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Multiplication in the Indian Subcontinent

“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly…” -Acts 6:7

Dear David,

Earlier this year, we set our focus on multiplication, based on Acts 6:7. By equipping believers in a relational environment with the ministry skills, biblical understanding, and character for effective ministry, we can see the multiplication of disciples in local churches, just as it was seen in the early church in Jerusalem. Those who are equipped evangelize those around them. We empower coordinators to oversee the trainers. This month, I would like to share about our ministry in the Indian Subcontinent and how God is opening opportunities for equipping leaders.

Background

The Indian Subcontinent, also called South Asia, includes the countries of India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Great Britain colonized this area from 1858-1947. Most of this area was just called India until 1947, when India and Pakistan divided over what were apparently religious lines. As a result of the divide, there was a mass migration of 15 million people. Hindus lived in India, and Muslims moved to Pakistan. Between 500,000 and 2 million souls perished due to the violence and upheaval that followed. Later, in 1971, Pakistan and East Pakistan were divided, and East Pakistan became known as Bangladesh, which was derived from the Bangla language of the people.

This is the world's most populous area, with 1.7 billion souls. India is the most populated country in the world, with 1.4 billion souls.

Here are the facts of these nations:

CCI's History

Through our partnership with Shepherding the Nations, the Lord opened the door for India in 2009. My wife Mindy and I traveled there in 2010 to help teach Book #4 of the BTCP curriculum (Preaching Biblical Messages and Pastoral Ministry). The Lord opened the doors for Teacher Training Workshops (TTWs) in most of the major cities. Classes were opened and began spreading.

Teacher Training Workshop in India in 2010

In 2012, Mindy and I began traveling to Vijayawada to train a group of 39 pastors and workers. Some of the wives were not able to have children. We prayed for them, and God enabled them to have children. God is faithful and answers our prayers. In 2016, they finished the training. Six of the men became trainers and have since trained over 1,000 workers in the same state of Andhra Pradesh.

In 2012, Vijay Kumar joined the team of CCI trainers. In 2018, he became the National Director of CCI India. Now, CCI India has a team of three coordinators and 40 trainers. These trainers are also pastors who love the CCI ministry. Some train pastors who live in remote areas and have no training, while others train church leaders in urban areas. In partnership with other ministries, we have grown to over 1,851 students.

Vijay (far left) with his wife amd some of his coordinators and trainers at the Global Conference 2023.

In 2016, Taron and Chelsea Jordan joined CCI. When he joined us, Taron was traveling to northern India to train pastors. In 2019, he became the Regional Director over the Indian Subcontinent. Through his service, we now have teams throughout India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taron began training Ejaz in Pakistan, Dhiren and Samuel in Bangladesh, and Von Kirkus in Alabama. They studied together several times a week. Since then, they have all graduated and started classes. By God's grace, Bangladesh and Pakistan will have their first CCI graduations in November.

Taron (center in the royal blue shirt) is pictured with Samuel, Von, and Ejaz, receiving their graduation certificates.

Previously, Mindy, Glenn Kurka, Sandy Kurka, and I served with CrossWorld (formerly UFM). One of our colleagues, Andy Meier, contacted us about serving together in Nepal. Andy and I met up in Nepal, and he introduced me to Sabin. Sabin now leads CCI in Nepal as the National Director. Four trainers serve with him in Nepal. In the last four years, Sabin and his team have trained over 4,600 pastors and church leaders through the God’s Financial Principles Seminar on biblical stewardship. This training has dramatically changed the mindset of many of God’s servants on money and finances.

Sabin and his team of coordinators

Testimony from Nepal

"I’ve been a pastor in a remote village for almost five years. Three families, including mine, accepted Christ as their personal Savior. After that, there was no one there to lead and teach God’s Word, but we had a deep desire and hunger to know God. I took pastoral responsibility without having any formal or informal Bible training. That made ministry more of a burden for me than a joy and privilege. Membership in the church has grown, but my heart was full of worry and unrest because I feared teaching and leading the church. But praise God! One day, I heard about CCI training, which made me very excited because my dream was becoming a reality, which was above and beyond any of my thoughts. I saw in the midst of my storm that God was standing on the side, commanding things to stop. I experienced a great calm. I knew my LORD was beyond and above all my thoughts. The training really excited me. I wouldn’t have to go far away from my family, church, and ministry. It did not require any high qualifications (which I don’t have). It is also very affordable. I actually paid a very small amount for my books. Today, I received a certificate of graduation and wear a gown that is above and beyond my capacity and ability. God has done it all because HE is above and beyond all of my thoughts."

-CCI Graduate Nepal

The Lord is multiplying the CCI ministry throughout this desperately needy region. Please join us in prayer for the CCI teams in each country. Pray for God’s provision for them. Pray as they travel from place to place on unsafe roads. Pray that they would multiply themselves and that we will see the multiplication of Acts 6:7 throughout this region.

Please pray for our team members as they continue to serve Him. Pray for God's provision, as many of our coordinators will lose support at the end of the year. Consider giving monthly toward their needs. A donation of $300-500 a month supports a national coordinator who oversees classes, trainers, and students. Visit www.cciequip.org/donatetoday to begin your partnership today.

Additionally, our National Coordinators Fund combines resources to support coordinators globally. You can give at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/Coordinators.

We deeply appreciate your generosity and commitment.

Grace and Peace in Jesus,

Dr. David Nelson

Chief Steward and Servant

Crossing Cultures International

EXCITING NEWS!!! My new book has been published. I've included a description below. To buy a signed copy of the book, click on the button below.

God has not only created us with the ability to multiply through having children, he has also given us the power to multiply disciples who multiply disciples through the preaching of the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Genesis and Acts, we read how God enabled man to multiply biologically and spiritually. We read how the number of disciples greatly increased and multiplied during the era of the early church. In his book, Dr. David Nelson, explains eight principles for building a ministry of multiplication. These biblically based principles will empower you to see a solid ministry that will grow into a ministry that multiplies disciple makers.

We regret to inform you that the 2025 tour to Israel has been canceled.

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