Mission Possible •
GT Agape Mission has been on a journey of reaching people groups in India and the neighbouring countries. The unfinished task of Christian missions and World Evangelisation is mammoth and multitudes of peoples, tribes, tongues and enthic groups have not heard the gospel of the Kingdom.
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GT Agape Missions is committed to going where Father God opens doors of opportunity in South Asia and beyond. GT Agape Missions vision Is " to open eyes, to lead from darkness to light, from power of Satan to God, so that those who hear the Gospel may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance that can never fade away (Acts 26:18).
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From very modest beginnings in 1996, when we helped with support to two ladies involved in Konda Bible Translation work, today we have a missions involvement in several cities and villages in India and in the neighbourhood. We seek to plant churches, equip believers, develop leaders and transform communities through the Agape Love of God.
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Over the last 18 years, we have built many partnerships. We have a dream to send out committed believers as tentmakers, train and envision a new generation of leaders to plant churches, disciple new believers and bring transformation into communities.
Why Missions? •
"Mission is the heartbeat of God. No church can effectively serve the purpose of God if it does not have a focus on missions. "Any church that is not seriously involved in helping to fulfill the Great Commission, has forfeited its biblical right to exist because "the Mission of the Church is missions". — Oswald J. Smith
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"God is pursuing with omnipotent passion a worldwide purpose of gathering joyful worshippers for Himself from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. He has an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the supremacy of His Name among the nations. Therefore, let us bring our affections into line with His, and, for the sake of His Name, let us renounce the quest for worldly comforts and join His global purpose." "Go, send, or disobey.""All the money needed to send and support an army of self-sacrificing, joy-spreading ambassadors is already in the church." — John Piper
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"The best remedy for a sick church is to put it on a missionary diet." "Only as the church fulfills her missionary obligation does she justify her existence."
Our Strategy & Goals •
We believe every church is called to obey the command of Jesus to "go and make disciples of all nations". We do this locally - in and around our district; nationally - in various states among unreached communities and globally to our neighbourhhod nations, who have a high percentage of people from other faiths.
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By "GO" we mean SEND a missionary from our church, or PARTNER with a local missionary and support them or else INFLUENCE through professionals who are willing to go as TENTMAKERS to unreached areas.
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We believe that no single church or Christian organisation is capable of accomplisihing the work of evangelising unreached people groups. We need to partner with local Christ followers and together overcome cultural barrriers and hurdles to sharing the gospel.
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We believe in small beginnings and the wisdom of building trust and self reliance. We aim to support a missionary for an average of 7 years and help them become self supporting thereafter.
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In next TEN years, GT Agape Mission will attempt to build new partnerships, send trained visionaries as pioneers and tentmakers across our nation and the neighbourhood; to bring transformation through our emphasis on the Seven moulders of culture.
Our Missionaries •
GT Agape Missions presently supports 14 missionaries with regular monthly financial support. We partner with many in different parts of India and the neighbourhood whom we train and equip but do not support financially.
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We are constantly looking for new areas to establish a church. This year we are about to support a new church plant in our district, partner with a couple who planted a church in Manali in Himachal and soon hope to see a city church planted in Punjab.
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The names of those we support and details of their work are in the succeeding pages.
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In every place where we have helped in church planting, we look at social needs like health, hygiene, awareness of social evils, literacy and in some places, we help in skill developement.
