South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance Newsletter
Issue 17: December 2014
The South Asian Forum (SAF) is a grouping within the Evangelical Alliance, set up to provide a place for South Asian Christians in the UK to encourage, support and equip each other for mission, and to represent their concerns to government, media and the wider Church. With the support of both individual members and church members totalling more than 20,000 people, SAF is steadily growing. Visit saf.eauk.org to get involved in supporting this wonderful
S outh As i a n F orum of the
Evangelical Alliance
connecting, uniting, representing
ministry by becoming a member of SAF. Once you become a member, you will receive idea, the Alliance’s bi-monthly magazine, as well as regular newsletters from SAF detailing our progress. If you are already a member of the Evangelical Alliance you can add SAF to your Alliance membership at no extra cost. In this instance please send an email to saf@eauk.org
Christmas: pondering and responding
Remembering the persecuted this Christmas
In Luke 2, we see a variety of responses to the birth of Jesus. Simeon takes Jesus in his hands and praises God, the prophet Anna thanks God and speaks about the child “to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem”. Earlier in this chapter the shepherds respond by “spreading the word” about what they have been told about Jesus. Interesting is Mary’s response: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”.
Christmas, a time for family, feel-good films and presents and food for many of us, of stables, donkeys, shepherds and wise men with gifts. But we forget that for Jesus’ parents, it was a time of gossip, slander, economic uncertainty, life on the edge, and fleeing a genocidal maniac to be a refugee in a foreign land.
As we draw closer to Christmas what will our response be to the birth of Jesus? Christmas is an immensely busy time as we prepare for the festivities and try to meet work deadlines. Like Martha we can all too easily find ourselves becoming distracted. And yet, in Luke 2 we have a wonderful model of how we might choose to respond to the birth of Jesus this Christmas. Like Simeon and the prophet Anna we can dedicate the coming days to praise and thanksgiving. Like Mary we can take time out to meditate, allowing the significance of Jesus’ birth to speak to us afresh. And like the shepherds we can share the amazing gift of life for those who turn to Jesus, thinking how to communicate with people of all faiths and none in our society. The great evangelist George Whitefield was a man who deeply appreciated the birth of Jesus. Whitefield once said: “You blame me for weeping....but how can I help it when you will not weep for yourselves although your immortal souls are on the verge of destruction, and for aught I know, you are hearing your last sermon and may never more have another opportunity to have Christ offered to you?” This Christmas let us think how we will choose to respond to the birth of Jesus.
These are precisely the same kind of factors that affect Christians in Pakistan. Like Joseph and Mary, the majority of them live close to the border with starvation – especially vulnerable to the blows of society and nature, whether mob riots or devastating floods. Where Mary was the object of gossip that at worst would result in extreme social ostracism, in Pakistan Christians can face accusations of blasphemy that could result in death and living the rest of your life in fear and on the run. If you are ‘lucky’ you might be able to flee the country and become a refugee, where your status may well mean you can’t work or face other grave difficulties. The Holy Family were refugees in Egypt, facing life on the edge, but didn’t face the kind of regulation today’s refugees face – and there would always be work for an artisan like Joseph. They had to flee a genocidal maniac, albeit one who was not loved amongst most of the population. Some Pakistani Christians have to flee a genocidal mentality rooted across much of Pakistani society. Joseph and Mary also faced economic uncertainty. In their society most peasants had been driven out of their rooted existences and lived from day to day, hoping to get work. A large number of Pakistani Christians are similarly locked into vicious and interlocking cycles of poverty, economic vulnerability and illiteracy. They face severe discrimination and prejudice in all areas of society, and often have to live a life of fear. Significant numbers are to all intents slaves – whether they work as indentured brick workers, as low-paid live-in maids or as sex-slaves. In some cases whole communities are enslaved, tied to the land and seen as property to be sold with the land. They are vulnerable to torture, false accusations of theft, sexual assault, kidnap, forced marriage, forced conversion and murder. Their faith is belittled in school textbooks, their churches and Christian activities often monitored and attacked, and the police are often at best indifferent to their rights, and at worst are complicit with the persecutors of Christians or engage in it themselves. The judicial system is not much better – Christians are kept in jail on remand for years, while Muslims charged with the same crime often get out on bail, if they are charged at all – blasphemy cases are one typical example of this double standard. And even if they are acquitted, they risk being shot as they leave court, and almost invariably have to live life on the run or in hiding for their lives from then on. In one extreme example of this, mother of five Asia Bibi,
SAF profiles its work, partners and resources in the quarterly Newsletter and on our website saf.eauk.org has been on death row for years for ‘blasphemy’ after she defended her Christian faith whilst working out in the fields. It followed an act of civility and kindness when she brought water for her fellow colleagues who rejected it because it had been rendered impure because she – a Christian – had touched it. She has just had yet another appeal hearing, where her appeal was rejected.
