Approximately 445,000 Christian missionaries are deployed throughout the world today, according to The Traveling Team. They come from different denominations, and their strategies vary (Bible translation, church planting, etc.), but they all hope to display Jesus’ love.
While the gospel is needed in every country, there is an imbalance in where missionaries are deployed. Of all the Christian missionaries in the world, roughly 429,000 (about 96%) work among people who have public access to the gospel. The rest work among people with little to no access to the gospel.
It’s important to strengthen the church where it exists. But in places where no churches exist, what hope do people have of hearing the gospel? New missionaries (or even existing ones) should prayerfully consider going to a region that desperately needs gospel workers.
Here are the regions of the world that need the greatest number of missionaries.
South Asia
Nearly 2 billion people live in South Asia, and more than 95% of the population is unreached. People in South Asia tend to practice Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, or don’t believe in any deity. Joshua Project estimates that another 38,000 workers are needed to reach South Asia with the gospel.
South Asia is a difficult mission field not only because of the vast number of unreached people groups (more than 3,400) but also because of the level of persecution Christians face. Believers could be arrested or beaten for sharing their faith. Despite the challenges, the church in South Asia is seeing rapid growth, and more workers are needed to help sustain that growth.
Southeast Asia
More than 361 million unreached people live in Southeast Asia. While a few countries have large Christian populations, most countries are primarily Muslim or Buddhist. Joshua Project estimates that 7,600 more workers are needed to reach Southeast Asia with the gospel.
Though a lot of places in Southeast Asia are tropical paradises, they are shrouded in spiritual darkness. Scores of people have never heard of Jesus, and many will reject Him upon first hearing the gospel. Progress may be slow in this region, but gospel movements are beginning to take root in Southeast Asia.
North Africa and the Middle East
Nearly 85% of the population in North Africa and the Middle East is unreached. Most of the 363 million unreached people practice Islam, although some practice ethnic religions. An estimated 7,400 more workers are needed to reach this region with the gospel.
Christians in North Africa and the Middle East face some of the highest levels of persecution in the world. Just owning a Bible or professing faith in Jesus could lead to believers being disowned by their families, assault, or death. It is no light task spreading the gospel in this region, but it can also be the most rewarding assignment of a lifetime.
Central Asia
More than 319 million people live in Central Asia, and more than 96% of the population is unreached. Most people practice Islam, and Joshua Project estimates that another 6,300 workers are needed to reach Central Asia with the gospel.
Central Asia has tough terrain. Mountains and poor road infrastructure make some villages inaccessible during the winter months. Even when missionaries are able to reach remote villages, many Muslims are hesitant to follow Jesus. Missionaries who feel called to this region should prepare to invest deeply in relationships before they can expect to see gospel fruit.
Asking for Discernment
All missionaries should seek the Lord’s guidance before landing on a place to deploy. If you feel called to go but aren’t sure where, ask God if He wants you to go to one of these regions that need more missionaries. While missionaries can do good work anywhere in the world, these regions are starving for the gospel.
Sometimes God does not call us to easy assignments, but He has big plans for those who obediently follow His leading.
Go to the Nations
The Great Commission is for every believer. Because this is true, we’re committed to empowering the global Church to reach the unreached. Through short-term teams and missionary deployments for a year or more, we train and send people just like you to take the gospel where it’s never been.
