CHURCH PLANTING
The potential of a native pastor is invaluable in sharing the Gospel. Not only does he know the language, but he also knows and understands the culture, customs, and obstacles that an Indian faces. Although these Indians will undoubtedly experience ridicule, prejudice, and persecution, they have yielded their lives to God's service. Bless India provides training and support for these pastors and evangelists, who otherwise might not be able to continue in this work.

 

EVERY DAY
The young pastor wove his bike around the hoards of pedestrians as he journeyed to the heart of the city.  The bike had come from Bless India Ministries the previous year, a gift that enabled him to travel many miles each day to preach the Gospel.  Today, like every day, he left his simple one room home just after dawn. He has no church—the open air serves just fine for the meetings he conducts.  In rainy weather, his humble single room serves as a suitable meeting place.
But today he is traveling to Christ the King of Kings Ministries, to meet with Pastor Mekala and the thirty-five other pastors.  It is a journey he makes once a month.  He cannot wait to share with them, to pray, to commune.  They will give testimony to each other, offering encouragement and praising God together.  Some will have stories of miraculous provision or precious salvations.  Some will tell of being beaten for Christ’s sake.  Others will describe financial pressures.  Still others will need to hear that their many months of fruitless work will one day yield an increase.  But all of them will testify of God’s goodness, of His mercy, of the work they can see Him doing through their lives. 
 And then, they will fast and pray all night, will give worship to the God to whom they’ve pledge everything.  In the morning, they will eat together, will receive their monthly support from Pastor Mekala, and will disappear once more into the jungles and the nearby cities to carry out God’s Great Commission.

THE BEGINNING & THE FUTURE
The Church-Planting Ministry developed as men were converted through Pastor Mekala’s preaching, were discipled, and were called to ministries of their own.  Although they have recently expanded their level of support, for many years the pastors subsisted on a mere $11 a month (500 rupees).  Their knowledge of the language and culture catapults them past many hurdles that foreign missionaries would face, and their on-fire-for-God commitment allows them to literally face death in the course of their work.  There have been times when Pastor Mekala has not been able to provide the full amount of their monthly support, but to date, he has never had to deny to support a pastor who has gone out from his ministry.  It is our great prayer that God will continue to raise up many men for His work, and that Bless India can continue to play a small role in supporting them. 

PRAY!

    • For more pastors, to reach even more people!
    • For courage for the pastors to face persecution.  The current dangers in Orissa put them at great risk.
    • For encouragement for the pastors and their families, that they would feel God’s protection and peace in a very real way.