India a Land of many languages and people groups

Religions:	Hindu 83%	Muslim 12%	Christian 3%	Other 2%
Population:	Above 1 Billion
Villages:	587,179
Districts:	486
Taluks:	3,242
People groups:	4,635
Languages:	1,652
Castes:	6,400

Background:

A land of more than a billion people

India is the largest democracy in the world. With over a billion people, India is second only to China in population. It is estimated that by 2015 India will become the largest nation in the world.

A land of 1,652 languages

India is virtually a “Babel” when it comes to languages. There are 1,652 languages in use in this land. Of these 222 are considered “major” languages spoken by a minimum of 100,000 people. Millions speak languages such as Bhojpuri, Maithili, Maghi, and Harianwi. Yet the Holy Bible is not yet translated into these languages.

A land of 4,635 ‘people groups’

India is made up of thousands of different people groups or ethnic groups. (The Indian word is “jathi”). Jesus commanded us to make disciples from every “people group” or “nation”. See Matthew 24:14; 28:19 and 20; Revelation 5:9 and 10; 6:9 and 10. Yet thousands of the ethnic groups in India have no believers among them. Most of the unreached people groups of the world live in India.

Christians: A tiny minority in two pockets

The Christian population in India, according to the government figures is only 2.3% of the population. Even if we follow the optimistic figures given by Christian leaders, it is only 4%. Of these 80% are found in the southern three states and in a few of the small states in northeast.

The Challenge

How can we reach such a complex nation with the Gospel?

Partnership and cooperation are essential to fulfill the Great Commission in India.