Training for the Future

Front Entrance of SBC

Shalom Bible College in Hyderabad is a new, yet essential partner with AIM. When our Executive Director Russ Sharrock met with the Founder and President of the College, Pastor Ravi Sundar, and heard his story and the vision for the work, he was truly impressed.

Most of us take the poverty in India for granted. This is the life that 75% of the population knows as reality—with little hope of improvement—due to many cultural issues.  Yet it is among the poorest castes and emerging tribals that Christianity is spreading like wildfire.

When men or women from this background are called by God, they seldom have adequate preparation for ministry, a solid Biblical foundation, or practical principles for evangelism and church planting. This is where Shalom Bible College fills the need.

Since foreign missionaries are prohibited from preaching the Gospel in India, training the Indian nationals and equipping them with the Word of God is an important strategy for evangelizing the country. Shalom Bible College was established for this sole purpose. 

The students are already residents of the area where they will serve, speak the language, and understand the local culture and customs. SBC offers an intensive one year Theology certificate based on the Word of God. Only 25 students are accepted per semester to ensure personal attention from qualified professionals. Almost 200 men and women have graduated from the Bible College since 2007. 

We had a chance to meet with several of them, hear how and where they are serving the Lord,

and had the honor of working with one of them for two days in his small rural village. If you would like to come to India with us, you will be able to personally experience the work these men are accomplishing for Jesus Christ! (And the risks they take...)

John Prasad is a quiet young man who has come a long way in his 24 years.  He grew up in a Hindu  But, instead, God led him to a Sunday school where he received the hope of Jesus Christ.  He began to teach Sunday school and his church gave him preaching opportunities. His pastor told him about Ravi’s Bible College—Shalom Veda Patasala—and he attended in 2009-10. 

Pastor John Prasad

family where his parents fought constantly. As a teen, he contemplated suicide because of the constant stress and emotional pain.

He was married to Amelia just over a year ago, and God blessed him with a church of 25 members in Allavaram village.  Prasad also has a job, and so he is able to help support other needy people with his tithing as an example to his congregation. 

As with many Christians in India, as soon as Prasad became a believer, his family expelled him from their home and lives.  Some time ago, a Hindu uncle attempted to bring about peace, but failed; the family remains estranged which is very difficult in a land where extended family relationships are the supporting fabric of life.

John Prasad's prayers are: To be able to minister full time; to plant a new church; and to have a motorbike so he can take the church youth out to evangelize.

Students of the Shalom Bible College

We are excited about the nature of the partnership, and the significant change the students will bring to these communities. A very clear strategy has been developed; the students are dedicated and not only trained, but given experience through regular village outreach opportunities where they pass out gospel tracts, New Testaments, and speak to people about Jesus. 

The passion of the men in the field was exciting to see, and each pastor is encouraged to plant at least ten churches in his lifetime.  

With 25 students graduated each year, we are looking at 750 new church plants every five years We are honored to be a partner in this venture of eternal significance—but we need your help!

Tuition for each college student is:
$50 USD per month.
$150 USD per semester
$450 USD per year

Your gift will be applied to room and board, tuition, and necessary school supplies.

Please help spread the Kingdom of God by supporting the Bible College now through the 

"Timothy Fund." Click on the donate button below and designate the funds in the drop down box:  

 When preparing your love gift as a check or money order, please make payable to “AIM”, and on the memo line please designate to the "Timothy Fund.” 

When mailing your donation to train a new pastor in India, please send to:

Asia International Mission

PO Box 1597

Stillwater, OK 74076 

 

 

Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c) (3) non-profit ministry. 

All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of donations are used as designated 

            

Rewards-Now or Later?

“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (Luke 17:10)

Jesus needed His disciples to understand their proper place concerning their service to Him. They were to serve Him now for the joy ahead. This is the same way Jesus served His Father – service now / joy later. Do you think it is possible for you and me to simply serve the LORD from our heart now - without an expectation for immediate rewards?

