The Advantages of Native Missionaries
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few." Matthew 9:37
Why India?
India is located in a region where the needs, both physically and spiritually, are desperate and urgent.- Population is 1.3 billion
- Nearly 30% live below the poverty level (annual incomes less than $500)
- Only 2.2 percent are Christians
- India is smack dab in the middle of the 10/40 Window - where every major non-Christian religion - Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism, Atheism, and Sikhism - is headquartered.As you can see on the map, India is predominately Hindu.
"Half a million Indian communities still lack any witnessing body of believers." (Mission India)
Seems like a promising mission field, right?
But while many knowledgeable sources believe India is the most unreached nation, only 5 cents out of every $100 spent on missions globally is directed towards countries like India that are located in the 10/40 window. Some speculate that the lack of mission resources in India is due to:
- Its Persecution Ranking being 10th globally; and
- In parts of India, witnessing the Christian Gospel is illegal,and will result in imprisonment or death
Why God is Growing His Church with Native Church Planters in India
At Kerusomen we've found that coming alongside native missionaries and helping them reach their own people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is both practical and advantageous. Some of the benefits of supporting National church planters are:
- Finances. Statistics show that a native church planter's salary is 1/10th of a western missionary. Accustomed to living on the same wages as his fellow citizens, (often less than $200 a month), multiplies the value of each and every dollar invested in the mission. And leverages your giving immensely for God's glory.
- Communication and Culture. Learning the language and adjusting to the culture is time consuming and a huge expense for traditional missions initiatives. During this learning curve, months - or even years - may pass while less outreach is accomplished. Clearly the native worker has the edge in this regard. From the very first day in the field, he/she is a ready, able and effective evangelist and teachable church planter.
- Lifetime Commitment. Most missionaries are sent overseas for a finite period of time (3 years is the average). A national remains in the country for decades then retires there, where he/she can continue impacting the community for Christ.
- There is no alternative. Today, over half of the world has not heard the Gospel. Let's face it, God created a big world. There are simply not enough western missionaries to reach all the world - even if every member of the body of Christ went overseas today. Without native ministries, much of the world will never hear the gospel.
How the India Initiative Works
Individual believers, organizations and churches in the U.S. partner with Kerusomen Gospel Ministries in our India Church Planting Initiative. Kerusomen sends support to the native pastors through Kerusomen Gospel Ministries, India. Additionally, Kerusomen US helps with accountability, and encourages them through mission trips and pastor training conferences.
God is at Work!
We are thrilled about what God is already doing. 53 churches and house churches have already been planted. The pastors are bold and loving, energized by the Holy Spirit, and "always prepared to give the reason for the hope that is in them."
The name of Jesus is being lifted up. Lives are being saved. Believers are being baptized. But there's so much more we can do together.
The name of Jesus is being lifted up. Lives are being saved. Believers are being baptized. But there's so much more we can do together.
Come Run With Us!
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us." Hebrews 12:1How do we, individually, fulfill the Great Commission? Hearing the multitude of heartbreaking stories, learning the vast unreached numbers, can overwhelm us and even discourage us. We think "what difference can I make?" The answer is simple. None, if we don't get in the race.
We believe our personal "race" involves India. Reaching one person at a time. Building partnerships with native believers who are best equipped to saturate their country with churches transformed by the Good News of Jesus Christ.
We invite you to get to know us and our hearts through this site. May God bless you as we earn your trust. We pray you'll stand with us in prayers and financial support for the church planters in India.
The cost to support a pastor is $50 a month. This small amount covers 40% of his living expenses. Smaller gifts are combined with others to make a total $50 gift for each pastor every month. Your gifts are an investment with returns multiplied as these evangelists sow saving grace into the lives and hearts of many.
The time is short. Let's run!
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