Tribal villages in Pinakota and beyond This is a village barely 90 Km from Visakhapatnam, Pinakota is in the hills and across the Raiwada reservoir - a picturesque setting. Today through much prayer there is good road connectivity and development is going on. We have been working with pastors in Pinakota for the past 14 years to equip and train over 20 young men with the skills to pastor and take the Gospel to the hundreds of tribal hamlets in these hills. Many miracles have taken place here and over 400 people have accepted Christ and taken water baptism in past 14 years. We presently support three pastors who look after churches in Pinakota, Borrpalem, Pedda Burga and Regupalem. The real challenges are • Pastor's lack spiritual passion and vision • There is no unity among the different groups • Leaders lack in integrity and moral uprightness • People do not follow the Biblical values learned. Caste and tribal practices are dominant Prayer issues • The believers to be "salt and light" in the community • Our pastors to be men of integrity and faith • Power of witchcraft and tribal traditions to be broken • Discipleship and spiritual growth among believers • For signs & wonders and miracles as Gospel is preached
Srikakulam Elisha Manda runs a small house church with about 25 people. Growth has been slow over past 10 years of our association with Elisha. He lacks men with passion for God and his work suffers due to frequent migration from his town. GT Agape Mission has no financial commitment to Elisha except for his work among prisoners in the four sub jails of the District and with the HIV infected and affected in one centre. The work in the jails has witnessed increasing favour with the authorities, opportunity to share the gospel to inmates and some have received Jesus as Saviour and Lord. The challenge for Elisha is to train people to carry the vision forward. The powerful work of the Holy Spirit has yet to be seen in this church. The church here needs • Believers who have a willingness to get involved • To be a Holy Spirit led church to influence the community • Good leadership, with visioin to reach unreached villages • Good health for Elisha and his wife Padma Ragam Prayer Issues • Work in the Four prisons to yield much fruit • For a suitable meeting hall for the church • For addition of new families who will get rooted • For more youth and children to be added • For new openings to serve the community
Reaching the Paraja tribe About 65 Km from Aruku valley is Lamptaput in Southern Orissa, home to many tribes including the once feared primitive tribe the Bondos. At Lamptaput is the Asha Kiran Mission Hospital which has been a frontier mission hospital to hundreds of tribal communities. 15 Km from Lamptaput are the villages of Ranitota, Bondraguda, Litiput and Murja - home to the Paraja tribe. There are over four lakh Jodhia Parajas in this region and both Sunil and Karobi have chosen to live among them to reach them with the gospel . After six years, they have seen people respond to their efforts to befriend, teach the children and educate them on health and other issues. Subarma and a girl named Manguli who accepted Christ died due to sickenss. Many die due ignorance and treatment by witch doctors. Sunil takes tuition for the children in Bondraguda and Ranitota and both run Sunday School telling Bible stories to children in Bondraguda and Ranitota and bring these children for Gospel camps, when possible. They spend a lot of time in warfare prayer, building relationships, serving the poor and are hoping that their work with children will see the gospel penetrate homes. Some of our youth visit Bondriguda village once every two months to bring awareness and use creative ways to deliver youth from bad habits of alcohol, drug abuse and pre-marital sex. Prayer points • Their health and their spiritual sensitivity • Victory over witchcraft and demonic activity. • That strongman over the villages to be bound
Madhya Pradesh (Mandala District) For nearly 8 years we have been supporting four pastors Komal Baghel, Devi Singh, Budh Ram and Naresh Sonawane belonging to the North India Tribal Mission under Rev. Augustine Manickathan who work in the Villages around Pandiri, Ulna, Bijotola and Tokartola of Mandala District. Their churches have many new believers and vibrant worship but due to lack of discipleship and equipping of believers, maturity and devotion are lacking. There is frequent persecution but still baptisms are a regular event. Though majority are poor and illiterate, they give regularly - be it rice, pulses or a few rupees, both young and old, men, women and children, contribute every week The frequent attacks on Christians by Hindu activists and the discrimination they face when it comes to education of their children in Govt. schools, collecting water from the village well, getting provisions on their ration cards, or getting jobs under Govt schemes, makes faith in Christ tough for the people here. Their life is not easy. The challenges they face • Threats from Hindu activists • Lack of local jobs and poverty of the people • Need of finances for worship hall construction • Inability of pastors to train their congregations • Lack of capable leaders Prayer Issues • Better job opportunities in Mandala district • Persecution of believers to stop • For believers to grow in the Word and faith • For signs, wonders & miracles to happen. • Train and send people for new openings
The strongholds in Patna, Bihar PK Surendran is a Hindu convert who went to Bible College and then felt God call him to serve in Patna and its neighbourhoods. He and his wife Nirmala, a nurse, have been with GT Agape Missions since 2008. They work in Patna city among the Chamars who are mainly cobblers, and he has one house church in Dera Chowk, 20 Km from Patna looked after by Ritesh. In addition, he has Sikander and Vicky to help in evangelism and with Sunday meetings. They have an average attendance of 60 people in their Sunday worship service and not all people are believers. The church has seen regular growth and baptisms. Most people in the church are illiterate and poor and they are not regular or really committed. The challenges he faces are • A widely spread out community with little or no maturity • Lack of trained leaders to help to teach or preach • Lack of their own worship hall • Inability to win upper castes to Christ Prayer Issues • For a good meeting hall in Kankarbagh area • Openings to upper caste homes • For an MUV for ministry use • More men who will get trained for ministry • For signs, wonders and healings to happen
