The Unique Ways Easter is Celebrated in India

In much of India, Easter Sunday passes by without mention. Markets remain open, schools continue, and there are no public holidays or national fanfare. But tucked into churches and homes across the country, small communities gather to remember something that we know is life-changing — the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

These quiet, faithful celebrations may not be seen by many, but their impact is undeniable.

Bold, Faithful Celebration 

While Christians make up just 2–3% of India’s population, the body of Christ is active and growing. In regions like Kerala, Goa, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and parts of Tamil Nadu, Easter Sunday is filled with joyful praise, sunrise worship services, and celebratory meals.

Much like here in the U.S., Indian believers observe Holy Week with Palm Sunday, Good Friday gatherings, and special Easter services. But the context is often far more difficult. In many places, Christians celebrate quietly not because they are ashamed, but because they are surrounded by neighbors who may not understand, or may even oppose, their faith. And yet they worship boldly, knowing that Jesus is alive and that resurrection power is at work.

Food is a key part of Easter joy in India just like for so many of us here in the US, it just looks and tastes a little dofferent. In Kerala, families gather around tables filled with appam (fermented rice pancakes) and savory stew. Hot cross buns and Easter eggs — a legacy of British influence — are also popular in many regions. 

For many, Easter follows 40 days of Lent, where believers fast, reflect, and prepare their hearts for Resurrection Sunday. The season of sacrifice makes Easter morning a meaningful moment of deep joy after a time of spiritual preparation.

Celebrating Our Risen King

At REAP, we are privileged to partner with local believers and church planters who live out the truth of Easter not just on one Sunday, but every day. They carry the message of the risen Christ into villages, cities, and homes, even in places where His name is barely known.

This Easter, we invite you to pause and consider the beauty of Resurrection Sunday in India. Talk with your family about how Easter is celebrated around the world. Pray for boldness, joy, and protection for the believers in India who are celebrating whether in public or private, all with the faith that Christ is risen indeed.

Pray With Us

• Pray for Indian believers who celebrated Easter with courage and joy.

• Pray for the families of our church planters — that they would find strength in the hope of the resurrection.

• Pray for new believers, especially those coming out of Hindu or tribal traditions, to grow in their understanding of Easter.

• Pray that the Gospel message would spread in both bold and quiet ways — and that many more in India would come to know the risen Jesus.

From sunrise services in Kerala to quiet gatherings in rural villages, Easter in India may look different but the truth is the same. He is risen. He is risen indeed.

April Springbuds Update

At REAP, we believe that every child deserves a safe place to grow, to be nurtured, and to be known. That’s why our Springbuds homes exist.

We provide stability and care for children who have been abandoned, neglected, or caught in situations where their families can’t care for them right now or even into the future.

Thanks to your support, we’re not just providing meals and shelter but we’re offering the love of Jesus, quality education, and a community where each child is seen and valued. Today, we want to introduce you to a few of the children who’ve recently joined our Springbuds family.

Meet Tsongtsa

Tsongtsa is six years old and comes from Noklak, a remote part of Nagaland. His parents are divorced, and he was living with his father, who struggled to care for him and his siblings. With no stable support system, Tsongtsa was brought to Springbuds, where he now has a warm bed, nutritious meals, and a place to play and learn. He’s already showing signs of joy and security as he settles into the home.

Meet Keren

At just six years old, Keren has already experienced deep uncertainty. She is from the Karbi tribe. Her father disappeared without a trace, leaving her mother to care not only for Keren but also for her in-laws, all without any source of income. When our caretaker, Archim, heard about Keren’s situation, she reached out to us. Now Keren is thriving in our care. Her smile is contagious, and she’s quickly made friends in her new environment.

Meet Asila

Asila is the youngest of this group—just four years old. She comes from the Tikiri tribe in Nagaland. After her parents divorced, she was sent to live with relatives at the age of two. Despite their best efforts, her relatives couldn’t provide the care she needed. Now, Asila is a Springbud and she is receiving the attention and affection she deserves.

