There are approximately 700 South Asian households in the Little Rock area with only one church actively reaching these people groups. Several church plants are needed to reach the growing numbers of South Asians in Central Arkansas. Below are the many countries and people groups these church plants would be reaching.

The Gujarati are an unreached people group from the western coast of India. Most Gujaratis in Arkansas are very educated and successful in a variety of business ventures. In fact, many hotels and some restaurant chains are owned by them, even in smaller communities. There are at least 400,000 Gujarati Indians in the United States, and it is estimated that well over 1,000 of them are in Arkansas. Most of them live in the Little Rock and Rogers metropolitan areas. Though they might appear to have assimilated to Western culture, many still maintain a strong connection to Gujarati culture. Many of them are even active in Indian cricket clubs and Gujarati community centers across the state. The majority of Gujaratis are Hindus, though a small minority
adhere to Islam.

The Hindi people consists of numerous castes and tribes from India. Almost all Hindi people groups are unreached with the Gospel, and about half of them are also unengaged. There may be as many as 800,000 Hindi in the United States, with at least 1,500 Hindi in Arkansas, though there are some estimates even as high as 5,000. While they are scattered all over the state, the most concentrated populations are in Bentonville and Little Rock. They are typically well educated, and many of them work in IT and medical professions. The majority of Hindi people are Hindus.

The Punjabi are a cluster of unreached people groups from the Punjab regions of both Pakistan and India. Population estimates in the United States range from 250,000 to 1 million, and in Arkansas it is estimated between 1,000 and 2,000. Though many are scattered throughout small towns, most Punjabi in Arkansas live in and around Bentonville and Little Rock. They primarily speak Punjabi, while many also speak either Hindi or Urdu. They often own small businesses such as gas stations and restaurants. Though they are very friendly, Punjabis in Arkansas tend to be isolated from close relationships with outsiders. The Indian Punjabi typically adhere to either Sikhism or Hinduism, while Pakistani Punjabi predominately adhere to Sunni Islam and even Sufism (Islamic mysticism).

The Urdu are a cluster of unreached people groups, mainly from Pakistan and a few Indian states, who are connected primarily through the Urdu language, adherence to Islam, and a Persiancultural tradition. The Urdu language is very similar to Hindi, with the exception of some Islamic vocabulary and a different script. There are approximately 300,000 to 500,000 Urdu in the United States, with over 1,200 in Arkansas. They live primarily in and around Fort Smith, Little Rock, and Rogers. Their professions vary widely across the state, from owning small businesses to working in the medical field. Most Urdu adhere to Sunni Islam, although a significant minority practice Shia Islam.

Bengalis represent the third largest ethnic group in the world and are primarily from Bangladesh and Indian states such as West Bengal. There are over 260 million Bengali speakers worldwide. Over 98% of all Bangladeshis are from the Bengali people group. However, because not all Bengalis are from Bangladesh, it is important to learn cultural and religious distinctions between them. For example, in Bangladesh, almost 90% of the population follows Islam, while in West Bengal over 70% follow Hinduism. There are between 150,000 and 250,000 in the United States, and between 500 and 1,000 in Arkansas. Most of them live in Bentonville, Rogers, and Little Rock. Though some work in various service industries, many are employed in software development and information technology. Almost 70% of all Bengalis are Muslim, while about 30% are Hindu. Less than 1% are Christian.

The Marathi are a very large and influential ethno-linguistic cluster of over 113 people groups originally from the Indian state of Maharashtra. There are over 83 million Marathi speakers worldwide. Many take great pride in their connection to the historic Maratha kingdom and its practice of nationalistic Hinduism. One of the most common deities among Marathi Hindus is Ganesha, whose idols are easily identifiable as having the head of an elephant and serves, among many things, as a patron god of the arts and sciences. There are between 50,000 and 80,000 Marathi in the United States, and approximately 500 in Arkansas. Most Marathi in Arkansas live in Bentonville and Little Rock. The vast majority of Marathi are Hindu.

