Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Psalm 96:3
Every day across India our pastors and church leaders minister to the needs of their flock, walking according to God’s word, by faith and not by sight. These men and women are committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost wherever they go – in the mountains and the jungles and on the streets of the crowded cities.
Pastor Krupal ministers to 11 villages in a remote part of Andhra Pradesh. He visits a different village every day, often walking many miles in very difficult conditions. On Sunday he leads worship and teaches at three of the churches that he has planted in the area.
Raising the next generation
Nine years ago, the Lord put on our heart the urgent need to raise up the next generation of leaders in India, by equipping young people like Krupal to serve in God’s church. We asked our pastors to recommend young people who were serving in their church who would be good candidates for ministry training. Selected by his father Pastor Devasahayam, Krupal traveled hundreds of miles to be part of the first class of seven students at the Koinonia School of Ministry in Pune.
Krupal was very young when he started at KSOM, but it was clear from the start of his time there that the Lord had a call on his life. As a student he was always a leader, ready to help with whatever needed to be done. He led worship and small group studies, and was diligent in his studies.
At KSOM we strive to present “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), teaching line by line so each student will be well equipped to fulfill the Great Commission. The school emphasizes practical training and balances academic learning with the spiritual growth of the students.
After graduation Krupal returned to his hometown well prepared to begin his ministry. Since then he has planted four churches, and the flocks are growing in numbers. Along the way he got married to Savitha Richy Evangelin, and started a family.
Standing as a witness
Andhra Pradesh is one of the areas of India most plagued by anti-Christian persecution. Part of the pastor’s role in places like this is to protect the flock by being an ambassador of Christ to local government officials. Last Christmas Krupal’s church hosted village police officers and other officials at a special celebration. The goodwill fostered by events like this will help Krupal when members of the church are attacked, either physically or in the courts.
Even in this hard ground and in the midst of spiritual warfare, the Word does not return void. On Palm Sunday this year Krupal baptized a young man named Mahesh. From a Hindu family, Mahesh had been the leader of a fundamentalist organization at college. Now, by the grace of God and the faithful service of Krupal and others in the church, Mahesh has been totally transformed for Christ. Praise the Lord!
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:13-15
How You Can Help
Krupal asks that you pray for him and his family, and pray that the Lord’s will be done in all the churches of India.
The pastors of India Connection are thankful for your encouragement and support. They do not ask that we underwrite their day-to-day operations financially. However, we can help them by providing tools like a scooter, which can greatly expand the area they can influence for Christ.
Many of our fellowships do not have a place to meet and worship the Lord. By the grace of God, and your generosity, we have recently built church buildings in Agra, Ratnagiri and Jagdalpur, where they stand as a witness to the Good News of hope and salvation.
If you, your church or organization would like to learn more about how to help a pastor or build a village church, contact us at indiaconnection.org.
