India’s Changing of the Guard

India’s latest election for Prime minister is over.  And on Monday, May 16^th, Narendra Modi will be sworn in as the next leader of India.

Modi is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is very much a Hindu Nationalistic group, although many are trying to downplay this aspect.  The media is touting him, and the party, as pro business and anti corruption, which remains to be seen. 

Typically, politics in India is not a concern for us, but the election of this man could have far reaching consequences for Christian ministries, and the work of AIM in India.   So, I want to give you a bit of analysis of what this could possibly mean to us in the future.

Christian ministries remain cautiously optimistic that they will be able to continue their evangelistic outreach without government interference.  This was a landslide election.  The BJP have controlled individual states before, but this is the first time they have controlled the national government in more than six decades.  Not only that, but they won a majority of seats in the Parliament.  Up until this point the Gandhi-Nehru family has held power over the nation.

Because Modi will be the first hard-line Hindu nationalist to lead the country, both religious and secular media have raised questions regarding how the new government might reshape India’s treatment of other faiths—namely Christianity.

According to Sarla Mahara, the South Asia director for Christian Aid Mission, “The BJP has never hidden its preference to run as a Hindu nationalistic party.  They are clearly religiously oriented.  Obviously that is somewhat of a concern for Christians in India,”

India is a multi-party democracy, and the national constitution provides for the religious freedom of its 1.2 billion citizens, of which over 75 percent are Hindu.  However, persecution is an ongoing reality in many areas where local authorities impose their own set of criteria for approved religious activity.  In states like Odisha or Gujarat where evangelism is already difficult, officials could exert even more pressure on ministries.

It’s not likely there will be a constitutional change any time soon, but pressure on the state level could increase quickly.  Anti-conversion legislation already exists in some Indian states. However, these laws only make conversion illegal when it takes place through coercion or fraud. When individuals plan to change their religion, they are required to inform local authorities that they are intending to do so, and that the decision is their own choice.  Seeking to crackdown on evangelistic work, offended Hindus have in many cases already brought false accusations of forced conversion against Christians.

This one of the many reasons AIM supports local ministries such as missionary Bihit and Pastors Samuel, Ravi, Paresh, and Babu rather than sending and trying to establish a new missionary from the

US in that country.  The efforts of indigenous groups like theirs have proven very effective in taking the gospel to places where Western missionaries are not permitted.  Its colonial history remains a sore spot in the minds of many Indians, who associate Christianity with unwelcomed foreign influence.  With a Hindu nationalist in the highest office in the land, there are legitimate concerns that Christians and other religious minorities could face heightened opposition.

Again, no one knows at this point whether or not these things will happen.  Lord willing, the ministries we support will have an open window for a long period of time. And if changes do occur, they probably won’t happen overnight, and that will give Christian workers time to plan ahead and be prepared.

For now, let’s be sure to be in prayer for India’s leadership, and for the indigenous missionaries and ministries that are experiencing an abundant spiritual harvest in their country. 

Pray that they will have the courage to follow the vision God has given them. Persecution is part of the package for those who serve in ministry.  Political change is challenging, as we’ve seen to some extent here, but pray that believers will face these challenges with deep faith and spiritual wisdom, and that they will continue to love their own people, so that hearts can be won even in the midst of persecution.

I would be interested in hearing the viewpoint of any of my Indian readers on the situation there.  Please feel free to comment in the "comments" section below.  Thank you.

--Russ Sharrock

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DONOR POLICY

Contributions are accepted with the understanding that Asia International Mission has complete control and discretion over the use of all donations to the general fund. This is to ensure that your gift is fully tax-deductible under IRS rulings. We will never distribute, sell, or provide your information to a third party.

AIM is a faith-based organization who depends on the Lord to provide committed, financial supporters and partners. The contributions from these individuals help generate ministry opportunities around the world, and provide a means for AIM to fulfill its mission of spreading the good news of Christ and ministering to the poor and sick. You can be a part of mobilizing church leaders around the world by donating to AIM.

“We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.” 2 Corinthians 8:20-21

Are You Trapped?

In our ministry at AIM we get to meet Christians from various nations and different ethnic, social, and church backgrounds.  This gives us an opportunity to see and hear how believers are doing, and we try to encouage as many as possible to remain firm in the faith.

Over the past several years we have become increasingly aware  that many Christians we meet--whether in Asia, the US, or right here in Stillwater--are struggling in many areas of their lives.  There is testing in their marriages, jobs, finances, health, and moral purity.  We hear so often from people that, "whatever could go wrong, has gone wrong" in their lives.  It seems that, knowing time is short,  Satan as been working overtime in the lives of all that identify as follwers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Many believers have become disillusioned in their walk and service to God.  There are two different traps that struggling believers have fallen into.

