South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance Newsletter
Issue 20: September 2015
S outh As i a n F orum of the
Evangelical Alliance
connecting, uniting, representing
The South Asian Forum (SAF) is a grouping within the Evangelical Alliance, it was 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
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
Interview with Rev Ajay More, curate at St James Church Alperton
retired Church of England selectors. This interview confirmed in my heart exactly what God was calling me to do, and thus began the two-year selection process, where I learned more about my own spirituality, Christianity and the Church of England. In 2011 I successfully went through BAP (Bishops Advisory Panel) selection process and started my theology training at St Mellitus College.
What is your background and how did you end up serving in the Church of England? I was born and brought up in Miraj, India. Both my parents loved God passionately. They sowed the seed of faith in my life and so I started loving Jesus from a young age. However, as I grew up my focus changed to pursuing my plans to move abroad, work hard and make lots of money. After I got married to Kavita, I decided to move to London. Though the move proved challenging in many ways – leaving my parents and community – my wife and I were soon blessed with a son, Abhishek, and daughter, Arpita.
What was it like studying at St Mellitus?
Studying theology at St Mellitus was not an easy task. Writing assignments was something I had never done before. However with the help of God, the support of my family and supervisors I managed to successfully complete my assignments. St Mellitus have a wonderful programme called MixMode training. This training is offered to people who are already doing some kind of ministry in the Church. I think this method of training is very effective as it not only looks for the candidates with academic capability, but also recognises their desire However, as I settled into working as a nurse for the to serve God. The college is located in London and NHS, I had a sense that God was in fact calling me therefore I was expecting more diversity. However, into full-time ordained ministry. I faced the challenge in my cohort I was the only Asian. I hope to see of making a decision. Would I continue following my more students from ethnic minorities studying own plans or commit my life to serving God? theology at St Mellitus; my experiences were very Over time I found myself getting more and more positive indeed. involved at St James Church, Alperton. Revd As an Asian leader, what has been your John Root, the then-vicar of St James, noted my experience of the Church of England? leadership qualities and invited me to join the core In the last few years I have come across a few leadership team. Looking at the local context and Asian leaders who have reservations about the the minimal number of Asian worshipers in the Church of England. However, during my training church, John Root released me to start an UrduHindi fellowship in 2001, where Pakistani and Indian and curacy my eyes have been opened to the incredible opportunities I have by being part of an Christians could worship in their own languages. established Church denomination with a rich history I began to plan and lead the services along with and desire to serve the communities across our others at St James. This was the beginning of my nation. As a charismatic evangelical I have been working relationship with Church of England. delighted to discover that I have the freedom to Over time, I became one of the core leaders at St practice spirituality in the way that I chose to do so. James. Here I felt much-loved and able to develop At St James I feel very well supported and looked under Rev John Root’s leadership. As I continued after by Revd Steve and Ali Taylor. The whole serving at St James church, the gentle voice calling experience of The Church of England is hugely me into full-time ordained ministry became louder. exciting and I hope many South Asian Christians When I spoke to Revd John Root about it, he will prayerfully consider ordination in the Church of suggested that I should take a mock interview with England.
SAF profiles its work, partners and resources in the quarterly Newsletter and on our website saf.eauk.org
Diaspora Mission
“Dreams sometimes do become reality. Perhaps however even the early dreamers who established South Asian Concern could not have seen the impact they would have in equipping South Asian followers of Christ in leadership and mission.” Martin Lee, director, Global Connections
The story of South Asian Concern Arif Mohamed with Ram Gidoomal, Robin Thomson and Raju Abraham
Diaspora mission
What triggered the
South Asian Concern launch of South Asian Where did it all begin?
Diaspora Mission
Concern, a small partnership that has had a big impact on The sToRy of souTh AsiAn ConCeRn South Asians, and ministries among them, in the UK, the Diaspora, and South Asia itself? The individuals who began it found that their very different backgrounds and gifts formed a close-knit team. What held them together was first their commitment to Christ, but then their experience of the Diaspora, that scattering of South Asians around the world in which cultures mix – and sometimes painfully clash – to produce new and creative ways of living. They saw the Diaspora’s huge potential for mission, as people of different faiths experienced Christ in new ways and shared Him with family and friends across the globe, as well as at home. How could they use this global network, with all its connections?
From a living room in Sutton to the ends of the earth, Diaspora Mission describes the highs and lows of building a unique ministry to serve South Asians across the globe. Travel with South Asian Concern’s (SAC) founders as they relate their remarkable journeys over the past 25 years. Discover the heart and mission behind the charity and hear stories of lives changed.
