80% of the world’s evangelical Christians live in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Over the last 50 years, God’s church has grown exponentially in these areas.

These regions have tremendous mission sending potential to help bring the gospel to unreached peoples, but they currently send only 20% of the world’s cross-cultural missionaries!

Articles

Authors

Schedule

Give to Teams or Projects

Your partnership will help us reach the nations through the nations.

Partner with our staff

Give to a Training

We are always on the lookout for ambitious and talented people to come and join Via. If you are passionate about the bringing God's glory to the nations and want to help mobilize the global church then we would love to hear from you.

Open Roles

Careers & Internships

Total Number of Evangelicals

Cultural Bridges to UPGs

Regional Access to UPGs

Religious Freedom

Prosperity

Current Sending Abroad

Mobilization Potential

Custom Mobilization Potential

Number of Evangelicals

Cultural Bridges

Strategic Access

Religious Freedoms

Current Sending

This infographic provides a visual score for seven data points ranked on a 0 to 100 scale. Faded icons show scores for other countries on the mobilization index. See below for actual scores and country-specific insights.

ADDITION

FINANCIAL DEPENDENCY

INACCESSIBLE

LIMITED MISSION FORCE

DISTANT AND FOREIGN MISSION FIELD

THE WORLD IS THE MISSION FIELD

Show Notes

Formats

Available Languages

About the Author

Filter

Tools

Search

Team Profile

<span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:833,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;A Booming and Diverse Church&quot;}">A Booming and Diverse Church

The World's 5th Largest Evangelical Church

<span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:833,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;With more than 26 million evangelical Christians, India has the world's 5th largest evangelical church. According to Operation World, the church is unequally spread across the nation. The south and northeast have much higher proportions of Christians than the more populated north and west. A large reason for this disparity is that over the last 100 years India has received a large number of foreign missionaries. This number increased from 3,600 in 1900 to 42,000 in 2000 [[114]]. Praise God for His faithfulness and providence in developing the 5th largest evangelical church in India.\n\nIt is important to note that some researchers estimate that, due to possible underreporting, the Christian population in Indian could be closer to 9% as opposed to the reported 5%-6% [[3]].&quot;}">With more than 26 million evangelical Christians, India has the world's 5th largest evangelical church. According to Operation World, the church is unequally spread across the nation. The south and northeast have much higher proportions of Christians than the more populated north and west. A large reason for this disparity is that over the last 100 years India has received a large number of foreign missionaries. This number increased from 3,600 in 1900 to 42,000 in 2000 [[4]]. Praise God for His faithfulness and providence in developing the 5th largest evangelical church in India. It is important to note that some researchers estimate that, due to possible underreporting, the Christian population in Indian could be closer to 9% as opposed to the reported 5%-6% [[5]].

Geographically Closed Off

<span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:833,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;India shares many cultural similarities with the 30 UPG nations on the Mobilization Index. India's closest cultural neighbors are Morocco (5), Lebanon (8.5), and Libya (9). There are several other countries that have culturally close proximities to India as well. In contrast, some of the countries from which India is culturally farthest happen to be very close geographically, including Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. This is the case due to many contributing factors. For example, India has geographic landmarks that close it off from countries west of its borders. The Aravalli Mountain Range and the Thar Desert in the west isolate it from Pakistan, while the Purvanchal Mountains (an extension of the Himalayas) guards the far eastern edge of the country. These geographical features have allowed India to develop its own unique culture over the last few millennia.\n\nCountries such as Morocco and Libya may have closer cultural connections due to European colonization. Both of these countries practice habits of restraint within their culture and both countries, like India, also have a similar perception of the distribution of power within their country. These aligned values could make cross-cultural connections for Indian believers much easier.&quot;}">India shares many cultural similarities with the 30 UPG nations on the Mobilization Index. India's closest cultural neighbors are Morocco (5), Lebanon (8.5), and Libya (9). There are several other countries that have culturally close proximities to India as well. In contrast, some of the countries from which India is culturally farthest happen to be very close geographically, including Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. This is the case due to many contributing factors. For example, India has geographic landmarks that close it off from countries west of its borders. The Aravalli Mountain Range and the Thar Desert in the west isolate it from Pakistan, while the Purvanchal Mountains (an extension of the Himalayas) guards the far eastern edge of the country. These geographical features have allowed India to develop its own unique culture over the last few millennia. Countries such as Morocco and Libya may have closer cultural connections due to European colonization. Both of these countries practice habits of restraint within their culture and both countries, like India, also have a similar perception of the distribution of power within their country. These aligned values could make cross-cultural connections for Indian believers much easier.

