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COVID-19 Creates Crisis in India

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Romans 8:37 “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us”.

crowds migrate in IndiaCry for the Word: A Pastor called me little while ago from North India where several hundreds gather for the church services saying, many in the surrounding  villages being in the lock-up,  are calling him to say how much they are starving for the Word as they are illiterate and cant read.

Cry to God: Our regional director from Vijayawada, V.K. said their church announced a 12-hour of chain prayer for March 28, 2020.

Conducting regular services: El Shaddai is conducting regular services on line. For the very first time, last week I spoke online for the church’s Bible study. I will continue the following Tuesdays. One sr. Pastor from Vijayanagar said, “By the grace of God we are safe. Locked down for a while and we are shut in as a whole family. As a family we are able to spend more time in prayer, praying for you too. BTCP classes are suspended.”

Continue to care: J.S., our regional director in the North and Nepal and also a local church pastor, had their worship service Saturday evening prior to the beginning of lock out.

Concern for the faculty: Without needing to ask the STN International Board, STN India was able to raise some financial support for three of our faculty. One Pastor who is also our faculty, said two days ago, “I don’t know how to feed my family, having no money at home.” Another faculty who was taking off from work in order to teach BTCP classes was laid off. Despite this critical time, he and his wife called me last night to say, “We are so thankful for timely provision. We were able to get our groceries having received 3000 rupees (About $40 US) and we cooked food…. No we haven’t had our dinner yet….”.

Caring for the needs: P., our regional director, responded by giving toward this emergency. I.K. our regional director said, “my wife, U. is willing to contribute too…..”

Comply with the requirements: No, it has not been a comfort zone to be locked in. Concerns, caring, and coordinating the emerging tasks have kept us to serve His people.

Multiplying in Obedience to the Mandate of the LORD

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by Ryder Kumar, International Director STN.

In accordance with the Scriptural mandate given in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The main focus of STN has been to magnify the LORD by seeing the local churches become healthy through the preaching and teaching of the Word. 2 Corinthians 2:17, “For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”

National Conference for Expository Preachers

Observing the desperate need of the local churches in the regions, our hearts were moved to hold a gathering called, “National Conference for Expository Preachers.” About 200 were selected to attend our National Conference for Expository Preachers during October, 2019. Testimonies of the participants were staggering in many ways. One pastor said, “Not a single eye was without tears at the end of the last session.” Another young pastor said, “this is the first time I heard such marvelous teaching.” Yet another from our faculty, soon after the last session – literally crying – fell on my shoulder expressing the way he was blessed and motivated. Two pastors who were leaders of the application sessions have decided to have an on-going ministry of helping each other to prepare expository preaching. Everyone present at the three-day seminar was glued to the speakers. All who attended received in abundance.

The Team of Speakers

Paul Brown, Randy Leinen, and David Hegg taught with a practical and relevant approach to the culture. Paul with his passionate tone and tears ministered to people as he began and closed the conference. The enlightenment from the teaching, guidance and training received through the Word to proclaim the Word has made the participants to be blessed in heart and mind as they left the conference rejoicing.

As he has in prior trips, Paul Brown had a multi-task ministry. He not only taught NCEP sessions every day, he also preached in the evenings in a local church and three times at Sunday service. His wife, Diane, ministered through her melodious voice. What a moment of blessing it was! Added to these significant activates, many came to Paul requesting prayer.

Randy Leinen with his ‘gift of giving’ did it again! He brought MacArthur Study Bibles that were so much appreciated by several pastors who received them individually. With all his admin skills, he provided dynamic service in guiding the STN India ministry. Along with these involvements, his passionate teaching every day during the sessions transported blessings form God in abundant fruitfulness. One example is new groups in “WhatsApp” have been created to help/teach/develop one another. His zealous preaching at evening services and on Sunday have developed a relationship in a new church giving us a new task of follow up. We are so grateful to the Lord for keeping Randy and his wife Susan in our midst as a great impact in the lives.
The board with 20 brothers and sisters met together several times since 2017 to pray and plan for NCEP. God answered prayers and rewarded the labors. God provided for our needs, including the venue, weather, administration, unity and above all abundant fruitfulness. Joy, excitement, enriching experiences, fellowship and to focus on multiplying is echoing in all our hearts! Would you please continue to pray.

Multiplication

Let me begin with a testimony of J. S., our newly appointed Regional Director for North India and Nepal. He says,

“A. M. of Kanpur (North India) was a participant of NCEP 2019. He attended the conference along with his newly wedded wife L.M. She participated in the Ladies Conference that went on in the same venue simultaneously. The teachings in these conferences made such a strong impact in both lives that they have committed to learning and teaching the pure Word of God to others.”

