Ministry and the Grace of God
March 4, 2022
One of our training center directors, we will call him D, stepped away from ministry in 2013. Ministering in countries where it is legal to share about Jesus and for people to convert to Christianity is a difficult work. It is even more difficult in Northern India, where both activities are illegal and Christians experience extreme social tensions because of their faith. With all of this pressure, as well as the financial hardship he was experiencing, D took a break from ministry and proceeded to pursue work in another filed. Yet, in spite of his best efforts, he found himself failing in all the things he attempted and sensed God leading him back to the ministry he had left.
Rather than fighting an uphill battle trying to re-establish himself in ministry, the Lord blessed D and allowed him to see dozens of new people come to faith. As a pastor, he got to disciple them and watch as the Lord matured these believers. There was a renewed joy in D for the work God had given him to do. Furthermore, his family gets to be a part of his ministry now through prayer and relationship building.
Though according to reported statistics, India is less than 3% Christian, D says that the reality is that as many as 7-10% are believers! The gospel is going forth in an incredible manner that can only be described as the graciousness of God. This growth has been met with an increase in anti-Christian ideology and hostility; yet, the Church is continuing to grow under attack. Even more, during the second wave of covid-19 that hit India quite hard, D was able to share the gospel with many people while distributing needed resources to the poor, seeing dozens more come to saving faith in Christ. A new church was planted during this season, because of this!
Ministry in India is not easy. It is taxing in every respect—emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. Yet, while persecution and hardship abound, God is providing grace to His willing laborers who count their lives as nothing, so that they may attain the upward call of Jesus Christ. Join us in praying for our brother, D, and the ministry that the Lord has given him to steward.