Church Planting Among People Groups
The Eastern Ghats of Andhra are located in the North East of Andhra Pradesh and in the boarder of Orissa. In the hills and valley there are many people groups, every tribe is unique in their culture and religious practices. But all the tribal groups are animist by religion. They worship spirits and offer animal sacrifices to appease the spirits. They believe that all good and evil comes from the spirit world. They always live under the fear of dark world. They have the village priest who is known as village doctor (witchcraft). So he performs all the rituals related to the spirits. Immorality prevails among them. Tribal are illiterate and live in hills and valleys. They live as a group and cultivate forest crops.Polygamy is practiced among them and one mans death leave many children as orphans. To reach them is risk of life. They do not make friendship easily and they do not trust a foreigner. Once they love, they give their life. Among them the local leadership is very strong.
Rev. Philip Timothy was the pioneer missionary among Saura Tribe since 1994. UPHOLD took birth in 2002 mainly targeted to work among unreached people groups. With 15 committed men the church planting work began. In the last five years of time we now have 130 churches among 6 different people groups. Praise God for His faithful support. We are working among Saura, Jatapu, Konda Dora, Volmiki, Kodu, Gadaba.
Lord had taught us to see divine strength in every feeble person. And Effective planning in field has helped to achieve the target. We clearly understood the needs of the people and stood with passion. Needed encouragement was given with providing the necessary needs to the gross rout lever gospel worker who is a real hero.
We were able to win the favor in the sight of the Lord and we began to see the fruit which is beyond our imagination. Praise God.
Our mission church planting is divided into 5 mission fields. Each mission field has a committee to monitor the church administration. The churches were planted as autonomous and monitored by the local leadership (leaders and deacons)
Lord has opened our eyes to see the second line leadership from the very beginning. We were obedient to the Lord to delegate the authorities to the second line leadership so the efforts are become more fruitful.
Please remember our dear brothethern who are the real men of God who are obedient to his heavenly calling to carry on the work. Pastor. Jagadesh, Pastor Isaack Pastor John and Pastor Ganesh. And Pastor Prakash.
| Please support Grass root level church planters $50 a month. |