APRIL 2017
Church Profile- 17
History of Kandwa Church, Madhya Pradesh for prayer. We also started reaching out to 10 nearby villages. As the congregation grew we felt the need for a Church building. Missionary Stephen Jeyaraj was instrumental in purchasing a land for the construction of the Church and missionary Paul David took the responsibility of the construction works. In the year 2009, the Church was dedicated for the glory of God.
The Gospel started to spread to the nearby areas as well. Now, thrice in a year all the believers gather here during Christmas, Easter and for the Believers ' Retreat. During these occasions, around 200 people come from the nearby villages.
Kandwa is a small village located in Madya Pradesh. It is a very dry place with less water facilities. People here are mostly daily wagers. Many of them are involved in beedi-making( cigar-making) which fetches them paltry amounts. Though there are various Government schemes for such people, it remains elusive to them due to illiteracy. The per capita income as well as the literacy rate remain very low. Only now we can find students from these areas studying up to Higher Secondary level.
It was in the year 2002, pioneering missionaries of Blessing Youth Mission visited this area. They saw that the people were in need of both spiritual and economical help. They were very much burdened about the village. Missionary Vinayagam David visited them regularly and had Gospel film shown in that region. The response was not very much encouraging. Only a few welcomed our missionaries. But they labored consistently. Finally by the grace of God, 5 people came forward to confess their faith. It was a great joy for the missionaries.
Gradually around 50 believers gathered
Later on, we felt that the women in this area needed skills so that they can have additional income for their livelihood. We were able to start a ' Tailoring Centre ' for the women of this area. Presently 12 girls are being blessed through this initiative. Since there was also a need for medical help, we conducted medical camps. Teams from Tamil Nadu came here and treated the needy patients.
Apart from worship services, we are conducting Elders Training, Fasting Prayers, Youth Meetings, Seekers ' Meetings and Believers ' Retreat in Kandwa. Pray that God should bless all these efforts. From this small village, two members committed themselves as full time missionaries and are ministering now. Pray that God should raise many more people like them.
Though we could plant a church in this dry area, we are still praying for a big harvest. Presently missionaries Hariram and Kamlesh are stationed here along with their families. Pray that God should use them mightily.
“ The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest”( Luke 10:2).
CHURCH PROFILE- 17
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