Jesus would have died for just one person of the 1.3 billion who live in India, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives.[1] That’s how much He loves the people here in the Southern Asia Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church [show map].

The work of the Adventist Church began in Southern Asia, in India, in 1893. Five colporteurs, two from America and a family of three from New Zealand, arrived to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. The next year brought another missionary, Georgia Burrus. The Mission Board of the Seventh-day Adventist Church paid Georgia’s passage from the United States to India. Once there, she was responsible for her own living expenses. But God provided in miraculous ways. Later she married a fellow missionary, and together they ministered in India for forty years.

From these humble beginnings, the Adventist Church in Southern Asia has grown to 1.6 million members. We praise God for this growth, but the vast majority of people in this region have not yet heard the good news about Jesus. Less than one percent of the population are Adventist.

The Maldives, a country of 392,000 people, has no Adventist work. More than 800 languages are spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. We have materials in only a handful of those languages.

And yet, church members such as Global Mission pioneers are sharing the love of Jesus in communities throughout this vast territory. Urban Centers of Influence have been established in cities, and thousands are being helped through schools and medical institutions.

Scheer Memorial Hospital has been treating the sick in Nepal since 1960, and there are 11 more Adventist hospitals that offer wholistic medical care in India. Thousands receive a wholistic education at 144 Adventist secondary schools and nine institutions of higher education across India, including Spicer Adventist University.

Hope Channel India broadcasts in nine languages, sharing stories of encouragement and inspiration to people such as Rajesh. Overwhelmed with financial difficulties in his family, Rajesh just couldn’t concentrate at work. He lost his job and became depressed. One day, he came across Hope Channel India’s prayer line and asked for prayer. This was the first step in getting to know Jesus, and finding hope for his family. He now has a new job to provide for his family.

Please continue to pray for the people of India, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives. And pray for the church. With limited resources, and in the face of many challenges, it seeks to remain faithful to God’s call. Thank you for your mission offerings, which fuel mission in the Southern Asia Division and around the world.

[1] See Desire of Ages, pg. 483