The Lord may well affirm our faith-driven obedience. This affirmation can come through prayer,

through words of fellow-workers, through visible results, through Scripture and so many more ways. Because of our work-orientation in this life, we seem to readily apply the same to our spiritual walk. “I work and I get rewarded.”

When followers of Christ obey the Lord, they should not think they need or deserve an immediate reward from the Lord—the reward will follow when the service is completed.

So, I challenge you to count it all joy to work for the Lord, love Him for the opportunity, and continue to seek Him and His will?

—Russ Sharrock

 

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Prayer Requests

1)  In the village of dhepaguda, please pray for the man who has suffered for two years not being able to walk. Medications are not helping him.

2)  In the village of Ruguda, a mother has given birth to her baby two months premature. The baby is very weak, and has now been transported to the hospital in Paralakhemundi. Please  prayer that the baby will gain strength and grow healthy. And that the mother will soon be able to take the child home with her.

3)  Two Sundays ago, Missionary Ekalabya Jagaranga who has been trying to plant a new church in the village of Silimi in Orissa, 20 young men gathered and protested the planned ministry and worship service in this village, and threatened them with death. Out of fear for their lives, the people did not meet that Sunday. Please pray that the Lord God will change the hearts of those who threaten His people. And give the believers the faith and courage to continue to reach out with the good new of Jesus Christ.

Severe Flooding

Khammam District in North Andhra Pradesh is experiencing severe flooding. There are over 2.5

million people in this area, and thousands are being impacted by the high waters.

About 600 villages in Khammam district have been affected as flood waters overflowed on roads, bridges and culverts. Water entered many villages in Khammam and East and West Godavari districts.

Please prayerfully consider giving to help purchase Mosquito netting, medicines, food, clean water, blankets, etc. Even $10 will buy some rice and blankets. You can give on our secure website by using the Donate button below and then clicking on Disaster Relief in the drop down box. 

If you would rather send a check or money order you can send it to:

AIM 

PO Box 1597

Stillwater, OK 74076

Remember to write Disaster Relief on the memo line. Thank you.

--Russ Sharrock

Jesus—The Master Builder

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

The Savior has been gone for two thousand years, and has not yet returned to this earth to receive His people to Himself. So what is the plan for His people on earth between His going and coming?

He is still focused on the plan He had over 2,000 years ago when he said, “…I will build my church,

and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18b)  The head of the body, the church, is building His church during this time. The process of establishing local churches in cross-cultural environments is difficult at best, but not impossible, because Jesus is the Master church builder.

Everyone here at AIM has the privilege and responsibility of serving the head of the church, and participating in His plan as we wait for His return. Each of us has spiritual gifts and natural talents God has given to us. Jesus, the church builder, uses all kinds of people and talents as special tools to build the church around the world.

Please pray that we will keep focused on His plan for this church age. Work willingly as His tool. Wait patiently for His return. 

—Russ Sharrock 

 

 

Building for the Kingdom

It’s such an exciting time in missions! Many souls are being saved throughout India by national evangelists and missionaries. Bible studies are formed to disciple the new believers, and small house churches begin to gather. The next step is building a house of worship for the growing assembly, a church for the people to come and worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ!

Since 2007, over 190 pastors have graduated from Shalom Bible College and are serving throughout   

Andhra Pradesh. Over 80 churches have been built, but so many more are desperately needed. In Pithapuram, the church has been evicted from its rented hall by a hostile landlord—it is crowded into the upper floor of the pastor’s home.

In Gungawada, the church meets in a tiny thatched hut where thunderstorms pour in through the walls.  This scenario is repeated in villages and cities across the land. You can help us help them!

The cost of building a church varies according to the area, and whether it is a rural or urban location. But on average, it costs $15,000 (US) to build a solid, substantial church in Asia.

What an amazing investment in the Kingdom of God! Churches can be constructed overseas for a fraction of the cost of one in the US. These churches are a lighthouse in the community, a testimony to idol worshipers around them, and a place where curious seekers will come.  More souls will be saved, discipled, and learn to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

You can help us to build as many churches as possible throughout India. With your help, AIM can

provide our partner missionaries and pastors with a building that legitimizes Christianity in the neighborhood and the culture.

