India is the world’s largest democracy. It has the second largest population in the world with over one billion people. If you think about it, one in every six persons is an Indian!
Hindus make up 81% of the population, Muslims constitute 14% while Christians are at 3%. Sikhism, Buddhism, Animism and other tribal religious groups make up another 2%.
India has 15 official languages. Hindi is recognized as the national language, though it is mostly spoken in Northern India. Due to the language barrier within the country, English is spoken widely and used as the language of trade and communication. One third of the Indian population is illiterate.
India is a land with a strict hierarchical caste structure. Three hundred million people in India are considered Dalits or Untouchables. These people are alienated from the four main castes: Brahmins - priests and teachers, Kshatriyas - rulers and soldiers, Vaisyas - merchants and traders, and Sudras – laborers. Dalits fall below these groups and perform the most menial jobs. They are the “outcastes” of the Hindu system. Dalits are deprived of many of their rights and freedoms. They often live outside of civilized society, in slums and other rural areas of India.
Christian tradition says that one of Jesus’ very own disciples, Thomas, came to India in the first century to preach the gospel. He arrived in the state of Kerala and established seven churches. The eighth church was being built at the time of his death. Historians believe that Thomas was martyred in Chennai, India. This place is now known as St. Thomas Mount.
Though the gospel came to India nearly 2000 years ago, the majority of the Indian population remains in darkness. They follow
practices of idolatry and polytheism. On nearly every street corner, you can see signs of idol worship.
Pray for these lost and lonely people that they may recognize that Jesus Christ is Lord and exalt Him alone.
Gilgal Gospel Mission is based on the South-Eastern coast of India in the third largest city- Chennai (formerly known as Madras).