THE MISSION: Bring Great Glory to a Great Savior by telling people what Jesus did for great sinners and inspiring others to do the same.

June 5, 2009

Why India?

We feel called to a strategic location where we can have the greatest impact with the time we have left. India is one of the least reached places on the planet. Millions and millions are perishing without ever hearing the message of salvation, while most people with whom we share the gospel here in Tulsa have heard it many times.

About 84% of Indians are Hindu and worship lifeless idols, like Ganesha. The rest are Muslim, Buddhist, and Sikh. Less than 3% of India's 1 Billion+ are Christian.

The U.S. Center for World Missions tracks the latest data regarding the progress of missions in the world. Of the top 100 unreached and least reached people groups left in the world today, almost half live in India.

The Apostle Paul declared: "I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, 'Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand' (Rom. 15:19-21)." God has been placing that desire on our hearts with increasing urgency.

Other factors about India are these:
  • India is a democratic federal republic, much like the U.S., and is less restrictive to the Gospel than many places in the strategic 10/40 window.
  • English is a dominant language, making it easier to hit the ground running in serving the local Body of Christ and in penetrating unreached and least reached opportunities.
  • Major cities like Mumbai and Delhi are attracting millions from rural locations who are seeking work and educational opportunities, thus opening doors for impacting many who can return to evangelize their communities.
  • India is a booming business market, increasing "tent-making" opportunities that would allow us to be at least somewhat self-supporting if not totally self-supporting if possible.
  • India just passed a Limited Liability Partnership Act allowing foreign law firms to open law offices in India, which is a possible tent-making opportunity for us.
  • Bible Study Fellowship International is seeking to start classes in Mumbai and Delhi, India's two largest cities, and we would like to help.
  • T.E.A.M. (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) considers this tent-making opportunity and alliance with BSF to be "right down the middle of its vision" for India.

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