Meet Hevishe

Hevishe recently celebrated his 7th birthday. He is from the Sumi tribe of Nagaland. His father passed away, and his mother, who is illiterate, depends on sporadic daily-wage work to survive. With no steady income, she couldn’t afford to raise both of her sons. While his older brother remains in their village, Hevishe was brought to Springbuds after his mother and relatives approached pur team for help. Now, he has a new beginning filled with hope and opportunity.

Your Generosity Makes This Possible

Each of these children carries a unique story, shaped by hardship but is now being rewritten with hope. Your giving allows us to say “yes” when a child needs help, a safe home, nourishing meals, and education that can shape their future.

We’re praying for more partners who will walk alongside us in this journey.

To begin sponsoring a child like Tsongtsa, Keren, Asila, or Hevishe, simply click here.

Exciting Church Planting Updates in O

At REAP India, our mission is clear: train local believers to plant and reproduce discipleship-driven, community-impacting churches. Across India, the Gospel is moving, breaking barriers, and bringing transformation, especially in O.

New Believers Exploring Their Faith

In O, we see firsthand the deep hunger for truth among seekers and new believers. Many who have accepted Christ now stand in prayer for the salvation of their family and friends. These prayers are not just routine words, they are truly cries of the heart, and show the deep burden they carry for their loved ones. We’re seeing new believers understand thar the Gospel is not just personal, but it compels believers to reach out, to intercede, and to share the hope they have found with others. 

Hope in an Oppressive Society

For many, especially women, life in O can be filled with hardship, because of their gender. Society often suppresses them, limiting their voice, their opportunities, and their sense of worth. But in Jesus, they find something radically different and that is a message of hope, dignity, and redemption. A simple Gospel conversation can plant a seed of hope in their hearts and we’re seeing this first-hand. When seekers hear the Gospel, they realize that their value is not determined by societal standards but by the immeasurable love of Christ.

Transforming Relationships

One of the most remarkable testimonies we’ve seen is the way the Holy Spirit can reconcile and restore relationships, particularly among the women pictured here. We have seen the Holy Spirit begin to work in their hearts and their relationships have been transformed. Instead of division, there is unity. Instead of bitterness, there is love. What was once a culture of strife we’re seeing becoming a community of affirmation, encouragement, and support. The power of the Gospel does not just bring personal salvation, but it can reshape communities from the inside out.

Pray for O

As our church planters continue to share the Gospel and disciple new believers, we invite you to join us in prayer:

• Pray for those who are seeking truth, that they would come to know Jesus as their Savior.

• Pray for new believers as they stand firm in their faith despite opposition.

• Pray for women experiencing transformation, that their support groups would grow and become beacons of hope for others.

The Gospel is advancing in O and the work is only beginning. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Together, we are seeing lives changed and communities renewed by the love of Christ.

Looking Back at 2024 with Gratitude

As we step into a brand-new year, we can’t help but look back on 2024 with deep gratitude. This year has been a testament to what faith, community, and shared purpose can create. With your support, we’ve made incredible strides in our mission to bring hope and transformation to South Asia. Our board got to see this in action this summer as they visited church plants, our springbud homes, and met with BBCM Boards in India. Let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the highlights that made 2024 an amazing year.

The John & Phyllis Stone Memorial Building: Almost Complete!

One of the most exciting milestones this year has been the near completion of the John & Phyllis Stone Memorial Building. Thanks to your incredible generosity, this state-of-the-art facility will soon open its doors, providing dorms, classrooms, offices, and living spaces for church planters and their families. Once completed, we’ll have the capacity to train over 100 disciple-makers each year—multiplying our impact across South Asia for generations to come.

A Growing Harvest in Our Church Planting Efforts

This year, our vision to establish one church for every 10,000 people in South Asia has seen incredible progress. In October, we shared the transformation of a remote village that now has a thriving church community. This story is just one example of the many lives being changed through our 100 Church Plants Initiative. By training and supporting local leaders, we’re building a legacy of healthy, reproducing churches that will continue to grow and bless their communities. 

