by Ryder Kumar, International Director, STN.

It is indeed a humbling experience for Flory and I to see answers to prayers of His saints during the recent mission’s trip to India. The ministry of meeting people with a purpose, ministering to the saints with a plan and counselling the needy to see His Word penetrate has begun right from the beginning of our stepping the land of India. The first person to whom we spoke about the Gospel is a taxi driver who is a Hindu and never heard the name of Jesus even once. This happened in Mumbai at 3 a.m. while we were on the way from the International airport. This particular incident and the one on the last day in Hyderabad when I spoke to a Muslim girl who also never heard the name of Jesus even once pointed out to the fact that though millions of dollars are being poured out from the Western World to India, there are people who are yet to hear the Gospel for the first time.

Looking back at the historical seminar held at Bethel Church, Lucknow, we are so grateful to WEC, Canada, and so thankful to the loving initiative of Ken Getty the founding member of Bethel Church who was fondly recognized by Bethel church. The leadership at Bethel also applauded the significant and supportive role of Paul Brown and Randy Leinen, displaying heartfelt thanks in the opening remarks by Suresh Mathew, the senior pastor of Bethel Church.

The whole week (Feb 1st thru7th) spent at the Seminar kept the audience under the topic of Church administration. The biblical exposition saturating the hearts and minds focused during the three sessions a day targetted the topics, “The truth about the Holy Spirit”, “The role of Holy Spirit in an individual and Church”, “Exemplary Church” (part One and Two). These sessions have generated great interest in understanding and motivated to seek what is lacking in the church. There was excitement when the study on the qualifications of Pastor/ Elder was taught. The testimonies of people said that the Lord blessed greatly, giving a wonderful opportunity to learn on the subject of “church”. Participants were led to recognize the lacking in the church in India. One participant suggested that Prayer is the solution to help in the critical situation that is confronted. It was also noticed that ‘Very disgraceful and dishonoring situation’ is prevailing in the churches today.

As the elders, deacons and deaconesses attended the sessions with open hearts, there were convictions and confessions. It was humbling to see people recognizing their failures. Sessions each day began with a time of prayer. In fact the conference began with the prayer on our knees. These 30 participants intently and diligently gave themselves to the seminar, and were soaked with the Scriptures.

In the midst of the conference, there were 20 ladies from Lucknow and surrounding churches that met for a one day seminar learning on the topic of “seasons of life” which were focused on “reverence”, “renewal” and “relaxation” explaining how to live a consistent life with and for God. These ladies were greatly encouraged and exhorted. Among the group were ladies who never had an opportunity to attend and be under such teachings. Flory taught in these sessions with some good interactions that developed into relationships and connections. Tears and emotions in the group were signs of these connections.

There was a great sense of God’s presence, leading and protection during the seminar. Answers to the prayers of many dear saints were felt powerfully. The Lord undertook for weather that was very pleasant throughout the week. Bright sunshine constantly reminded us of California’s weather. There were no health issues. All praise and honor and glory to God!

I am so thankful for the opportunity given by God, and for His people who have entrusted this teaching ministry to us. I feel a great fulfillment as the church here in Lucknow appears to be brought on a direction to march forward with decisions in hand to implement. There was unanimity and oneness among the management and church board. Bro. Suresh Mathews who has coordinated the whole seminar did an excellent job in organizing each day’s schedule, providing good food and lodgings for the participants. From time to time He exhorted the participants to respond to God’s promptings. He needs prayers as he confronts many challenges with very critical decisions to make.

Followed by the seminar at Lucknow that ended on the afternoon of Friday, there was a crucial meeting with one of the staff of Bethel on Saturday morning. Meetings like this with individuals kept us occupied until the end of our time. We needed to proceed to Hyderabad the same day as there was an appointment to preach two messages on Sunday. The crowd that numbered between 300 to 400 was spellbound as they listened to the Word. There about twenty decisions for the Lord.

We were able to hold a brief STN board meeting one morning and also meet the Kalapalas.

Accomplishments during this brief trip are certainly an answer to prayers of His people. The ministry is not over. A whole new venue is opened. I have talked to several leaders of Bethel Church since I came back. There are challenges and so prayers are coveted. Pray that those in the leadership that should step down would do so very soon. A full time pastor needs to be appointed. Leadership in STN India needs to be rejuvenated.

by Ryder Kumar, STN International Director

Flory & I have been invited by Bethel Church in Lucknow, India to participate in a conference during Feb/March 2014. I (Ryder) will teach on Church administration, and Flory will teach at the ladies conference.

Over the years, STN International not only held Seminars at the Bethel church but also had many opportunities of ministering the Word and shepherding the believers. The local believers in the church were profoundly impacted by the ministry of STN.

My previous relationship with Bethel (being in the pastoral role for 17 years) and the present involvement through STN brought a beautiful partnership with this ministry opportunity that would focus on:

• Ladies conference for about 40 ladies. Please pray for Flory as she ministers.
• Teaching on Church administration to the main leadership of the church.
• Waiting on God for directions and implementing specific plans.
• Meeting of the elders, deacons, deaconesses, management board and staff.