Reach Himalayas Mission to North Bengal & Assam GT Agape Mission has been in partnership with Dirgha Bhatta, since 2008. He has been working with us for equipping of his churches and through him we have had access to many of his churches in the Darjeeling hills, in North Bengal and also in Assam. Dirga's pastors and leaders have done BTCT training and are serious about reaching Buddhists, animists or Hindus with the Gospel. They expect miracles to happen and the rate of conversion is quite high. In fact all his leaders and new believers are first generation Christians. He works amongst the unreached people groups and tribes in the North East like Limbus, Tamangs, Sherpas, Rais, Mechias, Mundas, Rabas etc. Dirga has seen value in reaching people through acts of kindness. In small ways Reach Himalayas Society has been helping orphan children, providing tuitions to refugee kids, holding medical camps for poor people, getting gifts for children and have just started tailoring centres for poor tribal women to train and get them certified. He networks with other organisations to provide people in his domain, access to evangelistic films, leaders training and other inputs. The challenges he faces are • Equipping his leaders to excel in the work • The lack of integrity among leaders. • Lack of a clear vision and sustainable plan
Prayer points • For new believers to be discipled and made functional • For Holy Spirit empowered ministry and service
Reaching our neighbours In Bangladesh Bangladesh is the world's eighth most populous country. More than 40% of the people are illiterate. It is the most densely populated agricultural country of the world. In Dhaka there are more than 100,000 people per square mile. Ninety percent of the population adheres to Islam. A minority of 9% follow Hinduism. Of the remaining one percent, 0.7% are Buddhist, and 0.3% are nominally Christian, most of whom are Roman Catholic. Thomas moved to Bangladesh in May 2014 along with Shinni his wife and his twin daughters Sheryl and Sharon now aged 8 years. God has called Thomas to reach Muslims and he has been instrumental In the last 21 months to train two men, Saidul Islam to work with Muslim seekers and Prodeep to work among Hindus. In the last year, Thomas and his team have seen many new people come to the Lord and get water baptised. He has been taking risks despite Muslim fundamentalists being active in the area. Thomas is keen to recruit new men to expand the work so that more villages are reached with the Gospel. Thomas is presently on a student visa but has applied for a missionary visa which is likely to come through soon.
Prayer points • • • •
For 5 year visa for Thomas and family to be issued by August For the new work and the plans to train and equip new believers. For God's favour and wisdom so that the work groiws despite threats For spiritual growth and discipleship of new believers.
New beginnings in Myanamr GT Agape Mission's association with Myanmar goes back to 2005 when we started to woerk with Lala and Dinga and started trainig some of the workers with him. In 8 years of the association, we trained and supported Lala and 7men with him and over 200 Budhists came to Jesus. We translated the Foundation book into Burmese but the work through Lala terminated in 2013. Since 2013 we have been working through Gloria Sawmi, wife of Late Dingliana. from Mandalay. Since 2014, she has organised meetings with a group of 12 pastors from local churches in Yangon city. Myanmar is a nation that is repidly opening up with return of Democracy. Some of the restrictions may soon be eased. We seek the Lord's favour to connect with new men and women who have a kindred Spirit to work with GT Agape Mission vision, values and principles in Myanmar. We earnestly pray for and desire that a tent-maker relocates to Myanmar for Business as Mission.
Prayer points • For new beginnings and partnerships for building God's Kingdom . • For our own people to GO to Myanmar as Tentmakers • Holy Spirit to guide in partnerships and new strategies • For the Church in Myanmar to be free of all restrictions
Our Missionary Friends GT Agape Mission has been associated with many Bible Translators and their work. A few of them are very special to us. Dhanunjay Timothy was a Hindu who came to Christ in GT in 2003 and then joined Bible Translation, went to Himachal to work among the Pangwali people. He is married to Rosy who is from BBC Colaba and a former ATC student. They have a daughter Missi. Rosy is under treatment for cancer of the thyroid since 2015. They are no longer in Pangi valley but work out of Dehra Dun. Pray for Rosy. Viji and Minie have been associated with GT Agape Mission from the time Minie was commissioned in our church in 1996. They are in Bible Translation work among the Konda Dora people in the Aruku Valley. They are now doing OT translation with the help of Mother Tongue Translators (MTTs). Minie is a consultant to SIL and frequently conducts workshops and involved with checking of work done by others. Their Son Dave and daughter Dana aged 14 and 12 are in Hebron School. Pray for Dave and Dana's studies, Viji and Minie's hectic schedules, the translation work and for their financial provision as they are on their own Herald Rajan and Jamuna are associated with GT Agape Mission since 1998. They worked among the Gadaba tribes till 2010 in Biblle translation and completed the work in 2011. They are based out of Dehra Dun. Herald is involved with Linguistics and Jamuna is a consultant with SIL. Their son Theo is writing Class XI exams and daughter Ashika is going to class IX in Hebron. Pray for Theos future studies, Ashika's admission into Henron and their financial needs.
