India: Away From Home And Things To Take HomePaul Koehn Some said, “You're crazy!” Others just kept their thoughts to themselves. In my mind, I was simply being obedient. In 2000 I sensed the Lord's nudging to go to India and take my 13 year old daughter. I have prayed that my children will be used in God's world mission program. Certainly I would also love to have my wife take the trip with us. The India 2001 “venture,” with RIM and United Evangelical Mission of India (UEMI) planned not only pastors and businessmen's conferences, but also a women's and youth conference. Even the events of September 11th could not close this open-door opportunity. Some said we should reconsider our plans. But the Lord supplied the faith and the funds. Without fear we anxiously anticipated the trip. When November 7th arrived, we departed for India. Far from any notion of a vacation, the trip was an “adventure” in every regard, loaded with learning experiences. Here are three areas where I was a pupil to the Lord's instruction throughout the two week encounter. 1. The Gospel and CultureI felt a little shy of, and wanted to guard against, the presumptuous appearance of a “know-it-all, show-you-how-it-is, how-to-do- it” pastor from the United States. The Lutheran Church has been in India for over 100 years and the Gospel was there long before the Lutherans. Unfortunately, where the Lutherans imported their culture with the Gospel, the Church is struggling in mission. Apparently there are next to no new churches among the Lutherans in the last 60 years. We attended a Lutheran church for Sunday worship and found the format to be almost an exact parallel to “Page 5” in The Lutheran Hymnal. That is not bad but it certainly did not seem “native” to their culture which is so vastly different from ours in the West. It lacked authenticity. I would not doubt the people's faith but their “form” seemed foreign to their culture. This was especially so after our earlier experience with “church” in India. Another congregation had Lutheran associations but was identified as "full Gospel". (Note: Their pastor, married with three small boys, had lost his house due to a fire set by persecuting Hindu locals.) I did not understand a word of their worship nor recognize their music, replete with rhythms of the drums and keyboard. It was all original to their culture and it spoke to their hearts. I was moved by the sincerity of their “Divine Worship” whose form was very foreign to me. What was also noteworthy was the “joy factor.” Most Indians, while dark in complexion, also seemed dark in countenance (the spiritual oppression of Hinduism). The difference was astounding as I walked into the “full Gospel” church after my first 24 hours in India. This gathering of believers, sitting on the floor, segregated by sex and somewhat by age, in a narrow but neat and new 20' x 40' building in the middle of town, was full of brightness, light, and joy. The more traditional Lutheran church, in a more traditional building and seating, definitely had light and joy beyond their cultural norm but its brilliance was, sadly, significantly less than this congregation whose only familiarity with us was faith in Jesus. My “take-home” learning is that India and other peoples need the Gospel we are so familiar with but they do not necessarily need any of our culture. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is transcendent and brings freedom. Our cultural trappings are potentially limiting and rob people of their identity given them by God, Creator and Savior. 2. The Role of “Paraclete”Our team of 20 people (4 pastors, 4 women, businessmen, and 7 youth/youth leaders) was minimally involved in direct evangelism with the nationals of India. We “came alongside” (the “paraclete” ministry) the local believers and encouraged them in the mission. When we spoke “up front” (taught or preached), we were alongside an interpreter or two) who assisted by relaying the message in the Tamil or Telegu language. The Spirit of God (the Paraclete) and the respect of the Indian Christians for their brothers and sisters from the USA made our role effective. They were encouraged by our willingness to come and share ourselves with them as well as the Word of God. Perhaps because many of the Indian believers are from the lower castes in their cultural system, they seemed especially honored by our fellowship with them. What God gave me to take home from this aspect of the experience is the Spirit-taught principle of the Body. As I Corinthians 12 records, we have different gifts, roles, and functions but they are all important, even necessary. Like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses' arms as Joshua led in battle, supporting roles are critical in the advance of God's kingdom. The “baggage keepers” in 1 Samuel 30:24 also shared in the spoils of victory. Even so, God honors the seemingly small and insignificant and works His will through those who build up the front line” soldiers of the cross. Do not despise the small things (short prayers, sparsely attended meetings, services to other laborers, etc.). The indirect ministry of the “come alongside” nature is vital to the Gospel mission. 3. Model of Ministry and MoralityEspecially impressive was the ministry of UEMI through the students and graduates of the missionary training centers. These young people, mostly men between 18-25 years old, have hearts full of passion to follow hard after God and share dynamic testimonies. One young woman told of how her simple prayers, almost testing Jesus' validity, led to the healing of her grandmother, near death with cancer and her relief from a bout with her appendix. We were privileged to be part of the commissioning service for twelve of them. Their graduation gift was a bicycle to assist in their traveling for home visits. These youth are trained and deployed with specific assignments. They are church planters and often begin work in a village near their own homes. They are expected to make 1000 home visits in their first nine months. As they go on their first circuit of visits, they simply share the Gospel, for most in India have never heard. In the next round, they organize prayer groups which leads to an assembling of a local congregation. Their model of ministry is intriguing, so simple, but so is the morality of the Indian people in general. We had definitely crossed the boundaries into another culture in many regards, but I was really amazed with the nation's modesty and restraint. There is little exploitation of sex in advertising and apparently no open pornography for sale. Women, with their traditional dress, are very modest and discreet. The manners and self-control of the people were impressive. Driving in India is chaotic but, in spite of extensive horn usage, no one yelled at or obscenely gestured another. Patience was an obvious virtue. Their overall character seemed several "notches" above that typical in the USA, and theirs is a pagan culture My “take-home packet” of learning includes the highlighting of hands-on, people-touching ministry of prayer and the Word and a reminder of how overdue for judgment post-Christian America is for our immorality. Around the world, it is true - ONLY JESUS can save and He is working through the likes of you and me! Paul
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