Honoring the Legacy of Pastor Rohit and A Bright Future Ahead In Odisha

In the rich tapestry of India's landscape, certain threads shine brighter, weaving stories of unwavering faith and purpose. Pastor Rohit from Deogarh, Odisha, was one such radiant thread, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. His journey, marked by humility and immense dedication, stands as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel.

A Humble Beginning, A Resounding Impact

Pastor Rohit embarked on his mission in Deogarh, planting his first IRCP church between 2013 and 2016. Smart, innovative, and passionate, Rohit dedicated his life to discipling the Odiya people. From the very beginning, his ability to draw people to Jesus was evident. His jovial nature and inquisitive mind turned learning into a joyful experience, making him a favorite among trainers.

A Flourishing Ministry

Blessed by the Lord, Rohit's ministry flourished. Not only did he achieve self-sustainability, but he also secured a home for his family. The first church he planted, under the guidance and supervision of REAP India, blossomed into a mother church, giving birth to four daughter churches. In his eight years of service, Rohit led over 300 people to the Lord, raised seven leaders, and imparted the vision of disciple-making, even amidst the history of hostility towards Christian workers in the region.

A Legacy That Inspires

In May 2021, Pastor Rohit succumbed to COVID-19 and was called to his heavenly abode. While his untimely passing left a void, his legacy continues to inspire future generations of church planters undergoing the IRCP training program at BBCM. Rohit has become a significant reference point for the deployment of church planters among the Odiya people.

Supporting the Growth

Pastor Rohit's impact is still felt, and his vision lives on in the churches and disciples he nurtured. To honor his memory and continue his work, REAP India is committed to lending support wherever possible to mature these church plants. Pastor Rohit's story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, faith can move mountains and transform lives.

Investing in Odisha Church Plants

As we remember Pastor Rohit, we are reminded of the strength and resilience embedded in a life dedicated to the Gospel. His journey and the fruits of his labor continue to inspire, enlightening the path for many more to follow. Pastor Rohit's legacy is not just a story of an individual’s faith, but a beacon of hope and a testament to the transformative power of divine love in the heart of Deogarh, Odisha.

If you’d like to honor Pastor Odisha’s legacy and help continue his work, you can give towards our church planting efforts here.

Why Is India in Such Need of Strategic Discipleship?

India, a land of cultural diversity, is fertile ground for the Good News of the Gospel. While the nation offers an incredible opportunity, it also presents unique challenges for spreading the Gospel. At REAP India, our mission is rooted in strategic discipleship that aims to plant churches and support pastors throughout the country. But why is this work particularly urgent in India? Let's delve into the critical factors.

95% Unbelievers

The Indian subcontinent is home to nearly 1.4 billion souls, and yet, about 95% are unbelievers. The majority of the population adheres to Hinduism, Islam, and animistic worldviews. The spirituality in India is marked by a mystical ethos, often enveloping individuals in a world where truth is sometimes seen as threatening to existing cultural practices. These barriers make the spread of the Gospel a complex but vital undertaking.

Polytheistic Culture

The prevalent polytheistic culture in India has created an atmosphere of perverted worship systems that often lead to fanaticism and brutality. Rising incidents of threats and killings for religious causes further emphasize the immediate need for the message of Jesus Christ—one of love and peace. 

Legal Obstacles

In recent years, India has seen an increase in laws that suppress Christians. With secularism and religious freedom receiving new restrictive interpretations, the challenge to spread the Gospel is becoming increasingly difficult. This institutional hurdle only underscores the importance of strategic, long-term efforts to fulfill the Great Commission in India.

Untrained Pastors

Despite the passion and zeal of many pastors in India, there exists a significant gap in their theological, biblical, and missional training. This inadequacy often makes them less effective in reaching out to the unbelievers and addressing existing issues and challenges. Additionally, pastors working in remote regions are isolated from productive training programs, hampering their efforts even more.

Not Reaching the Community

One of the most pressing concerns is the inability of many churches to bridge the gap between the Christian and non-Christian communities effectively. Without strategic discipleship and adequate training, even well-meaning Christians are not equipped to reach these undisciplined communities.

