The Orissa Project

Background: Last year more than 200,000 Christians suffered intense persecution at the hands of extreme radical Hindus whose desire is to eliminate Christianity from all of India. Many pastors and other Christians were executed via horrendous methods. Numerous churches and homes of believers were burned to the ground, as well as Bibles and all their material goods. The result was that Christians fled for their lives and many are now living in refugee camps or have been taken in by Christians (and even some Hindus) all over India.

In February 2009 we had the pleasure of sending in a team that had ministry opportunities to over 140 refugees in conjunction with our long standing partners on the ground in Orissa and other parts of India. Highlights of this trip were:

1. Bringing hope, joy, and comfort to more than 90 pastors who have lost everything: they danced and shouted praises to God in the midst of such persecution

2. We participated in a training of more than 40 people who are in a 6 month Christian discipleship training program. All of them are refugees who have seen horrendous actions against them and their families. Some of these have made the decision to go into the Christian ministry, going for further training in an effort to be salt and light in the face of the enemy.

Call to Action: We are in partnership with another missions agency to challenge Christians and churches to help these believers in what we feel is a critical place on the map in our current day for the expansion of the gospel in India and Asia. India is the home of the most unreached people groups in all the world. It is an intense battleground for the souls and lives of millions of people. As a result we are committed to the following:

1. Taking another team to Orissa in September 09 in order to conduct a prayer and praise retreat for persecuted pastors. They need the church around the world to surround them and help them get back on their feet, meaning fully engaged in spiritual warfare for Christ. They are in the fight but they need us to help hold up their hands while the gospel pushes forward. We need to raise an estimated $7500 to pull this trip off which includes all the expenses and food for these pastors to participate.

2. We are seeking to raise an additional $1500 to provide scholarships for the young people who want to push forward in training for the Christian ministry (roughly $200 per student).

3. Finally, we want to help 35 refugee students attend a one year Christian-based vocational discipleship school which will enable them to rebuild their lives and go forward for Christ in various parts of India. The Total cost for this project is $21,000. These schools have a proven track record of success.

Others have already committed to help raise money as well but we are asking churches and Christians to step up and get involved in Orissa. In Summary here is what we need:

1. Committed prayer for the Orissa Project

2. Pastors and others who will go into Orissa with us in September. The cost per person for this trip will be $2500.

3. $1500 which will provide training for 7 or more folks who want to go into Christian ministry in Orissa.

4. $21,000 which will set up and run a vocational Christian training school for one year for 35 folks. The breakdown of this part of the project is as follows:

a. $5000 to set up the facility and staffing for one year of training

b. $1400 monthly to pay for the cost of running a school

The Total cost of the Orissa Project is estimated at $30,000:

Conference: $7500

One Year Training School = $21,000

Scholarships for ministry students: $1500

Conclusion: This is an inexpensive opportunity for the church to make a serious investment into Orissa, India, a hot-spot for the kingdom of God in the early 21^st century. Even before recent events the state of Orissa had made the most recent edition of Foxe’s book of Martyrs. Let’s pray and invest in the coming of God’s kingdom in Orissa.

What can churches do?

1. Take on a phase of this project , committing serious prayer and finances

2. Consider sending in a team to Orissa in the future

What can individual believers do?

1. Commit to pray for the Orissa Project and the spread of the gospel there

2, Give money to one or more phases of the project

3. Consider going to Orissa to see for yourself

For those who wish to give to this project you may donate to:

World Impact Now
PO Box 20852
Roanoke, VA 24018

The Dancing Persecuted of Orissa India

In Orissa, Despite the burning of their homes and churches . . .
In Orissa, Despite the burning of their possessions and bibles . . .
In Orissa, Despite the loss of family and friends to persecution . . .

Still they dance and celebrate the risen Christ and His goodness!

Orissa India, Overcoming Persecution

This is a summary of my Feb trip to India detailing my experiences with more than 130 refugees who have suffered the burning of their homes, destruction of their churches, and taking of the lives of their loved ones. Having done over 20 short term mission trips this ranks right up there at the top.