We do praise God for Bethel Church and the key role they have been playing in building up of His Church in India.

The main founding members of Bethel Church are Ken Getty and his wife Racille. Ken is the former India and Canada Director of Worldwide Evangelization Crusade. He is planning on supporting this trip with prayer, counsel and finances. Over the decades, the Getty’s have been actively involved in the ministry of Bethel Church and supportive of STN International ministry. Our partnership with Ken and Racille Getty is greatly encouraging.

It is with deep gratitude to God that we are making plans for a huge celebration next year in India. After nearly six years of training conferences, STN will hold its first GRADUATION CEREMONY for the men who have completed the 10-book curriculum from “Bible Training Centre for Pastors” (www.BTCP.com). In November 2014 we will hold our final training conferences in Hyderabad and Lucknow, India, and conclude each week with the graduation. Although we are not conferring a degree, the men are very excited to get a graduation certificate. We are also inviting their wives to come with them to celebrate the accomplishment and join in as we give praise to God. During the week we will offer special training for the women while the men study Book #10 – “Missions, Evangelism, and Discipleship.”

Christmas Fundraising Efforts

The Women’s Ministry at The Bridge Bible Fellowship wanted to do a special fundraiser to help pay for the cost of the wives attending the final conference. They wrote a special Christmas poem that communicated the Gospel of Jesus Christ and put it in a gift box with several candies that are included in the message of the poem. These boxes were sold for $10 each with all profits going to STN. To date over $1,300 has been raised through these gift boxes.

Please Pray

Please pray for us as we finalize plans for the graduation ceremonies. Current plans include special music by Diane Brown and Abraham Kumar, testimonies by the students, challenging messages from STN leaders, and graduation certificates & gifts for the men. Leaders of Christian Ministries in India will be invited to come celebrate with us and learn more about what STN is doing in India and Nepal.

The costs will be higher this time than for previous conferences (more people going from the U.S., cost of the Pastors’ wives coming to the conferences, and graduation costs). If you would like to make a donation toward these costs please write “Graduation” on the memo.

Come and See!

If you would like to go with us for the final training conferences and graduation ceremonies please let us know. You could come for a portion of the time or the entire time. But be warned that your heart will forever be changed by what you see and experience.

Thank you for your vital part in this ministry over the past six years.

God has answered your prayers and used your donations in ways we will not fully understand this side of Heaven.

• Pastors have been trained,
• churches have been planted and strengthened,
• multitudes have heard the Gospel,
• unreached villages have been reached,
• and a large number of people have come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

And this is only the beginning!

These men will reach & train up others who will reach & train up others who will make disciples of nations (2 Tim. 2:2; Mt. 28:18-20). Some of the men are already training other Pastors and church leaders using the BTCP materials and we look forward to helping them continue this for years to come. To God be the glory great things He has done!

Recent developments in medical science have given people the hope that they will live longer, healthier lives. Unfortunately, no matter how long and how healthy our lives turn out to be, we will all ultimately die. Last week Emmy Award winning actor James Gandolfini died at the age of 51. Whitney Houston, Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, Michael Jackson, and Abraham Lincoln all died relatively young. Other famous people (Betty White, Bob Hope) live to be 90 or older. The key to life is not its length but its depth. It’s not how many days we live, but how we live our days.

Consider the last words of some famous people just before they died: Winston Churchill said, “I’m bored with it all.” Queen Elizabeth I announced, “All my possessions for a moment of time.” By contrast, John Quincy Adams testified, “This is the last of earth! I am content.”

Louis XIV, King of France, asked onlookers, “Why do you weep? Did you think I was immortal?” Actually, we are. We will each spend eternity in heaven or in hell—the choice is ours.

At STN we are laboring to be obedient to the Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20). Since none of us knows how many days we have left we are laboring to fully train men who will fully train men who will fully train men long after we are gone (2 Tim. 2:2). We know it’s not the length but the depth! That is why we are investing in the lives and ministries of church-planting pastors in India & Nepal. We have about 80 men who will graduate from our 5-year training program in March 2014. They are already active in full-time ministry but more than half of them still need financial support to be freed up to reach more people with the Gospel and plant more healthy churches. For $2 per day you could support one of these men so they can take the Gospel to unreached people.

Now that the training of these men is almost completed, STN is at a crossroads. We are getting requests from all over India & Nepal to train hundreds of other men. The STN International Board will be meeting on Saturday, July 6th to seek the Lord regarding the future of our ministry and where to invest our time and resources. Thank you for praying for the men who have been in training. Thank you for praying for each of the training conferences. Thank you for praying for the leadership of STN India. Thank you for praying for the leadership of STN International. Thank you for praying for God to abundantly supply the resources needed to equip and support more men. There is a combined population of 1.3 billion people in India & Nepal and most of them do not know our Savior. It is a privilege to work with you to reach them. It’s not how many days we live, but how we live our days. Thank you for living yours for eternity!