By Pastor Marc Boeker

    “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth…that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” – John 17:19,20 (NASB)

This spring, a momentous event for Shepherding the Nations – India (STN India) went down in the history books. On May 17-18, 2024, STN hosted its first virtual conference for pastors and leaders across India, Nepal, and Myanmar.

Ryder Kumar, International Director, was looking for a way to provide further training to graduates in the BTCP program (Bible Training Center for Pastors). A conference would provide an excellent platform to include crucial church topics for further growth and development of the indigenous churches. Out of this desire, the PENIEL Conference was born.

Persuading to Equip and Nurture Indigenous Evangelical Leaders

Months before the conference, STN began working on visas to bring several Indian pastors to The Bridge Bible Fellowship in Reseda, California for in-person training. With much prayer, invitations were sent requesting these men to be allowed to come to the United States for an intensive time of discipleship. Their presence at The Bridge would have been both an encouragement to them as well as to their brothers and sisters in Christ who have been supporting the work in India for over 15 years. Paperwork was completed. Consulate visits were made. And they waited. And waited. And waited…

Even through waiting, one can now see God was preparing the way for a change of plans – a change of venue, a change of schedule, and a change of participants – all changes which ultimately led to an unexpected exponential increase in the number of pastors and leaders who could benefit and participate in the training. God has told his followers in times past, “the heart of man plans his way, but Yahweh directs his steps” (Psalm 16:9). The STN board’s plans were laid out, but God’s sovereign direction was needed to go beyond what was currently envisioned and provide training into homes and locations that far exceeded the STN board’s initial expectations.

While Zoom fatigue was a real thing for many during COVID, the advances in video conferencing technology that it provided have been a huge help to proclaim the truth of God’s word. In places seemingly impossible to visit, we can now sit “face-to-face” and interact on a much more personal level. For many purposes, virtual meetings can provide an opportunity for equipping the saints where an in-person meeting is out of reach for the attendees or threatens the existence of the church.

Enter PENIEL Virtual. Paul Brown, Senior Pastor of The Bridge and founding STN member was eager for this conference to continue, but with only three (3) of the original invitees able to get visas to US, the plans had to change. Moving to a virtual platform could provide the desired training along with an expanded reach inherent to a virtual conference. Excitement began to build as plans fell into place for the restructured virtual conference.

As Ryder invited church leaders from across the country one of his desires was to expand the reach of STN and the BTCP program. Many of the groups he contacted are well-educated, mature, and sacrificially serving which could serve to enhance the ministry of STN. All of the participants were encouraged to connect more closely to STN as they applied what they were taught in the conference.

By God’s grace, the gathering together of over 60 men across four countries became a reality on May 17-18. Due to the 12.5-hour difference in time zones, India experienced the conference over two days, while in the US we began welcoming guests at 5:00 AM on Friday and said our final goodbye near 11:00 PM.

In India, the conference began in the evening where three sessions were presented, each followed by a Q&A time with the participants. Randy Leinen, Executive Pastor of The Bridge began the conference with a session on transformation groups. These are small groups of 3-5 participants that provide a strong focus on bible study, accountability, evangelism, and prayer. Pastor Joe Leinen followed this by talking on the importance of small groups in the local church. Both of these ideas are somewhat foreign concepts in the Indian church. The evening concluded with a challenge toward church planting from Patrick Carmichael, Senior Pastor of Christ Bible Church.

After a night of rest, Saturday morning in India saw the pastors once again start logging in and talking together as they eagerly anticipated the final three sessions. Mike Vos, ACBC Certified Biblical Counselor, began the day with an introduction to Biblical Counseling. Thinking about what the Bible has to say about life’s problems was a solid start to the day, followed by many questions from the men. Pastor Paul completed the conference as he taught the two final sessions on Conflict Resolution and Leadership Development.

What joy it was meeting with these beloved men – leaders and teachers – eager to grow in their knowledge of the Lord and strengthen the local churches across Asia. Through God’s Spirit, we were not only friends but also brothers caring for one another as we toil for the Lord and his Church. This is the very mission of STN. God, in his sovereignty, took our humble plans for a conference to become a jumping-off point for future opportunities to provide solid biblical training and church development across Asia as he continues to unite His family around the globe.

