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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

STN graduation certificate brings release!

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When STN International board discussed the issue of giving certificates to graduates of STN India, nobody knew that one day a group of 12 brothers and sisters from a small remote village in North India who were detained by the police in a custody would be released because of this graduation certificate!

Pastor during training

Pastor A.K. receiveing books during Lucknow training in 2009

Pastor A.K. was one of those 35 who attended our Lucknow Bible training seminar for five years. It was difficult for him to go through the discipline of doing assignments, staying up late in the evenings to study, and finishing the five year program. But it has proved to be very rewarding! Not knowing what was coming the future, A.K. continued his studies and on October 31st, he received a graduation certificate which he kept carefully at home.

Pastor A.K. receives his graduation certificate in October 2014

Pastor A.K. receives his graduation certificate in October 2014

He went back to his village and continued to serve the Lord, taking care of his small congregation. On Sunday, July 23rd, something happened that is not uncommon today. Local police called A.K. to report at the Police Station.

He then asked his congregation of 65 baptized brothers and sisters who happened to be from “H” background, “Who would like to go with me to the police station to confront an ugly situation?”

Twelve faithful and bold believers stood up and said, “Brother, we will.”

All of these marched to the police station to be questioned on religion, conversion and to be confined in custody. The police officer asked, “Why are you converting people?”

A.K. answered, “I don’t, sir, but God does.”

The officer asked, “Why are you preaching religion?”

A.K. said, “I don’t preach religion but peace; I preach Christ, and pray for the country.”

Turning to the 12, the officer continued the questioning, “What’s happening with you all? Why are you changing religion?”

The simple brothers and sisters, uneducated and illiterate, replied, “Sir, our lives are changed, our testimonies have become different, as A.K. brought us message of the Gospel. We had bad things happening in our houses but we are delivered and relieved.”

The police officer then turned to A.K., “Where did you get education, is there any proof?”

Avadesh, called his son at home. This son was afraid because his family was at police station. He was crying. A.K. said, “Don’t cry, and just get the certificate of STN graduation.”

A.K.’s son quickly got hold of this certificate and ran to the police station. The officer looks at the certificate carefully and considered the situation. (What happened at this point is a marvel!) The police officer said, “This group is well educated, they have a certificate, just release them.”

Pastor A.K. and his wife

Pastor A.K. is financially supported by faithful brothers and sisters from STN International. These faithful supporters will have their reward in eternity.

Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,  21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

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Mission becomes productive as VISION is translated into MISSION

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STN India

We are blessed that our STN India board is very cooperative.  Board members live significant distances from each other and often in different parts of the country. This creates certain pragmatic issues. We are so thankful for technological help such as ‘what’s app’, ’email’, and ‘the phone’ as ways to stay connected.

Funds

Funds are coming from within India! This is a great encouragement as well as an answer to prayer! The first church to support STN financially is El Shaddai in Hyderabad where our team has ministered God’s Word from time to time. In addition, our STN graduates have been making efforts to raise funds under difficult circumstances.

Ministry in the North and Nepal:

I took a long-desired trip to Northern India in May 2017. A number of things were accomplished:

  • Faculty gathering: Three of STN’s graduates who are faithfully and diligently laboring in SEVEN remote areas of North India. They reported how the Lord has been making their ministry abundantly fruitful.
faculty meet

STN trainers meet in Lucknow

  • Odisha: One of the backward states of India in the Central region, and the place where the Australian missionary, Graham Stains, and his two kids, were brutally burned to death for their faith. J.S. teaches this group and several others. He was one of the many BTCP students who were profoundly impacted by the seminars of STN International and by those who taught them over a period of five plus years. J.S. has a deep burden for this area, so he travels a long distance by train to equip and train 32 students. He spends an average of three to four days in this area each month. This group was in BTCP Book #8 in May and hope to be done with all ten books this year.
Odisha Training Group

Church leaders are being trained in BTCP materials in Odisha

  • Bihar: Another backward state in North India where Buddha was born and received his “enlightenment.” J.S. has 10 students in this needy state who are studying Book # 6.
  • Jharkhand: This area used to be a part of Bihar but is now an independent state. J.S. has 17 students who were in Book #2 in May.
  • Basti: It is located towards the NE of the state, called U.P. J.S has ten students who were in Book #3 in May.
  • Sitapur: It is amazing that STN has a church plant in this area, the stronghold of Hinduism. The instructor is D., one of the STN graduates in 2014. He graduated on October 31st and started meetings with a small group of people on November 2nd (just two days after his graduation.) D. was so profoundly impacted by the training that he could not wait any longer to see a work begin in his area where he works as a principal of a Government Primary School. D. has ten students and out of this we have two ladies doing BTCL. The group was in Book #3 in May.

  • Unnao: This is another stronghold of Hinduism where one of our STN graduates, K.S., has a strong base of several hundred believers from a Hindu background. K.S. had mentored many people over the years, including D., who has 16 students (three of them ladies). This program meets twice every month.
  • Kanpur: Another man who was mentored by K.S. is L.P. who was a 2014 graduate of the STN training program and now teaches 14 students in his church facility. They meet twice each month for eight hours on Saturday and were in Book #3 in May.
Seminar participants in Kanpur

Seminar participants in Kanpur

  • Nepal: M.S., one of our STN graduates, came all the way to Lucknow to attend our faculty meeting. He left the meeting taking 25 copies of BTCP Book #1 to start a new class. The students are extremely poor and cannot afford the books or the food during the day when they meet.

Ministry in the South

STN holds seminars in the following areas:

  • Hyderabad: there are three separate groups meeting in Hyderabad: 1) Rehoboth with Pastor R. and T. They both graduated from STN’s training and recently completed teaching all ten books to a group of eight students. These students have now gone back to their regions to continue their ministries. 2) Pastor P.P. (graduate of TMAI’s training school in India) is teaching people in his church. 3)  Pastor P. A. is teaching 14 students at our STN India office every Saturday.

  • Konavaram: a remote area in Andhra is scheduled for seminars under the leadership of V.K. from Oct/Nov. This area happens to belong to a tribe that is involved in witchcraft, sorcery and is located in a very difficult place.
  • Palakonda: V.K. is training 37 participants in this city in Eastern India. Reaching the remote village of Palkonda was not easy where two of STN’S graduates have begun BTCP classes to equip and train 37 leaders. We did 23 hours in 3 days on the road.
training in palkonda

V.K., Ryder and Flory Kumar share with participants in Palkonda

  • Raepally: V.K. is teaching 25 students in this remote area.
  • Narsannapalem: This is another remote place where eager Pastors are being trained by J.J. (a graduate of STN’s five plus years of training).
  • We are so blessed to see productivity in all these locations. STN’s vision to reach remote villages where 85% of India’s population live is happening!

New Contacts

A large number of people are contacting STN India with a desire to network with us. Our most recent contact is a graduate from The Master’s Seminary with M.Div and Th.M degrees. Pastors from different areas are getting connected through the ministry of STN. People from all over India and Nepal want us to train them. Even in Delhi, we have people interested and eager to be trained.

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