The U.S. Asian population is diverse. A record 22 million Asian Americans trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, each with unique histories, cultures, languages and other characteristics. The nation’s Asian population was estimated to be 11.9 million in 2000 and then nearly doubled to 22.4 million by 2019 – an 88% increase within two decades. Asians now make up about 7% of the nation’s overall population, and their numbers are projected to surpass 46 million by 2060, nearly four times their current total.

This growth is also happening in Arkansas and has been for decades to where there are many 2nd and 3rd generation Asian-Americans living in Northwest Arkansas. The nations are coming to us and are here. An Asian-American church is needed to reach the thousands of Asians in this area. Below are the various people groups this church plant would be trying to reach.

Most of the Chinese in Arkansas are Mandarin-speakers, though there are some Cantonese-speakers and Hokkien-speakers as well. They are made up of many different people groups, and many have come to the United States via Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. There are over 3.6 million Chinese in the United States, with over 4,000 in Arkansas. Though they are scattered all over the state, most of them live in Fayetteville or Little Rock. They value close-knit families, hard work, education, and honor. Most Chinese are either atheists or adhere to Buddhism and a mix of ancestral folk religions.

Although there are pockets of evangelical Christians among them – even in the United States – the Japanese remain one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. There are approximately 900,000 in the United States, with at least 1,000 in Arkansas. Most of them live in Fayetteville and Little Rock. They are often very hard workers and take a lot of pride in their education and accomplishments. Some own restaurants and markets, and many are connected to area universities and colleges. While younger Japanese tend to assimilate to Western culture, many still maintain strong ties to their Japanese culture. The native religion of Japan is Shintoism, though most Japanese claim to follow Buddhism as well.

The Lao are an unreached people group originally from Laos, near Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. There are approximately 470,000 Lao in the United States, with over 3,600 in Arkansas. Most families immigrated as refugees in the 1970s and 80s, and now primarily live in Fort Smith and Springdale. Though they are proud to be in America, many older Laotians are still not confident in their use of the English language. Many younger Laotians, on the other hand, prefer English. They value close-knit families, hard work, and education. The majority of Lao are Theravada Buddhists, though there are pockets of evangelical Christians with thriving churches.

Over 95% of Cambodians are from the Khmer ethno-linguistic group, which is one of the oldest ethnic groups in Indochina. Many came to the United States as refugees in the 1980s and early 90s, and many have immigrated since then looking for better economic opportunities. There are at least 250,000 Cambodians in the United States, and 600 in Arkansas. They are scattered all over the state in the larger metros of Central and Northwest Arkansas, as well as smaller cities like Batesville and Hope. They value close-knit communities, often work in small family-owned businesses, and many still struggle with or lack confidence in their use of English. The majority of Cambodians adhere to a form of Buddhism that is also deeply influenced by Hinduism and local animism.

Filipinos are from the Philippines, and are part of the Malay affinity group. They are around 10% Evangelical, and have a great opportunity to reach many other Malay peoples from densely populated Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim nations. Their historical interaction with numerous nations can often lead to their misidentification as either Latino or Pacific Islander. There are over 3 million Filipinos in the United States, and at least 3,000 in Arkansas. Though they are scattered all over the state, their most concentrated populations are around Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, and Russellville. Many are employed in nursing and other healthcare related jobs. The majority of Filipinos are from a Roman Catholic background, though some are still influenced by Buddhist and animistic practices. Approximately 6% are Muslims.

The vast majority of Koreans in the United States come from South Korea, though some have been able to come as refugees from North Korea. There are approximately 1.5 million Koreans in the United States, and over 2,000 in Arkansas. They are scattered all over the state, but the highest concentrations can be found in Hot Springs, Little Rock, and Rogers. Koreans are often highly educated and highly skilled, value close-knit communities, and though they often assimilate to American culture, they still retain many cultural distinctives. Most Koreans consider themselves non-religious, though many still follow Buddhism, Confucianism, or Shamanism. About 12% of Koreans are Evangelical Christian.

The Thai are a cluster of 16 unreached people groups, and one of the largest unreached populations in the world. Thailand boasts one of the highest concentrations of Buddhism in the world. Despite having freedom of religion, many would say that to be Thai is to be Buddhist. Their king is even regarded in some way as divine, and referred to as “Lord above/in your head.” There are approximately 200,000 Thai in the United States, and over 1,000 in Arkansas. Though they are scattered all over the state, most of them live in Fort Smith, Little Rock, and Springdale. Their culture can be easily experienced through their cuisine in numerous restaurants across the state. Their sense of collectivism, however, can make it especially difficult to deny Buddhism in order to embrace faith in Jesus. Over 95% of all Thai adhere to Theravada Buddhism.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray that God would raise up more laborers to work among the Asian-American and declare the Gospel effectively among them.
• Pray that evangelical Christians would be proactive in developing sincere friendships among Asian-American neighbors, co-workers, and students.
• Pray for Asian-Americans to seek the truth and hope of the Gospel over the pursuit of materialism and success.
• Pray for unity and mutual encouragement among Asian churches in Arkansas, as well as a spirit of cooperation with English-speaking congregations in their cities.
• Pray for second and third generation Asian believers to stay engaged with their congregations and have a burden to reach their friends, family and co-workers.
• Pray that God delivers Asians from spiritual bondage.
• Pray that God’s power would overcome the spiritual bondage associated with folk and animistic religious practices. .
• Pray for entire Asian families to come to faith in Christ and be equipped to reach near-culture and unreached peoples.
• Pray for evangelical Christians to be welcoming, encouraging, and faithful witnesses among the Asians.
• Pray that Asians would acknowledge and follow Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, as opposed to one of many spirits or enlightened ones.

If you would like to know ways you can pray specifically for the different people groups in this area, you can download these two prayer resources for international people groups in Arkansas. If you would like physical copies, contact the church planting office.

• 15 Days of Prayer for People Groups of Arkansas, Volume 1
• 15 Days of Prayer for People Groups of Arkansas, Volume 2

Partnership Opportunities:

• Pray! Pray for these requests listed and for the many Asian people groups listed. Pray how God would have you become more involved.
• If you live in Northwest Arkansas and want to know how you can actively become involved with reaching Asians and/or helping start this church plant, contact Vince below.