The Role of REAP India

Recognizing these challenges, REAP India is committed to strategic discipleship through church planting and supporting pastors across the country. We aim to:

• Train Pastors: Equip pastors with theological education and practical skills to navigate the complexities of ministry in a diverse culture.

• Church Planting: Plant churches in rural settings, providing a local body of believers to support and encourage one another.

• Community Outreach: Develop specialized training programs that enable Christians to reach out effectively to non-believing communities.

• Legal Support: Offer resources and support for churches to navigate the legal landscape while maintaining a clear focus on their mission.

• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with other organizations and ministries to extend our reach and impact.

Why Partner with Us?

The task ahead is enormous but so is the opportunity. When you partner with REAP India, you are investing in a strategic, long-term vision to bring the love of Jesus Christ to a land thirsting for true peace and hope.

By supporting our work, you enable us to:

• Train and equip more pastors.

• Plant more churches in unreached areas.

• Develop community outreach programs.

• Offer legal support to churches in need.

• Amplify the impact through partnerships.

Through your generous donations and prayers, you become a co-laborer in our mission.

Become A Part of What God is Doing in India

India's spiritual landscape is complex but not impassable. With strategic discipleship, committed leaders, and the transformative power of the Gospel, we believe that change is not just possible—it is inevitable. Join us as we embark on this divine assignment to share the love of Jesus Christ with the people of India.

To learn more about how you can support our work, please click here.

Raising Local Leaders: Our Mission in Church Planting Training in South Asia

In the vibrant colors and intricate tapestry of South Asia lies a compelling call to share the Gospel with so many who have never heard it. From bustling cities to the tranquil, rural farmlands, our organization strives to respond to this call by nurturing and training local leaders dedicated to spreading the Gospel. We deeply appreciate our donors' incredible commitment and belief in our mission, and today, we would like to offer a closer look into the work we do, especially with regard to our training programs.

Academy for Church Planting and Leadership

At the heart of our operations is the Academy for Church Planting and Leadership (ACPL). This renowned training institute nurtures individuals, both men and women, who aspire to plant churches and take up leadership roles within the church planting community. ACPL doesn't just teach the Bible; it integrates special revelation with science, commerce, and arts (general revelation) to foster a comprehensive understanding of God’s purpose for humankind.

Our graduates primarily engage in church planting and mission leadership, armed with knowledge and skills to navigate the myriad of cultural, social, and political challenges they encounter. Their holistic training is fortified with sound empirical research methodologies, a unique facet of our program that allows them to engage more profoundly with the communities they serve.

Accredited by the Indian Institute of Missiology (IIM) and a proud member of the Asian Theological Association (ATA), ACPL is a beacon of faith, knowledge, and community building. For further details on these programs, please visit our website at www.a4cpl.org.

Grass Roots Engagement: Certified Programs

Alongside the work of ACPL, we're aware that the grassroots levels within the region house a vast number of unreached people. Our certified programs extend beyond the traditional classroom, reaching out to these grassroots church planters and leaders, who play a crucial role in expanding God's kingdom. By contextualizing training materials to resonate with regional dynamics, we ensure their relevance and efficacy.

Understanding the practical challenges our grass root leaders face, such as leaving their familiar culture and agricultural land, we've optimized our program structure. It now allows potential leaders to acquire vital training without disrupting their everyday lives significantly.

Indigenous Reproductive Church Planting

In alignment with our emphasis on “Indigenous Reproductive Church Planting,” we launched the 'Diploma in Church Planting' in February 2013. This program caters specifically to grass-roots level church planters and leaders, aiming to promote the planting of self-supporting, self-propagating, and self-governing churches in their native regions.

Training Needs and Costs

Training church planters is not a short-term task. We foresee at least a 36-month period for a successful indigenous reproductive church to be planted. Therefore, we've adapted our training model to distribute training over the same time frame. This approach has not only reduced the time taken to plant a church but also facilitated ongoing research and growth.