The first is the danger of legalism.  So many have been decimated by a legalistic church environment, where unbiblical rules, traditions, and principles are forced on them.  These types of environments are poisonous, and many people simply give up under the burden of these rules.  They simply cannot keep them.

Many believers have found themselves trapped in a spiritual desert.  Legalism is a vicious, yet subtle, master.  It promises living water for the soul, only to fill your mouth with sand.  Young people are deserting these churches by the thousands.  If you find yourself in this position, you must realize that one of Satan's favorite strategies is to cause Christians to wilt and dry up from the inside out.  He doesn't care what we believe, as long as it isn't that the Gospel gives life and nourishment to our souls. 

The scripture tells us that, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ...These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." (Colossians 2:8, 17)

If you find yourself trapped in the failure to obey human rules,  I encourage you to put your faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not in the rules and traditions of men.

The other trap many believers have fallen into is the belief in a "prosperity" gospel.  At first, everything seems well and good, but as the poison of this belief works its way through your life, you will find yourself moving farther and farther away from God.  Eventually, your faith will weaken and your heart will grow less responsive to God's Word.  In the end, the prosperity Gospel will only bring death and destruction to a believer's life unless God removes it from your system.

The Bible warns us about the danger of false gospels.  Paul reminds us when he says, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" (Galatians 1:6-8)

Be aware that the prosperity Gospel goes much deeper than money and finances alone. It is a wide-spread philosophy that if you do and say certain things, then your life is guaranteed to get progressively better.  But the truth is that Jesus told us we must take up our cross daily (be prepared to be crucified) and follow Him.  He promised that the world would hate us and persecute us.  Yet, this was not to scare us.  He told His followers that, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

As soon as hardship comes along, people who believe in the prosperity Gospel collapse, because the false foundation they have built their lives upon begins to disintegrate. 

How can you tell if you have fallen into these traps?   Over time, the prosperity Gospel believer begins to lose their fear of God.  Sin becomes tolerated and even practiced, rather than something to be feared and avoided.  This false teaching is so destructive that believers start acting as if God is their servant, and they have the power to order Him to do what they want.  Paul tells us that we need to, "...hold on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." (1 Timothy 1:19)

If you find yourself struggling because you are trapped by a false teaching, I encourage you not to give up.  As long as you continue to breathe there is hope.  The cure for those caught in legalism is the same as for those caught in the prosperity Gospel.  The answer is Jesus!  The reality is found in Christ.

As the world grows darker, we must humble ourselves before the Living God and depend on Him to steer us clear of these two dangers.  Both are places of destruction that millions of believers fall into.  If you are struggling, don't hide from God like Adam and Eve did.  Instead, come running into the arms of God.  Remember these words of our Lord and allow them to soak into your heart and mind, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty...All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.  For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:35, 37-40)

--Russ Sharrock


 
 

Taking Jesus to the Unreached

Darkness is falling as we enter his door.  The little shed is attached to the end of some poverty-

John Kumar

stricken row houses.  With no electricity--a battery light helps us see the cot/bed and two plastic chairs so we don't stumble over them.  No running water--every drop must be carried from the community hand pump.  This is the home of missionary John Kumar.  His life is dedicated to bringing Christ to his people.

John's elderly mother smiles at us from the door of the tiny kitchen.  We sit--Russ on his walker, Alice on a chair, Bihit and John on the bed.  Curious neighbors, drawn by the unusual sight of a car, come crowding through the doorway.

Even more unusual to them is the sight of a white foreigner with titanium legs.  They know John is a Christian and assume we are too.  One woman, her right arm paralyzed by a stroke, asks for prayer from Russ.  His disability strikes a chord in others who are struggling.  Prayer continues for many more who are seeking hope in the darkness.  The doors of hearts are opened that night.  John will have many questions to answer tomorrow, and ears will listen to the Gospel of Christ--the One True God in a land of millions of idols.

John Kumar has already planted two growing congregations, now under their own pastors, in the

Russ & Bihit Praying for Woman

villages of Gunpalli and Gungawada, where Russ was invited to preach.  We met the people, visited their homes, participated in a group baptism, and were invited to dinner in the home of a Hindu family--who were also curious about us.  The Kingdom of God is like leaven, spreading through the whole culture and changing lives.

Asia International Mission is a small organization, and we are continually pushing beyond our age and physical limitations.  And yet, so much more needs to be done!  India has more unreached people groups (2000+) than any other country.  This is why we find local men whom God has called, and equip them to go to their own people.

