The country that dominates South Asia is India, a nation diverse in language, religion, culture, and lifestyle. A staggering 4,635 distinct people groups populate the country. Though India is predominately Hindu, it is the second largest Muslim country in the world with 140 million adherents. Christian agencies are working throughout India, yet it is estimated that just a few hundred workers focus their efforts on reaching Muslims.

Though India is a secular and democratic country, the call for “Hindutva” (return to Hinduism) is growing in strength. So far, seven states have adopted an anti-conversion law which hampers freedom of ministry. Outbreaks of violence in one of these states, Orissa, have left hundreds dead, churches burned, and thousands chased from their homes.

Bracketing India are other unreached countries, Pakistan, Maldives, and Bangladesh which are Muslim, and Nepal and Sri Lanka which are predominately Hindu and Buddhist. These countries represent a significant challenge in evangelistic ministry today for political, economic, and religious reasons.

Partners International has been working with indigenous ministries in South Asia since the 1960s. By God’s grace, we are seeing the results of our partners’ evangelistic efforts as new believers come together in communities of Christian witness. Still, the task is far from finished. Despite nearly 200 years of mission effort in South Asia, less than five percent of the population is Christian.

Vision & Strategy

While the Christian population is small, we partner with a number of locally-led ministries whose focus is to see the people of the region embrace Jesus Christ as Savior. Our primary strategies in South Asia involve evangelism and church planting in unreached areas.

We also focus on underserved populations such as high-caste Hindu groups, Muslims, and people of other faiths. Other strategies include equipping leaders and ministry to women and children.

Leadership

Our efforts in South Asia are led by our field-based Area Director, Prem James, who has spent the last two decades developing partnership networks in the country to advance Indian missions.

How You Can Be A Partner

We invite you to partner with us in building the Church in South Asia. Develop relationships with Partners International staff doing ministry in the region and with the leaders of our indigenous partners there. Sponsor A Child. Pray for the region. Join our initiative that focuses on the needs of women. Use your professional skills. Join a short-term ministry team from your church. Financially sponsor a ministry outreach. Working together, we’ll see God build His Church in the least Christian regions of the world.