By Stoyan Zaimov
Christian missionary groups in India are reportedly helping with the remarkable rise in Christianity in the second most populous country in the world, especially among young people as well as middle and high caste Indians.
“With more than 71 million claiming Christianity, India is now the eighth largest Christian nation in the world,” said Dick McClain, president and CEO of The Mission Society, publisher of Unfinished. “Yet with 456 languages and more than 2,611 distinct people groups, India still has more people groups unreached with the gospel than any other nation – 88 percent of its population.”
The rise of Christianity is detailed in the latest issue of Unfinished magazine, where The Mission Society, which recruits, trains and sends Christian missionaries around the world, details how the Gospel is creating a “new India.” The missionary efforts are reportedly reaching new groups beyond the lower caste and marginalized communities, who traditionally have been the more likely to be open to Christianity.
Indian anthropologist Prabhu Singh identifies five dominant themes that define the missional challenges in India, but also points out that the rise of Christianity, which is still a minority religion there, is also being met by an increase in religious animosity, resulting in persecution and violence against Christians.