AIM partners with a group of 25 men who bravely and sacrificially carry the Gospel of Christ to the unreached of Odisha (Orissa) State.  They are led by an energetic young man named Bihit that Russ and I personally support; the others still need financial help.  They often have wives and children to feed--but are away from home for weeks, trekking, preaching, evangelizing, planting house churches, carrying the Good News.  Their lives are constantly at risk.  Life is lived on the edge for Christ.

Odisha (Orissa) is infamous for persecution of Christians.  Our missionary partners experience this every day.  

Here is an excerpt from Bihit's latest January-March Mission Report:

"...our missionaries evangelized more than 187 new villages...God has done marvelous work through us to reach 1236 families who hear the Gospel and acknowledged about Christ.  Before, they do not know who Christ is....in the village of Tadama where people thrown (out) their idol and image of god and goddess...the VHP (Vishpa Hindu Parishad) and Bajarangdal....threaten us strictly not to preach the gospel in that area 'otherwise we will kill you.'  Please pray for us." 

Here in the USA we have just completed a joyful Easter celebration.  Our salvation is secure; we rejoice in our Risen Lord, but what about the millions who know nothing about Him?  Join us--send us--send our partners!

They need your help.  Please help us provide for these national missionaries.  Your monthly gift of

A missionary (Top right) and a family of new believers

$40 will support one man and his family--$1.34 per day to advance the Kingdom of Christ before His return.

(When you sponsor a missionary in Odisha you will receive more personal information that cannot be made public.)

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial support.  God bless you as you bless the nations with His salvation!

--Alice Sharrock

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Fishers of Men

As we walked along the docks in South Asia, I began to pray and reflect on the past season of ministry and the coming one. There, we had our first experience seeing fishermen use nets to bring in a catch from the shore.

As a young boy I had always envisioned being a fisher of men, as someone with a fishing rod, baiting “Come, follow me… and I will make you fishers of men.”

The Docks at Visakhapatnam

the hook to attract a fish and casting his line to wait patiently for a nibble. That was a reflection of my experience fishing. Yet the fishermen Jesus spoke to in His time on Earth cast nets, pulling them back out of the water with an abundance of fish (at least sometimes). In Matthew 4:19 and again in Mark 1:17 Jesus said,

Although it may seem obvious, there is a great deal of difference between line fishing and net fishing. With line fishing you cast and wait, often alone, catching one at a time. But net fishing is a different activity altogether, offering the possibility of a much bigger catch. It even changes the fishermen’s expectations as they approach the water. Net fishermen cast in groups and bring in a net full of fish together, relying upon one another for strength to draw it back in.

The distinction is valuable as we consider the ministry of AIM. We desire to cast the gospel net wide and see large numbers believe in Jesus simultaneously in order to build a church and allow the people to support one another in grace and love. Line fishing is a solitary art, and while it is always appropriate to cast a line out with the Good News, at AIM we deliberately choose to work in teams so that we may help one another draw new believers into God’s fold.

There is a promise in Jesus’ words to His disciples; promises of multiplication (in contrast to addition) as new believers learn to cast their own nets and draw others into the Body of Christ.

Please pray for Asia International Mission as we seek to cast a wide net and allow the Holy Spirit to draw people into it.

--Russ Sharrock  

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He is Risen!

Happy Easter from Russ & Alice Sharrock

During Holy Week, we reflect on the great sacrifice of Jesus and the victory of His resurrection. Join us as we celebrate Christ's sacrifice that unites us with fellow believers around the world.

Please pray for our partners in the ministry in Asia as they share the Good News with their communities

.

All of us at Asia International Mission wish you and your families a blessed and joyous Easter!

"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime."   –Martin Luther

 He Is Risen Indeed!

Tomorrow’s Leaders

Many American Christians support foreign missionaries and mission organizations—Asia International Mission among them.  The expectation is that we go, according to The Great Commission, and bring the gospel to unreached souls.  And we do. 

Russ and I go, often with Mission Teams, and we encourage struggling local ministries, coming alongside them on projects that will open doors for the Gospel.  We do humanitarian work according to your generous partnership, alleviating the suffering and poverty of the people.  We are also “fish bait”, drawing curious crowds of unbelievers to see the strange foreigners—and we preach about the One True God and the saving love of Jesus Christ.  We work hard.  Difficulties and opposition are overcome, and souls are ushered into the kingdom. 

But, as Asia International Mission, we believe there is a more effective way: Send national missionaries and pastors to their own people.  They know the culture, the language, the nuances and the mindset of their neighbors who need Christ.  They are on the field in a fraction of the time it takes an American missionary, to reap a harvest for God’s Kingdom.

