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The 'Right' India Strategy
by Justin D. Long
This week (seeing as how there's no baby yet!) I am continuing in the same vein as our last issue. This week we'll tackle elements that should be included in any broad strategy for the ministry in India. Next week we'll look at Indonesia, and then unless there's a new sure in response to this topic we'll move on to other issues.
Like China, any strategy for India must take into account the country's tremendous population. It is the second largest country in the world in terms of population, having more than 1 billion people in the year 2000. By 2050 it will likely have surpassed the East Asian giant to slip into first place.
Moreover, any strategy for India must take into account its enormous ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity. While China is more than half nonreligious/atheist, India is only about 2% nonreligious/athiest. Of course, folk religions (28% of China) and Islam are both forces in China, but religions make a far deeper impact on India than in China. About three-quarters of India's population are Hindus, 10% Muslim, and 6% Christian. Further, many people groups that are small percentage-wise are still large numbers-wise. Any group with just 0.2% of the population equals more than a million people, and Sikhs, Tribals, Buddhists, Jains, the non-religious, Baha'is and atheists all claim at least that many. Linguistically, there are some 1,600 languages in India. How many ethnic groups there are in India depends on how you count them; in our database, there are more than 400.
Additionally, a strategy for India must take into account the enormous amount of evangelistic energy already being invested. There are an estimated 114,500 Indian evangelists sent by Indian-founded missions. Many of these are at work in the heavily-evangelized south, but not a few are found in the less-evangelized north. (Further, some 4,500 Indians are sent abroad as cross-cultural missionaries--most through Catholic missionary societies). India has 5,300 institutions and more than 300 service agencies. Among them are familiar names like Operation Mobilisation, YWAM, Gospel for Asia, the India Bible Society--and some not so familiar names, like Amar Jyoti India, the Association for Garhwal's Advancement, Prosperity & Evangelism, and the Bombay Revival and Prayer Band. Larger associations--like the India Missions Association ( http://www.inmissions.org )--have been formed to provide accrediting and training functions.
Finally, a strategy for India must take into account the restrictions and persecution in the land. There is persecution of every variety in the north, and there have been many martyrs. Clashes between various religious groups are not uncommon.
So, what elements should be included in a mission strategy in India? Here are some suggestions. Again, I welcome others to write in with their own.
FIRST, a missionary strategy should focus on the less-evangelized north. Indian missions and missionaries are already well capable of dealing with the more-evangelized south.
SECOND, a missionary strategy should have a strong partnership which treats Indian missions and evangelists as equals. Although most Indians are below the global poverty line, India has a strong economy (with a GNP of more than $260 billion p.a.) and a growing middle class. Developing a strong, home-supported mission program is something every country must undertake, and India is no exception. Westerners who seek to minister in India should always do so in partnership with the Indian church.
THIRD, a missionary strategy must be specifically targeted. India's vast population and tremendous diversity means no single mission initiative can hope to take on the whole of the country. Here are some sample targeting possibilities:
These--and many other similar ministry options--can be further fine-tuned and targeted by opting to work in specific provinces or among specific peoples or languages.
FOURTH, a missionary strategy should provide key resources which are not easily available to the Indian church. This could mean translators, medicines, humanitarian relief, development programs, audio equipment, short-term workers, or literature. If possible, the missionary strategy should support the development of the resource in India, and provide an exit strategy so that Indians can continue using and furthering the development of the resource without outside assistance.