The Future Keeps Getting Brighter for the Springbuds

Our Springbuds program has flourished this year, creating safe and nurturing environments for children in need. In June, we celebrated as students began their new school year equipped with fresh bags and shoes, thanks to your generosity. The program continues to provide education, emotional support, and a loving community, empowering children to dream big and break free from cycles of poverty and neglect all while learning about the power of the Gospel. 

Two Incredible Events

2024 was filled with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and support REAP’s mission through two incredible partner events.

Picnic in the Grove

What a night we had at this year’s Picnic in the Grove! Held at Fair Market Austin, this unforgettable evening brought together over 200 attendees for fun, fellowship, and fundraising. The night was packed with activities that had everyone buzzing, from two competitive cornhole tournaments (the GOAT bracket and the Billy bracket) to live music by Will Dupuy and his band. Families enjoyed a petting zoo while attendees of all ages marveled at the live auction hosted by the talented Cowboy Auctioneers.

Beacon for India

In November, nearly 150 partners gathered in Knoxville for our first annual Beacon for India event. This night was a joyful celebration filled with faith and fun, including REAP trivia, a lip-sync competition, and impactful stories about the lives being changed through your support. To everyone who attended, sponsored, or prayed over these events: thank you! Your unwavering support is sowing seeds of faith and making a lasting difference in countless lives.

Thanks to your generosity, through the two events, we raised an astounding $324,000 to support vital programs like the GOATway program, Springbuds, and our church planting efforts. Our ministry on the ground in South Asia is truly thriving because of the generous support of our partners here in the US.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we reflect on all that’s been accomplished, we’re filled with hope and excitement for the year ahead. Together, we’ve built strong foundations for growth, but the work is far from over. With your continued support, we can extend our reach, transform more communities, and bring the love and transforming power of the Gospel throughout South Asia. 

If you’re inspired by what we’ve achieved together and want to make an impact in 2025, we’d love to have you join us. Whether it’s through prayer, financial support, or spreading the word about our mission, every effort makes a difference.

Click here to learn how you can give and get involved this year.

Thank you for being a vital part of this journey. We are trusting and believing that the best is yet to come!

Help Us Complete the Stone Memorial Building!

This Giving Tuesday, we’re thrilled to share exciting news about the John & Phyllis Stone Memorial building. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’re just a few steps away from completing this vital project by December 31st!

If you’ve followed this journey, you know how transformative this facility will be for our ministry. Once completed, it will house dormitories, classrooms, offices, and living arrangements for church planters and their spouses, enabling us to train over 100 church-planting disciple-makers every year. This expansion will empower us to grow exponentially, equipping leaders with the tools they need to impact South Asia for generations to come.

The Progress so Far

Since 2021, we’ve raised over $250,000 to bring this vision to life. The funds have been well-used, and the facility is now taking shape! What started as a dream has turned into a tangible reality—a space where future leaders can gather, learn, and prepare to serve communities across the region.

However, as with many construction projects, rising costs due to inflation have brought unexpected challenges. While the initial $250,000 covered much of the project, we now face a $43,000 funding gap to finish the work.

Why This Facility Matters

The John & Phyllis Stone Memorial building is far more than bricks and mortar; it’s a legacy of discipleship and ministry. Inspired by John Stone’s vision and passion for training leaders in South Asia, this facility will serve as the hub for our Indigenous Reproductive Church Plants (IRCP) initiative. It will provide:

• Dormitories: Comfortable living spaces for church planters and their families.

• Classrooms: Equipped to host in-depth theological and practical training.

• Food Services: Supporting the physical needs of trainees during their intensive preparation.

• Production Space: Dedicated areas to create online training materials, expanding our reach beyond physical boundaries.

This project honors the faithful service of John and Phyllis Stone, whose dedication continues to inspire our mission.

How You Can Help

We’re so close to the finish line! Will you prayerfully consider partnering with us to close this $43,000 gap and finish the work?

Your gift—no matter the size—will make a meaningful impact, bringing us closer to completing a facility that will shape the future of church planting across South Asia.

Would you consider sharing this opportunity with your friends and family? Together, we can finish what we’ve started and see this building become a beacon of hope and discipleship for South Asia.

Thank you for your continued partnership in this project. Let’s finish strong—together!

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR DONATION.