false accusation, intimidation and violence, because of their Christian faith. I have met Christians who have had loved ones killed – martyred for the gospel. Some states, in the central and northern parts of India, have anti-conversion laws in place, the very existence of which serves as an oppressive disincentive to reach out to Hindus with the gospel. In other parts, particularly in the southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana (formerly part of Andhra) Christian ministry is frequently met with violence. Some of you may recall the murder in India of Australian missionary Graham Staines, along with his two young sons, back in 1999. A member of Bajrang Dal (a militant Hindu nationalist youth organisation) was later convicted of the crime. Graham’s martyrdom served to shine a spotlight on a growing Hindu nationalist movement, often referred to as Hindutva. This year’s general election victory for the rightwing BJP party raises growing concerns for the freedom of Christians to proclaim Christ.
As I finish writing reports arrive of the murder of 2 Christian brick kiln workers. A husband complained after his pregnant wife was raped, the wife was accused of blasphemy for burning her deceased father-in-law’s occult charms, the couple were seized, stripped, dragged behind a tractor, beaten till their limbs were broken and thrown alive into the brick kiln where they worked, leaving four orphans behind. Prayer points : 1) Pray for strength in persecution and for a sea-change in attitudes in Pakistan 2) Pray for NGO’s to find effective ways of defending Christians and helping them to break out of cycles of illiteracy, poverty etc Written by theologian Nathanael Lewis, author of Rapture Rupture, on behalf of the British Pakistani Christian Association, a human rights group that is campaigning for equal citizenship for all in Pakistan.
An alternative view of India? Think of India and you might think of a wonderful, complex, mysterious land, the home of delicious curries and of the Great British cuppa. You might think of a people who are passionately in love with cricket, or of a nation that likes to be known as “the world’s largest democracy.” You might, sadly, think about the unbelievable extremes of wealth and poverty that exist there – the latter being a particularly common image in many people’s minds. What you might not think about, is a land where some Christians are suffering real persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. But India today is a country where radical Hindu nationalism is on the increase; a movement which seeks to uphold the cultural identity of Hinduism with the nation, and which sees the Christian gospel as an unwelcome threat. On several visits to India I have personally met Christian pastors and families who can testify to suffering oppression,
But here in the UK Christians are sometimes still surprised when I talk about persecution in India. As individuals, and as churches, we need to be aware of what some of our brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing in that country for their gospel witness. I am on the staff of Release International, a Christian mission which traces its roots to the ministry of Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor who suffered years of imprisonment and torture under the post Second World War Communist regime of his homeland. Release now operates in many of the countries in our world today where persecution is a part of daily life for the Christian Church and India is one of them. Through our partner organisation in that country we provide practical and spiritual support for those who experience severe opposition. Because of our history many people in the UK have some sort of interest in India. Have a look at Release’s website (www. releaseinternational.org), and the country profile on India you will find there. Better still, subscribe to our free magazine, which has regular updates on India and which will resource you and your church to start praying – specifically, and in an informed way – for Christians in India. The next edition (January/February) will have a report on a recent visit. In the meantime, let me encourage you to:
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Pray for Indian Christian pastors, particularly in rural areas, who face on-going intimidation, threats and acts of violence for their gospel ministry;
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Pray for Release International’s ministry in India and for increased resources to meet practical and spiritual needs;
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Pray that God will continue to build his kingdom in the land of India, through the preaching of the gospel.
Kenneth Harrod Release International
South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance
South Asian Concern: Looking back & moving forward South Asian Concern began in the 1980s through the realisation that there was no significant outreach to Hindus and Sikhs in the UK. We exist to encourage, equip and enable followers of Jesus Christ to be more effective in their engagement with South Asians. We do this through working with churches, individuals and organisations in areas where the South Asian population is significant, offering resources, training and encouragement. In the past two years, we have seen significant growth in the number and variety of opportunities that we have been involved in, which is very encouraging. This has come about, in part, through both a sharpening of the focus and also a widening of what we are able to offer. We are able to work with the church, through a variety of ways, from concept and initial desire to reach out to their South Asian neighbours through to mentoring as they disciple Hindu and Sikh background believers.
