With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we can’t help but feel incredibly thankful for all of you. Our recent Beacon for India event was an amazing reminder of how much support we have in this mission to bring hope to South Asia. From family and friends reconnecting to new faces joining the journey, it was a night that felt like a true family gathering.
An Evening of Fun, Fellowship, and Faith
We had nearly 150 people come out to support REAP India at our very first annual event in Knoxville! It felt more like a reunion, with so many familiar faces from Berean Bible and folks connected through our founder, John Stone. From a cornhole tournament to fun rounds of REAP trivia, a lip-sing off with 3 youth, and a scavenger hunt that had adults racing around, the evening was filled with laughter, joy, and friendly competition.
Stories of Impact and a Challenge to Join the Mission
Throughout the night, we had some incredible speakers who shared how your support fuels real change:
Pete Stone, John’s son, brought a heartfelt challenge to everyone, encouraging us all to be part of God’s mission in India. Drawing from his military experience, he shared insights on why this work matters deeply.
Our President, Sam Rajkumar, took us through some of the history and vision of our ministry in India, showing us how our efforts are making a lasting difference.
Tom Moore shared about his experience teaching theological classes to Indian pastors, and how the training helps them spread hope in their communities.
Our wonderful emcee, Stephanie, highlighted how every single donation impacts the lives of pastors, children, and communities across South Asia. She spoke about our Goatway Project, which helps pastors start small businesses, and how the funds from this event help sponsor children in our Springbud program, giving them a home, food, and education.
The Power of Every Gift, Big or Small
Whether you were able to give a little or a lot, your generosity means the world to us. Every donation from the event goes directly toward:
Church Planter Sponsorships – $400 a month trains and supports a pastor in the field.
The Goatway Project – $3,600 helps a seasoned pastor start a sustainable business by providing a goat herd to support their community.
Springbud Sponsorships – $150 a month changes a child’s life by covering their housing, food, and schooling.
Even smaller donations add up to make a huge impact—three people giving $50 a month can fund one Springbud child, and four people giving $100 can support a church planter.
When we all come together, amazing things happen!
Thank You for Being Part of This Mission
We’re already looking forward to more events like this and to growing our REAP family even more. Your generosity, encouragement, and excitement have filled our hearts. Thank you for coming out, for believing in this mission, and for making a difference.
Here’s to even more lives changed together. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
