Asia

select page:

SELECT PAGE

asia

facts & figures

Asia is home to 50 (21%) of the world's 238 recognized countries and has a population of approx. 3.7 billion.

Asia has almost 200 million (5.4%) professing Christians who are mostly Independents (4%), Roman Catholics (3%) and Protestants (1%). The largest religious groups in Asia are Muslims (22%), Hindus (21%), Chinese folk religionists (10%) and Buddhists (9%).

The country with the fastest Christian expansion ever is China, now at approximately 10,000 new converts every day.

The world's two most populous countries are in Asia: China has over 1.2 billion people and India is home to more than 1 billion. China and India are also the two countries in the world with the most cities over 500,000 - India has 644 and China has 493.

Source: World Christian Trends by David Barrett and Todd Johnson

Asia is the world's hottest spot for Christian persecution. According to Open Doors International, the countries of Maldives, Bhutan, Vietnam, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Laos and China are all oppressive to Christians. The most severe persecution occurs in North Korea.

Approximately 790 million people in the developing world are chronically undernourished, almost two-thirds of whom reside in Asia and the Pacific (Source: World Resources Institute, 2001).

Asia Area Director: Rev. David Yardy

You’ve surely heard of the famous 10/40 Window – that region extending from the 10th to 40th parallel that represents the largest area in the world unreached by the gospel. Asia encompasses much of the 10/40 Window, as well as many of the world’s neediest people – both spiritually and physically. More than half (3.7 billion) the world’s population lives in Asia. What a place fraught with opportunity to spread the gospel!

And the gospel is indeed spreading – the church in India is exploding in size, and many suggest that the greatest revival since the time of Christ is taking place in China. Asia is also a place of intense spiritual warfare and a hotbed of false religion. But in the face of that darkness, new mission fields are opening up and outreaches to Muslims are being blessed by God.

Will you join those who are shining the light of the gospel in Asia? Missionaries who can teach ESL, develop leaders, evangelize, disciple, plant churches (many urban areas have been targeted for church plants), and teach Bible and theology are needed in Asia.

FMWM has missionary needs in countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines and Hong Kong. Native English speakers are also wanted to teach English as a Second Language in creative access countries.

Are the needs of Asia driving your heart toward missionary service? Find out how to apply and take the last step. If you have specific questions about Asia, send an e-mail to ExploreMissions@gmail.com.

To hear more, go to the website for the Asia Pacific Free Methodist Missions Association (APFMMA).

I want to check out opportunities in ...

Africa Europe Latin America Medical Missions