This mission trip was very different from others. The entire time that we were in India (March 3 – 17), our schedule was jam-packed. Everywhere we went, we saw God’s wonderful accomplishments. Each day, our faith and hope were focused on not missing the next great things God would do!

Training with the Word Partners:

For two years, the leadership resource staff of Word Partners worked with these dedicated and committed pastors from North and South India to complete intensive training on expository preaching. Each was equipped with five books (four were from the Bible), so that these leaders would become skilled, faithful ministers to diligently teach the Word in their local churches. It also provided great opportunities for the Shepherding The Nations (STN) Directors and faculty groups to sharpen their own teaching skills. An extra blessing is that Word Partners is having some of the study material translated and printed in Telugu. 

These intensive training seminars are held twice a year. Recently, a few leaders demonstrated outstanding skill development and were chosen to lead various sessions with the whole group. Two of them were our STN directors and three were from the STN faculty. (see photo above)

The Power of Sunday’s Routines:

For the past 19 years, STN International has played a vital role in the local churches, developing strong spiritual relationships within each church. These relationships provided opportunities to encourage, admonish, and minister more effectively to the saints. STN’s close ministry association with the local churches (now 57) has led to increased prayer and financial support. Some churches have even volunteered to host our study groups by offering their facilities and providing meals.

God Brings Strength in Unity:

God has united so many Pastors and churches. Pastor J. has been to El Shaddai church three times where Pastor P. G. is the shepherd. Pastor A. has been to Agape Prayer House in Hyderabad to support their Pastor, Bro. P., who is an accomplished civil engineer, an STN graduate, and a participant of Word Partners. 

I personally had the privilege of visiting Bro. A.’s assembly (congregation of 500) in Sangareddy, to minister the Word by delivering three messages and spending time together around the Lord’s Table. 

On the second Sunday of the trip, I was with a church in Vijayawada with seven hundred people. Preaching two messages and spending time with these saints has been a real blessing. 

“…there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11 28

Teacher Training Workshop:

Seven key leaders from Nepal, North, and South India were selected to undergo the Teacher Training Workshop with CCI (Crossing Cultures, International). Praise God for the facility and lunch provided by Agape Church. One of the leaders, S., a theology graduate and a native of Odisha started teaching. This was such a blessing as we now have a person who knows the Oriya language. Brother N. in Nepal is another person who started teaching under J.S. After a brief training, N. will begin teaching on his own in different parts of Nepal. N. is a graduate of STN’s 2022 class. The great news is STN has expanded into different parts of Nepal with several classes. 

Administrative Issues:

Now, in 2023, our waiting period is over, and soon we are eligible to apply for our Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) status. Consultations and discussions have continued between V., our STN CPA, and me. We are now including J.S. on the team. J.S. is our treasurer on the STN board while V. takes care of the FCRA. He needs to understand the process, the functioning, and other implications. 

STN’s India Board Meeting:

Conducting regular meetings of the board is a government requirement. The board meeting in March 2023 was important as we discussed certain changes in the board and issues regarding the FCRA. While a couple of board members exited, one new couple was added. We welcome Bro. P. and his wife S. to the STN board. The board proceedings are recorded for the STN office and to comply with government regulations. 

Planting Churches:

Congratulations to two couples who graduated from STN in November 2022. A. & H., and N. & D. are now actively involved in church planting. I had the privilege of spending a few hours with them to encourage, fellowship, and record their stories. Do they have church buildings? The answer is NO. Are they supported by any organization? Again, the answer is NO. Being in remote areas where there is not a good economic structure, pastors often go through struggles. These limitations did not stop them from serving the Lord. By faith, they launched out! I witnessed their zeal, enthusiasm, and burden for perishing souls. These qualities will keep them pressing on with perseverance. Keep them in your prayers so that God will use them effectively for His service! 

