ASSAM

1 Assam is the major spiritual challenge in N.E. India.

2 The Evangelical witness is confined to several Baptist associations and some newer independent and charismatic groups and Indian (mainly Mizo and Naga) mission agencies

3 The less evangelized

a) The 15 million Assamese are mostly Hindu

b) Bengalis are largely Muslim and comprise 80% of all Muslims

c) Assam tea estate workers number 6 million

d) Evangelization of the tribal peoples is incomplete

e) Of Assam's 564 pincode areas, 58% had no resident Christian workers in 1998

BIHAR & JHARKHAND

1 Bihar has had a disastrous post-independence history.

2 North Bihar is one of the least evangelized mega-populations in the world

a) The 14 million forward caste Hindus have had exposure to the gospel, but the message has not been socially acceptable

b) The 33 million of the backward castes are marginally more evangelized;

c) The 15 million Muslims are unreached

d) The 14 million Dalit are 0.7% Christian,

3 Christian churches are in great need. Lethargy, nominalism, and lack of outreach are commonplace

4 Significant investment of personnel has begun to bear fruit through the ministries of such agencies as FMPB, GEMS, Vishwa Vani, GFA and IMS:

a) Excellent research and analysis

b) A renewed focus on prayer, holistic evangelism and church planting

c) The Bihar Outreach Network (BORN) was formed in 1992 and a number of churches and agencies are working together

d) Goals set for training and mobilizing new workers

e) Outreach challenges:

Geography - Assam

Area 78,400 sq.km.

Population 26,866,000

Capital Dispur.

Peoples - Assam

People groups 60+.

FC 10.1%

OBC (9) 69.7%.

SC (15) 7.4%.

ST (22) 12.8%.

Religion - Assam

Hindu 65%; Muslim 31%; Christian 3.1%; Buddhist 0.3%; Other 0.6%.

Geography - Bihar & Jharkhand

Area 99,000 sq.km.

Population BI – 75,834,000; 766 people/sq.km. JH – 27,500,000

Capitals BI – Patna 2,100,000; JH – Ranchi 615,000.

Peoples - Bihar & Jharkhand

261.

FC Brahmin/Bhumihar 7.2m; Rajput (Hindu) 4.3m.

OBC Bihari Muslim 16.6m; Ahir/Yadav 11.1m; Koiri/Kushwaha 4.9m; Kurmi 4.28m;

SC (22) Chamar 4.7m; Dosadh 4.2m; Musahar 2m; Bhuiya 1.3m;

ST (31) Santal/Hor 3.1m; Oraon 1.6m; Munda 1.3m; Ho 800,000;

Languages 75. Hindi 44%; Hindi dialects (Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi) 33%; Tribal languages 10%; Urdu 9%; Bengali 2.5%.

Religion - Bihar & Jharkhand

Hindu 77%; Muslim 14.5%; Ethnic religions 5%; Christian 1% (unofficially 1.5-2%).

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