Not keeping the blessing to themselves, this young couple poured out their burden before A.M.’s brother from a different state that has desperate need. His brother plans to organize a BTCP group with 18 to 20 participants. The story goes on and on, as more doors are being opened; this is happening in the heart belt of North India where the “H” community is thickly populated.

A similar testimony from V.H., our director, soon after his appointment in South India launched into ministry and says,

“On 25th November we have conducted STN Training Orientation Class in G. Village. 35 pastors, leaders and pastor’s wives have attended. I invited graduates to share their blessings of this training.  I shared about STN’s vision and how it has grown.”

Graduation of 249 in South and North India

Presently we have 11 on-going training centers with anticipation to see another 39 centers during 2019-20. The presence of STN is felt in six different states of the country while groups in about 20 states are still waiting for us to launch out into their states. 249 graduated in October from various centers of North, Central and South India.

Nepal Outreach

Six congregations in Nepal have been established through a simple witness, prayers and love from one couple who got trained by STN.

BTCP courses are taught in two different areas in this country. There is a desperate need to see financial support for our brothers who are laboring to meet the needs of these congregations. To reach these areas we go through the mountains and cross water and mud. But it is worth it to minister to groups that are waiting to be fed, who are both hungry and sacrificial.

Please Pray

  • Significant growth over the years and multiplying of groups has brought greater tasks of administration. New regional directors have been appointed by laying on hands by the elders. We are anticipating 500 to be undergoing our training. Our goal in 2020 is to see 50 areas of ministry including existing 11 centers.
  • Pastors in Nepal need financial assistance.
  • Travel to remote villages has always been a challenge.  One of our graduates of P. village lives on the hills had to walk for two
    hours to get public transport that takes another two hours. He has never failed to be on time.
  • Goals and targets for 2020 are very high. Without His enabling we cannot proceed in this training and equipping of several hundreds in many remote villages and towns.

Another Momentous Blessing for STN Southeast Asia: Regional Directors!

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By Ryder Kumar, STN International Director

North India Regional Director

What can we call *J.S.? Cobra Killer? Principal of a school of 300 kids? Missionary in one of the most remote areas of Northern India? Ten-year faculty member serving STN India?

While all these are absolutely true ‘titles,’ so to speak, J.S. joined our first batch of equipping and training students in Lucknow and graduated, and was so motivated by the teaching and dedication of the visiting U.S. ministry team that he couldn’t wait to start his ministry of sharing the Good News of the Gospel in some of the remotest areas of India.

His reliance on the Lord in facing the difficult journeys and daunting challenges he has faced every day of his ministry has been an encouragement to all of us over the past several years.

Along with his wife, L.S., son (21), daughter, J.S.(16) is determined to live in the village where he bought a piece of land with his income that he received from the sale of his property in Kerala. Different kinds of venomous snakes, including deadly cobras, menace the area. Surrounding communities worship the cobra and won’t kill them out of fear, but call for J.S. to kill them if they become a danger.

Along with dangerous areas in Odisha, J.S. has dared to go as far as Jharkhand, Bihar and Nepal, in addition to his teaching in his own village in Uttar Pradesh.

Flory and I are humbled and honored to have this brother help STN India and Nepal as its Regional Director starting next month. Many thanks to the international team for recognizing his dedication and approving him for the task.

Central India Regional Director

central india The Lord is amazing in the ways of how He brought people to the Lord’s work who share a oneness of mind and are willing to focus on the vision God has given STN International.

E.Z., our good friend from Dallas Theological Seminary who is serving in Dubai, met P. who was, at the same time, working with the Bible Society in Dubai, but resigned his post to return to India to serve the Lord. P. and his wife, D., a Professor of English, have two daughters, 21, and 20, and would visit our home regularly to participate in our weekly STN prayer meetings.

Flory’s meetings with D., such as at the ladies’ seminar, created a strong bond, while observing the vision and burden of P. led us to accept him as an STN Regional Director in Hyderabad.

P. has studied theology in seminary and has joined me on several journeys I’ve taken to teach BTCP orientation classes. That experience led him to join the faculty of STN India to teach and equip more than 50 students in several remote areas across the country.

As the International Board accepted and approved the candidature of P. as one of STN’s new Regional Directors, Flory and I are very happy that we have a person known for his dedication and servanthood leadership to take up the task and help STN move forward.

South India Regional Directors

Both V.K. and I.K. first joined STN’s equipping and training classes in 2004 when the U.S. team began their regular mission trips to India.

The intentions of these two men were so different when they first stepped into the class. They are both living proof of how God works in people’s hearts.

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”- Hebrews 4:12

While the team from the U.S. was laboring with love and commitment, the Lord was doing His work quietly and, as always in ways far beyond our comprehension.

