South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance Newsletter
Issue 16: September 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
Audience with Steve Bell What is your background and how did you become a Christian? I was Nottingham born from an African Caribbean background, which made me naturally bicultural. So I grew up with an appreciation of the Bible from a non-western standpoint. I became a follower of Jesus as a result of a Christian midwife attending my mother for the birth of my younger brother Chris. This lady prayed with patients and left a New Testament. My decision for Christ came after I finally attended a local Christian youth group where half the members had been delivered by the midwife. My early life following Jesus was profoundly impacted by the supernatural and also the Revelation, which presented me with the grand overview of God’s purpose in human history. I first worked as a graphic artist, before becoming a Secondary School teacher. My school was in the poorest area of Nottingham’s inner-city. Pupils came largely from South Asian and West Indian families and it was the critical time of the race-riots in the late 70s. I was encouraged to be an early black head teacher but God had different leadership plans in mind for me. I won a scholarship to study theology in the Middle East so went to Egypt, where I remained for 10 years teaching English and learning to relate the gospel to Muslim people. How did you come to join Interserve? I first knew Interserve people in Egypt. When the secret police asked me to leave, I naturally came into the Interserve orbit in the UK. Interserve was started in 1852 through a series of tea parties by women who were concerned by the plight of Asian women who were cut off from education and health-care. Since then the fellowship has grown to 14 national offices and works in 40 countries across Asia and the Arab world. We also have a team of 37 people who serve these peoples in the UK. In a post-colonial world, the big question is: “What are mission agencies for now?” Interserve answers the question by adding to its role of placing people into cross-cultural ministry in conjunction with sending churches. We also work with local churches as an “apostolic facilitator”, which resources and supports Christians in cross-cultural mission, both in Britain and overseas. We also train Christians in witness to people of other faiths, as well as being a voice in the national conversation about
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
the ‘grace and truth response’ to people of other faiths. A strategic part of our work is the Kitab resource unit. This is a national supplier of materials for and about people of other faiths. Kitab has an important resource out next year. This is be the follow-on course from the Friendship First DVD course www.friendshipfirst.org The new resource is called Joining the Family and prepares churches to receive into fellowship, people from Muslim backgrounds. You can connect with Interserve via www.interserve.org. Why are you partnering with us on the Discovering Jesus through Asian eyes course? The reason is simple – it’s a unique resource coming, as it does, at a time when we badly need something that is contextual and attractively designed for use by people with a non-western worldview and with an allegiance to another faith – by that I mean Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Muslims. Alpha, and the like, has shown us that the “small group” experience does work. Discovering Jesus through Asian Eyes is relational and therefore a superb contribution that is already proving an effective tool for communicating the gospel. I am delighted Interserve’s Kitab resource unit www.kitab.org. uk is a national supplier. I also hope it will cross-fertilise with the groups that have already done the Friendship First for Muslims DVD course.
Engaging with Hindus: understanding their world, sharing good news Hindus are the world’s third largest religious community, with increasing influence on every aspect of life. But what is Hinduism? You may know Hindus well, but still find it difficult to explain what Hinduism is. That’s because it is so diverse. Scholars debate whether ‘Hinduism’ has any meaning. Is it an artificial term, constructed by Europeans? Or is there an underlying unity? It is more helpful to think of Hinduism as a way of life, held together through the strength of the family and the wider social structure of the community. So how do we engage with Hindus? This new book by Robin Thomson tries first to understand their world, with chapters such as Who is a Hindu? What do Hindus believe and practise? and What do Hindus think of Christians and Christianity? The second part suggests practical ways in which we can engage with Hindus to ‘share good news’, both as individuals and as churches. There are chapters on the basic approach, understanding Hindu questions and preparing for discussion.
SAF profiles its work, partners and resources in the quarterly Newsletter and on our website saf.eauk.org The basic approach is summarised as follows: “The best thing we can do is become friends – genuine, non-judgemental friends – with Hindus”. In practice this means: Love: not a strategy or a means to an end. Love is the end. It includes hospitality, justice, working together with Hindus on common concerns.
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Listen and learn: remember the diversity of Hindus’ beliefs and their perceptions of Christianity. Take time to find out, rather than jump in with what you want to say. Don’t hesitate to ask questions (to learn, not to find fault). Present Christ positively: focus on Jesus, not Christianity or church structures. Don’t push or hurry. Don’t argue or criticise. Pray: only God can lead us to truth, so we need to pray – not just for individuals but for their families too.
