The Pastors

from Jeff

Michael and I had the honor of speaking at an annual pastor's conference hosted by the Bethel Bible Church and Training Center. DBC has been partnered with this ministry since 1999. We have sent someone to be a part of this meeting almost every year since.

I first have to introduce Stephen's Dad, Uncle Philip. "Uncle" is a term of respect in India. Mr. Bandela has to be the coolest guy Michael and I have ever met. Very distinguished, in control, and highly respected. This photo was taken on our last day as he was getting ready to go to the hospital. He was going in for his diabetes. He's back home and fine now.

There were pastors from a neighboring state where there are "anti-conversion" laws. These are laws that prevent any public displays of worship, the building of church buildings, open sharing of the gospel, and could result in prison if someone charges them with trying to bring them to Christ. People who do convert must register their conversion with the state. Read more at http://christianpersecutionindia.blogspot.com/

Even so, they sang joyfully like the rest. Everyone loved to sing, and sing loudly.

A shot of the pastors and the people they brought from their churches. Some people stayed the entire 5 days and left on Sunday. Michael and I were challenged by their faith, discipline, and commitment to spreading the Gospel. Their boldness was humbling. We felt unworthy in many respects to speak to them about doing church - though we knew that Christ had given us all the same command and shown us all the same way.

The theme for the week was "You are my servant, I have chosen you" from Isaiah 41. We encouraged them with some of the challenges we face here in America in spreading the gospel to a people who have heard about Jesus, but increasingly just don't care. They are telling many people who have never heard. We tend to build on old foundations. They are starting something new. It's relatively easy to become a pastor here. Very difficult there. Pray for the pastors of India. We can learn a lot from their witness.