The good news is that the world is on our doorstep. My friends at South Asian Concern offer us here a helpful model of how through partnership, there’s lots for us to learn from each other as we work together on God’s mission to the nations. Dr Krish Kandiah President of London School of Theology and founder of the fostering and adoption charity Home for Good
Diaspora Mission is an amazing story of what God can accomplish through individuals and families where vision is infused with faith and prayer, pursued with unity and teamwork and realized with humility and perseverance. South Asian Concern (SAC) is truly “a planting of the Lord”. I have been privileged to watch it grow!
Arif MohAMed with rAM GidooMAl, robin thoMson & rAju AbrAhAM
Join us as we celebrate all that God has done, and partner with us as we move forward into the future.
Rev. Dr. T.V. Thomas Chairman, Ethnic America Network and Director, Centre for Evangelism & World Mission, Canada
PO Box 43, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5WL, UK T: +44 (0)20 8770 9717 e: info@southasianconcern.org
www.southasianconcern.org
Arif MohAMed with rAM GidooMAl, robin thoMson & rAju AbrAhAM
This book tells a fascinating story. Its lessons – from both success and failure –are challenging today. “My friends at South Asian Concern offer us here a helpful model of how through partnership. We work together on God’s mission to the nations.” Dr Krish Kandiah, president of London School of Theology “Diaspora Mission is an amazing story of what God can accomplish through individuals and families, where vision is infused with faith and prayer, pursued with unity and teamwork and realised with humility and perseverance. I have been privileged to watch SAC grow!” Rev. Dr. T.V. Thomas, chairman, Ethnic America Network and director, Centre for Evangelism and World Mission, Canada
“The emergence of SAC is an amazing adventure story, as a group of individuals inspired by God find each other, and share a vision to make an impact on the lives of millions of people.” Steve Clifford, general director, Evangelical Alliance (UK) Diaspora Mission can be purchased (£5.50 plus P&P): online: www.southasianconcern.org/resources email: info@southasianconcern.org post: 5 Vernon Rise, King’s Cross, London WC1X 9EP
Growing healthy churches, learning to work together A series of exciting one-day conferences for leaders of churches and organisations working with South Asians The day includes: l l l l l
ission – what is our goal and how do we reach it? m developing leaders – how do we raise up the next generation? recognition – how do we build links with the wider church? lack of resources – overcoming financial and accommodation challenges persecution – how do we support those facing pressure?
Let us be one voice united by the Spirit Registration 9.45 am to 16.00pm. To book click on the links l
Saturday 26th September London https://healthychurcheslondon.eventbrite.co.uk
l
Saturday 10th October Bolton https://healthychurchesbolton.eventbrite.co.uk
Visit the website http://saf.eauk.org Email m.raithatha@eauk.org Lunch will be provided*
* A donation of £10 is kindly requested
Join us for this special opportunity to listen to God’s word, pray together and to share experiences and learn from those who are currently faced with the challenge of mission to the South Asian Diaspora in the United Kingdom. The South Asian Forum exists to connect, unite and represent British South Asian Christians both in the UK church and the multicultural communities that they serve. The heart of the South Asian Forum is to enable more South Asians in the UK to personally discover Jesus Christ. Sponsored by The Leprosy Mission England and Wales
South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance
A vision of a multicultural church Through both my practical ministry as a church leader over the last 16 years and theological study, I have become more convicted than ever of the importance of developing multi-cultural churches. In Acts 11-13, the church in Antioch highlights how truly diverse our churches should be. In these riveting pages we read that the early growing Christian community included Jews, Syrians, and North Africans. Furthermore, the Antioch church truly modelled a multi-cultural leadership: “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch)”. As Britain becomes more multi-cultural and multiethnic, it is imperative that our churches too strive to reflect the wonderful ethnic diversity of the communities we live in. Such a model of church is not only Biblical but a powerful witness to see different nationalities genuinely embracing each other, sharing fellowship and ultimately affirming that we are called to love one another. Indeed, multicultural churches are a reflection of heaven! Over the years I have come to acknowledge that there has to be a real intentionality about creating a multi-cultural church. In my current church setting the sharing of food from different cultures has helped to create stronger ties, and at such meals there has been much laughter and Christian joy. However, it has not always been this way. In one church I ministered in, there were three main cultural groups, Afro-Caribbean, Indian and white British. At meal times people would often stay in their own cultural groups. Whilst some may argue this is a natural human reaction, it fails to reflect our true identity in Christ, ‘we are all one in Christ Jesus.’ (Galatians 3:28). Therefore, at the meals together, we introduced games that encouraged different people to mix, and break out
Become a member - saf.eauk.org
