I (Gordon King) returned from India this past November encouraged by the wonderful things that God is doing in that country. However, I also witnessed great need. 

     My experience made me realize that effective Christian witness and church leadership is so vital for India. The number of followers of Christ in India is just over 2% of the total population.  To put it in perspective, in China Christians now comprise over 9%.

     I am writing you to ask for your support to Christian leaders in India – women and men who are committed to meeting the needs of their people. These leaders have dedicated their lives to God’s transformation in the world. They are passionate about evangelism, discipleship training, worship, church planting and caring for people who live on the margins.
   
     Besides providing Christian witness, there are so many other huge challenges these leaders face. There are more chronically undernourished children than all of sub-Saharan Africa. The rate of women’s illiteracy is a staggering 46%. In certain regions, Christians face significant religious persecution. A church leader in India must be equipped to respond to all of these needs and so many more.

    CBM is committed to training Christian pastors, women’s leaders and development workers because while we know the challenges are great, we have witnessed how the Lord provides the needed resources through the continued generosity of Canadian Baptists.



   
Workshops with Church Leaders: We help to prevent pastors and lay leaders from feeling isolated and discouraged by providing workshops in different areas of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa states. These include retreats for young leaders, care for pastors & spouses and integral mission training. Your gift of $100 will help send a leader to these crucial workshops.

Diploma in Integral Mission: As part of this groundbreaking program we launched in Africa, we are now offering church leaders in India the opportunity to receive this training. The students are men and women who serve God in the church and in the community as pastors and development workers. The pastors learn with development staff about practical community needs and the development workers learn with pastors about how Jesus responded to the needs of marginalized people, physically and spiritually. Your generous gift of $450 will cover all the costs for a semester of studies for one student, including residency.
   
Training for Women: The Eva Rose York School in Andhra Pradesh trains young women from tribal areas on Biblical studies, health and community development, computers, and Christian discipleship. With this training, they return home equipped to effectively outreach with God’s love to families within their communities. For just $50 you will provide the opportunity for a young woman to go to school and stay at the residence for one month. 

 

Theological Education: CBM continues to be committed to traditional theological education in India through the Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) and the Kakinada Seminary in Andhra Pradesh. CBM National Field Staff Suraj Komaravalli trains pastors in preparation to serve in their community with sound biblical teaching that ministers to the needs of the people, addressing poverty, gender issues and caste barriers. Your gift of $200 will enable these students to receive pastoral training they could otherwise not afford.

There are many challenges for training the next generation of Christian leaders in India. There is also great opportunity. The Christian church has a unique voice in proclaiming grace that is given and not earned, the dignity of being created in God’s image, and the call to discipleship. 

I hope you will make a generous gift to help provide training for those women and men who have made the costly decision to serve as leaders in Christ’s church in India. Please take this opportunity to empower these courageous church leaders to continue the work of God’s kingdom.


Blessings,

Gordon King
Director, The Sharing Way



P.S. Your gift to support leadership training in India provides Christian leaders with encouragement to continue in their ministries.