Offering audio Scripture to Bangladesh’s unreached peoples

Bangladesh (MNN) – Despite recent media attention due to Rohingya refugees, many in Bangladesh remain unreached by the Gospel. World Mission calls believers to pray for fruit from audio Bibles in the area.

Going to the Unreached

The charge in the Great Commission to reach the ends of the Earth is not yet done. In fact, Greg Kelley with World Mission says that some places, including Bangladesh, have been forgotten by Christian workers. “The ends of the earth is places that don't have access to the Gospel. An example of that are the Shaikh of Bangladesh," Kelley says. "It's a people group that happens to be the largest single unreached people group in the world. They live in Bangladesh. There are 133 million people that are 0.00% Christian. Most Christians have no clue who they are.” In addition to the Shaikh, the Rohingya are now in Bangladesh due to genocide in their home country of Myanmar. Both peoples are primarily Muslim and unreached by the Gospel.

Little Gospel Witness

(Photo courtesy of DYKT Mohigan on Flickr https://bit.ly/2IVDdSI)

Many in Bangladesh have never heard the Good News. Surrounding countries have little Gospel presence. Pakistan influences the country for Islam, India is quickly becoming more radicalized for Hinduism, and Myanmar is a Buddhist country. Kelley says, “So you've got Hindu, Islam and Buddhism all in a very closely concentrated area, Bangladesh being the center. It is in a very strategic location, but there's not been a lot of attention given there from a mission standpoint. It's very difficult that there's a radical element of Islam and there, you've got the Shaikh, the largest unreached people group in the world of over 130 million people. Basically no known Christians is what they’re saying. The body of Christ has to have an expression there.”

Practical Assistance

World Mission hopes to help with that need. They work with local, national leaders to engage with people in the country in their own language and culture. Physical needs are pre-eminent for many people such as the Rohingya, refugees who struggle with day to day to needs.

(Photo courtesy of World Mission)

That's why World Mission steps in with practical help like blankets, as well as a message of hope. However, handing over a printed Bible isn't helpful for many of these people. World Mission seeks to present the Gospel in a way unreached peoples can understand and use, primarily through solar-powered audio Scriptures. “We send in solar-powered audio Bibles, because, in my opinion, it's difficult or impossible to become a follower of Jesus in the absence of the Word of God or the teachings of Jesus," Kelley says. "And so, if you're not a reader, which most of these people are oral learners, and they need to learn in a non-literate way, having something like a solar-powered audio Bible is a beautiful way to learn about Jesus and to share it with your family.”

Supporting the Work

There are many unreached peoples in Bangladesh, but few witnesses. However, for many who know the need, the call may not be to physically go in person. How can you help? Kelley says, “Well, we need to remind ourselves that before Jesus gave us the action word of go, which is how we mostly associate with missions, He gives us the action word to pray. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to support the labors. That's a great place to start.” Please pray that God would support the seeds planted by World Mission's audio Bible distribution in Bangladesh. You can also get involved with World Mission directly here.     Header image courtesy of DFID on Flickr https://bit.ly/2wfY7t4

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