of their comfort zones. I also set out deliberately to encourage a wider cross-section to stand for election for leadership roles within the church. This took some time, as the dominant group felt threatened and tended to ‘vote on’ people they knew well, usually from their own family or culture. With the help of Biblical exposition, the culture of the church has considerably changed and the leadership has become more diverse. However, we have made it a priority to ensure that other roles in the church also reflect the diversity of the church. This has required us to constantly ask ourselves important questions: who is involved in the welcome team? What about the music group? Who leads at the front? What images of people do we show on our PowerPoints? Are these culturally diverse? A vicar of Indian origin recently told me how he was called to ordained ministry: “It was because the vicar believed in me. He spent loads of time with me, and helped me see what I could do. He helped me plan sermons, then gave me feedback. I just became more affirmed. Before I used to look at the person at the front and think, not me!” In my current church we have welcomed a number of Middle Eastern people, notably Iranians. Many have found a new Christian faith from seeing Christian love in action, especially as they seek refugee status. Jesus calls us to love our neighbour as ourselves and in this certainly is a powerful calling to all of us to embrace our ethnic and cultural differences so that we can be one in Christ Jesus. Without doubt, a multi-cultural church is a wonderful reflection of the kingdom of God! Rev Arani Sen, Vicar Christ Church, Upper Armley
Rev Arani Sen will be one of the speakers at our upcoming ‘Growing healthy Churches, Learning to work Together’ event in Bolton on 10th October. For further details about this event and to book your place go to: https://healthychurchesbolton.eventbrite.co.uk
SAF profiles its work, partners and resources in the quarterly Newsletter and on our website saf.eauk.org
God opens the inner eyes of those without sight
Jesus. What the Bible tells us of God giving sight to the blind is being mirrored in the lives of girls and boys at this school. God has been faithful to the endeavours of those working at the school, and the work continues to bear fruit in lives being transformed by the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. Our prayers for the spread of the good news of Jesus go beyond our communities in the UK. For the sake of the gospel, members of South Asian Forum are encouraged to have contacts with God’s fellow workers in the countries of South Asia.
Encounters between Jesus and the sick, or lepers, or the blind are dramatic examples of God’s compassion. These stories only partially explain the full impact of Jesus’ healing voice and touch. Those without physical sight who received inner, spiritual sight were indeed transformed – and the same is happening today. A school in north India has been bringing spiritual sight to blind children for over a century. Today more than 100 visually impaired children are being cared for, educated and equipped for adult life. The Sharp Memorial School is a wonderful example of work started by overseas missionaries, mostly women, continuing in India’s modern world.
People in the UK can support the school through The Bartimaeus Charitable Trust. Please contact the treasurer, Richard Todd on 07887 625893.
Found by Love By Rahil Patel The true story of a successful Hindu priest whose world was changed by an unexpected encounter with the love of Jesus Christ.
In the modern context, improved medical care restores some sight to many children, and they learn modern skills including computer use. In school they sit alongside sighted children so that integration increases mutual understanding and overcomes the stigma of sightlessness. Young adults from modest family backgrounds are going on to further education and into employment, overcoming prejudice along the way.
Devoted to the Hindu scriptures and committed to his faith’s rituals and practices, Rahil Patel was a model priest. He was a brilliant academic and a captivating speaker for one of the most affluent Hindu organisations in the world. With sincere, eloquent and persuasive preaching he promoted Hindu thought in political, social and economic arenas across Europe, North America and Russia. Politicians, industrialists and celebrities were among those who sought his spiritual counsel.
Each week, school assemblies and prayers are making the children aware of the good news of Jesus Christ. As well as reading their Bibles in braille, the tradition of memorising Bible verses continues. Just as their physical faculties are more developed to compensate for lack of sight, so the children have different, and often deeper, insights and spiritual vision. Many have been poorly treated by their families, so knowing the love of a Heavenly Father gives them a strong assurance for their future livelihood.
Yet for all his success, Rahil felt a hunger in his heart and a longing for peace. Hoping to find a loving god who could meet these needs, Rahil intensified his meditations and his study of the Hindu scriptures. But nothing seemed to work until he had an unexpected encounter with the risen Jesus Christ. Finally he found the love he had been looking for. It was the beginning of a surprising journey in which he experienced both painful stripping away and inner healing, leading to a freedom he had never known.
At The Sharp Memorial School, children are encountering Jesus Christ through their teachers, those who care for them and the Bible. Over the years, these encounters lead to transformation, just as it did to blind people who actually met
Found by Love (paperback £8.99) is published by Instant Apostle and will be released on 1st January 2016. To pre-order your copy go to: www.amazon.co.uk/Found-Love-Priest-EncountersChrist/dp/190972842X