Become a member - saf.eauk.org
Church Audit When a church asks for an audit, our team will meet with the church leader and any other strategic individuals to hear about their ministry and vision. We’ll find out what barriers the church has historically encountered in reaching out to South Asians and other community groups, and what bridges have been built. As part of this scoping exercise, we’ll also look at the church building and fabric (eg seating, available rooms); the church activities, including those held on church premises which are not specifically put on by the church, and church resources. After further discussion we’ll sit down with the leadership and submit a report with some conclusions, ideas and suggestions as well as offers of help where appropriate. On the other end of the phone… South Asian Concern has been blessed with trustees, members of staff and other partners who are experienced in handling difficult dilemmas and questions to do with faith and culture. We offer this assistance to anyone who contacts our office. We’re on the other end of the phone to help answer pastoral or evangelistic questions that can arise when reaching out to South Asians. I am both encouraged and excited as I look back on all that has happened over the past two years and look forward to seeing all that God will do in us and through us going forward. Kevin Wren, director, South Asian Concern www.southasianconcern.org facebook.com/sthasianconcernUK Twitter @sthasianconcern
Discovering Jesus Through Asian Eyes One of our major projects has been to support the development of the Discovering Jesus Through Asian Eyes course. We are excited to be partnering with South Asian Forum to offer regional training to individuals and church leaders who would like to run the course. We have already run three such events and people have left saying that, not only do they feel more empowered to run the course, they are also more confident in connecting with people from Asia. The next event is in Slough on the 17th January 2015. The event will provide an introduction to the course and booklet and give the participants options on how to run what is a highly customizable course, suitable for groups of any size, or even individuals. The event will also give practical ways people can reach out to their Asian neighbours. You can book your place at the event at the end of this article. Reaching Out In the past 18 months, we have connected with more churches, organisations and individuals than ever before. I regularly meet with churches to explain our vision and offer our assistance. I find it so exciting when church leaders see what might actually be possible in an area which, until then, has appeared to be barren. Having recently redeveloped our training materials, we’re now able to offer churches training, consultancy, resourcing, research and our church audit.
Discovering Jesus through Asian Eyes Training Event Saturday 17th January, 9:30am-1pm St Paul’s Church, Slough The Discovering Jesus through Asian Eyes is an 8 week course launched in May 2014 in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia. This project is unique because it is the only resource of its kind, exploring key questions the main religions of South and East Asia have about Jesus. The course is made up of an outreach booklet answering 16 common questions Asians have about Jesus and the Christian faith, which can be given away to Asian seekers and used to invite people to a course, a leaders guide for those leading the course and discussion guide for course participants. This training event offers attendees a great opportunity to learn how the course can be used to reach Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Buddhists in a culturally sensitive way. Donations of £10 on the day will help cover costs. To book your place go please visit: https://djtaetrainingslough.eventbrite.co.uk
SAF profiles its work, partners and resources in the quarterly Newsletter and on our website saf.eauk.org
Support World Leprosy Day World Leprosy Day is always held on the last Sunday in January and is a day that those affected by leprosy traditionally lobby governments for improved healthcare and living conditions. Meanwhile supporters of those affected by leprosy raise awareness of the plight of this, so often, marginalised group of people. On Sunday 25 January 2015, The Leprosy Mission is highlighting the life-changing care offered to patients at its hospital at Anandaban, Nepal. Desperate poverty means leprosy remains a public health problem in Nepal, perpetuated by a combination of stigma and ignorance. Although around 3,500 new cases are detected each year, The Leprosy Mission believes there could be up to twice as many cases that go undiagnosed each year within the country. These people are at great risk of terrible disability as a result of nerve damage caused be untreated leprosy (there has been an effective cure for the disease since 1982). The Leprosy Mission’s Anandaban Hospital is on the outskirts of Kathmandu and provides a vital service to people affected by leprosy throughout the country. Not only does it diagnose and treat but it also provides life-changing reconstructive surgery to those struggling to live with leprosy-caused disabilities as well as teaching patients how to safely earn a living with numb hands and feet as a result of leprosy. Anandaban Hospital runs outreach clinics to remote communities in the Nepalese hills and valleys in a bid to diagnose and treat a person’s leprosy before they develop devastating disabilities, including blindness. It was through one of these outreach clinics that Dipak, now 16, accessed lifechanging care. By the time Dipak was diagnosed with leprosy at the tender age of 10, his right hand was already damaged. As the years went by he found it increasingly difficult to work at his family’s small furniture business because of the damage to his hand. He was also becoming anxious about his future. How would he earn a living? What girl would marry him when he had visible signs of leprosy? When Dipak’s hand started to ‘claw’ as a result of leprosycaused nerve damage, the outreach clinic referred Dipak to Anandaban Hospital. The clinic knew that only Anandaban Hospital could provide him with the life-changing surgery needed to restore his hand, completely free of charge. After a five-week stay and surgery at Anandaban Hospital, Dipak was amazed by the mobility in his hand. He is starting to use his hand once again and feel that he can have hope for the future. “I was feeling afraid before the surgery and did not know what would happen or whether my hand would be better or worse,” he said. “But I am so much better than before and can feel my hand