Very soon, V.K.’s original intention of contacting Pastor Paul Brown via email in order to get financial help vanished through the ministry of the Word of God.

He had a change of heart and also brought his brother I.K. for the training and continued faithfully to undergo, and successfully complete, the entire five-year program. This brought about such a radical transformation that both brothers launched a Gospel teaching ministry that extends into five remote regions.  Many of the participants in the brothers’ ministry will graduate this year.

After spending much time observing the brothers’ communication skills, knowledge, and dedication to spreading The Gospel, the decision was made to name V.K. as Regional Director of the area with I.K. serving as Associate Regional Director, as well as STN pastor of a local church.

Flory and I have had several meetings with these brothers’ families and have seen their commitment to the Lord’s work. Flory has personally invested time in these precious lives. V.K. and his wife, P.K. have a son 15 years old.

We are very happy that the International board approved these brothers to undertake this responsibility.

The Ordination of our Regional Directors

A laying on of hands of all these new Regional Directors will be done by the elders, if God wills, in October. Please join us in praying for them as they embark on their new work in God’s service.

*Names and places have been omitted for security.

Flory Ministers to Ladies

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Last month, Flory had the opportunity to speak to a group of ladies in the village of Palakonda. The Lord answered abundantly, as 250 ladies gathered in the small hall there to hear God’s Word. For these women, it was the first opportunity to attend a women’s Bible seminar. Flory taught the Word and then they gathered in groups for discussion, and then shared testimonies. What a blessing it is to visit remote villages like this for Christ’s sake. Our continuing goal is to see healthy local churches flourish in these areas.

A special guest

One of the ladies who attended is pictured here. She is a 26 years old young lady who is handicapped and can’t walk or stand. She was brought to the ladies seminar at Palkonda village. This lady was at the podium to listen to God’s Word. She knows Psalm 119 by memory.

Special service

Seventy-five men defied the Indian culture by serving the ladies. They took care of the children, allowing the ladies to attend. These ladies from Palakonda village said it was first time they experienced such a blessing.

A serious incident

There are times when we encounter unforeseen incidents. This situation was not only unpleasant but serious as Flory lost consciousness. It happened towards the end of the session while 250 ladies gathered in the small hall. There was no fresh air to breathe during the mid-dayheat.  People around started splashing water on Flory’s face. The Lord brought her out from her distress. God is able. VK, IK, and the local pastors gave so much love and practical help. After the incident Flory traveled back three hours by car and the next day, being Sunday, she didn’t stay home but attended the three-hour worship meeting where Ryder preached three messages.

Pastors Study in Remote Indian Villages

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An graduate, V.K., has been coordinating and teaching in Palakonda village to a group of 37 pastors and church leaders. V.K. graduated from the BTCP training with STN in 2015 and is pastoring a church in southern India.
I am so encouraged today to see the diligence both in equipping and training exhibited by the teachers, as well as the desire to learn by the participants. When the STN International Board prayed on its knees, this is exactly what it envisioned for pastors and leaders in remote villages.
My dream is to see healthy local churches. Our goal is 50,000 dedicated learners beginning the course in many villages across the country by 2020-21. God is able! I thoroughly enjoyed the ministry of the Word and addressed several questions.

This group started in 2017 and meets twice a month.

Training and Equipping in Manubolu

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by Ryder Kumar

Faithful to His promises, God has opened a door for teaching the Gospel and equipping for evangelization to the 10,000 people of Manubolu, a coastal region of Andhra Pradesh in Southern India.

Several months ago, a bank manager, a believer with a vision for growing a strong, healthy local church there, contacted us. This new relationship has grown stronger as, currently, several STN BTCP two-day classes, taught by Brother P are being conducted monthly at the church.

In God’s enabling, Books 1 and 2 have been completed and instruction on Book 3 started last month.

The class consists of about 25 men and women, eager to learn and humble to be trained. Along with his teaching assignment, Brother P mentors several BTCP students in evangelism by publicly witnessing and distributing Gospel tracts.
One of the BTCP students is SK, an electrical engineer and one who denied the very existence of God until a year ago when he accepted Christ as his personal Savior.

Prior to coming to a saving knowledge of the Lord, SK tried to find answers in science and the writings of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, architect of the Indian Constitution. During his previous life, SK would conduct meetings in his home to discuss and distribute literature about Ambedkar’s humanist philosophy.

A changed man, SK now uses his home as a meeting place to teach the Gospel and proclaim his faith. He distributes Gospel tracts to as many as 500 houses in two neighboring villages, street preaches, and strengthens his faith by attending BTCP classes to more effectively share the Gospel with others.

