Here are some photos from the ministry in Basti – a remote village in North India. Read more here.
Sean Ransom – My First Impressions
Sunday I had my first exposure to believers in India at Bethel Church. It reminded me of Filipino churches with its modest facilities and humble members. While the young people sat on the floor, (I think I can say this here – Indian style), us older folks sat on chairs in the back. I enjoyed how they worshipped in song and it caused me to reflect on how some of the “experts” in the U.S. would be frowning on it. Making the case for excellence, these “experts” teach that when worship God we have to have the best. Yet this humble church doesn’t have world-class musicians or the best and costliest instruments as some pastors insist is the correct way to worship in song. They simply had dear, godly people singing from the heart to the best of their ability with what they had. An accordion like squeeze box, an old acoustic guitar, some congas and a few tambourines were accompanied by enthusiastic clapping and their loudest instruments of all…their voices. The music simply accompanied the singing as they worshipped God.
They were receptive and appreciative of my preaching from 2 Cor. 5:15-17, which pastor Suresh Mathews passionately translated. I could tell that he had done this before as we developed a rhythm and moved through the text together. My favorite lessons that I have learned from traveling, teaching and meeting many people in various countries and cultures are that at our core, we are basically the same. We all were made to worship and relate with others, which is hindered by sin. And second, it is not just America and Americans that are God’s country and people, but the whole world is His and He has children in every nation that are His or will be His.
Updates from the On-going Conference in India
from Ryder,
The STN board [STN-India board] had a meaningful five-hour meeting on Saturday the April 6th. They are not only excited about the achievements of STN International’s efforts but expectantly looking forward for graduation next year. There is also a great anticipation for an onward program of teaching BTCP. A new batch of participants in India would be ready for such a program.
On Sunday, my day began at 6 a.m. and ended at 9 p.m. There was six hour road journey (both ways) to reach an interior village. Cattle, cow dung, and dirty roads were the environments while the exuberant believers (30 in number) gathered in a small room where there is no air conditioning. The heat was 95 degrees but not be compared with warmth of fellowship, and worship. The worship songs had no tunes and hardly any music but the voices of people were very loud indicating the worship coming from the depth of their hearts. I ministered the Word and there was the Lord’s Table too.
Following the Sunday service, there was a school building inauguration. J. S., one of our participants, is the owner along with his wife. Both are committed to the Lord with a vision to serve Him in North India. This couple hail from South India but God brought them to North with a special purpose. The inheritance they received from their parents is being used for a school building where Christian witness would be the main thrust. Please pray for them.
Spring Conference Starting Tomorrow
Ryder and Sean have arrived safely and are starting the Bible conference in Lucknow on Monday. Please be in prayer for their ministry.
Ryder writes: “I am so blessed to be here at my son’s apartment. Had five hours good sleep and now getting ready to leave for Lucknow. I will meet Suresh on the flight as providentially he too is travelling by same flight to Lucknow. Please pray for our fellowship and discussions. My day on Saturday is going to be long and hectic. I will be attending a board meeting for the entire day and will follow this with travel for four hours to Basti where several of the participants of our seminars live and worship. I am able to carry few clothes for people in Basti. These are dear believers living in a remote village under difficult circumstances. This group has already started BTCP classes for the church and two men from here visit another state to teach 16 men.Kindly pray for the ministry of the word.”
STN Spring Conferences Planned
by Ryder Kumar
Please keep the upcoming Spring Conferences in India in your prayers. About 40 participants are expected in Lucknow, April 8-12, while 45 are enrolled to attend the conference in Hyderabad, April 14-19.
Recent Bible Conference in Lucknow, India. David Nelson teaches while S. M. translates into Hindi.
The “BTCP Lesson No. 8: Teaching Principles and Methods” course will be taught at both conferences by Sean Ransom, the Dean of The Master’s Academy International, and myself. We will each teach eight sessions at each seminar.
It is exciting that those attending are diligent, God fearing and committed Pastors who will spend several hours each day at class followed by assignments.
The other programs included during our upcoming mission trip to India include a meeting of the board of STN India; the opportunity to visit a remote village on the first Sunday where I will preach and conduct the dedication of a new building at a Christian school; and the opportunity for Sean and I to preach the Word on several occasions, including an assembly of 400 believers before Sean returns to the Philippines.
Rioting in Pakistan
Remember to keep the hundreds of Christians forced from their homes during the recent rioting in Pakistan in your prayers. The country’s harsh blasphemy laws are being used as an excuse by some to justify violence. Please also remember to pray for those perpetrating the violence, so that they might come to a saving knowledge of Christ and know His peace..
Savara Tribe Update: Baptisms, Building and Beauty
Shanthi and Ravi Report on a Field Visit in January of 2013
Day One – Eguva Seedi Church with Pastor S. K.
