 |
|
|
|
|
India's government has officially closed the country to foreign missionaries. The only real opportunity for the message of Christ to be heard is for native missionaries to carry it to their own people. Since they do not need to be trained in the languages and culture of India, it is by far the most cost-effective way, as well. Only $50.00 per month (U.S. currency) will support a native missionary in India, through Siloam Faith Evangelical Church.
Winning souls for Jesus Christ in a land dominated by Hinduism is not an easy task, but by God's strength, native missionaries sponsored by the Siloam Faith Evangelical Church are meeting the challenge and are caring for India's spiritual and social needs.
Siloam Faith Evangelical Church was founded in 1983 by Pastor M.A. Eliphaz, who also serves as president of the ministry. The work is dependent totally upon God providing for it's financial needs through believers in India and abroad who share a mutual concern for the ministry. And as God supplies the resources and the direction, the ministry continues to expand.
Besides the central task of evangelism and planting churches in India, the SFEC is involved in ministering to a poverty-stricken society. The work includes educational development for children and youth, medical care, management of orphanages, providing food and care for needy children and widows, and helping local farmers start on the road to financial independance. SFEC also has a Bible school to train born-again believers to become pastors.
There are many opportunities to help SFEC reach India with the Gospel of Christ. The orphanage provides the children's ministry and youth of our churches a practical opportunity for personal involvement in missions.
If you would like further information please write Siloam Faith Evangelical Church, P.O. Box 352, Industrial Estate, Satrampadu, Eluru - 53400, A.P. India. Be sure to use a $0.60 stamp and mark the letter air-mail.
The following section describes areas of SFEC ministry which provide opportunities to believers and churches in reaching India for Christ.
The native pastor-teacher's main purpose is to introduce those, lost in darkness, to Jesus Christ, the one true Light. The people of India worship many different gods, including idols in any number of animals, plants and other objects. Native Missionaries in India's local Pastors evangelize their native land through street preaching, mass rallies, and meeting the social and medical needs of the people of India. Native pastors travel between several villages caring for spiritual needs of the people and accompany the message with practical help. $50.00 per month supports one man. More than 20 churches have been planted since 1983 and advanced Christianity in India. A building for new churches costs $4,500.
The SFEC's mobile hospital is operated by trained doctors and nurses. It travels between remote villages and provides rural people with much-needed medical care. The medical team first gives the gospel message to these who are gathered, then provides vaccinations, medication and whatever treatment is needed. A mobile medical van cost $13,500.
The SFEC orphanage feeds and cares for 150 children, including 30 residents and 120 non-residents. The orphans receive spiritual training, food, clothing, education, books and other necessities. Orphans can be supported at $30 per month. A new building for another orphanage that would expand the ministry costs $25,000. In India, most widows and elderly people are neglected by society and without hope. SFEC cares for more than 60 elderly men and women, and provides food and clothing to widows.
With an eye on the future, SFEC plans to start a Christian school to train more workers. The goal is to eventually have 1,000 students at the school. A building for such a project costs $35,000.
Helping the poor of India get on their feet economically is a major objective of the goat project. The ministry provides goats to needy people, who learn to raise their own stock. The firstborn goats are returned to the mission to be given to another needy family. The cost of this is $1,000.
Copyright 1996 - 2002©
Calvary Chapel of Port Charlotte