India

Far East/Asia

Year opened: 1995

Since the arrival of the Apostle Thomas, India has experienced some type of Christian influence, although the entire Christian population currently totals only 2.3%. Of the more than one billion Indians, 81.3% claim the Hindu religion, and 12% are Muslim. India continues to experience harsh conditions through natural disasters; 25% of the population lives below the poverty level, and more than five million people currently have AIDS.

Despite the persecution that Christians experience, the Church continues to grow due to the prayer and hard work of missionaries and Indian Christians. Mission Society missionaries have served in India since 1995 and have established Alpha Homes which serve as rescue centers for children living on the streets; Alpha Schools that provide an education and share the Gospel with children in families; medical camps where basic medical care is provided for people and through which churches are planted; and water projects to provide safe drinking water. In addition, a pastoral training center, which primarily trains rural pastors, has been established with 15 pastors now a part of the center. Many of these pastors will go back to their rural areas to establish churches in unreached areas of India.

 

Prayer Requests

• For the increased persecution Christians are experiencing – for their protection and strength
• For the multiple unreached people groups who have never heard of Jesus
• For the leadership development of Indian Christians who can further the cause of Christ in their own nation