India
Nearly 16% of the world’s population is Indian. By some projections, India will become the most populous country on earth within 20 years — with 1.3 billion people.
India’s population today is incredibly diverse. A recent survey identified 2,500 distinct people groups. Hindi, English and 16 regional languages are official; more than 1600 are spoken around the country. Nearly 80% are Hindu; 12% are Muslim. Christians may number 3 or 4 percent. More than 2,100 people groups are considered unreached.
The World Mission Prayer League’s presence in India dates to 1891, when the American Board of the Norwegian Santal Mission was formed in Minneapolis. In 1904, we sent our first missionaries to join the work of our European partners among the Santal people. Later, in 1941, World Mission Prayer League missionaries established a ministry in Darjeeling, near the border of Nepal. And in 2005, the Mission undertook a new partnership with the Northwestern Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church, centered in Ranchi, in Jharkhand State. The Prayer League partners today with the NWGELC, as well as the United Church of North India and the Darjeeling Hills Bible School with particular attention to minstries of leadership development.
For further information and specific suggestions for prayer, see Joshua Project .
National Anthem