This week, we focus on EMU’s missionaries in India. Last week I had the privilege of sitting in on a Skype video conference with Billy. This was my first time to meet him. I must confess that I was very impressed with his vision and his passion. In a country of 1.3 billion people, he has chosen as his mission to give everyone “One Fair Chance” at hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Already in the past 16 years he has been a part of establishing 40 Bible Institutes in 9 different states, with over 11,000 graduates.
Billy and Saritha
Billy was brought up in a God-fearing family. Both of Billy’s great grandfathers served as missionaries to Myanmar (Burma). From a young age, Billy was active in his father’s ministry, although he didn’t repent of his sins, put faith in Christ, and get baptized until the age of 16. In India Billy earned an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. Most recently he earned a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry at Shepherds Theological Seminary in Cary, NC.
Saritha was born into a Christian family. Although she attended Sunday school and youth events, her life was not transformed by the gospel until she started personally exploring the purpose of life. As a result of her grandmother’s godly influence and her own study of the Bible, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized in her teens.
You can find out more about Billy and Saritha’s ministry at the One Fair Chance and Good News Bible College & Seminary websites.
Billy and Saritha have one daughter named Bernice.
India
India is a diversely beautiful country full of life, energy and culture. It is the second largest country in the world with more than 1.3 billion inhabitance. It will have the world’s fastest growing economy by the end of 2016. It is also one of the most religious countries in the world with their most popular religion being Hinduism. Christianity is growing in India, but still more than 400 million people have never heard the name of Jesus.
India poses a unique and difficult challenge to carrying out the great commission because it is closed to foreign missionaries. We must support those Christians living in India who have taken up the challenge and are working to spread the message of salvation to their own people. Our mission is to equip the Christian leaders of India with theological knowledge so that they can impact their own neighborhoods and societies – nationals reaching nationals. The goal of One Fair Chance and Good News Bible College and Seminary is to take the gospel to all corners of the Indian nation.
Pray for India
With a population of over one billion people dispersed throughout 4,635 distinct people groups, speaking over 1,600 languages, and believing in at least twelve different official religions, India is proud to maintain relative unity among such rich diversity. (from PrayerCast.com)