Updated on September 22nd, 2025 by Connie Thomson
What is the 10/40 Window?
What is the 10/40 Window, and why is it called the 10/40 window? How can our churches engage with this region of the world?
The term “10/40 window” was first used in 1990 by Christian missionary strategist, Luis Bush. It refers to a geographical region on the world map that stretches between 10 degrees and 40 degrees north of the equator.
This area encompasses parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The countries in the 10/40 window are known for having a high concentration of unreached and least-evangelized people groups. These are areas where a large portion of the population has little to no access to Christian missionary activities or the story of Jesus’s love.
Click here to jump to the 10/40 window list of countries.
10/40 Window Meaning
Understanding the 10/40 Window meaning helps guide efforts to reach people with limited access to the good news of Jesus. What is the 10/40 Window, and what makes this region a priority for sharing the gospel?
The concept of the 10/40 Window gained prominence within Christian missionary circles as a focus for outreach efforts. This was largely due to the region’s challenging social, cultural, and religious landscapes.
Many of the world’s major religions, including Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, have their origins and strongholds within this window. Additionally, the countries in the 10/40 Window are some of the world’s most impoverished and politically unstable nations. Understanding other religions helps us to connect and contextualize the message of salvation through Christ.
By understanding the origins and development of this concept, we can better appreciate the strategic importance of the 10/40 window in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Efforts to reach people within the 10/40 Window involve various forms of humanitarian aid, development projects, and evangelistic activities.
The term 10/40 Window serves as a reminder to focus resources and attention on regions where traditional missionary work is more difficult. These challenges often come from cultural barriers, religious restrictions, or other obstacles.
The 10/40 window represents a critical opportunity for missions and outreach.
Unreached People vs. Unevangelized People
When talking about the 10/40 window, it’s helpful to understand the difference between “unevangelized” and the “unreached.”
A majority of the countries within the 10/40 window are unevangelized, have a limited understanding of the teachings of Christ, and have very few opportunities to respond to what they do know.
On top of those with little exposure to the good news, this section of the world includes nearly 6,000 unreached people groups-totaling more than 3.05 billion people.
- Unevangelized individuals. The United States is full of “unevangelized” individuals. These are people who may not have encountered the message of Jesus Christ, but they do have access to it. They might drive by churches or have access to Christian websites. What they often need are local Christians (or missionaries) who can expose them to the message and give them an opportunity to respond.
- Unreached individuals. “Unreached” people, on the other hand, haven’t heard the gospel because their access to the gospel is extremely limited. This means that for them to hear the truth of Christ, someone needs to cross these cultural and linguistic barriers intentionally.
The 10/40 window represents the world’s largest concentration of both groups.
10/40 Window List of Countries
According to Scripture, the 10/40 window is the birthplace of civilization. It was the home of the garden of Eden and most of the Bible occurs in this small window.
Here is the 10/40 window list of countries that exist: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, China, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Gibraltar, Greece, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel. Japan, Jordan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Macau, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Western Sahara, and Yemen.
Eight out of ten of the world’s poorest people live in the 10/40 window, existing on much less than a few hundred dollars every year. It’s amazing to consider how the world’s poorest countries and the world’s least-evangelized countries exist within the same geographic window.
The countries in the 10/40 window have become the main focus for many missions organizations and ministries around the world.
Challenges to Reaching 10/40 Window Nations
The 10/40 window encompasses some of the most challenging environments for evangelism today. (More on the meaning of evangelism here.) Home to over 3 billion people, many of whom have limited access to the truth of Christ, this region presents unique obstacles.
Cultural barriers, language differences, and a lack of resources are common hindrances to outreach efforts. Socio-political issues, such as political instability and restrictive religious laws, create a complex landscape for missionaries and local believers.
Some areas carry risks of persecution, so sharing our faith in Christ requires care and strategy.
How to Reach Nations in the 10/40 Window
Despite the challenges, the 10/40 window also offers significant opportunities for evangelism. The rise of technology and media has opened new avenues for outreach.
Prayer
In reaching anyone for Christ, we always have to start with prayer. Click here to pray with Jesus Film Project® for unreached people. We have how-to-pray guide for unreached countries on this Great Commission blog.