Reaching Himachal and beyond Himachal Pradesh is an Indian state with the lowest number of Christians. (Less than 0.1%). It is a challenging state for missions with hardships diue to ban on conversions. Navraj Shah and Ancy, who have over 20 years minsitry experience planted a church in Manali, two years ago, at a place called Jagat suk. They have been working among Nepali migrants and local people from the working class. They have seen a few believe and get baptised (against affidavit) but the going is tough. Today they have a small gathering in their home with 12 people. Recently three families who accepted Christ, went back to Nepal Navraj hails from Biratnagar in Nepal and Ancy from Idduki Dist in Kerala. He ran a school in Nepal, an orphanage in Gaya and worked witth YWAM in running DTS for several years. He is graduate of SABC, B'lore. Ancy is a nurse by profession but has been with OM for 20 years and has also done several courses. They have two daughters. Alphy Nissy aged 10 and Agnes Blessy aged 8 years.
Their Challenges • Himachal has demonic strongholds and churches don't flourish • Believers are migrant workers and they do not stay for long. • Cost of living is very high and climate hostile from Nov - March
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Anointing of Holy Spirit and signs, and wonders to happen Financial needs of the family For favour among the locals that many will turn to Christ Demonic strongholds to be demolished.
Reaching Villages around Ramapuram During October 2014, Vizag was hit by the devastating cyclone HUdHud which caused havoc in many outlying areas upto Narasipatnam. In our work on Rehab and Relief, GT Agape Mission through Ashreya Charitable Society, provided financial help to few families in Ramapuram who lost their livelihood due to the Storm In Ramapuram, which is 100 Km from Vizag, we now support a pastor and his two satellite churches , all relatively small. Bhakth Singh from our GT church oversees this work which has been growing since last two years. Today there are 40 believers in the main church and another 25 in the satellite churches. The pastor here is Poul Raju aged 60 years. His wife is Padammai and he has a married son Ramesh. This church has been in existence now for five years with mainly labouerers and auto rickshaw drivers and their families. There is scope for reaching many surrounding villages with the gospel as most people here worship ancestral spirits The church has only a thatched roof hut and soon we hope to build a fibre roof hall. In coming months we are looking at developing the spiritual life of this church especially the younger members so they grow in faith.
Pray for • People to be delivered from worship of spirits and ancestors • The congregation to grow in knowledge of the truth • Good leadership.
Other Opportunities to Plant churches With the imminent return of Jesus, we as a church need to use every opportunity to extend God's Kingdom by planting new churches and penetrate unreached places to influence communities with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Punjab is a state where much is happening. In recent visits have seen churches growing with addition of people from other faiths. The Punjab has seen great moves of God with signs, wonders and miracles. The real need now is for strong Word based churches that disciple its members to grow to maturity and serve God's purposes. We are looking for opportunities in the Punjab to establish a church with our own people or those who have been trained by GMI. We also are seeking God for open doors into neighbouring nations Like Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Laos and Vietnam. There is a need for tentmakers to go as businessmen or professionals to open the door for planting churches We request you to pray fervently so that GT Agape Mission can plant churches in all these places in the next two years. May God stir some in our midst to GO as tentmakers to see the Kingdom of God extend to all regions, before Jesus returns.
