India and Lostness

Please click on this link and then look at India on the map.

I'm not suggesting that any lost person in India is somehow more important than others apart from Christ around the globe. What I am suggesting is that India's need for the gospel is statistically speaking quite possibly the greatest in the world.

The Great Commission is something that we believers in Christ should be able to unite around. Yes, we likely have differences over other issues. Let's put those aside for the great cause of taking the gospel where it isn't - whether that be in India or elsewhere.

A Graphic Reminder for Missions

I may have previously shared this map, but because I'm in India for the next two weeks I want to post it again. The stunning amount of people in this part of the world is overwhelming. Let's keep this in mind when we think about global missions priorities.

Maps Can Help Our Thinking About Missions

I haven't blogged much lately due to lack of time. For example, this week I'll be working over 70 hours. However, I still have time to think about Christ's church and its mission.

I confess to loving maps. One thing they can help us do is think strategically about our missions efforts. The one above shows us population centers in Asia. Paul went to cities; we should at least consider this as we think about how to focus our attempts to reach the lost with the gospel.

Interesting Map

As the church, we have the responsibility of taking the gospel to all peoples. I believe maps like this one can help us achieve this task. Always following the lead of the Spirit, we must be wise in how we go about decision making. India and China should be target areas because of the vast numbers of people there. However, we can see that some other countries of smaller populations have a great need for the gospel as well. In fact, India and China have a larger percentage Christian population than many others within the 10/40 Window. Regardless, the sad fact is that millions remain who have never heard of Christ's salvation. This map is a stark reminder of our task.

Click here to see many more fascinating maps from Global Mapping International.

WorldMAP Interactive Mapper

I continue to be amazed by technology, and I'm thrilled that it can be used for much good. In the case of world missions, computerized mapping provides us all with a veritable boatload of information.

One example of this comes from worldmap.org. Take a look at their Interactive Mapper. This function allows you to easily search for information on countries, languages, people groups, etc. In particular, I find the "Select Missions Info." and "Identify" functions to be helpful.

At this stage in history we really have no excuse for not taking the gospel where it's not. What a privilege!

Why the Map?

I've placed a small map of the eastern hemisphere on the right side of my blog. The purpose is simply to remind all of us about the desperate need for the gospel among those who have little to no access to it.

The rectangle on the map highlights the 10/40 window, the area of the globe with the most lost people and most unreached people groups. If you click on the map it will take you to a Joshua Project page dealing specifically with the 10/40 window.

Our task is before us. May Christ's church work together to take the gospel where it isn't.

A Visual Reminder of the Task at Hand

Of course we are not limited to the countries within this rectangle. Our task, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is to get the one gospel to all people. May we strive with all our might to do so.

Good Map Site

If you like maps, click here for a great variety of nice images.

ESV Bible Atlas

Check out the new ESV Bible Atlas here. Even if you have no intent of purchasing it, it is still worth the look.

If you want to buy it, click here. I'm ordering mine right now (it releases today).

Our Mission Together (Yours, Mine, and Ours)

Let's Keep Working

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Courtesy of Joshua Project

FYI - click here for a very helpful page from JP (select a country and get mounds of info).

World's Population Cartogram: This Should Affect How We Plan for Missions

Acts 1:8, along with various other bible passages, make it clear that we are to be reaching out to the rest of the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Maps like the one below ought to inform us as we think and pray about where to go.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Interesting Map

This map is not "news," but I still find it interesting. Click on the image to see it in detail.

Georgia Population Density

If you like maps, these two may be interesting to you. They illustrate, respectively, population density in the state of Georgia and in the world. In case you are wondering, Savannah is represented by the small bright area along the upper Georgia coast line. The massive bright blob is Atlanta. To find more maps like this, go here.