Download the information below in pdf format (Interpreting the OW wall map) to use as a teaching aid.
On the main, center map, you will see the countries of the world colored by the percentage of their population that is considered evangelical Christian. Though sometimes misinterpreted in the U.S. media, evangelicals are defined by Operation World as those individuals who adhere to the following:
- The Lord Jesus Christ as the sole source of salvation through faith in Him, as validated by His crucifixion and resurrection.
- Personal faith and conversion with regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
- Recognition of the inspired Word of God as the ultimate basis and authority for faith and Christian living.
- Commitment to biblical witness, evangelism and mission that brings others to faith in Christ.
The main map
Shows great needs for the Gospel in Asia, northern Africa, and Europe. However, not one country has over 48% of its population classified as evangelical, so there are needs everywhere!
The left inset map
Displays the 30 largest countries of the world, according to their population. In addition, pie charts display the percent of their populations that are evangelical Christian, other Christian, and non-Christian. The large, non-Christian populations in Asia definitely stand out.
The center inset map
Displays the number of unreached peoples per country. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is a call from Jesus to "make disciples of all nations." The Greek word for nations is "ethne" or peoples. Operation World defines a people group as "a significantly large sociological grouping of individuals who perceive themselves to have a common affinity." As the map shows, many countries have large numbers of peoples that are unreached with little or few people having heard the Gospel.
The right inset map
Shows India and China and the percentage of their province populations that are Christians. The northeast and south of India, along with the east of China contain the highest percentage of populations that are Christian. Also, individual states or provinces in these countries are larger than many actual countries of the world! See the chart at the right corner. There are many opportunities for mission work in these countries.