Implementing such a transformative strategy, however, requires financial resources. It costs us $1800 to train each person per batch, with each batch consisting of 6 training events spread over 36 months. A monthly support of $50 for a period of 36 months from generous donors like you can help us meet the training costs of one church planter.

Each year, we aim to train 150 church planters in South Asia, an endeavor that requires an annual budget of $90,000. Perhaps the Lord is leading you to support this mission. If you would like to know more about our training events or contribute towards this, please contact us at info@reapindia.church.

The work we do, with your invaluable support, is more than just training individuals. It's about empowering communities, nurturing faith, and cultivating a culture of Christ-likeness. Let's continue this journey together, planting churches and spreading the Gospel throughout South Asia. Together, we can make a lasting impact and sow seeds of faith for a brighter future.

Cultivating Leadership: Unveiling New Horizons of Faith with the Academy for Church Planting & Leadership

We are so excited to celebrate the 2023 graduating class of the Academy for Church Planting & Leadership.

Our mission at REAP is to make disciples, one way we do that is through the work of ACPL and church planting efforts throughout India. ACPL’s goal is to cultivate spiritual leadership and empower passionate individuals to sow the seeds of faith across the vast landscapes of India. Driven by a vision to strengthen the spiritual fabric of our society, ACPL is shaping new pastors and church planters, equipping them with the essential skills, theological training, and compassionate hearts to build, nourish, and replicate their own churches.

Graduation Day: A Testament of Achievement and Aspiration

We have just celebrated the graduation of our latest class, a group of dedicated and determined individuals who have shown tremendous commitment to their callings.

This group of men hail from various backgrounds but share a common, burning passion - to be messengers of the Gospel. They have spent countless hours immersing themselves in theological studies, leadership training, and community-building exercises. Their journey has been one of personal and collective growth, interspersed with moments of challenge, triumph, self-discovery, and a deepened relationship with God.

Their time at ACPL has prepared them not just with a rich theological understanding, but also with practical, hands-on experience to navigate the real-world challenges of church planting and leadership. Through our various outreach programs and training they have had the opportunity to engage with communities, understand their spiritual needs, and apply their learning in a meaningful way.

We wholeheartedly congratulate our graduates for their steadfast determination, their remarkable accomplishments, and most importantly, for the incredible journey that lies ahead of them. As they take their first steps into the world as trained pastors and church planters, we know they are equipped to make a lasting difference in the lives they touch and the communities they serve.

Onward with Faith: The Journey Continues

As our graduates venture forth to plant new churches and nourish existing ones, our mission continues. The ACPL will tirelessly strive to provide quality education and leadership training for future pastors and church planters. We are fueled by the success of our students, knowing that each new church founded and each community touched brings us one step closer to our vision.

To our graduates, we send you out with heartfelt prayers.

Let's together continue sowing the seeds of the Gospel, one leader at a time.

Stone Memorial Building Update

We have exciting progress to share this month on The John & Phyllis Stone Memorial building!

If you are unfamiliar with this project, we were blessed in 2021 with donations to The John & Phyllis Stone Memorial. We were able to raise over $200,000 to go towards this important project. All funds raised are being used for the work at our ministry’s main campus in Bangalore, India to build a new dormitory for church planters during their training as well as further training facilities. This is a key tool in our work to raise up church-planting disciple-makers.

Our need to build the dormitory is driven by our goal of educating 100 church planters every year, and we want to begin training their spouses, too. The current facility cannot house more than 20 people at a time and is severely inadequate. The new facility will include dormitories, bathroom facilities, food services, classrooms, and space for producing our online training modules.

New work is being completed and we are starting to see the bones of this project come together. Take a look at recent photos of the work being done below. We still need more funds to finish this project!

The second level of the structure is underway!

This is the first level where there will be parking.

Progress of the roofing work being completed.

We are so excited to see work being completed on this extremely important project. Stay tuned for more updates to come soon!

If you’d like to learn more about this project or give to the John & Phyllis Stone Memorial Project, click here, contact Steve Albright at reaptreasurer@gmail.com, or give us a call at 865-409-0371.