The work facing Christian workers in India is staggering. India has 25 million Christians, but this number only represents a little more than 2 percent of the population.
Almost half of the unreached people groups, according to the International Mission Board, are in India and its neighboring countries.
Of the 100 largest unreached people group in the world, 41 are located in India.
These groups, totaling tens of millions of people, have no Christian witness focusing on these groups in a way that will result in growing, self-sustaining church movements.
How are Baptist workers approaching the need to evangelize this huge, largely pagan population?
Daunting task
According to Don (not his real name), it is not an easy task — and not just because of the numbers.
India does not grant visas to missionaries at all, he said, and is especially sensitive about any western involvement within the country.
The government of India closed its doors to international missionaries in 1975.
Today, although there are foreign Christian workers in the country, they cannot actively and openly evangelize the citizens of India.
Also, Hindus are becoming more and more militant, making it dangerous for missionaries to preach the gospel.
In spite of the obstacles, the IMB and other missions organizations have not given up on India, shifting the main focus to national Baptists instead.
“We have found that it is most effective to partner with trusted national partners,” Don said.
“Indian Christians, though a very small percentage of the population, are bold and have a heart for reaching their nation with the good news. They yearn to see their country transformed.”
The IMB provides support for Indian Christians in the form of training and encouragement but provides little funding.
“Because we believe in Indian-funded and Indian-led local ministry, we do not seek to pour a lot of money into the hands of Indian workers.
“This also helps them avoid appearing as hirelings of the West in the eyes of others within India,” Don said.
“Christianity is not a western religion, and we want to be sure we work in ways that do not reinforce the stereotype that it somehow is.”
The problems in India, Don noted, are deep.
“There is so much need in India that you could send billions of dollars and send thousands of people just to address social issues and still not solve all the problems. In fact, many of the social and economic problems are rooted in worldview problems that a biblical worldview would remedy.
Relying on locals
“The solution may lie in working with Indian Baptists to plant churches throughout India.
“By churches being planted throughout India, people will have access to the gospel and the opportunity for a new life, new values, and a new outlook on life.
“As these churches teach their people and minister to the needs around them, real transformation can take place.
“We would want to see this happen, but without changing many of the wonderful qualities of Indian culture.”
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