God is so good! As we look back at the history of India Connection we remember how faithful God is. He has preserved us through pestilence and famine, He has prospered us as we have faithfully given our first fruits to Him; He has poured into us as we have poured into this ministry.
We recently had a chance to celebrate when, after not having met in person for two years due to the pandemic, the Koinonia Fellowship of Pune dedicated its beautiful new sanctuary. Please keep the church in your prayers as new people continue to join.
Twenty years ago, I don’t think any of us could have imagined where God was going to take this ministry, and even now He is continuing to move forward. He is calling us higher, to see things from a heavenly perspective, and catch a glimpse of His vision for the future. Praise the Lord!
Ministering to Tribal Peoples
The tribal areas continue to be fertile ground for the gospel. Tribal people do not have any other religion. They are not Hindu or Muslims, but their belief in the spirit world is very strong. When you tell them yes, there is a spirit world, and our Lord Jesus Christ reigns there, they understand right away. When you share the truth with them, that you don’t have to go to the witch doctor to ward off evil spirits, just come to Jesus, they are open to receive it.
One of the pastors we have come alongside in Odisha, Pastor Prasad, reports that a church there has opened a preschool for tribal children. The kids are given breakfast and clothing, an important supplement to what is available to them in their poor, remote village. We are using this platform to share the gospel. Please pray for these precious souls as they learn about Jesus and receive him as their Lord and Savior!
Building the church
Pastor Brundaban Ghanta is ministering to tribal people deep in the forests of Odisha. There are no roads or modern amenities that we would consider essential. He pastors over 100 people at this church, including children, all members of a previously unreached people group.
For the past two years this church has been trying to build a place for worship. They began construction but had to stop due to Covid and lack of funds. The structure has been sitting exposed to the weather and it’s beginning to fall apart. By God’s grace and through the generosity of India Connection supporters, He has provided the funds and construction will begin this month. In a month or two this new house of God will be complete. Thank You, Jesus!
Tribal woman receiving communion for the first time.
The Storehouses are Full
India Connection Ministries has been built on a strong foundation. Many people have come alongside us, each contributing their gifts and talents and doing their part, reaching the unreached in the cities and remote villages of India, teaching the untaught from our pulpits, raising up the next generation of leaders at the Koinonia College of Theology, healing the sick at the Koinonia Medical Clinic, and loving on the girls at the Girls Home.
In hindsight it’s easy to see the Lord’s hand guiding our organization and multiplying our blessings many times over. Ten years ago we broke ground on Pune Center to meet the needs of the fast-growing College, but God had other purposes for it as well. When the Girls Home came under persecution and urgently had to find a new place, we were able to give them sanctuary there. Later, we added a fourth floor and it became the home of the International School, which has enabled it to grow to over 30 students.
When Covid hit, we were in a strong position to withstand it. Before the lockdowns Esther had the foresight to fill Pastor Joseph’s house with bags of grain, and she used it not only to meet the needs of our people but to help feed the entire neighborhood. Through your generosity we were able to provide emergency food relief to our pastors across India. Our prayer is that the lost will see our good works, and know that He is God, from Whom all blessings flow!
Pastor Ben visits the Girls Home – February 2022
Looking to the Future
God’s timing is perfect. For the past few years we have been waiting on the Lord to begin the next phase of our growth. Today we believe the Lord is telling us that it is time to build and grow. Pune Center is full and the College, Girls Home and International School all urgently need room to expand.
We have a vision to build a new campus for India Connection Ministries that includes a Girls Home building for over 200 girls, and a state-of-the-art International School for students from K to 12. With more room at Pune Center, the College of Theology will also be able to resume its rapid growth.
Many of the resources needed for this expansion are already in place, a testimony to the generosity of our supporters. Our job is to continue to work to sustain this larger vision.
“It is just a matter of prayer.” Pastor Joseph once told me. With all that we’ve witnessed the Lord do over the past three years, his words ring even more true today. “Let us put these needs before God. If it is in the plan of God, He will provide it.”
Blessings,
Steve Morse
