Please don’t pray for us. Pray with us. If you pray for us, you will pray for the wrong things. You will pray for safety. You will pray that persecution will cease. But if you pray with us, you will ask God to bring millions to faith in Christ. You will pray that when the inevitable backlash comes because of our witness, we will be faithful, even if it costs us our lives.
These words from a persecuted believer reflect the heart of the church in a region where following Jesus often comes at great cost. In parts of South Asia, Christian gatherings are increasingly met with suspicion. Extremist groups and local authorities often accuse Christians of forced conversions, leading to detentions, property seizures, and intimidation. Families involved in ministry live with the constant tension of being watched, questioned, or harassed.
This Faithful Witness team serves in the midst of this reality. In a city of 4.8 million, where Christians make up less than 1% of the population, they build relationships through ministry avenues like IT training, skills-based classes, and language teaching. As they live and work among their neighbors, they do so under growing scrutiny. Since anti-conversion laws were passed in 2023, these incidents have become more frequent, adding new challenges to everyday ministry.
Conversions are feared because they challenge deeply rooted social and religious structures. In many communities, religious identity is tied to family honor, caste, and national pride. When someone chooses to follow Jesus, it can be seen not just as a spiritual decision but as a betrayal of heritage and community. These laws, fueled by rising religious nationalism, create a climate of suspicion and fear where any Christian gathering or activity can be falsely framed as an attempt at forced conversion. Civil society groups report that in some areas, punishments include long prison sentences for those authorities accuse of “allurement,” a term so broad it criminalizes simple acts of kindness or sharing faith online. This legal pressure, combined with community hostility and police scrutiny, forces many churches to adapt, restricting house gatherings and moving meetings to secret or online spaces.
South Asia is home to 1.9 billion people, 23% of the world’s population. In this vast region, Christians remain a small minority, even as persecution intensifies. Globally, Christianity is growing, with 416 million believers in the continent of Asia today, up from 385 million just five years ago. This growth is happening despite the reality that 3.4 billion people around the world still lack gospel access. For many believers in South Asia, following Jesus means living under constant threat; yet they continue to witness boldly.
Even in hard places like South Asia, God is at work. In the past decade, the number of Christians in some parts of the region has increased dramatically. While exact numbers are difficult to verify, church leaders report that thousands are coming to faith, even in areas considered Hindu strongholds. Many churches have moved online, and small groups meet quietly in homes. These believers are not only surviving; they are thriving in their faith and finding creative ways to disciple others while sharing the gospel.
The impact of ministry is tangible. Through their presence and service, the Faithful Witness team is helping people gain confidence, build community, and encounter the love of Christ in everyday life. In a society shaped by caste and religious division, these simple acts of kindness are opening doors for deeper conversations and lasting relationships.
God’s church in South Asia is growing. This is not because persecution has ended, but because the Holy Spirit is moving powerfully through it. As part of the global body of Christ, we have the privilege to join them in prayer. When we pray with them, we stand united in the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations.
Pray With Us
- Perseverance and courage for Christians facing threats, violence, and legal challenges.
- Wisdom and creativity for ministries to find new ways to disciple and share the gospel under restrictions.
- Growth and unity among house churches and believers across South Asia.
