South Asia: Fitness and Wellness Center

Tucked in remote mountain villages in a South Asian nation, 125 distinct people groups have no gospel presence among them. There are no believers, no portions of Scripture in their language, and no one is engaging them with the gospel. The country, deeply shaped by the Hindu and Buddhist religions, has strict anti-proselytizing and conversion laws that make outreach there extremely challenging. But our Savior is the Shepherd who leaves the 99 and goes after the lost sheep.

Two Avant couples feel called to reach one of these groups. There is one known believer from this ethnic group, but she is no longer able to live among her people because of persecution. This group is not only geographically difficult to access, but the government also restricts foreign travel to the region. During the winter months, however, many from the group go to the capital, providing an opportunity for interaction. 

Our workers have been praying for wisdom to discern a platform through which they can meet tangible needs, build relationships, and obtain a long-term visa. They’ve seen firsthand how poor health affects families and entire communities, especially in remote mountain regions where access to basic health knowledge is minimal. Preventable illnesses often become severe simply because people lack foundational education in nutrition, hygiene, exercise, and disease prevention.

To address these realities, our team plans to open a fitness and wellness center in the capital city. The fitness center will provide a clean, safe environment for exercise—something uncommon in this context—and will serve as the revenue-generating component of the business. Alongside it, our team will host wellness workshops and health education classes, creating natural opportunities for deeper connections.

The vision is for this center to become both a long-term base in the country and a launching point for outreach to the target people group. Through the center, we aim to offer tangible help that will foster relationships, build trust, and open doors that would otherwise remain closed.

To secure visas for two families, the government requires a substantial investment in the business over several years. Avant is raising funds to establish the fitness center and meet the investment requirements for visa approval. Once launched, this platform will allow our team to remain in-country, serve communities in practical ways, and pursue gospel transformation in a very dark region of the world.