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Lockdown Gives Opportunities to Unlock Hearts and Display Love in Action!

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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?

On the right is U.K. – love in action!

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

R.K. and his wife J. studying together the Book of Ezekiel

V.K., our regional director says: “Studying on the passage (Jeremiah 7: 32 “Topeth”) along with B.was edifying

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.”

P. reports, “I was able to learn through TMS, a course offered on Hermeneutics. This enabled me to get a broader understanding on the subject. I got into this online course along with our faculty member, Pastor P.P..  Reading Biblical Doctrine by John Macarthur and Richard Mayhue brought greater understanding and refreshed my understanding. Study on Soteriology was a blessing to observe on how God justified the man, the doctrine of Justification as it runs straight to the very heart of the gospel, and how Sanctification is the necessary fruit of justification.

Ryder Kumar had opportunities of teaching and preaching online during these days of turmoil. He will do again on Good Friday and the Resurrection Sunday – Yes online preaching. Bread from heaven to satisfy the soul is the need of the hour.

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.

Sr. Pastor and Evangelist A.K. is in the Presence of the Lord

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2 Corinthians 5:8 “absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord”.

A.K. now in the presence of the Lord
I have never seen him without a smile on his face. As I passed thru the roads of the area where he ministered to thousands, what echoes my heart is Pastor K. stepping into dirtiest of dirty waters. There was no option. That was the only water available to baptize whom he brought to the Lord. Many of wouldn’t dare to put even a finger into this kind of water.

It was a great opportunity to minister the Word of God at the funeral of A.K., a man of God who served faithfully until the end of his life. Many villages would witness about his visits to minister them. As a result, many have been born again and were baptized. During this time I did something I never normal do. I gave an altar call and many raised hands to accept the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord.

None of us knew that it would be the last time that our International Board from the US is meeting with Sr Pastor A.K. who we have known since 2009. 

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of LORD Is the death of His godly ones. 

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Randy with Pastor A.K. in October 2019 at our Expository Preaching Conference

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.

The Word of God is Spreading

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“But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 19:9–10 – NASB95)

The Apostle Paul was a man devoted to equipping (training) people to go out and impact their world for Jesus Christ (see verse above and 2 Timothy 2:2). Paul would go to an area for a period of time, train up the people, commission them to train more people in their area, and then he would move on to another region. It is that model that STN is striving to emulate with our Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) institutes. For 5 ½ years we sent teams to India twice each year to train about 100 men in 5-day training conferences (50 in northern India and 50 in southern India). About 80 of those men graduated in 2014, and some of them became STN’s trainers. Because they are able to meet weekly in areas close to where the students live, and teach without needing a translator, they are now able to complete the BTCP training in about 2 1/2 years. What joy we experienced in October when about 240 people graduated from the BTCP training. It wasn’t just the number of students graduating that brought us great joy, it was the fact that not one of the classes were taught by people from the U.S. As we handed out graduation certificates to the students, we rejoiced in the fact that all of them were trained by people from their own country. At this time there are an additional 200+ students who are part way through the BTCP training, and there are a whole bunch of new classes about to begin with hundreds more.

Thank you for your prayers and financial partnership in this vital ministry. These students are growing in their ability to minister to others for the glory of God. Churches are being strengthened, new churches are being planted, and our Lord and Savior is being glorified. It is our prayer that as we train thousands more that once again, all who live in Asia will hear the word of the Lord.

What happened in Berea almost 2,000 years ago is also happening in India!

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NCEP Prayer Card Cover

Not pictured but joining our team: Ryder and Flory Kumar, David Hegg, and Alan McDole

“The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.” Acts 17:10-12 – NASB95

What happened in Berea almost 2,000 years ago is also happening in India! Not necessarily with Jewish people in synagogues, but with the Indian people who are hungry to learn from the Word of God. If you could go with us to the churches in India, you would see hundreds of people gathering and sitting on concrete floors for worship services that last 3 ½ hours! During that time, they sing, pray, share in communion, and listen to THREE SERMONS. There is a short sermon (15-20 minutes) on worship followed by singing and prayer, then another short sermon (20-30 minutes) on communion followed by more singing and prayer and partaking in the Lord’s Supper, and then a longer sermon (45-60 minutes).

That means there is a lot of preaching! Which is why our India Team is so excited to go to India next month and train pastors at our National Conference for Expository Preachers (NCEP). We currently have over 200 pastors signed up for our 3-day conference. Imagine that many pastors going back to their churches trained to teach and preach the Word of God in such a way that if the original authors of Scripture were listening, they would say, “Yes, that is what I meant and what I want them to do with it.” The ladies on our team are also thrilled to lead two Ladies’ Conferences on our trip (3 days in one city and 1 day in another). Over 100 ladies are signed up for the 3-day conference and over 80 for the 1-day conference. They will be equipped in the Scriptures and go back to their churches to be used by God to train others who will train others.