A few major problems remain, and this is where we need your help.  When a village man comes to Christ and experiences a call to serve Him, that man often has no schooling.  No Biblical foundation.  He has often grown up with a Hindu or Islamic worldview and must learn to see the world through God’s viewpoint:  One True God instead of millions; a God of mercy, and salvation through Jesus Christ alone.  Many have never owned a Bible.  Most of all, though they have passion and commitment, most have no money to obtain an education.

Russ & Ravi

AIM is always looking to the future, and we have found a solution.  In Hyderabad, India there is a godly pastor with years of experience in training up other men, as well as hosting foreign missionaries and speakers.  His name is Pastor Ravi Sundar.  AIM is partnering with him and his Shalom Bible College.

This venture is taking village men with a true calling to spread the Gospel, and providing them with one year of intensive Bible  training.  Three semesters filled with a basic Bible foundation; Old and New Testament surveys; teaching in the fields of evangelism, scriptural interpretation, eschatology (End Times theology); and other subjects that American Christians take for granted.  They are also given practical training in preaching, church administration, leadership and other useful areas. 

Three full semesters for each student costs $450 including room, board and books.  That is only $50 a month.  The men attend free of charge except for chores/work on campus.  We are asking you to partner with us financially to train these men for God’s Kingdom.  

What do Alumni have to say?  Russ and I met with about twenty of them on our last trip, and it was a varied and fascinating group.  One interesting graduate of Ravi's college is his "bad boy" Udhay Kumar.  He is 26, but looks 18, and deceptively innocent.  Ravi says he often ran away from the campus, sometimes with Ravi’s car… 

Kumar had asthma since the age of 2 and suffered miserably for 8 years.  After being healed at a

Udhay Kumar

gospel meeting, he and his whole family became Christians.  At age 17, Kumar joined in holding gospel meetings, but later felt he needed more training.  That’s when he came to Shalom Bible College.

During his stay in 2009-2010, he and the College were targeted by a radical fundamentalist Hindu group called RSS.  (Their saffron flags currently fly in many nearby neighborhoods, so the hostility is not over.)  They attacked the campus, broke all the lights and threatened them if they didn’t discontinue operations.  

When Kumar and his peers went out to evangelize, the group attempted to assault them, but they made it back to the safety of the walled compound.  Today, Udhay Kumar ministers in K.P. Gudam, about 250km from Hyderabad and about 110km north of  Guntur.  His church is fairly large for a village--55 members.  

He has also begun a fledgling house church in Ramalabanda village with 15 coming for prayer.  But, opposition continues to haunt and discourage him.  A mob came to beat him, and one man threatened to kill him if he held another service there.  Sometimes he is so discouraged he wants to quit, but he says “God is always faithful” and he hasn’t given up.   Please pray for this brave, but uneasy young man.  His life is truly on the line for the Gospel—something Americans have seldom experienced.  

We have seen Ravi Sundar interact with these young men—a combination of fatherly concern, laughter, respect and yet stern discipline.  They tell tales of how he implemented “food cuts”—banning them from meals if they were caught walking around during personal prayer time, or cutting chapel.  If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then the way to his conscience can sometimes take the same route…

We are impressed by the training these men have received, and the fruit that training is producing across Andhra Pradesh.  

AIM is committed to helping national pastors and missionaries reach their own people.  For less than the cost of a wide-screen TV or 90 days of Starbucks coffee, you can equip a man to plant and pastor a new church in an unreached village of India. He will preach the Gospel there for years, evangelizing five surrounding villages on a circuit.  He will raise up new leaders for new churches in those villages and send them back to Shalom Bible College.  Each graduate is expected to plant ten churches in his lifetime.  Even if each church has only 50 members, think of the eternal consequences.  

America is obsessed with the End Times; escalating world problems, climate anomalies, and degradation of morality.  Wars and rumors of wars assault us in the media.  Is Christ returning soon?  The Bible says He will come quickly.  Are we filled with compassion, as Jesus was, for the multitudes of lost souls, sheep without a shepherd?  Or are we bogged down in our own daily lives?

What happens if Christ returns, and these souls have never heard the Gospel?  Let’s DO something!  Help AIM to help these men reach their people by giving to the Timothy Fund Now!   

--Alice Sharrock

    

 

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

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Be sure to 

Veritas

In one of His most controversial statements, Jesus said, “I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life.  No man comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

This means the Way to God is through Jesus, or not at all—an intellectual obstacle to those who cringe at the Deity and exclusivity of Christ.  And it is also counter to the universal belief that if our deeds are “good enough”, God cannot turn us away.  

