Evangelical Friends began ministry in India clear back in 1892. Today there are six groups of Evangelical Friends churches located in different parts of India. Four of those groups have leaders that work directly with EFM. In this update you’ll hear from two of them.
D.K. and Choity Sarkar lead a group of churches in the state of West Bengal. This is how they have answered the four questions:
How is COVID-19 affecting those who live in the area where you live and minister?
- The people of West Bengal are not serious about the lock down. The problem is the people think that they know everything. That is why they criticize the leaders and rule of lock down. They know better than the country’s leaders or doctors. They have rebellious attitude. If they would listen to the leaders the effect of the virus would be less. At present the police are beating those who are in the streets. The government declared heavy punishment for the law breakers.
How is this situation affecting the ministry you lead?
- The effect is too much. We had to stop all the programs. Our office is closed, meetings are closed, and the church service is closed. Our evangelism programs on Good Friday and Easter are stopped. All the church services for all the missions are closed. We are not at all happy. All the Christians have a wish that they would be able to join together for the Good Friday and Easter services.
- Due to lock down of the whole country, all the buses, trains, and other transportation are stopped. Our staff could not come to take their salaries. I told them the situation and they also know. I told them to adjust to the situation and get help from other sources.
What are some opportunities you are seeing for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don’t know him?
- We have opportunities to share the good news locally. By God’s grace some people are ready to listen. I do not know whether they will take any decision or not, but we are praying for them.
- We are using our phones to pray for others and our staff, to encourage our staff, and to preach good news to some nearer friends.
- Every evening a few of us come together and spend time in prayer. Last Sunday twelve members could come to our service.
- One couple named Mr. & Mrs. Ghose are attending our evening prayer meeting. Please pray for them.
- All our missionaries, pastors, and school teachers are visiting their local areas and praying and comforting their neighbors.
What are two or three prayer requests we can use to pray for you and those you lead?
- Pray for India.
- Pray for the protection of the believers of India.
- Pray for the protection of the believers, leaders, and churches that are part of our ministry.
Babir and Lalita Gautam lead a growing work in another state not too far from West Bengal. Here is how they have answered the questions:
How is COVID-19 affecting those who live in the area where you live and minister?
- The government has locked down everything as a safety measure. Even Sunday service is closed along with shopping malls, railway, airports, parks, etc.
How is this situation affecting the ministry you lead?
- We have more time to spend with family. We devote our time to reading the Bible and praying.
- We did a prayer chain for 40 hours with all the pastors while sitting in our homes.
- I find that God has given us time to reflect on our own spiritual lives.
- We are not able to do house visits. Our pastor training program for Muslim ministry has been postponed.
What are some opportunities you are seeing for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don’t know him?
- I am making calls to my relatives and friends regarding COVID-19 and telling them to just be preventive. While I am having these chats I am also sharing what the Bible tells us about end time and how we should respond to Jesus. Matthew 3:2 says, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” After the conversation I take time to pray for them. WhatsApp and other digital media are useful in this situation to share the Gospel, but I feel more comfortable in taking time and making personal calls.
What are two or three prayer requests we can use to pray for you and those you lead?
- Pray for the whole world that it should come out of this pandemic.
- Pray for the economies of the nations.
- Pray that every single person would have peace in their hearts and the love of Jesus abiding in them.
- Pray for our leaders nationwide that they be untouched by the infection of COVID-19 in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
P.S. While we are providing this special round of updates to EFM’s largest email list (due to the world-wide impact of COVID-19), we will continue, as always, providing brief praise and prayer requests from each contributing field through our monthly EFM Prayer Letter. This is the easiest way to get regular, brief updates from missionaries and national leaders. If you do not currently receive the EFM Prayer Letter, we encourage you to subscribe by clicking the button below.
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