By Ryder Kumar
Praise God for His continued leadership of Shepherding the Nations! He brings the right people at the right time to form the team that would bring new growth to STN. As founding members of this ministry, Randy and Susan Leinen sacrificially participated in adding much-needed structure and support that fundamentally shaped the mission trips. Recently, in 2024, twenty years later, Randy and Susan’s son, Joe, joined me on a mission trip.
Like his parents, Joe moved out from ‘his comfort zone’ to bring comfort and encouragement to the graduates of STN SE Asia. Joe drew their attention to the same “Word” that his dad has taught. Joe also shared the Word in more local churches than any of the previous teams before him.
Welcoming guests with fresh flower bouquets is very much a custom in India. For one meeting in a remote location, Joe and I had to travel three hours with no time to get ready. Their sweet welcome with love, affection, and warm fellowship drew us closer to the waiting crowd. Along with the 80 graduates that were present, there were 40 pastors and Christian leaders at that gathering. After listening intently to God’s Word, many people raised their hand to indicate that they were responding with a new commitment of faith or obedience to the Lord.
Pastor B., (our STN graduate, and a senior Pastor of the area) along with Pastor V. (one of our first graduates) and V.K. (our director) coordinated the event. We praise God for such faithful saints who have partnered with us in this ministry.
Pastor D. S. coordinated the memorable and fruitful event in Nepal. Due to the difficult travel in fog and cold, we had smaller gatherings than expected. Some of those in attendance spent the whole night traveling by car with no sleep. Others took the perilous challenge of traveling by motorbike to attend.
Hallelujah, the time was so refreshing as Joe taught from Romans 6 and I from Philippians 2:1-2. About 30 graduates attended. All were synergized and then travelled the long journey back to their locations. It was such a blessing to travel to this specific location to see how these brothers and sisters were so greatly encouraged by the Word.
There were 60 graduates that all traveled from different locations to the third place of our ‘Graduates Get-Together.’ We rejoiced to see that they were joined by another 50 local pastors and Christian leaders at this meeting. This was one of the several efforts that STN arranges to encourage the STN graduates. The goal is to show them unity and solidarity in serving our Lord, knowing that we all recognize the troublesome circumstances that they face as they persevere for God’s glory.
During our mission trips, we also endeavor to participate with other partner ministries.
We thank God for our relationship with Word Partners International. These saints have provided training seminars in Expository Preaching for our men and have blessed us all with their fellowship. Joe and I were able to spend quality time with the participants and the resource persons of Word Partners. Joe was able to minister the Word to the group through singing and worship of our Lord and Savior.
The K. family has had a long relationship with STN. It was such a pleasure and an honor to be with them in their new church building. It was my privilege to preach at this special gathering of the church. Once again, several people raised their hand to indicate that they were responding with a new commitment of faith or dedication to the Lord.
We are so thankful for V. K., and I.K. who have helped STN develop a wider ministry into various areas. Pastors from the mountain areas, the valleys, and the small villages were equipped, trained, and shaped to minister the Word in their local churches. Joe taught from the Word and again ministered through songs of praise and worship.
Just as the Apostle Paul commended the Philippians, saying that no other church contributed to his ministry the way they did, we are thankful for the saints at El Shaddai of Hyderabad. They have greatly blessed STN’s experience in India for their financial support has far exceeded all others. They have also been a great source of strength and encouragement to so many others. Four STN graduates are active in El Shaddai – two are elders, one is the senior pastor’s wife, and one is wife of an elder. We are also thankful for their hosting us to teach in their family seminars for three consecutive mission trips.
There are always so many opportunities to minister to the saints. Prayer is a big way. Jemimah, whom I knew in Lucknow (about 30 years ago), has stayed connected with me. She is now married and has asked me to pray for her baby. What an honor!
Time and space do not allow us to share everything that happened during the mission trip. However, we must share one incredibly special opportunity from God! We went to encourage our graduates in a remote village. There, we visited a handicapped Pastor who can’t stand or walk. He is bedridden; yet he pastors three churches! Along with his wife, he serves God with amazing dedication and commitment. He and his wife are both graduates of STN.
We were also introduced to a new place by P., our STN director. It is a Baptist church in Hyderabad. Praise God, Joe preached for the first time without an interpreter as the service were in English.
I would like to end my thoughts like Joe did at each place on our mission trip. He used to say at the end of his prayer, “all for His glory”.
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.