India is one of the most densely populated countries, and because of the beliefs of Hinduism (such as that rats cannot be killed because they may be the reincarnated souls of dead relatives!) there is extreme poverty and much sickness and suffering. Large families result in children often being turned out onto the street or into the jungle to fend for themselves at the age of 12 or even younger. Others are sent out to work at a very young age in order to help feed the family. Often young boys marry at a very early age (simply to get the dowry given to the young bride!) and in some areas children from jungle villages are frequently kidnapped by rebels. As a result, most children do not have even a basic concept of right and wrong, or of a loving family. Yet when shown the love of God by faithful Christians who take the risk to reach out to them and tell them of the hope that is available in Jesus Christ, many of these young souls are eager to learn more! We are working with several ministries including orphanages, child evangelists and groups that train children's ministers to help make a difference all over India!
Pastor H
In June 2007 we received an e-mail from Pastor H who had discovered our website and was overjoyed to find someone else who has the same passion and vision for children's ministry as himself, as he had often been ridiculed for his vision to focus on teaching children the Gospel. Born in a small village in Orissa state in the East, his childhood was hard - due to his father's addiction to drugs and alcohol and the ensuing violence. He moved to New Delhi (India's congested capital in the North) at the age of 13 when his parents separated, and soon after, he was left to live alone on the streets there. But this young man's life began to change after he heard the Gospel and gave his life to Christ at the age of 16. He studied and obtained a Theology degree and became an evangelist. But then in 2004 he felt God calling him to children's ministry - and to go particularly to the poor state of Chhattisgarh. He had no support or place to live and travelled from village to village teaching children - although most church leaders laughed at him because of his ministry vision. But he persisted alone until he finally came across our website and became encouraged that he was NOT alone!
Development of children's ministry
Challenges in Eastern India
The state of Chhattisgarh is long and narrow, and located in the eastern central part of India. It is mainly rural with a population of about 21 million people who are mostly very poor, and without good drinking water or electricity. The state is divided into 16 districts, and Bastar district is known as the tribal district, as 75% of its area of about 2,750 square miles is dense jungle with small Hindu villages. 70% of the population in Bastar belong to one of the many different tribes there. The mountainous jungle (which also runs into the neighboring state of Orissa, to the east) is beautiful but difficult for traveling as even the Indravati river, passing through much of the district, is mostly unnavigable. Unfortunately the jungle is not only home to tigers and other dangerous wildlife, but also to groups of radical Hindu rebels such as the RSS and a group known locally as the "Nauxlight" people. These extremist Hindus identify Christians as enemies and not only frequently kill them but also kidnap children to train up as rebels. Both Chhattisgarh and Orissa are among the seven Indian states that enforce an anti-conversion law designed to limit the spread of Christianity and persecute Christian converts. This all makes any evangelistic ministry particularly dangerous, and as a result children's ministry there is almost non-existent. However Pastor H. and his team have held several special events for children, as well as visited many villages, where they have found great interest and enthusiasm for developing children's ministries.
Developments in Orissa
Noothana Horeb magazine
During 2009 we began working with Rev. Sudarsan Babu who is in Eluru and publishes a monthly Christian magazine in Telugu. We are honored to be able to write a page especially for children every month which is included in this magazine. If you would like to contact him about his magazine or his ministry, here is his e-mail Rev. Sudarsan
