The Need
Heart for Missions serves and works primarily in Laos and Thailand. However, we have a long term relationship and partnership churches in Myanmar. All three countries are part of the 10/40 window representing a large population of unreached people.
When considering stats of the three nations combined there are over 223 people groups that are considered unreached in Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, with a total of 113,751,000 people who have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is, over 86% of those countries’ population is considered unreached. Majority of these people groups fall practice folk Buddhism, a form of Buddhism with Animist worship.
What are unreached or least-reached people groups. They are people groups among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize that group (Joshua Project: FAQS)
Which means without the support of missionaries, the Gospel will not spread in those communities. This is very different than our majority Christian Nations of the West. Who have a wealth of access to the Gospel, Christian resources, and seminary education.
The Theological Famine:
There is a theological famine in the Mekong Region of Southeast Asia. There are limited education opportinties for Christians to study theological subjects to support their churches. Very few pastors have master or bachelor level of theological education. Many churches in the west can not even accept if their pastor does not even hold a masters or bachelor degree in a theological subject. Saldy many western Christians see theological education for the global church as an unnecessary need. Pushing for church growth models over discipleship. This is a huge problem, when studies show that the more educated the pastor in the congergation, the more financially and spitiraul stable the church is to being self-governed, self-supported, and self-growing.
Below are stats and information of each country we work in and serve.
Laos (Lao People Democratic Republic)
Laos’ population is around 7.1 million people. With 109 unreached People Groups. Less than 3% of the population is considered Christian.
Laos has been in to top 25 most persecute countries in the world for over 25 years. Its ranking shifts from year to year depending on other countries. Christians face much persecution from their family and community members who and in some cases authorities at local levels, many in authority are afraid that “Foreign Enemy’s will use Christianity to challenge the current government. So, Christianity can be viewed as a threat. It is not uncommon for house churches and new church buildings to be destroyed or for Christians to be kicked out of their own villages, attacked, or arrested.
Thailand
The Population of Thailand is over 70 Million people with less than 1% as Evangelical Christians. There are 78 unreached people groups in the country.
Compared to Laos and Thailand, Christianity has more freedom and churches and house churches are allowed. However, there is still persecution among family.
There are a number of seminaries that operate in major hubs in the country. Many only offer courses in the Thai language, with just a few offering in English. Christians in neighboring countries can apply for student visas to study in government approved Christian Schools. However, there are a number of factors that make this difficult.
Myanmar (Burma)
Myanmar (Burma in the USA). Has a population of 54 Million People with 4.8% of the population as Evangelical Christians. Myanmar has been in the top 25 most persecuted countries since the 2000s. There are 53 unreached people groups in the country.
Myanmar is currently in a civil war between the civil elected government and the military leadership. This makes travel in the country difficult and outreach to rural areas even more dangerous.