Global Outreach Website

The Beginning 1999 Mission Trip to India

Perimeter teams began journeys to India in 1999 to partner with Din Bandhu, 'Friend of the Poor,' as they ministered to the lower castes, outcastes and tribals of India.

Facilities

One of the greatest needs Din Bandhu has faced has been adequate facilities for worship, training and equipping pastors and lay leaders for the 350 plus village churches. Perimeter partnered with Din Bandhu to build Ministry Centers in Yavatmal and Wardha.

To address the desperate need for economic development among tribal believers, Perimeter assisted in building a Skill Training Center that provides vocational training in five different trades including welding, electrical and computer technology. A Farm where crops including tomatoes and spinach are grown is also part of the Center. Through the school, 100 students/missionaries become self-employed each year. With a background as a professor, Santosh Papade serves as administrator for the Center.

To assist Din Bandhu in spreading the word of God among various people groups in their local languages, Perimeter donated equipment from its cassette ministry to help create Jeevanwani Recording Studio in Yavatmal. Here the gospel is recorded on cassettes in various tribal languages. Teaching messages, indigenous praise and worship music and audio Bibles in more than five different languages communicate God's truth to people reached by Din Bandhu's ministry.

Entrance Strategies

Gaining entry into villages is a constant obstacle for Din Bandhu. Strategies that work best are built around serving social needs and eliminating prejudices against Christianity.

One strategy that works well is drilling village bore wells. Water is precious and scarce. Many farmers have committed suicide because of lack of water for livestock, crops and even their families. Din Bandhu has dug over 170 wells. In one remote mining district, the well brought sufficient water for the entire community and opportunities to share the Gospel. Many gave their lives to the Lord, renaming their area Prabhu Yeshu Nagar, which means 'Lord Jesus Community.'

Another strategy that touches the hearts of many and tears down the barriers between castes is foot washing for widows and orphans. When church members from Din Bandhu and government officials washed the feet of over 1160 widows last Christmas, many witnessed the love of Christ in a very real and emotional way. Widows are not welcomed in the Hindu community to celebrate childbirth, festivals and other celebrations. But washing their feet at Christmas and giving gifts broke the old traditions of discrimination and lifted them to a place of honor and respect. GodÕs Spirit brought healing and comfort they longed for.

Training and Equipping

Perimeter teams have conducted multiple training seminars for our India partners including equipping opportunities for Church Planters and Pastors. Randy Pope led Pastoral Training conferences. And, a team of teachers including John Musselman, John Thomas, and Ric Tomlinson trained 150 leaders from New Life Fellowship in Mumbai during Classic Discipleship seminars. Basic and advanced discipleship training sessions have been conducted for Din Bandhu resulting in 630 people becoming involved in discipleship groups.

Women's Ministry

Perimeter has facilitated the development of a Din Bandhu's Women's Ministry in Yavatmal, Nagpur and Wardha. Smita Papade joined the Din Bandhu staff and, together with Ruth Sardar, leads this ministry. In seminars held this year for the ladies, they have seen women turn from their Hindu gods, come to trust Jesus, see healing from hopelessness and depression and experience His joy and peace.

Business as Mission

A number of Business as Mission journeys have conducted sessions to train, equip and fund micro businesses through the Darshan Business School. Currently twelve Indian pastors and church members are running small businesses because of this work Darshan.

Lata Kosare is one of those people. A poor widow with three teenage children, Lata worked hard to support her family by selling ladies undergarments door-to-door. Through Darshan she received a loan to open a shop so that she could increase sales. A year after receiving her loan and faithfully making her payments, Lata told the next class of business students that, "God picked me up and helped me. In business there will be problems and hard work, but always give God first priority."

Tsunami Relief

In response to the tsunami that hit India on December 26, 2004, Perimeter members raised $42,000 that our partner, New Life Fellowship in Mumbai, used to build a boat for deep-sea fishing for the village of Samanthapetai. The tsunami destroyed many homes, families, and all fishing trawlers in the village. Each trawler sustains about 10 families. This replacement boat helped the community re-establish their fishing capability. In addition, New Life Fellowship has cared for more that 60 orphans and has seen long-term transformation in the village.

Mercy and Justice Ð Child Sponsorship

Working with the Dalit Freedom Network, Perimeter members are sponsoring children attending school in Mankhurd, one of MumbaiÕs largest slums where tens of thousands of families live in a noisy, dirty, unstable environment. Dalits are regarded as subhuman outcastes and suffer unthinkable discrimination, humiliation and lack of basic human needs such as education, healthcare and access to clean water sources. Child sponsorship provides a Dalit child with the hope, dignity and unparalleled opportunity that comes with a quality English-medium education. Visit dalitchild.com for additional information.

Worship and Arts Concerts in Mumbai and Nagpur

In 2007 Perimeter's Worship and Arts Ministry made two journeys to India -- the first to Mumbai to work with New Life Mumbai in leading worship workshops and presenting concerts to thousands of youth from India's largest city. The team made up of musicians, singers and ballerinas night after night exalted our Lord's name before packed audiences. The success of the first trip in relating to young people in India and giving opportunities to tell of God's love prompted a second trip to Nagpur that was received equal enthusiasm. Can we add a link to the Live from Mumbai video? Click the link to see video from these concerts.