From the beaches of Phuket to the rice terraces of the Philippines, from the tip of Mount Everest to the oases of Iran, Asia is a land of beauty and wonder, of mystery and history. This immense continent with its regal Himalayas and sweeping western deserts, its staccato island nations and intoxicating Silk Road, is a land of natural beauty dressed in jewels of the earth.

Four thousand years of Chinese dynasties and an even longer Middle Eastern saga anchor Asia in history and tradition, while the skyscrapers of Shanghai and Dubai and the technology of Singapore and Bangalore position it securely in the 21st century. Yet, more fascinating than the Asian environment are the people who populate it.

More than 50 percent of the world’s population (approximately four billion people) resides in Asia. With that many people come many languages. In fact, Asians can boast of having the greatest number of languages in one geographical area. Nearly one-third of the world’s languages are spoken on the hillsides, in the gardens, on the rivers, and in the cities of Asia. Likewise, the largest concentration of people in the world who do not have access to God’s Word in their own language is found on this continent, which means the greatest need for Bible translation—40% of the total need—is right here in Asia.

Asia is the birthplace of most of the world’s dominant religions and ideals: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism. Despite the fact that some Asian countries restrict religious freedom and Christians face persecution and pressure to adhere to cultural norms, the Christian church has been blessed and is growing at an exponential rate.

While millions of Asians are still waiting for the Good News of Jesus Christ to arrive in their language, hundreds of thousands of other Asians are working to help make that happen. Asia is a key player in the global effort to take God’s Word to the unreached on the Asian continent and around the globe.