Diane Brown, Tammy and I had the privilege to have a long lunch with Flory while she was visiting with her family here in California. We took the opportunity to find out more about how her life has changed now that she is living and working in India.
Diane Brown, Susan Leinen, Margie Varberg (top)
Flory Kumar and Tammy Werth (bottom)
Q: Flory, what was it like for you when you moved your household to India?
A: At the beginning, it was very difficult. Ryder experienced some illness when we first arrived, but God proved himself strong in our weakness. In my ten years of marriage, this was the 5th move.
“God was preparing us so I don’t see ‘home’ as a permanent location, but any place where the Lord sends me.”
Q: How did you find the house that you are living in?
A: This was something that we prayed about before we even left the US. We wanted a place that would be safe and secure, but also a place in a neighborhood where we could have an outreach with the gospel to our neighbors. During our first week at church, we met a man who had a job as a driver. He knew of a house in a safe neighborhood that was available and took us there the next day. The owner was friendly and welcoming and I noticed that the house numbers were the same as my birthday. The rental price was lower than we expected and this was the house that God graciously provided.
Q: What ministry opportunities have you had since you have returned to India?
A: I have had the opportunity to teach several one-day women’s conferences. I have taught on “How to be a Mature Christian in the Church,” to 65 women from five different churches. I also spoke in Kanpur to 52 women from three different churches on “The Cost of Discipleship.” Other ministry opportunities have included a visit to Jedimetla Village where I led a one-day seminar with the ladies and an evening meeting with the children. I taught a Bible study to an orphanage, hosted a Christmas outreach to neighborhood, led Sunday ladies meetings and Sunday school classes.
Q: What church are you attending in Hyderabad?
A: We have been attending Emmanuel House of Worship since January. This was another answer to prayer. This church worships and preaches in English, which is so much easier for me. Ryder is in their preaching team and I, also teach at times with the children’s and lady’s ministry.
Q: What are you looking forward to the rest of this year?
A: After retuning to India, we will be doing some more traveling to have follow-ups with the teachers to whom Ryder has presented “Teacher Training Workshops” in various parts of India; also meeting with key contacts and board members. We will also have lady’s meetings in different regions, where we see the need.
Q: How can we pray for you?
A: Please pray for:
- Salvation for two new friends in our neighborhood, Jacoline and Nisha
- Health and safety during monsoon season
- Good health for both Ryder and I
- Develop new messages and teach wherever there is a need
- New ministry opportunities with children including singing, drama and CEF materials
- For our house maid, Manju and her family for salvation
Ryder & Flory Kumar have been in India for over 4 months now and a lot of things are being accomplished. They have settled into a home, set up an office for STN India, worked on administrative details (legal & financial), met with key leaders, spoken in churches and special meetings, and organized prayer groups. They have been BUSY!
On top of all that we will explore the possibility of ministry in Pakistan.
In partnership with the Shepherding the Nations we were able to conduct a one day conference for the ladies of our church and surrounding churches with the theme, “Your Effective Growth in the Body of Christ.” Brother Ryder Kumar gave an inspirational and insightful devotional study from John 6:1-14 speaking on “Incredible Blessing.” Flory Kumar spoke with clarity and burden based on the theme. She focused on six aspects of growth, “Worship, Fellowship, Membership, Serving, Discipleship and Giving.” The 62 ladies present were motivated and blessed by the teaching.
Our great God is known for awesome deeds. In His provision, plan and purpose, He chooses people. One of them happens to be Mahavir Kumar Sah of Nepal. Following his family traditions, he and his family have been bowing before idols and worshipping them until KB, another Nepali met and confronted him. KB, one of our STN graduates, presented the gospel with all simplicity as is his style. Mahavir didn’t take much time to throw away his idols from his home. Both Mahavir and his wife, being convicted of sin, accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. In order to mentor Mahavir, KB brought him to Lucknow to attend STN seminars. Mahavir, with great interest and diligence studied the courses and graduated in October 2014.
The Lord had protected us, in many of our international travels and kept us safe in several cities in India. Many doors were opened for the ministry. The supply for our needs were met as some donated their blood and platelets, some their air miles, some articles of auction and sacrificial giving. These contributions of ‘yesterday’ have led us not only to achieve our goal of seeing new churches planted and multiplication in equipping but also opened new avenues of ministry for ‘today’. Fire is ignited!
Right now there are many who are turning to accept the Way. On the left the photo displays a fact of how the new ones are trained and teaching given to new groups of unreached ‘world’. ‘Today’ points out to many activities of our STN graduates who are actively and aggressively involved to see the Truth proclaimed. Today, we are encountered with many challenges to oversee the ministry. Fire is glowing!
With our move to India, Flory and I envision to visit more of our STN India graduates who are scattered in North, NW, NE and South India. Pakistan, and Nepal are countries to be visited soon. Women are looking forward to receiving teaching.
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.