God Almighty, Lord of the universe, is not a smiling Santa Claus in the sky.  We must come to God on His terms, not ours. His terms are Christ and Christ alone. This Truth prevented many notables such as Gandhi from becoming a believer.  Yet, it is the foundation of our faith. 

“Truth” in Latin is “Veritas”. 

Now turn your focus to Hollywood, USA.  Not the center of truth and morality—yet one of the greatest influences in today’s world.  Millions who never read the Bible eagerly follow the most intimate (and sordid) details of the lives of the stars, today’s gods and goddesses.  Many theological views are subconsciously biased by the deftly woven and distorted tales of films—beliefs about God, the life of Christ, Biblical accounts, angels, and life after death.  

Why has the Christian world surrendered one of the most powerful tools of communication to Satan?  What is anyone doing about it?

Kevin McAfee

One man has committed to changing these facts.  With truth.  We had the honor of meeting with Kevin McAfee last week.  He has spent the last 30 years in Hollywood and the entertainment industry, determined to influence films with truth and integrity.

For millions, Hollywood is the ultimate dream.  The capital of fame and fortune.  The secular solution to immortality.  Kevin went directly from the university to Tinseltown with the ideal of creating quality family entertainment,  but disillusionment came quickly.  His conscience was offended by R-rated films being shot in related corporate sets across the movie lot and so, he left for a season.

The next segment of his journey took him through years as a church Media Minister, then on to filming movies and documentaries that fulfilled his vision.  You may have seen:  “Last Ounce of Courage”, “End of the Spear”, “Beyond the Gates of Splendor”, and other Christian-based films. 

Most of us don’t stay to read film credits, but Kevin was producer/director of all of these and many more.  His accomplishments include years with Disney and Warner Brothers; music productions for Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Carmen and other artists; plus involvement with several other films such as “Twister”, based on our state of Oklahoma and its furious tornadoes.

In January of this year, 2014, Kevin McAfee took a huge leap of faith.  He left his job and salary, and began working full time in his new venture.  His company will produce movies and documentaries for the Kingdom of God. 

True to Kevin’s vision, his company is called “VERITAS MISSION FILM ASSOCIATION”.  Truth.   He will have a brand new website up by next month where people can actually donate online.  As full time writer/director, his films will be based on “Courage, Character and Conviction.”

Aerial Filming over Rwanda

They will tell the stories of persecuted Christians and people groups around the world.  His first “Through the Valley”, was done in Rwanda based on the Tutsi genocide and will be released shortly.  His current documentary will be about the Killing Fields of Cambodia.  He is partnering with Dr. Heng Lim, who made a harrowing escape as a teenager with his mother and siblings, during the height of the genocide.

As background, Cambodia was in upheaval during the Vietnam War.  In 1975, the Khmer Rouge captured the capital city, Phenom Penh, and immediately evacuated all cities.  The people were sent on forced marches to work on rural projects.  Temples, libraries and all Western medicine and influences were destroyed.  Over a million souls were executed.

Khmer Rouge Victims

Out of a population of about 8 million, an estimated 2 million died from the executions, disease and starvation—25% of the nation.  20,000 mass graves became a blotch upon the land.  Skulls and bones of men, women and children are still a mute and ghastly testimony to the four terrible years of Khmer Rouge tyranny.

Kevin McAfee wants to tell their story.  Sometime in the next several months, as God leads, he will revisit the sites of Heng Lim’s ordeal and with Dr. Lim, interview other survivors.  He will take Teams with him for the filming, and to minister to the people around him. 

In talking with him, Kevin’s gentle, yet passionate discussion captivated us.  We are thoroughly impressed with the man, his vision and his integrity.  Kevin plays many roles in creating films, either as the executive producer, producer, director or writer for each movie. Lately he has been doing a lot of directing with Miles Hanon, and uses other film veterans on his teams to ensure the highest professional quality. 
 

Kevin McAfee needs your help and prayers.  First, for the finances; it will take $300,000 to shoot and produce a professional documentary.  The price of an upscale American house—to tell the untold stories of persecution, and impact millions of lives through professionally produced Christian media.  Please pray about our involvement in this venture—as AIM, and personally—and for YOUR contribution to changing the global impact of movies.

Veritas.  Truth.  What the world needs, desperately.  Not just in the abstract, but in the flesh—Jesus Christ. 

Pray with us, and with Kevin McAfee, for the fulfillment of God’s calling and purpose.  For the advance of His Kingdom.  Remember, millions of lost souls are at stake. If you believe the End Times are drawing near, then now is the time to act.  

--Alice Sharrock 

 Be sure to check out Kevin's website HERE.  And please pray about how God would lead you to support this most worthy endeavor.