India’s urban centers are advancing in technology, industry, and education. As people migrate to the cities for better jobs and income, mission agencies in these areas seek to evangelize these new professionals. This often leaves the remote villages neglected. Economic, social, cultural and religious barriers make ministry in the rural areas difficult, and often dangerous. However, there is also enormous opportunity for the Gospel. There are 700,000 villages in India, with many thousands of rural churches scattered across the nation. Many of the pastors in these churches lack training in pastoral care and Biblical knowledge. Poverty and persecution are obstacles that prevent formal training; therefore, AFCI has created the Rural India Pastors Enhancement (RIPE) program to equip these rural pastors. VPT is designed to: • Use nationals to teach the national pastors and church leaders • Train pastors in their own region, in their own language • Identify, develop and train future leaders • Guide students through a 2-year training program • Follow a curriculum that meets the specific needs of the rural pastors From teaching the foundations of the faith, to emphasizing the personal spiritual life of the pastor, the VPT program is equipping these overlooked pastors and church leaders to effectively share the Gospel in their own rural communities.
Rev. Jacob Christian has been actively involved in full-time ministry for almost two decades now. At the young age of eighteen, when he had given up on his life, the Savior met him. In the subsequent years from being a youth with no aim Jacob became a man passionate for those being lost. Sharing the same mission of reaching the lost through the church, Jacob became a part of AFC India. Rev. Jacob Christian is the current National Director of AFC India. He has established strong partnerships with several churches, enabling outreach to young people, families, church leaders, and individuals. Rev. Christian is happily married to Stela and they have been blessed with two wonderful daughters
India’s urban centers are advancing in technology, industry, and education. As people migrate to the cities for better jobs and income, mission agencies in these areas seek to evangelize these new professionals. This often leaves the remote villages neglected. Economic, social, cultural and religious barriers make ministry in the rural areas difficult, and often dangerous. However, there is also enormous opportunity for the Gospel. There are 700,000 villages in India, with many thousands of rural churches scattered across the nation. Many of the pastors in these churches lack training in pastoral care and Biblical knowledge. Poverty and persecution are obstacles that prevent formal training; therefore, AFCI has created the Rural India Pastors Enhancement (RIPE) program to equip these rural pastors. VPT is designed to: • Use nationals to teach the national pastors and church leaders • Train pastors in their own region, in their own language • Identify, develop and train future leaders • Guide students through a 2-year training program • Follow a curriculum that meets the specific needs of the rural pastors From teaching the foundations of the faith, to emphasizing the personal spiritual life of the pastor, the VPT program is equipping these overlooked pastors and church leaders to effectively share the Gospel in their own rural communities.