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TL;DR:
This historical prayer list identifies 26 countries and territories once described as "gospel-ready" because of perceived opportunities for Christian witness and service. Drawing on the Window International Network and an older edition of Operation World, it highlights opportunities such as literacy programs, medical care, education, and humanitarian aid. The list reflects its sources' assessments at the time, rather than a current assessment of conditions.
Some missions strategists assess needs by considering people's access to the gospel. Others consider the percentage of a country's population that identifies as born-again Christians. This list uses another criterion: perceived openness to Christian witness.
"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 1:6
"See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut." -- Revelation 3:8
The term "gospel-ready" was used for places where the Christian presence was considered small, but conditions appeared favorable for evangelism and Christian missionary work.
The 17 entries marked with an asterisk were identified in the original list as places where the Church of the Nazarene was officially present in ministry. These markers are retained as historical information.
"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." -- Exodus 9:16
In Exodus 9:16, God is addressing Pharaoh. The verse points to God's purpose that His name be proclaimed throughout the earth.
The following historical quotation is attributed to the Window International Network. Its references to "now," "current conditions," and recent events describe the period when it was written. The cited Operation World: 21st Century Edition was published in 2001.
"By Gospel ready, we mean countries that previously seemed closed to the Gospel, but where people are now showing some interest. In some cases, for example, authorities have asked Christians to help set up literacy programs or assist with medical clinics. In other cases, Christians have been asked to teach moral values to school children, give humanitarian aid, or even help draft new constitutions. Note: Some of these countries are very open to the preaching of the Gospel. A few have recently elected Christians into positions of national leadership.
"We identified some of the countries on the list as a result of research that Beverly Pegues and co-author Nancy Huff did for Call to Prayer for Children, Teens and Young Adults of the 10/40 Window. Others were derived from information about current conditions as described in Operation World, 21st Century Edition."
Page compiled by Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu