During the month of May, we’re exploring some of the fascinating cultures of the Mekong region’s minority people groups. Join us in praying for indigenous church movements in these largely unengaged communities.
The 550 ethnic groups of the Mekong region reside in six different countries—Southwest China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Mekong River –where the region gets its name—is a life-giving source for communities in the area, providing both food and income for the basin’s 70 million people.
As you can imagine, this vast geographic area comprises a beautiful array of cultures and languages. However, the diversity of religious beliefs and worldviews presents challenges to seeing gospel movements spread among the minority people. Some people groups are predominantly Buddhist while others practice a mix of animism, shamanism and Taoism. In still other groups, heavy persecution follows the few local believers.
Despite obstacles, God has been at work in the Mekong region. The Lisu of China, once an animist and Buddhist people, began turning to Christ in large numbers in the early 20th century. Today, more than half of Lisu people are considered Christians, and Lisu church leaders are reaching out to other people groups.
God has also been moving in the 80,000 So people of Laos. The first So believers came to Christ in 2008. As Christian workers arrived and trained church leaders, more and more families abandoned their animist practices to follow the Lord. Today, there are more than 250 believers in six churches. They, too, are crossing cultural borders to share the gospel message.
We believe God is making himself known to the Mekong people. Join us as we pray and seek God for the continued work of his Spirit.
One way to stay up-to-date with stories from the Mekong region is to follow OMF (U.S.) this month on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or this blog. We look forward to praying with you and watching God work.
The verse inspiring our prayers for the Mekong people:
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. – 1 John 3:2
15-second prayer: God, bring your word to Mekong minority people. Draw them into your family and make them like Christ. Raise up God-honoring communities of faith among them that reach out to other people groups. Glorify your name through the beauty and diversity of the Mekong people. Amen.
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