How a Banana Split is Changing India

We recently hosted some exceptional guests who are the primary representatives for one of our thirty-three supported missions - Kerala Christian Mission. Rajan and Reni Ipe have been preaching the Gospel, making disciples, and serving the needy in India for over 40 years. As of today, they have planted 73 churches, and on any given Sunday they see over 7,000 people worshipping throughout various cities and towns in India, Dubai, Qatar, and even New York City.

While Kerala Christian Mission emphasizes church planting and discipleship, they also helped start a medical complex (with the help of FAME, another Forum-supported mission) that provides general medicine, surgery, oncology, and many other medical services for the impoverished and low-income communities.

They have started a girls home, a senior living facility, an orphanage, retreat center, and they work closely with others in translating the Bible into the many different languages spoken in India. In addition to other various ways they help the outcast and downtrodden, Kerala Christian Mission is also supporting other ministries.

On Monday night, at our recent Missions Connect Event, we heard Rajan speak about how God used a banana split as the genesis to a lifetime of work and untold numbers of people coming to faith in Jesus. You can hear (and watch) that story here.

Towards the end of his presentation, Rajan was asked, "What is the greatest challenge you are facing right now?" Without a moment's hesitation, Rajan replied, "Workers." He then referenced the passage we began walking through last Sunday:

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” - Matthew 9:35–38.

Whether it was two thousand years ago in the region of Galilee, the southern part of India today, or right here in Columbia, Missouri - the harvest is great! That becomes the invitation for you and me to continue praying that God would continue to send workers.

Would you join me this weekend in making that your prayer and the cry of our hearts - to see more and more people come to know the loving grace and forgiveness only possible because of Jesus?

Hoping you join us this Sunday in-person for our gathering!

-Bradley