More than 1.2 billion people live in India. These people are our prayer focus for Secret Church 16: A Global Gospel in a World of Religions. These 1.2 billion make up 1,469 different people groups with their own cultures and many with their own distinct languages.
Out of the many people groups in India, 1,245 are labeled as unreached, meaning that there is less than two percent follow Jesus Christ. Still, more overwhelming, 477 people groups in India remain unengaged and unreached. This means less than two percent of people follow Christ, and no one is actively trying to reach these groups with the gospel.
People in these 477 groups may be born, live, and die without ever hearing the name of Jesus.
Something must change. You can be a part of these people hearing the good news of Jesus Christ for the first time. In the weeks leading up to Secret Church 16, we will share about a few of these unengaged, unreached people groups who need to hear the gospel. Take time to read about these people, use the prayer requests to intercede on their behalf, share this information with others and get them to pray.
Join us to learn more about the billions of souls in India searching for peace. How can you stand in the gap for those who have yet to hear of our Savior?
The Kahar (Bengali) of India
The Kahar people spend their lives serving others in hopes of finding peace and freedom from fear. For this reason, their name is believed to mean “one who bears burdens on his shoulders,” and many Kahar do just that for their occupations. Kahar women often appear as the ones seen carrying large pots or jars of water on their heads. They carry these loads for both their own families and for others. On the other hand, Kahar men work at tea stalls, garages, or factories. The Bengali-speaking Kahar primarily reside in the states of Bihar, West Bengal, and Tripura. Like many groups in India, the Kahar are primarily Hindu.
Pray for the Kahar who often hear they have little value to know of the God who created them and loves them.
Pray for other Bengali speakers to go to the Kahar peoples to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to them. Ask for churches to form among the Kahar and for disciples to multiply.
Pray that as the woman at the well found Jesus so many years ago, the Kahar will find Jesus as the Living Water who can meet all of their needs.