This multiplication process is what STN is all about (2 Timothy 2:2). We are committed to training and resourcing national leaders to reach their own country with the Gospel. And you can see that in the two graduation ceremonies we will have for the students who have completed our 2+ year Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) course. Between the two cities there are over 250 graduates who are excited about going out and training others who will train others. Existing churches will be strengthened and new churches will be planted as a result of what God is doing in India and Nepal. It is our hope that through the ministry of STN, the Word of God will spread all over Asia like it did in the Book of Acts (6:7; 12:24; 19:20).

Would you prayerfully consider supporting us? We need your prayers as we prepare for the conferences, graduations, meetings, and church services. We also need your prayers for safety in all our travels. We also need financial support as it will cost about $3,000 per person for airfare, housing, food, etc., and some additional funds for costs related to the conferences and graduations. Total cost (depending on the number of people going) will be between $25,000-$30,000.
If you would like to donate to this specific ministry of STN, please go to our donation page and choose the “Oct 2019 India NCEP Trip” donation designation. We so appreciate your prayer and financial support. If you have any questions, please email me at pbrown@tbbfchurch.org.

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.

Shepherding the Nations Women’s Conference

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One of the highlights for me on our short-term trips to India is the opportunity to teach God’s Word to Indian Christian women. If you had told me in my early 40’s that I would be traveling to India and teaching the Bible to women there, I would have laughed out loud! I never saw myself in that kind of role, but here I am, 14 years and four trips later and it has become my passion! Not only has the Lord taught me to study and teach, but He has given me a true love for His daughters in India. It’s this love that motivates me to go back every time there is an opportunity to bring the Word to those who desire to learn.

Women’s Retreat – Indian Style

This banner is used in India to promote the conference – note the headline – “Good news for those who delight to preach nothing but the Word” That’s me!

This year will be a little different from past trips where we have focused on a small group of pastor’s wives from rural villages. This year we will be teaching 125+ women during a three-day women’s conference, and then holding a second one-day conference for 75+ women the next week in a different area.  Our attendees will be Christian women who are coming from local churches. Flory, Tammy and I will all have opportunities to teach and there will be time for small group discussion, singing, testimonies and prayer.

This might sound similar to women’s retreats or conferences here in the states – except for the translation into Hindi and Telegu… and the cultural differences… and the political persecution against believers… and a whole host of life experiences and hardships that I would never experience. To be honest with you, we will really need your prayers and the Holy Spirit to open hearts and illuminate His Word to these precious women. What we all have in common is our salvation, the authority of God’s Word, and a high calling as the people of His church – and that’s everything!

My Topic – Contentment

The Lord has put the topic of Christian Contentment on my heart this year. It was the theme of our College and Young Adult camp this year and I had the opportunity to teach the young women on this topic. As every teacher knows, the first thing I had to learn was how much I had to learn! Praise God that He has changed my heart and helped me to grow in this area of my life and I am so excited to share it with these precious ladies in India.

What is Christian Contentment? According to Puritan preacher, Jeremiah Burroughs,

“Christian Contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”

The Apostle Paul told us in Phil. 4:10-13 that he had “learned the secret” of contentment and that the strength to be content comes from Jesus Christ. May the Lord continue to teach me this secret and reveal it to those I’m called to minister to in India.

National Conference on Expository Preaching

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“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 – NASB95)

Preaching God’s inspired, inerrant, authoritative truth is an incredible privilege. Teaching others how to do it accurately, communicating the intent of the original author, is a privilege as well. That is what a group of us will be doing in October when we travel to India to lead a 3-Day National Conference on Expository Preaching (NCEP). It will be a whirlwind trip for Randy & Susan Leinen, Pastor David Hegg, my wife Diane and me (there are currently 3 or 4 more prayerfully considering going with us). Randy, David & I will lead the conference for 200+ pastors & church planters from all over India.

What is Expository Preaching?

Preaching in which the content, structure, and emphasis of the sermon reflect and are derived from the content, structure and emphasis of the biblical text. We will walk these pastors through the book of 2 Timothy showing them how to see what the author wrote, what he meant by what he wrote, how it would have been understood and applied by the audience he wrote to, and how they can then apply it to their lives today. After each time of instruction, they will meet in small groups to apply that instruction by studying the book of Titus. They will go back to their churches with a deeper understanding of those two books, as well as the passion and tools to study God’s Word and teach it accurately to their people. Imagine 200+ pastors all over India proclaiming God’s Word faithfully and powerfully to their churches.