Over 1 Billion Unreached Neighbors Within Borders

<span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:833,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;With nearly 88% of India's population being unreached and 79% being Hindu, there is immense opportunity for the Indian church to reach UPGs without leaving their country. [[118]] These numbers explain why the majority of India's missions are cross cultural and in-country. \nRoughly 40% of all unreached peoples, numbering nearly a billion individuals, live in India. This incredible opportunity makes the country one of the most strategic locations to focus mobilization efforts. &quot;}">With nearly 88% of India's population being unreached and 79% being Hindu, there is immense opportunity for the Indian church to reach UPGs without leaving their country. [[6]] These numbers explain why the majority of India's missions are cross cultural and in-country. Roughly 40% of all unreached peoples, numbering nearly a billion individuals, live in India. This incredible opportunity makes the country one of the most strategic locations to focus mobilization efforts.

Church Growth Despite Religious Freedoms Decreasing

<span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:833,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Religious freedom in India has been quickly declining over the last several years due to the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a result of the Hindu nationalism movement. India has been governed by the BJP party since 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other BJP chamber members were elected. This election brought about a dangerous time for religious minorities in India. \n\nIn fact, the number of persecution incidents in India increased each year between 2014 and 2018. In just the first six months of 2017 there were 410 incidents reported, compared to the 441 from the entirety of 2016. In 2017, a Hindu nationalist organization forced all missionaries to leave the country, [[113]] moving India from the seventeenth most persecuted nation in 2016 to the current tenth. [[20]] \n\nEven in the midst of persecution and intolerance from the government, the evangelical church continues to grow and multiply! Mission mobilization ministries and other Christian ministries should not stop their efforts to reach India but should rather act in wisdom while promoting and carrying out their work. Certain discretion can be used, especially online, with the use of names, dates, and locations, as to best protect our brothers and sisters in Christ.&quot;}">Religious freedom in India has been quickly declining over the last several years due to the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a result of the Hindu nationalism movement. India has been governed by the BJP party since 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other BJP chamber members were elected. This election brought about a dangerous time for religious minorities in India. In fact, the number of persecution incidents in India increased each year between 2014 and 2018. In just the first six months of 2017 there were 410 incidents reported, compared to the 441 from the entirety of 2016. In 2017, a Hindu nationalist organization forced all missionaries to leave the country, [[7]] moving India from the seventeenth most persecuted nation in 2016 to the current tenth. [[8]] Even in the midst of persecution and intolerance from the government, the evangelical church continues to grow and multiply! Mission mobilization ministries and other Christian ministries should not stop their efforts to reach India but should rather act in wisdom while promoting and carrying out their work. Certain discretion can be used, especially online, with the use of names, dates, and locations, as to best protect our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Hundreds of Millions Raised out of Poverty

India scores low in overall prosperity. They have moved up ten spots on the Legatum Prosperity Index in recent years, now ranking of 101 out of 167. India scored lowest on Safety and Security and Natural Environment. These can be attributed to the increased levels of persecution, as well as a massive increase in industry and manufacturing in the country. India is one of four developing nations, along with Brazil, Russia, and China, who are expected to become the world's dominant suppliers of manufactured goods and services by 2050. [[9]]
Despite their Safety ranking, the country scored much higher in economic quality. India has been on the rise economically for the last decade. Several hundred million Indians have even been raised out of poverty over the last 20 years. [[9]] Corruption poses a threat to the continued ascent of the country's economy, but the government is attempting to address that issue.&nbsp;
What does this mean for the Indian church? We believe that this shows that as the economy and global presence of India grows, so will opportunities to share the gospel and send missionaries. As communities become increasingly interconnected throughout the country, more and more opportunities will arise for the church to go to areas in northern India where the gospel does not yet have a foothold.