Our January visit to Srikakulam was a very special one as we were joined by some of the sisters from our Rehoboth church in Hyderabad. After an 18 hour train journey and some time to refresh ourselves, we traveled by Jeep to the interior to visit Eguva Seedi, where members of the church there welcomed us in their traditional way by washing our feet and serving us coconut water to drink.
Shanthi & Ravi arrive at Eguva Seedi
Pastor S. K. ministers to the Savara tribe in the village, about 150 believers, as well as those Savara Christians in surrounding villages. The people there speak Telagu and work mostly in agriculture with the whole area full of cashew nut trees. A very beautiful place in God’s creation!
The church at Eguva Seedi has been under construction for the past three years as the work has been slowed by the difficulty in raising funds. We pray for God’s provision to complete the work.
The church in Eguva Seedi has been under construction for three years.
The believers currently worship in a thatched hut and praise God with music produced on instruments made from bamboo.
Despite lack of a church building, worship continues in a thatched hut.
Day Two – Venkatapuram Village Pastor N.S.
On the second day, we traveled to Paata Barna and stopped for a time to see the church construction at Venkatapuram village. We received a warm welcome there and were very happy to participate in the dedication of the beautiful church there that stands as a testament to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Pastor N. S. led the dedication service, which included several baptisms, and all present expressed their joy and gratitude to the Lord for his gracious blessings.
Ravi speaks at joyful church dedication service.
Maliveeduguda, Kotha Barna, and Eetamanuguda
Following the baptisms, we visited Maliveeduguda, another Savara tribal village, where the church building is also under construction. We then traveled on to Kotha Barna, where we participated in an evening service at their church before driving to Eetamanuguda, where three new converts testified in baptism in a beautiful nearby waterfall and spent some time in prayer.
Ravi and Shanthi participate in an evening service at Kotha Barna.
Baptisms near a waterfall
Ministry in Puligummi
From Eetamanudguda, we left for Puligummi, where we conducted a service for the believers there (IMAGE 7) before returning by train to Hyderabad.
Ravi and Shanthi conduct a service in Eetamanuguda.
Thank you for your faithfulness in continuing to pray and contribute so much to the Lord’s work here. Much remains to be done, but God be praised for all that He has done and promises to do I the future through you!
Lucknow Now!
from Ryder:
Jeff is doing a great job in teaching. Right now he is teaching. The photos show his illustrations. God is using him. He is getting connected to people and food with good adjustments and flexibilities.
[slideshow]
Dehli Sunday
Leaving Hyderabad has not been easy. I had mixed feelings. This is where I was born and spent my first seventeen years and moved with the directions of the Lord. I have thousands of friends but the other places I could visit apart from our study venue and hotel are my dentist and blood pressure doc. I had a great longing to visit a eating place and my the area where I was brought up. But the focus to accomplish what we are here for has been the priority. Please pray that my ‘pending’ desire would be fulfilled one day.
At Delhi I preached for the first time in Delhi Bible Fellowship. It is located in a very poor and backward area of Delhi. The pastor here is form a Hindu background. There were over 100 in the first service and about 250 in the second service. I met a pastor here from Orissa where in the persecution he saw villages burnt, people burnt and a great devastation. He has 172 churches but only 62 pastors and all of them are untrained.
Completion of Hyderabad Conference
From Shanthi
This year’s seminar was unique in the fact that it dealt with Church administration, education, and operational aspects of the local churches. The teaching was very useful to the pastors, as the implementation of these concepts will help in the edification and growth of the churches.
The final day was hectic with three concluding sessions by Bro. Jeff, Bro. Randy and Bro. Ryder in that order. The seminar was concluded with the handing over the next course book No. 8.
All the participants returned to their destinations safely but with a delay of 6-12 hours, as a severe cyclonic storm affected road and rail traffic. We praise God for all His mercies and faithfulness in answering our prayers for the smooth conduct of the seminar.
Ryder Kumar is serving as our International Director. As one of the founding members of Shepherding the Nations, it was Ryder's vision to see pastors trained and equipped for ministry that became the foundation of Shepherding the Nations.
Shepherding the Nations has identified qualified and called men who are already working in unreached areas of India and Nepal. We are providing the training to better equip them and the financial resources to support them in their ministries.
Our directors have been equipped to teach our ten-volume training curriculum. These key men are training indigenous pastors and church planters while also providing accountability, resources materials, and support. 
During our training program, we provide our ten volume set of curriculum from the Biblical Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) in their local language. We also provide essentials resources such as Bible Concordance and Study Bible. We have been able to provide these books to all of our pastors through the generous donations of our donors. These books can be purchased for about $10 each or an entire set for $100.