If you, or your church, would like to help sponsor a church building in India, we would love to hear from you! If you have any questions, our email address: is aimission@hotmail.com. When preparing your love gift, please make all checks payable to “AIM”, and on the memo line please designate it to the ” Church Construction Fund.” 

If you are mailing your donation to build a place of worship in India, please send to:

Asia International Mission

PO Box 1597

Stillwater, OK 74076

Donations can also be received using a credit card. You can securely donate by simply clicking the donate button now!  

Thank you so very much for partnering with us in one of the greatest causes humanity will ever know--spreading the Life saving Gospel message of Jesus in one of the most under-evangelized nations of the world. Be part of what God is doing in India!

—Russ Sharrock

 

   Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c) (3) non-profit ministry. 

All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of donations are used as designated 

 

Martyrdom and the Mission of God

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' {20 John 13:16} If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me." (John 15:18-21)

Countries like India face increasing persecution. This wave will eventually reach every nation. Christian persecution started with Jesus himself. Christian Martyrs of the World lists thousands of brutal killings throughout the history of the Church. Christian persecution didn’t slow the growth of the Christian faith during the first few centuries after Christ. Even as its early leaders died horrible deaths, Christianity flourished throughout the Roman Empire.

Persecution is the result of the non-compromising stand of the believer of the Truth toward the world.

Gunpalli Village

Wherever persecution becomes severe it displays that the Truth is actively penetrating that region.

Our fellowship with Christ cannot be frustrated by any persecution (Rom. 8:35–39). Persecution is a light that dawn on His people to prove to the world that Christians are the conquerors of pain.

Increasing persecution is the last important item we need to face on this earth before we enter into the Eternal Kingdom. Persecution is an indicator of the “last days” (II Tim. 3:1–5). A sea of people will be found in heaven through our church planting efforts (Rev. 7:9–17).

Since persecution is painful, often Christians react in defensive ways. It leads them sometimes even to politicize the issue. A church planter should view persecution through an eschatological lens. Our task is to prepare the Church for persecution; not to prevent it.

Martyrdom and the Mission of God are inseparable, linked together within the Church by unbreakable chains. Jesus forewarns us of this (John 16:1–4) so that His people will not stumble when persecution breaks out. The Church must keep witnessing for the Truth even during severe persecution (Rev. 2:8–10; 3:8–10). 

—Russ Sharrock

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Pastor Accused of Forced Conversion

In Pakshirajapura, Karnataka, Hindu nationalists protested, and accused Pastor Steven Suresh of forcefully converting members of the nomadic Hikki Pikki Adivasi tribe to Christianity, and insulting the Hindu gods. Police arrest Suresh and 11 other Christians. 

The new converts were forbidden to draw water from the town well, and denied government-subsidized staples such as rice and sugar. Please pray for the safety of Pastor Steven and the other believers, and that they will remain steadfast in their faith in the face of persecution.

Please Pray!

To all our blog readers, this news item just came in:

"Madhya Pradesh state in central India awaits the outcome of proposed amendments to its ‘anti-conversion law’, which would lengthen prison time and fines for anyone convicted of forcing someone to change their religion. 

With state elections looming before this government ends its term in October, some observers claim the move is an attempt by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to appease Hindu hardliners.

The Christian minority now awaits the verdict of the state Governor, Ramnaresh Yadav, who must sign the bill before it can become law.

The proposed amendment recommends maximum punishment of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 rupees ($830), or four years and 100,000 rupees ($1660) in the case of a child, woman or member of a scheduled caste or tribe.

The amendment also introduces the requirement for both the converter and would-be convert to obtain state permission at least 30 days prior to conversion."

A scheduled caste would include all lower castes like the Dalits. These are where most of the conversions are coming from at this time.

Please be praying for the safety of believers in Madhya Pradesh, and that they would hold steadfast in their faith. The window is closing in many places in India. Please help us spread the gospel as quickly as possible before it is too late! Go HERE and donate Now.


—Russ Sharrock