getting stronger by the day.” Nothing better reflects the heart of The Leprosy Mission and its work in Nepal than the sign at the entrance to Anandaban Hospital. It reads: People affected by leprosy are the most important visitors in our premises. They are not dependent on us. We are dependent on them, service to them is purpose of our work. They are not outsiders to our service. They are part of it. We are not doing them favour by serving them. They are giving us opportunity to do so. To find out how you can help mark World Leprosy Day, visit www.worldleprosyday.org.uk
My Journey: from Hindu businessman in Kenya to Christian missionary in London by Harish Patel
I was born and brought up in Nairobi, Kenya, in a nominal Hindu family. Growing up, besides trying to achieve good grades at school, I was drawn to my father’s business. In my teen years many of my friends moved to India or UK (early ‘70s), and I felt isolated. My early spiritual experiences were visits to the temples every Saturday (day of god Hanuman), and fasts with my family. We’d offer milk, oil, and a coconut to the gods. At temple exhibitions I learnt about Hinduism, which left me puzzled with more questions – how can I get rid of past life’s Karma (evil deeds) if I can’t recollect it! A lot of the gurus visited our home & business to pronounce blessings of god. I had tensions with my parents, and my brother. Upon recommendations I started chanting god’s name ‘ram’. I did it by writing the name Ram in a school exercise book, and filled many such books. I thought this would make me a better person. I failed often in many ways, I was devastated and soon reverted back to old ways. I studied for a BSc in Mechanical Engineering at Queen Mary, University of London. On return to Kenya I pursued business. All that was important in my life was community status, riches in business, and the honour of my parents. Though there was a lot of emptiness, I reconnected with some school friends and enjoyed their friendships and Saturday nights out in town. In April 1983 I met some Gujarati background Christians. I argued with them about Christianity stating how credible Hinduism is as the oldest faith (Sanatan Dharam). They gently told me about Jesus. I heard and saw Jesus in their lives, in the business world, in their pain & sorrow and in their social interactions, with different castes, and with the African – Asian tensions. Everything was Jesus, I’d hear ‘Please God, in Jesus name we ask for …’ ‘Thank You Jesus for…’and ‘We Praise You, Lord Jesus for….’ I saw the reality of Jesus in their lives by their joy and love for each other, and their God. Around November all this made me realise how bankrupt my life and beliefs were. I was confronted with the question: ‘does Jesus really give salvation freely, or will your riches, status, and family honour save you?’
South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance
I was heartbroken and saw nothing lasting to stand on. I left sad after this conversation, and later said to my friends, ‘See these folks and their Jesus. He is real to them. They always speak of Him. But we are only religious by name and use god to our ends. We all take the names of gods every morning but forget God, and do our own things. We’ve no god the whole day.’ I said ‘I am going to church tomorrow to check this Jesus out’. Later, in the night I cried out ‘God, if you are there I’d like to know.’ I had never prayed like this, only recited mantras, and god’s name. In the morning I went to church where my friends met. There were many Asian background Christians there. I had never been to a Church before. I believe God saved me that day, and His Spirit filled me, as I surrendered my life to Christ as Lord. I acknowledged Jesus as my Saviour and Lord, before my friends and family, and began to grow as His disciple. In May 1985 I came to live in London, after respectfully resigning from my family business. This was hard, on all of us, but mostly on my parents. I lived, worshipped and worked in various parts of west London. I married Marian in April 1991 and lived for 10 years in Luton. God gave us the gift of a daughter Krupa. We relocated in January 1999 to Hounslow. I am an evangelist with London City Mission alongside the New Life Masih Ghar (church). We’ve enjoyed this phase of our life and are still passionate to reach the South Asian community with the Good News of Jesus. There are many opportunities to speak of Jesus freely, and demonstrate His love through the Church family. We’d like to see more Churches trained in mission & evangelism. The story of God’s grace to us continues. Visit us: www.lcm.org.uk & www.nlmg.org
Training Event
Saturday 17 January Slough
This event, run by South Asian Concern and sponsored by the Leprosy Mission England and Wales, will give practical advice and vital information on using the course effectively and reaching out to Asian communities. For more info or to book your place: djtaetrainingslough.eventbrite.co.uk
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Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9.15 A small reminder at this time of year that Christmas is all about the greatest gift ever given. God the Father sent his own son to the world, so that he could reconcile humans back into an intimate relationship with himself. Not just as a onetime re-connection but a daily, intimate and ever deepening relationship. Some gifts have an initial ‘wow’ factor but are soon discarded or forgotten. But Jesus is God’s indescribable gift. There is so much to walking with and knowing Jesus that words cannot adequately describe Him. There is much more to him than we initially see, the ‘wow’ factor or awe with which we receive Him should grow, not diminish. My prayer for you is that you will not be quickly distracted or too easily satisfied but that there will be a growing fascination with Jesus. Are you still thankful? If not what can you do to regain the awe of God’s Indescribable gift - Jesus Christ? Steve Uppal, senior leader, All Nations Christian centre, Wolverhampton