Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:16)

Dear Friends,

It is my immense pleasure to present the transformational story of one of our graduates, Mr. S. V. Kumar. He was born in a Christian family in the state of Telengana.  His extended family members strongly opposed their faith in the Lord.  In his childhood, S. was diagnosed with severe respiratory problems.  His health deteriorated day by day and he was eventually hospitalized in the intensive care unit for fifty-seven hours. The doctor said that he will survive for only a few months. With their hope shattered, they had to face humiliation and mockery from their extended family members. Pastor S., our former Mission India Theological Seminary graduate, constantly visited and encouraged them to trust in Lord for healing. By His grace, S. experienced God’s healing and since then he has never faced any form of respiratory problem. The family had been through other hard times, especially when S.’s father went to be with the Lord. The extended family members blamed their faith in Christ as being responsible for the death of S.’s father.

But God was ever present and strengthened their hearts through His people. Sensing the call of God, S. committed his life for Christian ministries. He successfully finished his Bachelor of Theology in the state of Kerala and went back to his home church to assist his pastor. After some experience in the ministry, he expressed his desire to pursue further theological training. With prayer, he joined Mission India Theological Seminary for a Master of Divinity and successfully graduated. It was difficult time for him to decide his next ministerial step as he had an obligation to take care of his mother and sister. The challenge of financial burden discouraged him, but the Lord renewed his strength in His time. Now, he has dedicated himself to work alongside with Mission India for the extension of God’s kingdom in India and beyond. Mission India was praying for a committed leader to nurture the precious lives of our students in the Mission India Bible College in Goa. God answered our prayers by leading brother S. for this divine cause.

Brother S. knows well the challenges awaiting him in one of the toughest, yet very beautiful, places of India. Goa is a state in Western India with a population of more than 1,8 million people with diverse culture and beliefs. S. strongly believes that he has the most precious message of Salvation and the love of Jesus Christ to be shared with the people of Goa. Despite limited financial support, S. has embarked on a journey of faith to share freely what he has received in the Lord. Will you please pray for this brother and consider helping him financially through RIMI/MI? You are always in our prayers.

Quote of the Day: “Depend on it. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply. He is too wise a God to frustrate His purposes for lack of funds, and He can just as easily supply them ahead of time as afterwards, and He much prefers doing so.” (Hudson Taylor)

Prayer of the Day: “Dear Lord, enable our brother S. to become your instrument of peace in this world.”

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24)

Dear Friends,

Indeed, God is faithful to accomplish His purposes in and through our broken lives. I firmly believe that your prayer has motivated me to relentlessly pursue God’s calling to train Christian leaders. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous prayer and support for our graduates. On the way to the mission field, I grabbed a biography of Christian missionaries and it was worth reading to rejuvenate my commitment to the Lord and His people.

After the death of his beloved wife, out of deep agony and distress, David Livingstone wrote to his friend Rev. Waller, “my dear friend, the news of the departure of my life partner has weakened me so much that I find it difficult to continue the work I have been doing.” Realizing how depressed Livingstone had become, Rev. Waller tried to console him in his reply, “Dear David Livingstone, I can very well understand your mind-set. But remember that the work you are doing is ten times more important. If you cannot complete it, you will have to regret while looking back from the horizon of eternity.” These words greatly inspired Livingstone to stay focused in the God-given mission to transform the lives of people in Africa.

While travelling to different states of India for the graduation of Mission India Bible Colleges, I was reminded of the legacy of David Livingstone, missionary to Africa. As I was praying for all the graduates of Mission India Theological Seminary and Bible colleges, I was overly concerned thinking about their future ministries and the amount of sacrifices they will have to pay for the sake of God’s kingdom. Local opposition, lack of financial resources, family challenges, etc. will surely become a part of their daily faith journey in the mission field. As I continued to ponder on the story of David Livingstone, an unfathomable peace replaced my fear and concern for the graduates. His sacrifices became insignificant when I comprehended the impact he could exert in the African communities. Jesus vividly unfolds the secret of successful harvesting in Christian ministry which is found in John chapter 12.

There were a group of Greeks who wanted to see Jesus but never intended to follow him. In the context of the prerequisite to become His follower, Jesus said, if you love your life down here, you will lose it. If you despise your life down here, you will exchange it for eternal glory. Commitment for Christian ministry demands complete obedience to count the earthly life as a kernel which needs to fall in the ground for further germination and fruitful harvest. A life that is not willing to die for Christ sake will never be able to witness promising results in the ministry. If you flip the pages of Christian history, you can witness how tremendous ministry progress occurred where there was some amount of sacrifice made for Christ in response to His love. This is my sincere prayer for all the graduates of Mission India Theological Seminary and Bible colleges that, they will internalize this essential truth of Christian calling and persevere in their pursuit of God and commitment towards ministries regardless of any sort of challenges. The world needs committed missionaries like David Livingstone to possess unwavering obedience to reconcile the humankind with God. And at the same time, the need for motivators like Rev.Waller in this perishing world is undeniable. When we stand at the horizon of eternity and look back, then, what do we see? I encourage all of you to continue to pray and support RIMI and Mission India as we make all possible efforts to prepare Christian leaders who will make an impact in this world like David Livingstone.

Prayer of the Day: “Dear Lord, make me an instrument of peace in this broken world”

Quote of the Day: “The world is yet to see what God can do through a man who has surrendered himself completely to God’s hand” (Henry Warley)

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.” (Nehemiah 1:4-6a)

My heart is overjoyed to be in India celebrating with the hundreds of graduates from Mission India Bible Colleges and Seminary. I remember when God saved, transformed, and called me to the ministry. I long to encourage all who commit their lives to follow God’s call. In all this joy, my heart is also pained with the loss of loved ones, and knowledge of the great darkness that still covers the lost. We must reach them. That is why my life’s cry has been, “Give me India, or let me die!”