Going to your hometown and not visiting family:

Short term mission trips have always been busy times. I have rarely visited the homes of any of my family. Without complaining, but with great understanding, my sisters, nieces, nephews, and in-laws would attend the churches where I was preaching and meet me after the service just so we could have some time together as family. It was on one such occasion that I saw my younger sister, her son, her daughter, her grandkids, and my nephew with his wife. It was such a good time of fellowship together as a family!

by STN International Director, Ryder Kumar (SE Asia)

“There is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.”
2 Corinthians 11:28.

The STN organization was born in a local church.

Most of the International board members are either pastors or elders and their wives. Others on the board are significantly involved in the ministries of the local church. I delight in talking about these facts as the Lord has put on our hearts to focus on local churches right from the inception of Shepherding the Nations.

About 18 years ago, even before STN was established, when we first launched out into India, we had about half a dozen assemblies (churches) in India with whom we were closely associated and ministered. The Lord increased the number; today, STN is partnering with about 60 churches in various parts of India and Nepal. On the left, we have Pastor Suresh with his wife, Mercy. Our team worked for several years with this church in North India.

While we labored in North India, we also had a great opening in South India. Left is a picture of a local church on the left where Pastor Ravi Rathan Kumar, along with one of his elders named Timothy, participated in the study courses of STN and graduated.

Everywhere STN has operated, we have worked with local churches. In Nepal, the Lord led our regional director, Jose Simon, to work with local churches.

A Pastor from Nepal says,

“I could learn how to stop the wrong teachings from spreading in our area. I learned what true gospel is and how to keep a church record. Through church history, I could learn to avoid the faults of the previous generation.”
-Dil Bahadur Dharti

In one of the growing assemblies (church) in a remote location in South India, we have a dear brother who resigned from his lucrative bank job to be a pastor of his church.

Having no biblical training, he not only joined our study program but also provided the use of the church facilities and food to all the participants from the beginning to the end of the program. He graduated and continued to serve the Lord at the same location. (Photo on left.)

India has a population of 1.3 billion and will have the largest population in the world by 2023.

We look forward to tens of thousands who will be trained and equipped to catch the vision. We came in contact with one senior pastor who came into the grip of this vision. Brother Paul Chepa, a senior pastor, says, “STN has been pivotal in planting and establishing new local churches in remote and tribal villages of Andhra Pradesh. I can proudly say that STN training shaped, equipped, and prepared the ministers for effective and healthy churches. I found a mentor in Ryder, International Director, who personally prays, speaks, guides, encourages, and challenges with daily devotions and different biographies and his testimonies. We are always indebted to the STN ministries for blessing us with training”.

Is the Church in India growing? Yes!

• New churches are planted.
• The Word is preached.
• STN stepped into these nations with God’s provision, enabling us to serve His people.
• There are many needs to be met, and this can’t be done without the partnership of churches with a vision for Missions!

1 Corinthians 16:9 – “For a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

The STN training and equipping is not limited to study programs. The International team that goes to India has been involved in counseling to resolve conflicts in interpersonal relationships. The leaders’ relationships in the local churches were restored.

One of the blessings has been to be an example to the local churches in keeping New Testament practices. On the right, we have prayed over those baptized by laying on of hands. On the left, we have a photo of a child’s dedication. This attests to the teaching that we do dedication but not child baptism.

We do praise God for the local churches that are partnering with STN. Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

by STN International Director, Ryder Kumar

We praise God that he is raising up faithful prayer partners who also give sacrificially. This includes US local churches and individual believers that support the ministry of Shepherding the Nations. I know of a dear lady from the church where I pastored for 15 years. She has been retired for many years but is so committed to giving that even with her limited resources she keeps giving to the mission work of STN. Another brother from a Wichita church retired from his job many years ago, but out of his limited resources is committed to give to the ministries of STN sacrificially.

Even during the times of Covid lockdown, the giving of our donors enabled our regional directors in India to receive their monthly financial support. Each of our 1000 participants receive the set of 10 books in the curriculum, each costing $10. These participants could not afford to buy these books without your donations.

Not a single day goes by when I don’t thank the Lord for His saints’ giving! Here is a real story to tell how your giving enabled us to start a new class in an “H”* populated location which has been hostile to the Gospel for decades!

