During the Great Commission Mission Conference (GCMC) held at OAPC from August 14-16, 2025, the General Secretary of the Olivet Assembly of Southeast Asia (OA SEA) presented a comprehensive overview of the region’s mission landscape, emphasizing that the fields are ripe for harvest and urging participants to respond with urgency.
As part of the series of ‘Mission Challenge’ sessions during GCMC, the presentation highlighted research from Joshua Project showing that 51.8 percent of Southeast Asians, or more than 360 million people, have never heard the Gospel. The 11 countries of the region, home to nearly 696 million people, are largely influenced by three major religions: Islam, Buddhism, and Roman Catholicism, each presenting distinct barriers to evangelism.
In Muslim-majority nations, legal restrictions and persecution continue to hinder outreach. Church closures, blasphemy laws, and censorship of Christian materials online limit the spread of the Gospel. Meanwhile, syncretism and folk practices complicate discipleship in Roman Catholic nations. Traditional rituals often overshadow Scripture study and personal devotion, while nominalism results in widespread church attendance without deep spiritual growth.
As for predominantly Buddhist nations, Buddhism is deeply intertwined with national identity, making conversion culturally challenging. Minority tribal Christians in rural areas encounter poverty and limited discipleship resources, while communicating the Gospel in culturally resonant ways remains a pressing task.
Despite these obstacles, it was emphasized that the opportunity for Gospel advancement has never been greater. Drawing on John 4:35, “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest,” participants were challenged to be awake to the spiritual needs of the region, to ask God for guidance, and to act as the answer to those needs themselves.
The session concluded with participants uniting in prayer for Southeast Asia, committing to be alert to mission realities, seek divine guidance, and actively reach over 360 million people who have yet to hear the Gospel.