It’s official, RCBP has been launched. These pictures were taken in July with our new banner and maps of two states, West Bengal and Sikkim, where we will be planting & building churches. |
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There is yet much preliminary work to be done before we start the business of raising funds to build these first five churches. A DVD documentary about each will be created and brochures printed while looking for a sending agency to handle funds for church construction and for my support. |
To Come: Videos of the first 5 church locations and the proposed pastors.
Jul
7
mcgalliard on July 7th, 2010
From Pastor Nandu:
As an Indian Pastor and church planter for the past 15-16 years in the eastern Himalayan region of north India, Nepal and Bhutan, constructing church building in these villages culturally and contextually will not change their culture.
Our main focus is to have a safer place for
fellowship. These buildings will be utterly immersed in the culture, customs and tradition of Indian Christians in this region, continuing to express the love of Jesus and fellowship as before.
As is the custom now, there will be no pews or seats. The boys and girls, men & women, all sit separately on the floor. Another tradition that will continue is mass prayer, as the pastor directs, everyone prays at once.
Architectural Drawings of Churches to be Constructed
Why go to the expense and hard work of raising funds to erect a building for worship in this region of India instead of using resources to plant house churches or build thatched roof houses of worship?
From Pastor Nandu Gurung: The regions where we are considering planting/building churches are remote, rural and economically backward. These people can’t afford a church building on their own. A permanent church building has advantages over a rented house church or home church building:
- It gives a sense of identity to the church believers in the community.
- It provides a secure place for worship with without fear of damage due to weather conditions, increase in rent or eviction.
- It gives ample space for church activities throughout the week.
- The facility can be used for social activities such as literacy & nutrition’s classes and annual medical mission trips.
A case in point on having a safe and secure place to worship is the story of a dear friend who passed away while preaching God’s word in a rural mountain church. (Read Harsha’s story) While secure in the knowledge that God is sovereign and that He is in complete control, we understand the dangers of the world in which we live in. Building a safe structure for His people to worship in acknowledges these conditions in this part of the world.
Coming Next:
Will construction of churches change the culture of these rural villages?
Hello to all my friends and supporters
As many of you know this past October my church Lake Forest sent a 10 member team to Kalimpong India and surrounding Himalayan Mountain villages to work with Pastor Nandu on a long term strategy for his orphanage and to provide medical care for the people of that region. Showing Christ’s love in this manner helped to change the hearts and minds of the people in those remote villages, establishing new relationships needed in an effort to plant churches. Phyllis and I were part of this team. The trip was planned three years ago during my first visit there.
Helping a Pastor in West Bengal India plant and build churches, working under the authority of my local church, I’m dedicating my life to the Great Commission.