To see more India pics go to http://picasaweb.google.com/tapreach/OrissaIndia2009#

The first pic is a video of celebration. On reflection here are some highlights and thoughts of this trip:

1. The persecution of Christians in Orissa and their continuing situation from Aug of last year is of a historic nature and little publicized in the west
2. More than 200,000 people were affected and those killed were beheaded, chopped up, burned, etc. Those who want to go back to their villages are not wanted and have been threatened. Some are being forced by the governement to go back. The rice being eaten in these camps has worms, etc.
3. The persecution has resulted in a uniting of believers and blurring of denominational lines which is good.
4. The preaching and teaching on this trip was some of the most anointed I have been a part of, showing the love and power of God towards His broken people.
5. Many Indian believers have responded by taking homeless, church-less believers into their own homes--even some Hindus have taken in some Christians. Our main contact in the state of Orissa, poor by our standards, took in 16 children into his home . . . hardly blinked an eye.
6. India is prime real estate for short and long-term teams to go and have significant kingdom impact. Any churches who want to bite on this and join us let's go.
7. Once again God used this trip to confirm my personal calling and fire my passion for kingdom work among the nations, including our own.
8. I still believe God is crying out to US churches to re-engage in foreign missions as in days of old and not follow European Christianity.
9. Our team ministered at a conference for 90 refugee pastors, discipleship school for 40 refugees, orphanage, two churches, and one home with children. We taught, prayed,sang, danced, gave medicines, laughed, cried, and two of our team visited a refugee camp several hours away.
10. Everyone should be required to take a 20+ hour train ride in India.

Summary of Teachings on This Trip:

1. Jesus bore not only our sins but our griefs and sorrows (Isa 53). This was followed by a powerful prayer time.
2. As Christians we are called to live and respond in the "opposite spirit" (using David and Saul in OT) (followed by breaking into small groups for prayer and sharing)
3. The Orissa Christians are among the un-named heroes who were "sawn into", put to death, fled, etc. (Hebrews 11:35-38)
4. Two very helpful practical session on setting goals as we move forward out of the past.
5. Three sessions on the ways God speaks to us today and personal testimoies to illustrate
6. Isa 49 and God's comfort and word to Israelites who lost their homes, children, and "church"
7. Isa 51-52 and God's call to rise up from the dust and loose the chains as we go forward, expecting resurrection power to follow times of crucifiction.
8. The forgotten dark side of Christmas from Matthew 2, showing that Jesus understands what it means to be on the run (followed by dancing and joy)
9. Teaching on the new heavens and new earth (followed by dancing and joy--1st time of celebration in months for these believers).
10. Discussion and prayer over Acts 4 in small groups.
11. Components of the Christian life from Isaiah 6 (Seeing Jesus, Woe is Me, Forgiveness, Here am I send me)
12. Exhortation for the comforted to be comforters from 2 Corinthians 1
13. Sermon on the goodness of God

Journal entries

1. Feb 3: "Muthu persecuted Christians and burned their literature. In 1991 he was saved at Bible college. He enrolled there to get a calculator because a Christian told him he would get one there and he wanted one!!"
2. Feb 5: "Awoke at 3:30 getting eaten by Ants! Bathed and shook the sheet out from my bed."
3. Feb 2: "Walked to the sea. There saw a whale shark." This is an endangered species and a rare sight."
4. Feb 3: "I then spoke on the new heavens and new earth and our future in the heavenly earth. Aferwards, wow. We all sang and shouted and danced. It was a real visitation of joy from God and a highlight of the many trips I have done."
5. Feb 9: "Back to room and a little TV, some tunes, fell asleep eventually after feeding mosquitoes with my flesh and praying--then bizarre dreams."

"I was lost and blind when a friend of mine came and took me by the hand, and He led me to His
kingdom that was in another land. Now my mind is blown, my head has grown, a Solid Rock
and a rolling stone, Wowie, zowie, well the Cat's got soul, He's the Rock that doesn't roll."
 Larry Norman

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