and hear stories of what God is doing here? Well, we did and that has been really amazing too. There are about 60 pastors here, mostly coming from rural villages where they serve as pastors. These are all pastors of "Good Shepherd Community Churches." That is the church network that OM India has begun to establish churches for Dalit Indians. Most of the pastors are from a Hindu background, most of them have very little training, but all of them are really incredible people. We've been teaching through the pastoral epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) and they seem to be really enjoying it. It seems like they have really never had such in-depth biblical instruction. 
One of the pastors commented, "we've never heard any of this stuff." Another one has repeatedly told me that our teaching is truly touching his heart. So it's been very encouraging to be able to serve them in this way. They are very attentive, which by itself is amazing. I found it hard in seminary to sit through 6 hours of class in a day and I was very used to classroom education. That they are even able to focus and listen is amazing. Of course, several breaks for chai each day helps a bit. I'm definitely starting to love Indian chai.
But what is really amazing about these pastors is their stories. It's like each one is more amazing than the next. Today we heard about Pastor A who had been leading a Bible study when he was attacked and beaten up. He was left for dead and was beaten so badly that he was unrecognizable. Some people found him and took care of him. The worst part of it is that as a result of the attack, there is a criminal charge... against him. Charges have been filed against him for converting people. The case is still pending. I usually sit next to Pastor A when I'm not teaching and he has been using the Indian drum that I bought here during worship. He plays it beautifully.
We also heard from Pastor M who serves in the northern part of this state (Karnataka). He had been leading two Bible studies when some of his Hindu friends found out and got upset with him. They collected a group of 26 radical Hindus to come to house and take him to a mob that would beat him up. He invited them into his house and talked with them. Eventually changing their minds. But somehow he went to the mob of people anyway and ended up finding a way to share about Jesus Christ in the midst of that situation.
Today I taught about persecution from 2 Timothy 3. As if I have anything to teach these guys about persecution. It is truly an amazing privilege to be teaching these pastors who lead such challenging but faithful lives. To be honest, most of it doesn't even register with me. I don't think I really feel the impact of what their lives are like. It is just too incredible, too different from my own life. But it is really encouraging to be among them.
They tell me in this state there is a physical attack against a Christian leader an average of once every other day. Some of these pastors are praying fervently while they are here because they are afraid for the safety of their families. Wow. Who's doing the teaching? Us or them?
One of the pastors commented, "we've never heard any of this stuff." Another one has repeatedly told me that our teaching is truly touching his heart. So it's been very encouraging to be able to serve them in this way. They are very attentive, which by itself is amazing. I found it hard in seminary to sit through 6 hours of class in a day and I was very used to classroom education. That they are even able to focus and listen is amazing. Of course, several breaks for chai each day helps a bit. I'm definitely starting to love Indian chai. But what is really amazing about these pastors is their stories. It's like each one is more amazing than the next. Today we heard about Pastor A who had been leading a Bible study when he was attacked and beaten up. He was left for dead and was beaten so badly that he was unrecognizable. Some people found him and took care of him. The worst part of it is that as a result of the attack, there is a criminal charge... against him. Charges have been filed against him for converting people. The case is still pending. I usually sit next to Pastor A when I'm not teaching and he has been using the Indian drum that I bought here during worship. He plays it beautifully.We also heard from Pastor M who serves in the northern part of this state (Karnataka). He had been leading two Bible studies when some of his Hindu friends found out and got upset with him. They collected a group of 26 radical Hindus to come to house and take him to a mob that would beat him up. He invited them into his house and talked with them. Eventually changing their minds. But somehow he went to the mob of people anyway and ended up finding a way to share about Jesus Christ in the midst of that situation.
Today I taught about persecution from 2 Timothy 3. As if I have anything to teach these guys about persecution. It is truly an amazing privilege to be teaching these pastors who lead such challenging but faithful lives. To be honest, most of it doesn't even register with me. I don't think I really feel the impact of what their lives are like. It is just too incredible, too different from my own life. But it is really encouraging to be among them.
They tell me in this state there is a physical attack against a Christian leader an average of once every other day. Some of these pastors are praying fervently while they are here because they are afraid for the safety of their families. Wow. Who's doing the teaching? Us or them?
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