Sending Cross-Culturally In-Country

Current sending estimates for India are around 71,000. The vast majority (&plusmn;70,000) of those workers are sent cross-culturally in-country, but it remains unclear how many of those missionaries are working amongst unreached people groups. It is difficult to determine where missionaries are going within India. Many work among the lower castes within the slums and cities, while others go to tribal groups throughout the country.
With these numbers, the Indian church is sending 0.284% of their believers. What a blessing to see so many Indian believers sharing the gospel and doing so in the midst of persecution! While India's internal sending numbers are very high, imagine the force the Indian church could continue to be if the numbers sent to the unreached were to doubled or tripled!

Poised to Access the unreached

We rank the mobilization potential in India as Very High. As mentioned before, India has the 5th largest evangelical church and that church has the largest access to unreached peoples. India is also home to a growing economy that will soon be able to empower more of its local church to send missionaries.&nbsp;
On the other hand, there will be significant obstacles for the church. There has been a great increase in persecution all throughout the country, especially with the Hindu nationalist movement that targets many religious minorities. This will be an incredible opportunity for the church to minister to other religious groups that are being persecuted as well. In light of the diversity within the country, the size of the evangelical church, and the great access to UPGs, it is clear that India has the greatest opportunity for in-country, cross-cultural sending to unreached peoples. Imagine the impact that thousands of Indian missionaries could have across South Asia! They would know the politics, the culture, and oftentimes the language of those they are trying to reach.
It is also important to note that there are already mobilization movements underway within India. Partnership between outside missions agencies and national believers has led to the development of a movement that is being run and operated by the local believers. Praise God!

Obstacles:
<ul>
<li>There is a growing level of persecution in India as the government continues to put pressure on Christianity and other minority religious groups.</li>
<li>The caste system poses hardships, as people in poverty struggle to climb the caste system into a more stabel socioeconomic status.</li>
<li>There are 22 official languages listed by the Indian government with hundreds more spoken by smaller groups with differing dialects. This could be a barrier for many missionaries.</li>
</ul>
Opportunities:
<ul>
<li>India has access to 40% of the world's unreached people right in their backyard!</li>
<li>India is home to the 5th largest evangelical church! These numbers offer opportunities that smaller churches do not have.</li>
<li>Just over 30% of the population of India is under the age of 15, offering an amazing opportunity to raise up the next generation!</li>
</ul>

Pray:
<ul>
<li>For the ongoing efforts of the various mobilization ministries in India.&nbsp;</li>
<li>For Indian believers to find their most strategic role in seeing Christ proclaimed among the nations.&nbsp;</li>
<li>For the church&rsquo;s roots to grow deep and strong in the face of persecution.</li>
<li>For more cross-cultural workers in India to be sent to unreached people groups.</li>
</ul>
Praises:
<ul>
<li>Praise God for the growth of the evangelical church in India, as it is home to the 5th largest evangelical population.</li>
<li>Praise God for the recent receptivity of many people groups that have been resistant to the gospel for centuries.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Praise God that hundreds of millions of people are rising out of poverty in India.</li>
</ul>

Persecution in India increased Post Covid

Operation World online- India unreached numbers

Official Country Name:Republic of India

Population:1,366,418,000

Region:South Asia

Government:Federal parliamentary constitutional republic

Official Languages:Hindi, English

Religious Demographics:Hindu ± 74%, Muslim ±14%, Christian ±3%, Evangelical ±2%, Sikh ±2%, Ethnoreligionist ±1%, Other 4%

India