With this same faith and intensity, I passionately prayed for my native country, at the onset of RIMI/MI. Out of a deep longing in my heart, I cried out―and still cry out―for the salvation of South Asia! Like Paul, I am resting on God’s promise that if we ask anything according to His will in Christ’s name, He will answer. S.D. Gordon puts it this way, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed… Prayer is striking the winning blow… service is gathering up the results.”

As I prayed and studied the bible, my burden for South Asia grew. I wept tears for my country and her people. God opened my eyes to two realities: spiritual darkness and poverty. I saw the educated and uneducated alike worshiping idols and ringing bells to awaken unknown gods. It was heartbreaking to see the nation held in such bondage to spiritual darkness.

The second harsh reality that confronted me in India was the poverty that met my eyes wherever I looked. Once, while on the train, a poor, skinny, half-naked boy came to clean my compartment. He continually scratched my leg and pleaded, “Sir, please help me.” God used his hopelessness to convict me then and there―to make a difference in one person’s life is an eternal accomplishment! RIMI’s vision to provide for the children of South Asia grew out of my encounter with that boy and his need for the God he did not yet know.

By God’s faithfulness, and the abundant support of our partners, RIMI has been able to make a difference.

• • 10,400+ house churches
  • 1,500 + missionaries supported
  • 1,000+ children being cared for
  • 600+ graduates, yearly

With your continued support, when a lost soul cries out, “please help me,” we can respond, “Yes!”

Quote of the Day: “Give me India, or let me die!” (Dr. Saji K. Lukos)

Prayer of the Day: “Dear God, grant us the fervor to accomplish your will throughout the earth.”

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

As Mony and I are now in India to celebrate the graduations for our Bible College and Seminary students, I can’t help but reflect on how God brought me out of darkness and many of our students as well. Here is one such story of a life that has been transformed through the power of Christ.

Chetan comes from a Hindu family. He is a good guitarist and enjoys playing music. His family was torn apart when his father left the home to marry another woman. Chetan, his mother and sister were devastated, with no one to look after them. The family lost peace and joy.

Chetan stepped up as the breadwinner of the household. To take care of his mother and younger sister, Chetan joined in a local street band, where he played guitar and sang on the streets and in hotels. He was making money, but he began to keep company with immoral friends and slowly became addicted to drugs. Chetan’s mother was displeased with his dangerous lifestyle.

One day, a pastor spoke with Chetan and declared that Chetan’s family would experience peace and joy if Chetan accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. As well, Christ would also set Chetan free from bad habits. The pastor then invited Chetan to visit church.

Chetan decided to visit that same pastor’s Church in Gangtok. He had a good experience and continued to attend regularly. Through the church, Cheetan found out about the Mission India Bible College in Sikkim. Having a desire to learn more about Jesus Christ, he enrolled himself in our Bible College.

After coming to our College, he not only learned more about Jesus, he learned the purpose for his life. During Bible College, he gave his life to Christ, got baptized, and stopped all bad habits. His life is now transformed. He continues to grow stronger in the faith. Chetan completed his Diploma in Theology in 2015.

Today, Chetan has become a successful worship leader in Gangtok. Many churches invite him to lead worship at conventions. God is using him mightily. He continues to serve at his home church as their worship leader. Hundreds are blessed by his ministry. He is also a light to his family. His mother and sister also accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and savior are living peaceful Christian lives. All Glory to Christ alone for changing his life and making Chetan a channel of blessing.

Quote of the Day: “There isn’t enough darkness in all the world to snuff out the light of one little candle.” (Robert Alden)

Prayer of the Day: “Dear God, we thank you for bringing out out of darkness into your new creation. Empower us so that we live lives which are good and pleasing to you!”

And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel (2 Samuel 5:12)

Have you ever thought about the purpose of your life? Is your life purpose driven? At some point in life, everyone poses similar questions to themselves. Some get answers, and some live their entire life without a sense of purpose. Christian calling begins with the essential realization of the God given purposes. God’s divine plans for us always make us a blessing to many. True acknowledgement of God’s purpose never domesticates God’s blessings, rather diverts them towards the welfare of others. King David’s life is one such example of a life well lived, and purpose driven. It was not David’s plan to become the king, but God chose to make him the king over Israel. In his wildest imagination, David might not have even thought of leaving his job as a shepherd. I assume that if God would not have sent Samuel to David’s father’s house to anoint the next king, then David would have remained just as a shepherd. The prophet Samuel looked beyond the general standard to anoint David as the king and accomplished God’s purposes by adhering to His voice.

In the Second Book of Samuel, it is beautifully described how David becomes the King over Israel and God establishes his kingdom.  “When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. (2 Sam 5:3-5).

David’s kingdom became powerful as God gave him the strength as a king and empowered him with His presence (v. 10). Here the writer is very particular to mention in verse 11 that why David was made a King. “Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel” (v. 11). The underlying purpose of David’s kingship was to pass on God’s kindness and favor to His people. God wanted to bless people with the right leadership who would lead His people in His ways and provide them a peaceful time. David too understood that God has established the kingdom for the sake of His people.  Later, God chose David’s bloodline to bring forth the Messiah for the sake of all humanity. Do we still catch hold of God’s purposes when we are at the peak of success?  When we are found amidst the abundance of God’s blessing, how do we respond to His purposes?

Quote of the Day: “If God is your partner, make your plans BIG!” (D.L. Moody)

Prayer of the Day: “Dear God, let our lives be a reflection of your purposes.”