spaniards through personal evangelism, sports activities, street festivals and prison visits, workers are bringing the gospel to refugees in events for married couples, children, teenagers and young adults, as well as in Bible studies and daily interaction while providing aid. Training for evangelists takes place continually, with one program providing instruction for two years. Workers need donations of $25 or $50 for the materials and training to proclaim Christ and disciple new followers. Pray the Lord will be glorified as more people commit to serving and following Him.
Provide Disaster Aid in South Asia
Poor migrant workers were struggling to feed their families during COVID-19 lockdowns, but native Christian missionaries came to their aid. “We distributed grocery items for these poor migrant factory workers who were locked down in their own quarters with police observance,” the ministry leader said. Workers distributed rice, noodles, vegetables and other foods, and elsewhere they provided aid to victims of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. Donations are sought for such crucial aid. Pray the poor will be able to rebuild shattered lives.
Help Children Know Christ in Bangladesh
Workers at a native ministry are caring for 350 children, providing materials and tuition for school, supporting their Bible teachers and operating a quarterly spiritual camp, Sunday schools and a hostel. “Our children are the future of this ministry and the church of the Lord,” the ministry leader said. “So we need to take these steps to grow them well for the Lord.” Workers are dedicated to breaking satan’s strongholds, transforming lives and establishing God’s kingdom. Toward that end, they need donations to form strong foundations of faith in children. They request prayer that God would protect the children from evil.
Support Evangelistic Outreach in Nepal
A pastor with a native ministry joyfully carried on work in spite of suffering from a tumor and illnesses in his family. “Despite all this, God remained faithful, especially in saving the lost,” he said. ”God has blessed us in the church with four new members.” The ministry trained 15 young men for local church work and provided basic discipleship training to more than 230 new Christians. Workers also provided vocational and Bible training to five young men so they could support themselves in ministry. Native missionaries need donations to carry out such evangelistic outreach and discipleship. They request prayer for health and safety for their workers and their families.
Provide Education to Poor Children in Pakistan
More than 185 children from poor families who work in brick kilns received education at a school that local Christian workers made available to them. Without education, such children have no way of escaping a future of working off the debts of their parents, who are essentially bonded slaves unable to escape indebtedness. Native missionaries with a vision to develop a generation that can obtain higher education and break the cycle of poverty also taught them the Bible in Sunday school. Donations of $30 or $60 are sought to make the schooling and Sunday school available. Pray that parents will know the joy of seeing their children escape poverty.