Praying for 20 years!

“This church has been praying for twenty years to have the course introduced by STN regional director, “P,”* said Bro. “S,” the local church’s pastor in “B” town. His local church, with about 150 believers, has opened the doors for STN training classes. The group of people in this local church also ministers in eight other churches in 15 surrounding villages. However, none of these believers, including the pastor, have formal training to teach God’s Word. “P” introduced the study program of STN. The church believes that this systematic study and equipping program was an answer to their prayers!

“P,” our regional director, launched STN training into this new area through the local church as is his practice. Incessant rains didn’t force him to cancel his schedule, but he sent a prayer request to several people. The Lord answered and stopped the rains!

This is not only a new class for STN, but a new state in India for STN. For these 36 new participants, this STN training will be a turning point in their pilgrimage to study the Word systematically and dive into reformed theology. While 32 new participants registered, 36 attended. The four extra people who attended couldn’t resist their hunger to study the Word, and for “P,” it became irresistible to stop them from attending the class.

A local Christian school provided facilities to hold our classes. This helps our ministry continue to be  cost-effective for our students. Usually each class takes about 2 ½ years to complete the 10-book curriculum. Shepherding the Nations’ goal is to provide these classes in remote villages where most of the population live.  This method is working to reach thousands of participants who live in unreached areas.

• STN ministry’s presence in already reaching several states of India and Nepal. Please pray to that we may launch into eight new states where there is a need.
• Pray for about 1000 participants in several states of India and Nepal who are currently being equipped to be the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, spreading the message of peace in personal lives, families, and societies.
• Please pray that graduates of 2015 (67), 2019 (199), and 2021 (127) would multiply by taking His Word further to those who need this training.
• Pray for the graduations scheduled in November 2022 as Paul Brown addresses over 450 graduates via Zoom. Pray that these graduates may consecrate themselves to plant new churches, establish new study centers and multiply the impact of solid Bible teaching into local churches.

New class in Orissa

STN is also working in this state in a new location where a new class has begun. “S” is a small town in the Orissa state of North India, one of the most backward areas on earth. It is populated predominantly by a tribal society that has responded to the Gospel in the last century. The church’s growth is limited chiefly to family expansion due to the lack of proper guidance and training.

In this town in 2022 STN has registered 16 pastors and leaders in our training classes to equip them with the systematic study of the Word. The group gathers every month for two days for study and training. “J”, STN’s regional director for North India and Nepal, spends 9 to 10 hours each day teaching, answering questions, and leading the students in discussions. He has such a heart for people to reach these unreached areas!

*Names of people and places have been abbreviated for security.

As the world is in the grip of crises, India is no exemption.

We have no choice but to confront it! Our STN staff has encountered with new challenges! Before this crisis cropped up, our faculty and regional directors were well equipped with the knowledge of His Word not to stand still but be still before Him to know how to address this horrible CRY of His servants.

Launching out with services of care and compassion

Pastor D., one of our first STN graduates in 2014, stepped out to serve the pastors who are being trained by him in his area.

These five students of BTCP, having no food or finances, were facing tragedy. Pastor D., who is pastoring the first STN church plant, took up the challenge with food. He provided grain and groceries for these needy families.

J.S., our Regional Director of North and Nepal, reports,

“Pr. A is an active student in BTCP Sitapur, UP group. He is from H background. His family is the only unit which believed in Jesus from his joint family ten years ago. His parents turned him and his family out of home empty handed as a punishment for becoming a Christian. Only income he receives is from the offerings and gifts offered by the believers on Sunday during worship and at other meetings. As the restrictions for gatherings started even before the lockdown, he ran out of money. The North Indian faculty, especially Br. D.C. took care of him and arranged for his needs.”

P., Regional Director, along with his wife, Deborah, volunteered to visit a pastor’s family sensing that there is no food at their home.

Bringing the rice bag from their house, this couple expressed their love to provide for this needy pastor’s family. They serve with a local church, pastoring an independent church near dump yard among rag pickers. When this need was talked over with the local pastor, he too contributed to give 20 Kg’s of rice. The family that received has been a example of sharing compassion with others.