There is also a website devoted to praying for the 10/40 Window. You can sign up for their weekly emails to get specific prayer requests.
Digital tools
Digital platforms, such as mobile apps and social media, allow for innovative ways to connect with people who might be unreachable through traditional methods. The Jesus Film Project provides valuable tools for evangelism, offering films and resources in multiple languages that resonate with diverse cultures. Read more about digital evangelism here.
By leveraging these technologies, believers can bridge gaps and foster meaningful connections with unreached populations in the 10/40 window countries.
The growing interest in interfaith dialogue and humanitarian efforts presents additional opportunities for engagement. Building relationships through acts of service and compassion can open doors for sharing the message of Christ.
By staying hopeful and proactive, we can face the 10/40 Window’s challenges and embrace opportunities for change.
Media
Media has become an important tool for evangelism within the 10/40 window. This region, rich in cultural diversity and spiritual need, presents unique challenges that media can help overcome.
By utilizing visual storytelling, media overcomes cultural barriers, reaching audiences in ways that reach the heart. The Jesus Film Project exemplifies this approach, having translated the Jesus Film into over 2,200 languages. This film provides a relatable portrayal of the life of Jesus Christ, sparking conversations about faith and encouraging spiritual exploration.
Social media platforms also play a crucial role in reaching younger generations in the 10/40 window countries. By distributing short films and testimonies, these platforms create spaces for dialogue and the sharing of personal experiences related to faith.
The Jesus Film Project collaborates with local churches and ministries to ensure that media resources are both accessible and culturally relevant. Through innovative technologies, such as the Jesus Film App, the Christian message can reach audiences in even the most remote areas.
Partnerships
Global partnerships play a crucial role in reaching the 10/40 window. Collaborative efforts among churches, mission organizations, and local believers are essential for effectively engaging with these diverse communities.
By pooling resources, knowledge, and manpower, these partnerships can develop strategies that respect cultural differences and address specific needs.
Through shared vision and coordinated action, the impact of the gospel can be amplified, penetrating even the most challenging regions. Learn how your church or ministry can partner with Jesus Film Project here.
One practical initiative: Jesus Film Project’s Mission 865
The JESUS film has been dubbed into more than 2,200 languages and has resulted in more than 570 million indicated decisions for Christ.
But there are over 865 documented language groups in the world with 50,000 or more speakers. These groups represent roughly 323 million people. Many of them live within the 10/40 Window.
Jesus Film Project is committed to reaching these groups with the story of Jesus in their own language. Mission 865 is an initiative dedicated to that commitment. Along the way, the JESUS film will be shared with smaller language groups, too.
As of spring 2023, 612 translations of the JESUS film have been completed. That represents 297,584,582 speakers. And by “speakers,” I mean people- individuals who need to hear the gospel.
A number of those language groups exist in the 10/40 window, including people in areas like:
- North Africa
- Middle East
- Central Asia
Thanks to Mission 865, we’ve already been able to reach more than 204 million people with the story of Christ.
If you’re interested in helping us meet this important goal, there are a number of ways you can participate.
Call to Action: Engaging with the 10/40 Window
The 10/40 window represents a critical opportunity for missions and outreach. Engaging with this region requires a commitment to action and a willingness to partner with organizations dedicated to reaching its people.
Support initiatives that provide resources, training, and evangelistic materials tailored to the unique cultural contexts of the 10/40 window. You can donate toward the work of translating the JESUS film, or you can make a more specific purchase from the Jesus Film Project gift catalog.
Participating in local outreach programs that focus on raising awareness and sending missionaries to these areas. Practical steps for support include committing to pray regularly for countries within the 10/40 window.
Adopt a specific country or people group and focus prayers on their needs, challenges, and opportunities for evangelism. We have specific country prayer requests on this Great Commission blog.
Hosting informational sessions in your church or community can educate others about the importance of reaching this region. Sharing stories of transformation and hope can inspire others to join the cause.
Testimonies from the 10/40 window serve as powerful reminders of faith’s impact on individuals and communities. Engaging with this region means becoming part of a larger narrative of faith that is changing the world.
