2000 New Churches Needed!

The vision of Asia International Mission is to help plant 2000 additional churches in the area surrounding Tenali, India. Why so many churches? Over the past decade much has been reported about the potential for an "awakening" of the low caste of India. The majority of these people are low caste, and very few of these villages have been reached with the gospel. India is one of the greatest harvest fields in history!

Do the Math
Doing some math, we estimate that if only 10% of these one million people would turn to Christ in the next ten years, that an additional 2000 churches would be needed to disciple them. This is a very conservative figure based on the average village church of 50 people. And this is only one small area of India. AIM's goal of planting 2000 churches aligns with God's plan for the low caste of India.

Where There is Smoke There is Fire
One example of these massive conversions can be seen in the state of Orissa in Eastern India. In one district near the area, where the Australian missionary Graham Staines was martyred in 1999, the Christian population has more than doubled in the last ten years. So many have been turning to Christ, that approximately 100,000 Christians had to flee their homes and thousands of others were murdered in the recent persecutions.

We Must Go to Them
We can't assume that the low caste people of India are able to hear the gospel without someone telling them. Churches must not only send the gospel out to every unreached village (Mark 16:15-17), but they must also make disciples of the new believers (Matt 28:19-20).

Prayer Points:
Many more national workers will answer God's call to share the gospel
Churches in the US will commit to financing the building of new churches ($5000 per building)
New Bibles will be provided
We will be able to raise enough funds to complete the new Children's Home

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The Plight of Widows in India

Despite all the publicity about India turning into an economic and military superpower, the story of widows is a sad commentary on its social realities. The last estimate available say there are approximately 40 million widows in India. Some are elderly, but many were child brides, and widowed within a year or two. A woman only has status if attached to a husband.

If a woman is not financially independent, she's at the mercy of her in-laws or her parents. And if they don't have the will or the resources to take care of her and her children, she's on her own, often on the street. Only 28% of the widows in India are eligible for pensions, and less than 11% actually receive the payments to which they're entitled.

A widow is considered unlucky, so she can't be present at the rituals and celebrations that form such an integral part of India life, such as marriage or birth ceremonies. In some cases even her shadow is considered polluting or offensive to "cleaner" members of society. While a widower can remarry as many times as he likes, a widow cannot remarry irrespective of her age.

India is no doubt changing, but even in the middle of the "silicon" revolution there are still millions of destitute woman who are shunted to the outskirts of society.

Jesus came to give hope to the outcasts of His world. On each mission trip we try to provide widows with basic necessities, as well as spiritual encouragement, and show them there is a loving and living God.

Psalm 68:5 reminds us, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling."

Please pray:
For God's provision for these forgotten Women.
That they discover the love found only through Jesus Christ
That the Indian government would realize the wisdom and experience these women can add to their culture

Raising Support for Missionary Trips - Part 4

You believe this is God's calling for you. After studying the scriptures you are persuaded that support raising is Biblical, and you are trusting God to supply your financial needs. So, how do you begin? It's important that you develop a general strategy, a plan,  to discover the supporters you believe God has already chosen to support you.

William Dillon broke it down into two main principles. The first is: People give to people they know, trust, and care for.
The second principle is: The key to raising support successfully is to contact people you know in the most personal and practical way possible.  

When you are ready to begin raising support start with principle 1. Identify  the people you already know, trust, and care for you. Then use principle 2 and meet with as many of those people as practical and possible.

Lets look at a fund raising strategy.
1)  In your daily prayer time look to God for financial provision
2)  Begin a list of individuals and churches with which you can share your vision.
     Some ideas for contacts:

• Your church missions committee
• The church were you grew up
• Other churches in the area
• Friends & acquaintances
• People you work with
• Old school friends
• Friends and contacts of your parents
• Relatives
• Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Blogs, etc
• Christian parents of your friends

3)  Prioritize your list into the "Top 10", second ten and so on. The "Top 10" donors or sponsors will possibly provide two-thirds of your financial support.
4)  Prayerfully individualize your fund-raising appeal.
            a) Ask appropriately
                     Face to face presentation
                     Phone call followed by informational letter
                     Fund raising letter with enclosed response card and SASE
                     Church presentation
                     Other creative options such as car wash, etc

           
           b) Don't be afraid to ask for large gifts
           c) Pray and then set deadline to contact the persons on your list
           d) Follow up with them as planned
           e) Repeat steps 1-5 for your second 10 and continue until you have reached 100% of your fund
               raising goal

I hope this series of articles help you get on the road to full funding for your mission endeavor. Thank you for being willing to respond to God's call on your life, and may God bless you in the days ahead.

Prayer Requests:
Pray for those involved in carrying the gospel to unreached people groups
For continued financial support for AIM
For the completion of the new Children's Home




     







                 

Raising Support for Missionary Trips - Part 3

Back in 1998, God called my wife and I to short term missions in Alaska, which later became long term, but that's another story. I was petrified. Not because God wanted me to minister in a place so far north most companies charged international shipping rates, but because I was expected to raise my own support. I came from a self-reliant family, and the idea of asking anyone for money was very uncomfortable. I was sure I was not cutout for public relations.

A friend-- someone I will be forever indebted to--told me about a book called "People Raising" written by William P. Dillon.  In it he has an article by Curtis Kregness, who talks about several lessons he learned about raising support.

He explains how he realized that not only does God bless the giver, but through this process God also ministers to the one raising the support.  I'll try to summarize those lessons briefly for you.
Increased confidence in God and yourself
If you are like me, you have found public speaking to be a daunting task. Yet, I have found that God will encourage you, and give you confidence to present your ministry in a coherent and organize manner.
Flexibility
There will be times when you are asked to speak at a moments notice, or you only have 10 minutes to make a presentation. This forces you to "think on your feet" and learn to be concise.
Patience
This is probably the most difficult one for me. Sending out letters, leaving phone messages, having your car break down en route to a speaking engagement. All require a great deal of patience, wondering if they will respond or the mechanic will be able to get the car repaired on time.
Reevaluating your missionary call
Kregness states that, "most people think missionaries have it all together in terms of their call to missions. Not likely. Doubts do creep in occasionally and force you to rethink your sense of call. That is why a sustained study of God's Word and prayer is so critical to the mission. You need to be able to say that your commitment to God and His work in the world is not based on "feelings" or knowledge of the future, but on His continued faithfulness alone.
Self Discipline
Sometimes you wonder if you are really accomplishing anything. You ask yourself, "How do I measure success, or if I have reached any goals?" In times like this, scriptures like Hebrews 12:11 can be of comfort to you. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." You may not realize it, but God will be developing your character.

Allow me to conclude with a quote from People Raising, "Many missionaries are their own worst problem when it comes to raising support. It all begins with their attitude and vision for support. Allow the process of raising support strengthen you. Permit God to go before you and open the doors to meet with people who will become partners in your ministry for Him."

Please pray:
For the persecuted church in India
For the children in the Home
For the indigenous pastors seeking to serve God among their people