Is giving needed food deviating for STN from our focus of teaching and equipping ministry?

No, but it is a ministry of compassion and care, learned from scripture. Pastor I.K. and his wife U. launched out along with his people to distribute with 125 food packets. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the meal distributed was a last meal to someone!

Here is what V.K., our regional director says: “Feeding the hunger became the desire of our hearts as we begin to observe the need. The lockdown brought unprecedented misery to our pastors who are undergoing our study programs. As we saw that there are no groceries left in the kitchen and no rice to cook even for a meal in pastors’ homes. I discovered that several pastors have no food. My wife and I were moved in our hearts to send a love gift of Rupees 8000 to six pastors. It was heart wrenching experience to hear the testimonies of these pastors. One pastor, Pastor M., shared how the amount was helpful to buy his regular diabetic medicines and some groceries.  Another Pastor J. who lives in the mountain area had a little amount that helped him, his wife, child, and an aged mother to eat just rice (having nothing else with it). But this money now sent is helpful. Pastor K. who is working in ‘A’ area was able to buy rice and groceries that will take them through for 15 days.”

Ladies get to listen God’s word online.

While all along Flory was ministering the Word at different locations and in local churches, it has been a great opportunity not to stop this due to lockdown but do it online. Those interested, please log on to hear by subscribing to El Shaddai Prayer House and type Flory Kumar. Before the unprecedented lockdown, Flory had been to several areas to minister the Word where the ladies didn’t know reading and writing. Today, these ladies are starving for the Word – having no online technology in their areas.

Launching out to contact in the field

Our regional directors and faculty are instructed to contact BTCP groups, leaders and participants located in rural areas.

V.K. was able to contact five Pastors from each training class and interact with them about their training class and understand their doubts and clarify certain issues. P. was able to stay in contact with his two faculty who would further keep in contact with the BTCP study groups.

J.S. says, “Some of the students were contacted over phone, email and social media to encourage them to be diligent in the systematic Bible study. Giving a feedback, one of the students from Kanpur, UP told that it is very interesting to study Bible by finding answers for the six questions of observation. He claims to understand the message of the passage which he studies. Previously ‘everything was vague and confusing while reading the Bible’. Now he is able to understand portions after portions of the Bible. Pr S.R. and P.R. of BTCP Sudha, Nepal Border is getting sufficient time during the lock down to practice what they studied from the Course #1 of BTCP. According to our faculty Br. D.C., both of them are ‘very seriously engaged in the study of Bible based on Course #1’.

Bro R. from Dumka BTCP, Jharkhand confessed that previously he considered the ‘yelling’ of the senior pastors as the Word of God. Bro F. of the same group also gave a similar feedback. They told that they also followed the same pattern of preaching in the local churches. They confessed that even after many years of ‘powerful preaching’ there is desperate decline in the church attendance. But now they are beginning to understand how the real Word of God should be studied and obeyed. They are want to preach the real Gospel in their fellowships.”

Work from home includes: J.S. was able to prepare 38 prayer partner list. V.K. prepared prayer list of 429. 

Learning During Lockdown

Lockdown is a personal benefit says, J.S., “Lock down helped me to study a lot, from Bible and other books and to pray which were becoming very rare in my life. I also could communicate with many of my Christian contacts during this time of lock down to introduce the ministry of STN.”

Prayer Requests:

• Ryder Kumar will be ministering again online on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.
• Please pray for all the families of our Faculty and Esther Admin Assistant to International Director.
• Pray for the safety of STN International Board living in the US as the country is most effected. For God’s wisdom as the board meets and makes important decisions.
• STN India does planning to reschedule classes in several places from April 15th onwards.
• For the comfort of the K. family whose father has been called to glory.
• Pastors who are struggling to survive during these days of calamity.
• Churches in rural areas that are unable to have online services.
• LRI program that is scheduled to begin in June 2020.
• Wisdom of God to the regional directors serving with the faculty, pastors and participants.