My days ministering in the Madurai India area were filled with an overwhelming sense of God's presence. With an intense schedule and a heat index of well over 100 degrees, it was only through His strength that I was able to have the energy to present 25 hours of teaching and or preaching (not including many hours of anointed worship) to these precious brothers and sisters in Christ. As on other trips to third world countries, I am awestruck at how God positions Christian brothers and sisters of many different colors, and ethnic backgrounds into an amazing unity fused together through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The bond is exhilarating.
Training and Equipping Pastors:
The primary purpose of this trip was to train pastors in family ministry. Certainly, this goal was accomplished as I had the wonderful opportunity to train and equip over 200 pastors (many also brought their wives). My host pastor, Dr. Thomas Maher, did an excellent job of organizing two different venues in two different cities to host these pastors. He strategically made arrangements for pastors from different regions to attend so that the teaching would be effectively spread throughout the nation. At each venue I was able to teach nine sessions on marriage over two days to these precious pastors. Because of your generous gifts; travel, lodging, and meals were provided free of charge to every pastor (and wife) who attended.
These pastors are very poor and could not have attended without financial assistance.
Pastor Thomas translated our marriage book into the native Tamil language. Your donations allowed us to present each pastor a copy of What is Marriage?. Thomas said this was a rare and valuable resource for them that would be studied and referenced repeatedly.
These pastors expressed sincere thanks to me personally, and yesterday I received an email of thanks from Pastor Maher:
Than you very much for your ministry with us through the conferences. We have been receiving numerous calls from pastors saying that how much the conference was useful to them. Many have witnessed that this Family Conference was very much new to them. These pastors were amazed about your teaching and assured that they will be teaching to other missionaries and to their congregation of churches.
Pastor Maher feels that family training is such an urgent need for pastors in India that he is strongly encouraging me to return in 2020 to train another 500-1000 pastors.
Of course, I am very open to return as Gods leads and provides. To return and minister to 500 pastors would require about $30,000 (approximately $60/pastor). Of course, we know this amount is very little to our God who invites us in Psalm 81:10 to open our mouth wide and He will fill it.
I also had the privilege of preaching to the students and faculty (around 67 total) at the ICM (Indian Council on Missions) Bible College. When talking with the faculty, I was again told how urgently biblical teaching on the family is needed. Also, after perusing their very meager library, I noticed that there were no books on biblical family life.
It was a blessing to see how God has provided land and buildings (still under construction) for these students to be trained in gospel ministry. As you can see from the pictures and videos there is still a great need to finish the buildings and greatly expand their library. Pastor Maher is praying for $30,000 to finish the student dorm rooms and kitchen area. Even though there is no air conditioning in a climate where the temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, there is no plan to include this comfort as students are ready and willing to attend classes and live under these conditions. They feel privileged to be trained.
Another area of ministry that Pastor Maher oversees is their five children centers. As I stated in my earlier email last week, the new Indian president has shut down all Christian orphanages and outreaches such as Compassion International that help poverty-stricken children in India. His intent is to prevent the spread of Christianity in India. In response to this need, Pastor Maher established children's centers in five different villages to provide clothing, food, and education each night of the week. Unlike the USA, children in India are not guaranteed an education. On Saturdays and Sundays, the centers offer four hours of Bible lessons. Ministering to these children also creates an excellent opportunity for the village pastor over each center to reach parents with the gospel. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, Pastor Maher stated that $30 per month provides food, clothing, and education for one child and bible studies on the weekend. Since he currently services almost 200 children, the total need is around $6000 per month.
As I conclude this report, I am humbled that God gave me the opportunity to help and encourage these pastors. I am also overcome with a sense of urgency to continue to reach out and train and encourage pastors in third world nations. Every pastor that is trained not only shares what he learned with his congregation, but also with other pastors in his locale. Therefore, the multiplication factor of investing into one pastor's training reaches hundreds if not more. This is a desperate need as we are commanded in Matthew 28:19 to reach and teach the Word to all nations!
Thank you for being an open vessel to share your financial resources to reach out and bless these pastors and the nation of India. Also, I appreciate so much your prayers!
