Having had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home, I experienced our family praying regularly for “the missionaries.” But it went beyond that—we actually met real missionaries! They often stayed at our home as they passed through our city on their deputation trips. Better still, I went to school and church with a girl who later went to India as a nurse, married another missionary, and had three children. Tragically, her husband and two sons were murdered by Hindu extremists in 1999.

While living in Sydney in the 1970s, the church I attended was also home to a missionary family who had worked in the Andhra Pradesh region of India for four generations. Upon seeing the way girls and women were treated and the limited prospects they had in life, Aunty Joy started a hostel where girls from families living in extreme poverty could come, live safely, get an education, learn life skills, and hear about Jesus. I personally took the step of visiting India to see the work with my own eyes, undertaking several visits.

The gospel of Jesus was first brought to India by Jesus’ disciple Thomas. Yet, 500,000 villages still need to hear and see the good news of Christ’s love. To be truly effective in India, the Gospel must wear an Indian face. Indian culture and customs are very different from the Western way of doing things. So, when I met Emmanuel and Chris and heard about their work and the vision of Indian Reformed Fellowship Queensland to preach the gospel and train local pastors, I was committed. Their ministry of compassion and training local leaders is vital to communicating the love of God at the village level.

It is a privilege to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Jesus. Please partner with us to extend God’s Kingdom.