The Hardest to Reach, Part 2
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Each day this week, in preparation for Day of the Unreached, we're investigating different aspects of the challenges of reaching all peoples with the Gospel.
The Joshua Project has identified 12 areas that represent unreached peoples who live under the rule of governments that are hostile toward followers of Christ and who are actively working against the spread of the gospel.
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Today, we're highlighting the second half of these 12 areas:
7. Syria. The over 16 million people of Syria have been under the authoritarian rule of Muslim president Bashar al-Assad since 2000. Al-Assad is one of the most ruthless of all world leaders, having used chemical warfare on his own people. Local churches are regularly destroyed, and church leaders are often targeted for abduction by Islamic extremist groups.
Despite the pressure against Christianity, it's estimated that ⅔ of the Syrian people have access to the Gospel. As more and more Syrian Christians become willing to witness on behalf of Christ, the hope is that Christianity will continue to spread!
8. Iraq. Once an ISIS stronghold, Iraq is an unstable and dangerous location for Christians. Persecution is lessening, but is still common in this country of 38 million. Christians are hesitant to speak up and witness their faith because of harassment and discrimination.
The bright side: Despite comprising less than .20 percent of the population, evangelicals are growing exponentially, turning to Christ after being disheartened and disillusioned by the ruling government.
9. Laos. The communist government of this country of 7 million controls all aspects of religious life. Laws make it nearly impossible for churches to have their own buildings, and places of worship and ministers must be registered with the government. Christian converts are often disowned, persecuted, and physically attacked.
The Evangelical growth rate is more than twice the global average in Laos. The small percentage of Evangelical Christians is bearing much fruit and working hard to proclaim the gospel.
10. Nepal. Although Nepal's 28 million inhabitants technically are led by a republic, government instability has led to increased pressure on Christians and greater anti-religion and anti-conversion laws. Christians are seen as traitors, and are often persecuted, beaten, and jailed.
Because of the geographical isolation of much of Nepal's poorest people, serving their physical needs is creating a path to opening the door to Christianity.
11. Bhutan. The 759,000 citizens of Bhutan are expected to follow Buddhism and the religion is seen as an important part of the country's identity. Churches are not recognized, and Christians are often refused employment, free education, healthcare, and even electricity and water.
Despite the challenges, Christianity in Bhutan is spreading. New groups of believers are forming, and their witness is having an impact.
12. Lebanon. The unstable political situation in Lebanon has led to challenges to religious freedom. Because of its proximity to many war-torn countries in the Middle East, Lebanon often suffers from occupation and is pulled into fighting. Christians do have much more freedom than many of their neighboring countries, but the constant threat of war and displacement has impacted the over 6 million residents.
The combination of greater religious freedom and high refugee occupation gives Christians in Lebanon a unique opportunity to minister to groups that might otherwise remain unreached, were they to stay in their home countries. |
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We ask you that you join us in prayer for these unreached people, who are facing some of the hardest humanitarian and spiritual needs on the planet: "Father God, we pray that you open the hearts of those in the war-torn and devastated areas of Syria, Iraq, Laos, Nepal, Bhutan, and Lebanon. Provide comfort and strength to our brothers and sisters who feel they must hide their faith, for fear of persecution. May you soften the hearts of the governments and religious leaders, and turn them to you. You are the one true God, whose name is above all others. We pray that your name be known throughout all lands, 'so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other.' (1 Kings 8:60)" The Great Commission is the pressing motivation behind the iBIBLE project — a complete Biblical narrative presented in a visual and interactive format translated into every living language. To find out more and to support the project, please visit www.i.BIBLE. |
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