India Ministry Training

India

Last year’s visit to India was full of unknowns. This year we know more of what to expect. Paul now knows Pastor Stephen, the national Indian pastor. Paul also had the privilege of naming his son in an elaborate ceremony. Pastor Stephen’s father is an apostle for that greater region who has bravely entered many new areas with the gospel.

An average of 150 Christian leaders came for two three-day training seminars. They slept on hard cement floors in the heat. There was, and still is, a great need for more training for these poor pastors. Even though most have minimal formal ministerial training, they have a deep zeal for the Lord. Their faith and zeal propel them to start one or more churches in their towns.

It is likely that the training we bring forms part of the answer to their prayers for renewal, training, direction, and encouragement in their lonely ministries.

The Lord’s special word of encouragement to Paul proved faithful when God raised about $6,000 from many sources at the last minute, in less than two weeks. It was an incredible experience to see the power of God at work. We hope, however, for our planner’s sake and for ours, that it is not the last minute again.

Pastor Stephen is an excellent coordinator. He and his father are held in great esteem among the churches in that area. We are thankful that they heartily welcome us to return.

Download the India 2005 prayer report.

Needs for the India Trip

We need wisdom to decide whether to plan for three or four seminars. Last trip, each seminar cost about US$1,500. Each participant pays a small registration fee, but it does not begin to cover the cost. The speaker is expected to cover most of each seminar’s expense. We anticipate higher costs because of a possible increase in attendance and the lower exchange rate for the US dollar.

Our meeting rooms last time were more than full. Christian leaders who could not find a place had to look in through the windows. Fortunately, it did not rain. The number of seminars depends on the trip’s length and the available finances.

We hope one brother from our church can join the trip. He is asking his employer for time off. Please also pray for the Bucknell family. Linda has left cyber school and will have five active students in her homeschool. We are taking steps to help everything work while Paul is away for more than three weeks.

We drove everywhere last year, often three to six hours a day on Indian roads. The driver stayed with us the whole time. He is a recent convert, and his brother rented us an air-conditioned vehicle. In the end, he asked for only US$476 for two and a half weeks, including the driver—about a 50 percent discount and a significant donation in that context.

Keep praying for the driver. His wife was taken away by her parents because they feared she might become a Christian. He still has not been reunited with her.

Those contributing to this short-term mission trip were asked to designate gifts for STM or India.

Thanks to God

• Praise God for the sacrifices of His people that make this training in India possible.
• Basic planning and writing for the upcoming digital library have begun.
• Paul and Linda have been able to work out details for the next year of homeschooling.
• The Cross Training weekly classes have been going very well.
• We had a strong training meeting for those in our church interested in full-time ministry.

Requests to God

• Pray that the brother hoping to join Paul can accompany him on the short-term trip to India.
• Please pray that financial support for India comes in earlier this year.
• Pray that Cross Training brings God’s truths into hearts as Paul teaches through July and August.
• The visa application is in the mail. We do not expect problems, but ask for God’s help.
• Pray for the Indian brother’s wife to be restored to him.
• Paul will preach on July 17 and 24.
• Pastor Stephen in India seeks funding for a vehicle so he can reach unreached areas in his region.
• Ask God to guide Paul in making decisions about teaching opportunities during the summer and fall.

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