How does a local church engage with Hindus? “A local group of Christ’s followers should be a welcoming, •loving community of warm relationships, worshipping and learning together, and engaging with the community around them as they love and serve them and celebrate the good news of Jesus. But how do we inspire our church to be like that? Many of us have a long way to go.” Some suggestions: 1. Inclusion and belonging It is important for a church to reach out to include Hindus in their activities. The church needs to be a community that genuinely “loves its neighbour as itself”. 2. Experiencing spiritual reality Welcome them to take part in the church’s spiritual activities. These enable people to experience values of love and welcome, service and equal treatment of all, or prayer, joyful devotion, praise to Jesus and hearing God speak. For Hindus this may be what first attracts them to Jesus or challenges their perception that all paths are the same. 3. Finding the right group For many churches, providing this in the larger group of the congregation is too big a challenge. It is often helpful— and in many cases essential—for someone exploring the Christian faith to be part of a smaller group in which they can relate to others from similar backgrounds. 4. The importance of family and community Ask friends and visitors to your church about their family and look for ways to reach out and welcome the whole family rather than just the individual. Don’t expect them to change their culture, eat different food, or dress differently. 5. Understand that this is a process Working through the implications of commitment to Christ, and Christ alone, can take time. Each person will respond to God’s truth in different ways and the Holy Spirit must guide them. So don’t push or be in a hurry. Go on showing friendship and love. And go on praying. Engaging with Hindus will be published by The Good Book Company on 9th October 2014, Price £6.99.
South Asian Forum Welcomes New Team Member Raksha Rajo We have a new member of staff working on the Discovering Jesus Through Asian Eyes course to help promote it amongst church leaders across the UK. We welcome Raksha Rajo of Naujavan, who is working 1 day a week for 6 months to encourage key church leaders and organisations to run the course and equip them in becoming ambassadors for it. Raksha will be responsible for targeting 10 cities where there is a high Asian population. Raskha attends Southampton Lighthouse International Church, who are one of our partners and one of the 3 churches involved in piloting the course. This resulted in several course participants coming to Christ and being baptised. Raksha shares her journey of discovering Jesus with us: Being brought up in a Hindu family, it was nothing short of a miracle that my Dad opened his heart and the door for his brothers, sister and parents to meet and accept the living God. I was only 5 at the time. We started to go to Church and it was here that my passion and faith grew. The questions that burned inside were answered and I was allowed the space to express my worship to God through the overhead projector role, cleaning the kitchen, leading songs, raising money for the poor and whatever else I could get my hands into. From a young age, I knew I belonged to this family. I love that God made me to be a British Asian female. I am aware that He has uniquely placed me to share my faith with other Asians. Though these labels can’t compare to my identity in Christ, they have given me a focused and specialised burden for young British Asians to live for Jesus. Naujavan is an exciting, courageous organisation that shares this same mission to inspire, develop and equip this generation of young British Asians in their walk with Christ. I help to build relationship, strategise and develop content but most importantly I pray. I pray for unity in the Church, for young Asians to find faith in Jesus and for Christians to recognise the desperate need to seek and reach a lost group of people. This is where the timely Discovering Jesus Through Asian Eyes resource reveals itself to be a game changer. Here’s a tool that enables us in the Church to discover Jesus and love our Asian friends and family in a relevant way that really works.. I am taken back when I meet people who have little connection with Asians but have the burden to reach them. I joined the South Asian Forum team because I wanted to meet more people like this, encourage them in the work that they do and give them this resource. Many have said in similar words to these that ‘this is exactly what we needed’. We live in an increasingly multicultural society with a growing Asian population. I once heard someone say ‘the demographic of our Church should reflect the streets that surround it.’ If an
South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance Asian person of ‘other’ faith stepped into our church, would we be ready? Could we help to break down the barriers and open up the doors? The work is difficult, long term and often slow and this resource is only a resource! However, in the hands of those with vision and heart it will inspire, instruct and bring insight. The Spirit of God is at work in some of the most unlikely characters, so trust Him and go for it! Discovering Jesus through Asian eyes has been developed by the South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance in partnership with a wide range of organisations, churches and individuals that have supported, advised and encouraged the development of this resource. Resources are available from Christian retailers or direct from The Good Book Company T: 0333 123 0880 E: orders@thegoodbook.co.uk W: www.thegoodbook.co.uk You can also order from the South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance: Please send details of the number of each resource required, your full postal address and a cheque payable to ‘Evangelical Alliance’ for the full amount, to South Asian Forum, Evangelical Alliance, 176 Copenhagen Street, London, N1 0ST Course Material Prices: Booklet £1.50 (retail £2.99) Leaders guide £5.00 (retail £7.99) Discussion guide £2.50 For further information please contact the South Asian Forum: T. 0207 520 3831 E. info@discovering-jesus.com
When Jesus rescued me I was 26 years old and going through a painful divorce which I never wanted, as a marriage vow to me is for life. However, the marriage was over and I had to face it. This was the most traumatic time of my life. I walked away from my marital home with only my clothes and the salary from my job. I didn’t know how to live independently on my own with a new mortgage and no bank balance. Luckily, my closest friends were at hand to help me fill in the forms and got me a flat, which was part of a shared ownership scheme. Living day to day was really tough and I cried all the time. A dear friend of mine told me that Jesus could help me. I reminded her that I was a Hindu and wasn’t looking for another religion. I didn’t know anything about Christianity and I can’t say I knew who Jesus was either. She persisted and invited me to go to church with her on Sunday. I was really grateful for all that she had done for me so I agreed to go so that she would not be offended. Besides what else would I do on Sunday other than be alone in my flat? I desperately begged my Hindu gods to heal my broken heart
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and the constant ache and pain that I felt. I felt completely alone for the first time in my life. It seemed that the Hindu gods weren’t listening or prepared to help! On that Sunday I attended church with some nervousness about it all. I noticed during the service that there was a sense of total calm and peace within me. I thought it was an odd thing and couldn’t understand it. During that week all the pain and heartache came flooding back and I went to church again the following Sunday. The same thing happened, I felt peaceful and calm with a grip on my emotions but during the week it all came flooding back. This went on for a few weeks but I started to learn more about Jesus and who He was and what He did. During the time this was all going on and I was still settling into my flat, I was made redundant without any redundancy pay. Now the burden became unbearable. With no way of paying the bills I couldn’t see a way forward. Suicide crossed my mind a few times and it felt like the simplest option but deep down in the depths of my being, I knew that this wasn’t the answer. At this time I thought Jesus is my final and last hope. As I started to call on Him for help, I found that my cry for help was being answered. This was the start of my realisation that Jesus was real and that He hears me. It took me 4 months to find a new job and the mortgage was in serious arrears so I took on two other jobs and worked all the hours I could to get back on track. I was leaning on Jesus to help me and I began to grow strong in confidence and self esteem and found new hope and a reason for living. In putting my trust in Jesus, I started to understand the difference between religion versus faith. I now knew I was a valued daughter of God and immensely loved. I began to learn that my sins were wiped away by Jesus and in Him I could have relationship with God. Connie Reynolds has now been happily married for 15 years and has a 12 year old daughter. She works as a Director of Operations in an organisation that’s all about the enhancement and purposes of God’s kingdom.
