Jul 01: India, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu
India
Republic of India
Asia
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Geography
Area: 3,166,000 sq kmA further 121,000 sq km of Kashmir, a contested area, is administered by Pakistan and China. Geographically and politically, India dominates South Asia and the Indian Ocean. There are 28 Union States and 7 Union Territories.
Population: 1,214,464,312 Annual Growth: 1.44%
Capital: Delhi
Urbanites: 30.1%
HDI Rank: 134 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 2,533 (88% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Constitutionally there are 22 official languages. The official language is Hindi (spoken by 40% of the population). English is a subsidiary official language Languages: 456 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Hinduism| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 71,011,000 | 5.84 | 3.7 |
| Evangelicals | 26,290,283 | 2.2 | 3.9 |
| Hinduism | 902,711,323 | 74.33 |
Challenge for Prayer
The Indian diaspora now numbers nearly 30 million and is spread across 130 countries. Large numbers have emigrated to the Americas: USA (2.2m, where they have built over 500 Hindu temples), Canada (1.0m), Trinidad (500,000), Suriname (150,000); others to Europe: UK (1.5m), France (290,000); many to Africa: South Africa (920,000), Mauritius (870,000); to the Pacific: Fiji (310,000), Australia (225,000); to Asia: Nepal (5.5m), Malaysia (2.1m), Myanmar (2.5m), Sri Lanka (1.5m), Singapore (400,000); and to the Middle East: Saudi Arabia (1.4m), UAE (1.4m), Kuwait (560,000), Oman (385,000). They are influential in their adopted lands, especially in business, technology and culture. They are likewise a great influence on their relations and communities back in India. Many are open to the gospel – especially first-generation immigrants – and in some countries, there has been significant outreach and response (South Africa, USA, Canada, Mauritius, Middle East). Outreach by Indian missions to diaspora communities is overdue, as is the envisioning of diaspora Christians to reach out to India.For an additional 14 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of India.Sikkim
India
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Challenge for Prayer
Specific vision in Sikkim touches on several areas. Pray for development of a shared vision and strategy by churches for the effective evangelization of Sikkim.a) Leadership development is a key ministry.GFA, Sikkim Bible Institute, House of Revival and Evangelical Presbyterians as well as others focus on training and raising up pastors and leaders for the many leaderless new congregations constantly forming. This coincides with the formation of local mission agencies such as the Evangelical Mission (Presbyterians).
b) Outreach from Sikkim to neighbouring nations. Nestled in the lower range of the Himalayas, Sikkim is linked to Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet – a highly strategic location. Pray that Sikkim will bring light to its neighbours and within India as well.
For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Sikkim.Tamil Nadu
India
See Prayer Information
Challenge for Prayer
The less evangelized. Despite the large Christian presence and numerous agencies, large segments of the population remain unreached:a) Northern and western districts have far fewer Christians than the coastal areas, where churches are much stronger.
b) Higher caste groups have very little outreach directed toward them. These upper and middle class peoples are highly influential but barely touched by the gospel. Brahmins and Yadavas (known locally as Idayan or Konar) have little motivation for becoming Christian, a faith associated with foreigners and untouchables.
c) Tamil-speaking Muslims, as well as the large numbers of Shaikh and Sayyid Muslims, have very few Christians and even fewer Christian workers.
For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
