Pastor Raj joins the mission to equip India’s pastors
The India Pastors Project expands its reach as second graduate steps out in faith.
Pastor Raj is the second graduate of The India Pastors Project (TIPP) to bring the encouraging message of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians to fellow Indian pastors.
Our first graduate, Pastor George, took that bold step earlier, and I shared his story in a previous post. Rather than repeat the background on TIPP, I want to highlight Raj’s incredible journey.
A longtime attendee of our conferences, Raj has often stepped in to translate our teaching messages into Telugu, giving Pastor KP a much-needed break. This time, however, he wasn’t just translating — he was leading.
Traveling 65 miles from his home in Kurnool in central-south India, he arrived in the village of Mantralayam to teach and encourage fellow pastors.
Like with George, we provided Raj with $350 to cover travel expenses, two meals for the pastors, and other essentials.
More than 30 pastors gathered for the one-day conference, where Raj walked them through all six chapters of Ephesians. He emphasized unity in Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and the Church as the body of Christ.
“God used him to encourage and equip pastors in His Word,” Pastor KP told me over the phone. “The TIPP teachings helped them reaffirm their calling and vision for missions. There is an anointing in the fellowship of co-laborers in God’s vineyard.”
Raj’s experience mirrored George’s. He met pastors struggling with doubts — wondering if serving as a Christian leader in a nation that is more than 80% Hindu is worth the sacrifices they and their families must endure. As members of the lowest castes, their hardships are compounded.
Life in India is already challenging for many. Feeding a family is a daily struggle. Health insurance is rare, and medical issues that are easily treated in the U.S. can become life-threatening.
For Christians, the difficulties are even greater. Persecution is rising, and in a society where charity is scarce, Christians — viewed as outsiders — often find themselves with nowhere to turn.
On Friday, Raj, with help from the Holy Spirit, gave the pastors exactly the words they needed to hear from Ephesians.
“Raj reminded them that God has great plans for them — that God had elected them for a purpose,” Pastor KP told me. “Raj was excited to see how the Lord used him as a powerful weapon. Everyone at the conference was really on fire.”
They heard Raj teach on Ephesians 4:11-12:
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
This verse reminds pastors that their role is God-ordained, it affirms their purpose in ministry, and it encourages them to remain faithful in their calling.
The pastors were strengthened by God’s Word and the support of their fellow believers. Their courage is a testament to the power of faith, and through TIPP, we pray that many more will be equipped to stand firm.