The Seven Moulders of Culture GT Agape Mission is keen to influence leaders in different spheres of life. The Seven Moulders of Culture influence thought and behaviour, values and lifestyle. We hope in coming days to establish a Godly presence in some of these spheres. • Government and Politics - pray for Anup Gorinka , who has joined the Police forces, for Christians in Armed forces and in Politics and legal profession to excel and honour God • Business & Market place - pray for owners of BIG business houses to come to faith from among TATA's, Ambanis, Birlas etc. Christian CEOs to make an impact • Media - Pray for Christian journalists like Anand and Mobis, TV artists, Anchors, Radio Jockeys and those in social media platforms to be a voice to the nation against wrong values. • Arts & Entertainment - pray for Christian musicians on the national stage with sound Biblical values. Artists, story- writers, sportsmen to use their skills to exalt and glorify God • Family Ministry - Vasant & Praneeta, Jacob & Rani and others in Family ministry and in Parenting, that their influence will increase so many families are built up. • Education - pray the church regain lost ground so that value based education, not knowledge, will be stressed in Christian schools. For Ashreya school to set high standards. • Social - that Ashreya, Sahara, Agape Foundation, Asha Kiran and other Christian institutions will serve humanity to see lives touched and transformed by Agape Love.
Our Missionaries and their support (Rs) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
Daveedu Gideon Moses Sunil Kumar Komal Bhagel Budh Ram Sonawane Devi Singh Surendran Sikander Vicky Thomas John Saidul Islam Prodeep Navraj Shah Paul Raju
Pinakota Pedda Burga Regulapalem Rani Tota MP MP MP MP Patna Patna city Patna city Bangladesh Bangladesh Bangladesh Himachal Ramapuram
3500 3000 3000 4500 3500 3500 3500 3500 10000 2000 2000 12500 5000 4000 7000 3000
Whom we partner with to provide training 1. Sawmy Gloria Yangon 2. Dirgha Bhatta North Bengal 3. Augustine M Mandala Friends who need our encouragement 1. Herald & Jamuna Dehra Dun 2. Dhanunjaya Dehra Dun 3. Viji Mathew Anantagiri Pastors we train and visit 1. P B Rai Rambhang 2. M N Rai Badamtan 3 Sabin Rai Sevok 4. Baya Singh Satali 5 Rukmani Kachugaon
GT AGAPE MISSIONS MISSION PLEDGE 2016 I am motivated to make a contribution to the work of God's mission through GT Agape Mission 3 as led I will commit to the following this year as God helps (tick q by the spirit)
q Give lumpsum of Rs.________ this year towards q Support of _________________________________________(Name) q Purchases of Lanterns, bicycles & dhurries etc. q Repairs to worship halls q Income generating projects q Training missionaries in the filed q Give additional 2.5% tithe every month for GT Missions q Mobilise others to give to GT Agape Missions q Go on mission trip to__________________________________________ q Pray for missionaries in ________________________________________ (see names opposite page) q Go and Equip mission staff in the field. q Visit and/or send gifts in kind to missionaries. ____________________
I may please be reminded if I forget or fail to honour and fulfill this pledge.
Name : ..................................................... Sign : .................... Mobile : ............................................................................... Home Phone : ......................................................................... Email id : .......................................................................... My Church : ...........................................................................
GT AGAPE MISSIONS MISSION PLEDGE 2016 I am motivated to make a contribution to the work of God's mission through GT Agape Mission 3 as led I will commit to the following this year as God helps (tick q by the spirit)
q Give lumpsum of Rs.________ this year towards q Support of _________________________________________(Name) q Purchases of Lanterns, bicycles & dhurries etc. q Repairs to worship halls q Income generating projects q Training missionaries in the filed q Give additional 2.5% tithe every month for GT Missions q Mobilise others to give to GT Agape Missions q Go on mission trip to__________________________________________ q Pray for missionaries in ________________________________________ (see names opposite page) q Go and Equip mission staff in the field. q Visit and/or send gifts in kind to missionaries. ____________________
I may please be reminded if I forget or fail to honour and fulfill this pledge.
Name : ..................................................... Sign : .................... Mobile : ............................................................................... Home Phone : ......................................................................... Email id : .......................................................................... My Church : ...........................................................................
OUR MISSION To fulfill the great commission by planting churches that exalt Jesus and transform communities for God's glory
OUR VISION To present the Gospel of the Kingdom in culturally relevant ways. To witness to un-reached people groups so they encounter Jesus Christ To disciple new believers & plant churches to transform communities
YOUR INVOLVEMENT IS NEEDED • • • • • • •
Partner with GT Agape Missions Pray regularly for mission areas and needs Plan to visit a mission field Practice kindness & encourage missionaries Pledge financially to specific mission needs Provide practical help to GT mission team Prepare to GO as a tent making missionary
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