Training Event
Wednesday 19 November Birmingham 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: djtaebirmingham2014.eventbrite.co.uk
SAF profiles its work, partners and resources in the quarterly Newsletter and on our website saf.eauk.org
Growing Churches in Multi-faith Areas
The Naujavan weekend away: Hope for the world
This is a day conference for Christians wanting to look at how churches can grow in their mission and ministry when they are located in a multi-faith area. It promises to be an exciting day suitable for volunteers, church leaders, evangelists or others with a heart for ministry amongst people of different faiths.
The highlight of our year is back! The Naujavan weekend away is your opportunity to get away from it all, create some space to hear from God and build some great friendships in the process. We’d love for you to join us on this special weekend from the 17 - 19th October 2014.
At a time when relationships between people of different faiths are constantly in the news the way we relate to our Hindu, Muslim or Sikh neighbours has never been more topical.
With guest speakers Al Gordon (Alpha International), Tearfund and young British Asian evangelist Daniel Chand, this weekend is shaping up to be full of inspiration and challenge. We have several main sessions, workshops, a prayer room, one-to-one surgery for private support and prayer, a live lounge and loads more.
The day will consider whether churches can grow in multifaith areas, and if so what that growth might look like. There will be an opportunity to attend two workshops looking at a wide variety of topics led by practitioners and key thinkers and writers in this area of mission. The workshops include:
In a time where there is so much damage and darkness around the globe, we’re setting our sights on the God who is ‘Hope for the World’. This is our chance to discover more of Him and uncover how we can be part of the solution in His Kingdom plan.
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Growing schools ministry
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Growing projects with people of other faiths
To book your place and get all the information, please log on to: www.naujavan.com/weekend-2014
Growing intercultural mission
Reaching vulnerable groups in India
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Growing disciples from other faiths
Growing from mission principles Growing links with a local mosque Growing a mission programme Growing ‘Places of Welcome’
There will also be an ‘Any Questions’ session where participants will be able to ask questions about mission and ministry amongst people of different faiths, and also join in a lively discussion. The day will also include worship led by Bishop Andrew Watson and a bookstall run by Kitab from Interserve. Manoj Raithatha will be leading the workshop Growing a mission programme and will be giving people a chance to see the Discovering Jesus through Asian eyes resource.
A Global Connections India Forum event What hope is there for the marginalised and vulnerable in India? Besides Dalits, there are many other vulnerable groups in India on the margins of society, who are discriminated against and at risk of exploitation. Millions in India are disabled and 26% of the population were described as illiterate in 2011, more girls than boys. Living in desperate poverty, many do not have access to good food, clean water or health care, whilst the stigmas of Leprosy, HIV and AIDS, mean that most do not receive support and care from their community.
Or you can book online at cofe.io/gcima
If you have a passion for sharing the Gospel with vulnerable people in India and want to know more or share your experiences, you are invited to a Global Connections India Forum event on Saturday 18 October 2014, 11.00am (refreshments from 10.30am) to 4.00pm, at the YMCA Indian Student Hostel, 41 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6AQ. (Nearest underground: Warren Street.) Cost: £15. Refreshments and Indian meal are included in the price. Speakers: Ravin (OM), Reninca Hill and Tim Wood (Through the Roof) and Bereket Gebre (Viva).
For more details about the day contact Debbie Browning at debbieb@birmingham.anglican.org or call 0121 675 1159
Online booking and full details: www.globalconnections.org. uk/events/india-forum/141018
The day is being held in Erdington in Birmingham and costs £15 per person or £45 for a church group (up to 6 people). Details can be found at www.cofebirmingham.com/events/ view/growing-churches-multifaith-areas