During his last teaching visit, Brother P had the occasion to minister to an outreach ministry in Madanuru, located in Manubolu’s interior region.  During one of his recent teaching visits, six people accepted Christ as their personal Savior at a public meeting. He also had an opportunity to counsel and pray with two ladies who had serious questions about certain key Biblical teachings.

Rarely do interior villages have opportunities to have guest preachers, so the BTCP classes are held on weekends, enabling Brother P to preach at the Sunday service, as well as teach BTCP classes.

This month, Flory will have the opportunity to minister to about 60 ladies in Masanuru, while I will teach the BTCP class and preach at the Sunday service.

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Field updates from India

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from our PCI field directors

We praise God for the opportunities given to serve the Lord in His Vineyard. The year began with a visit to the district of Srikakulam in the month of January. In February we went to West Godavari district ministered in two gospel meetings two days each at Epulapadu and Kannayiguden villages belonging to Koya tribe. Many people from the surrounding villages attended these meetings where believers were encouraged with the Word of God and gospel is given to the unbelievers. These kind of open-air gospel meetings not only spread the gospel but also strengthen the local church believers. They sing songs in their language, share testimonies, hear the Word and cook food and eat together. During the day time local Pastors’ seminars were conducted.

In the month of March, we ministered in the Banjara tribal villages where Pastor Laxman Nayak minister.

Introducing Pastor I. K.

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Years ago, Pastor I.’s father sought to plant a church energized with a passion for evangelism and the building-up of believers. Moving away from the more traditional way of growing a congregation, he preached the Word in several areas—a ministry that Pastor I. K. became a part of in 2008 and now leads as pastor.

The church, located in Vijayawada, India, now has a congregation of 100 members, of whom 80 have been baptized. Every Tuesday, Pastor I. K. travels to local villages to evangelize and preach the Gospel. Just last month, a young girl named Eshwari accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.

Student becomes teacher

Along with his elder brother V.K., a government employee, Pastor I. K.  enrolled in Shepherding the Nations’ very first training-and-equipping group in 2009 and graduated in 2015.

Along with teaching the 75 people who make up several monthly BTCP classes, Pastor I. K.’s busy ministry also includes leading the church’s fasting and prayer every Saturday, which is attended by as many as 20 people.

Pastor I.K. teaches one of his monthly BTCP Bible Training Classes

Pastor I.K. teaches one of his monthly BTCP Bible Training Classes

He also assists with weekly church-related meetings, both in Vijayawada and in nearby villages. One of the meetings in March was attended by 25 people who expressed an interest in learning more about the Gospel. He also regularly organizes special meetings and day-long, ministry-related seminars for the women of the church.

Pastor I. K.’s ministry of faith is supported by STN International. He and his wife U.K., a nurse, have two children. They are very grateful for your continued prayers and support.

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Village Churches in India – an Inside Look

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Have you ever wondered what it was like to worship in a church in a completely different culture? Our regional directors, RK and SK in central India, took these photos earlier this year of the churches and pastors supported through STN. Here is an inside look at the on-going ministry of our training graduates as they continue to evangelize, disciple and baptize believers in the rural villages of India.

Village Churches

Our pastors count it a real blessing to have a church building to meet in! For many, this has meant years of sacrifice, building, and meeting out of doors or under temporary shelters. They don’t mind sitting on the floor on thin mats for hours at a time to listen to the Word preached and sing and pray! (More people can fit inside this way!) Please pray for funds for those still building and for protection against enemies.

Baptisms

Believers gather at rivers, concrete baptismals, or even over-sized pots to celebrate the Lord’s command to be baptized. Public baptism is a genuine test of genuine faith for these believers. This step will lead many into persecution from their families, loss of jobs, financial opportunities, and in some cases, physical harm. Please pray for strength in the face of adversity, the strength that comes from the Lord, and the comfort of the fellowship of the church family.

Evangelism and Training

Our pastors oven travel to neighboring villages, go door-to-door, and preach in the public areas in order to spread the Gospel. Thousands are hearing the Good News through tracts, street preaching, conversations and song. Regular prayer meetings, special services and events are held in these areas, and belivers are being added to the church.

Pastors and their Families

Pray with us for these pastors as they faithfully shepherd the flocks that God has given them. We praise God for His grace and mercy at work in them and through them in India.

300 Children Hear Christmas Message

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Ryder Kumar in India

Ryder gives Christmas Message, December 2017

The Lord gave fruitful ministry in a remote village where J.S. and his family have been ministering for several years. J.S. is a graduate of STN and presently teaching in several areas of India. Our hearts are touched by the sacrifices of His people.

The gospel is reaching remote villages and homes. 300 students at J.S.’s school where he’s the principal heard the Christmas message. J.S. is also a Pastor, having a congregation meeting in his home. The contractor who built this school building along with his family became believers and started attending the church. What a joy to witness what God is doing.
children at school