The Nepali, or Nepalese, include several people groups from Nepal and comprise a diverse culture that has been influenced by India, Mongolia, and Tibet as well. Though Nepali is the trade language, there are over 120 ethnic languages that are also spoken. There are between 50,000 and 100,000 Nepali in the United States, and between 500 and 1,000 in Arkansas. Most of them live in and around Bentonville, Clarksville, and Little Rock. Many have come to Arkansas as graduate students, while others often work lower income jobs. Over 80% of Nepali are Hindu, while around 9% adhere to Buddhism. Less than 2% follow Christ.

Sri Lankans are comprised of multiple people groups, yet only a few of them have Christian populations greater than 2%. A majority of them come from a Sinhalese Buddhist background, though there are many groups who follow either Hinduism or Islam. There are approximately 50,000 Sri Lankans in the United States, and over 150 in Arkansas. Most of them live in either Fayetteville or Little Rock. Many of them work in information technology or as medical professionals. In order to preserve cultural distinctives among their diaspora populations, they have also formed various cultural associations. The majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhist. Christianity is largely concentrated within only a few people groups. In Arkansas, most Sri Lankans are Hindus and Muslims.

The Tamil are a cluster of over 100 people groups primarily from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, as well as northeastern Sri Lanka. They are one of the largest and oldest ethno-linguistic groups in the world. There are over 74 million Tamil speakers worldwide, and because of a large worldwide diaspora population, they have also preserved many aspects of their culture. There are over 20,000 Tamil in the United States, and approximately 1,000 in Arkansas. Most of them live in Bentonville and Little Rock. Historically, they are known for their influence on trade throughout the Indian Ocean. Today, many Tamils in Arkansas work in highly skilled professions such as engineering and software development. The majority of Tamil are Hindu, though there are also Christian and Muslim minority populations.

The Telugu are a cluster of over 150 people groups primarily from the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Over 81 million people speak Telugu worldwide. There are over 200,000 Telugu in the United States, and approximately 1,000 in Arkansas. Most of them live in and around Bentonville and Little Rock. Their influence is visible through Telugu language movies (i.e. Tollywood) in many local movie theaters, as well as the formation of Telugu cultural associations. Many Telugu in Arkansas work in software development, information technology, engineering, and healthcare. The vast majority of Telugu are Hindu.

During any given year there are over 1 million international students on American college campuses. There are around 5,000 to 6,000 international students in Arkansas each year. Over 120 nations are represented annually, and for many years the top-sending countries have included India, China, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Nepal. While most Arkansas universities have some international students, the highest number of students often attend The University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, The University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University, and in recent years Southern Arkansas University. Over 75% of them will never enter an American home, and the vast majority never hear the Gospel from American Christians. Therefore, one of the best ways to engage them is through hospitality and sincere friendships. Over 50% of all international students in Arkansas come from countries that are unreached with the Gospel and predominately Buddhist, Hindu, or Muslim.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray that American Christians would find open doors through their vocations, college classes, and even hobbies to develop sincere friendships with South Asians.
• Pray that God’s power would remove the many spiritual barriers associated with Hinduism, Buddism, and Islam.
• Pray that God would raise up native-speaking believers who can share the Gospel effectively among South Asians.
• Pray for entire South Asian families to come to faith in Jesus to be equipped to reach near-culture and unreached peoples.
• Pray that, instead of seeking spiritual guidance from mysticism or gurus, the Punjabi would seek the truth of the Gospel.
• Pray that God would reveal himself through dreams, visions, and miracles.
• Pray that God would soften the hearts of evangelical Christians toward South Asians, and soften the hearts of the South Asians toward the Gospel.
• Pray for second and third generation South Asians to be equipped and mobilized to reach their South Asian friends, family and co-workers.
• Pray for unity and mutual encouragement among churches and campus ministries trying to invest in the physical, relational, and spiritual needs of international students.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit would equip and empower international students to be faithful witnesses to Jesus among friends and family both here and back home.

Partner Opportunities:

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