I am taking some classes online from Voice of the Martyrs about the persecuted church. (They’re free…you should take them!) The other night, I was listening to one of the teachings and began to think about some of the countries that I will be going to next year. So, I went the Joshua Project and looked up the countries on my route. I realized that 5 of the 11 countries I will be going to are in the 10/40 window. (All of this information comes off the Joshua Project Website) For those of you who don’t know…
10/40 Window: The 10/40 Window is the rectangular area of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia approximately between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude. The 10/40 Window is often called "The Resistant Belt" and includes the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists.
- The 10/40 Window is home to the majority of the world's unevangelized countries. The "unevangelized" are people who have a minimal knowledge of the gospel, but have no valid opportunity to respond to it.
- An estimated 2.82 billion individuals live in approximately 6,197 unreached people groups are in the 10/40 Window.
**The definition of an unreached people group: An unreached or least-reached people is a people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group. Typically a people group is classified as unreached when there less than 2% of the population are Christian.
I am going to these countries next year…
India: 2365 of the 2599 people groups are classified as ‘unreached’
Nepal: 332 of the 341 people groups are classified as ‘unreached’
Malaysia: 87 of the 186 people groups are classified as ‘unreached’
Vietnam: 73 of the 120 people groups are classified as ‘unreached’
Cambodia: 31 of the 43 people groups are classified as ‘unreached’
Friends! This is a big deal!! That is millions and millions of people who, according to Romans 1, will stand before the Lord one day, without excuse, the same way that I will. The difference is – I live in America, where I have heard of the name of Jesus and have had the opportunity to know Him. THEY HAVEN’T!
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things”
The question that rings in my spirit is the same as David’s when he approached Goliath: IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?
It doesn’t matter what it costs! It doesn’t matter what I have to give up, or lay down, or pick up! Because ‘how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?’ He is worth knowing. And, THEY DESERVE THE CHANCE TO KNOW HIM!
(Photo Credit: Global Infusion)