NCEP Board in India, meeting to plan the conference

Ladies Conference

While we are teaching the men, Susan, Tammy, Diane, and Flory Kumar will hold a 3-day conference for the ladies. Those ladies will be challenged and equipped to go back and have a profound impact on others in their churches and communities.

Each evening during the 3-day conference, Randy, David and I will be preaching in 3 different churches.

Graduation

The day after the 3-day conferences end, we will hold a graduation ceremony for all the people who have completed our 2+ year Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) training program. That weekend we will have some important meetings with people associated with STN in India, and then we will preach / sing in some churches on Sunday. On Monday we will travel to another city where Susan, Tammy, Diane & Flory will hold a one-day seminar for the ladies, followed by a special graduation ceremony for all those who have completed the BTCP training in that part of India. We are expecting 268 graduates! 

It is exciting to think how the Lord is going to use the people coming to the conferences, and the BTCP graduates, to strengthen existing churches and plant new churches all over India and Nepal in the coming years. We currently have 450+ students in our BTCP training classes in India and Nepal. Each time we finish training a class of students, we start up new classes with even more students. We hope the next round will have 1,000 or more and grow exponentially every 2-3 years.

Would you prayerfully consider supporting us? We need your prayers as we prepare for the conferences, graduations, meetings, and church services. We also need your prayers for safety in all our travels. We also need financial support as it will cost about $3,000 per person for airfare, housing, food, etc., and some additional funds for costs related to the conferences and graduations. Total cost (depending on the number of people going) will be between $25,000-$30,000.

If you would like to donate to this specific ministry of STN, please go to our donation page and select the “Oct 2019 India NCEP Trip” donation designation. We so appreciate your prayer and financial support. If you have any questions, please email me at pbrown@tbbfchurch.org.

India Women’s Conferences October 2019

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When I think about the incredible opportunity and priviledge I’ve been given to travel to India with my husband and the STN team, I am truly humbled and grateful. In so many ways I’ve been ‘grafted in’ among these gifted people. STN’s ministry is to teach and train. So the Lord brought together a band of incredible teachers. The men’s conferences are rich in biblical teaching from Paul Brown, Randy Leinen, Ryder Kumar, and sometimes others. The men come away saturated in God’s Word and deeply motivated to take their training to their churches and villages.

This past trip, as in years past, we have included a women’s conference. Susan Leinen, Flory Kumar, and Tammy Werth brought great teaching to the ‘sisters’ in Lucknow and in Hyderabad. I bring what help I can – in the way of photograpy, practical support to my husband and the team, and ministering in song. What a joy!

Below are some gathered thoughts and encouraging notes from our team and also from a few of the ‘sisters’ to whom we ministered. I hope and pray these give you a glimpse of the work and fruitful fruition of our STN efforts given to us by our Lord Jesus. Also, please enjoy a few photos of our latest women’s conferences and these beautiful women – the ‘jewels of India.’

“My ministry goals for the trip in India were quite a challenge – preparing three messages and teaching to more than 200 women in India, trying to understand the needs of people with a completely different culture, language, and education, and being an example in love, prayer, humility, and team unity. It was clear from the very early planning stages that the only way to operate was in the strength of Christ and the prayers of our supporters. He was able to accomplish all of what we hoped and much more in the lives of these precious women. Please continue to pray for these ladies that they would put in to practice all that they learned and share it with others.” – Susan Leinen

“We all did what the Master had us do. It was an incredible blessing – a treat of the Word. The ladies in the churches normally get textual messages. However, in the conferences, the impact was topical and practical messages filled with illustrations, fun projects as reminders, and encouragement to carry out the biblical teaching on a daily basis. Diane, your singing was appreciated – taking them to the next level of worship. And, as one sister puts it, ‘I was mesmerised by her voice.’ Our staff assistant shared what she had learned about habitual sin to her village Sunday School children. A boy went home and told his mother, ‘my teacher said robbing a pencil is sin. I will not do it again.’ (Villagers don’t have very nice things and tend to envy or rob.)” – Flory Kumar

 

“Our heartfelt thanks to you all for spending your valuable insights, time, energy, and money by coming all the way from the US to us. May God bless you.”

“I personally was so blessed to hear from you these wonderful biblical truths. The topics shared are most needed, yet most neglected, and considered casual. That’s why God sent His word through your team. You all were so humble and stood as an example for us. I thank God for you all. Surely we will live for God s Glory.” – From our Indian sisters