God created a beautifully diverse world with cultures that reflect the many glorious aspects of our Creator. Simultaneously, a variety of religions overlay and heavily influence these cultures, with the largest populations found in parts of the world that are hardest to reach with the Gospel. 

Nearly a quarter of the world is Muslim with the largest populations found in Indonesia, Pakistan, and India. One and a half billion Hindus live in India, Nepal, and other countries. Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan are hosts to majority Buddhist populations. For most of these groups, religion is not just one aspect of their lives but an integral part of their identity that they carry with them wherever they go.

Many people from these countries have scattered to urban centers around the world, opening doors of opportunity to share Christ freely and potentially create an avenue for former Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Animists to take the Gospel back to their people. But without understanding their perspective, how can we share the Gospel in a way that honors cultural identity and maintains community relationships without compromising the truth of Christ?

Despite the staggering populations affirming these religions, many Americans know relatively little about non-Christian faiths. Students in Global Frontier Missions’ Missionary Training School, most of whom are from the US, spend some time studying world religions from specialists with years of experience ministering to these groups. To complement academic studies, GFM strategically immerses MTS students in diverse communities representing many nations. Here, they have the opportunity to learn about each of these religions at a relational level and gain experience crossing cultural and religious barriers. As they explore the facts, culture, and theology of each major religion, students are encouraged to pray for these groups and to discover the many facets of Christ’s completed work that are as beautifully diverse as the world He came to save.

Written by John Trotter

*Data from Joshua Project