LCMS World Mission Blog

Indian Lutherans and American Lutherans jointly host gathering in St. Louis, Mo.

Leaders from the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) presented their vision for mission and ministry at the first-ever India Summit, held Jan. 15-17, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Mo. The IELC, LCMS World Mission, and LCMS World Relief and Human Care jointly hosted the summit, which highlighted 50 years of work by the national church body and LCMS partners in the world’s second-most populous country.

Summit participant, Benny Jesudason, called the event, “…an experience that I will never forget as long as I live!” (Read more of his experience below.)

In 1895, the LCMS began mission work in India - the first foreign mission field in the Synod’s history. In 1958, the IELC was independently established and has now grown to a baptized membership of 50,000 with almost 1,000 congregations and preaching stations.

The Summit goals included:

• Providing the IELC an opportunity to present its mission vision; 
• Allowing people and organizations involved in India to network and connect; and 
• Enabling people and organizations involved in India to present their vision and expectations to the IELC.

Among those taking part were five IELC leaders, including the new IELC president, Rev. J. Samuel, as well as more than 75 other participants. The IELC leaders led the summit devotions and gave presentations that included overviews of their medical, human care, and school ministries. Speakers also included Rev. John Mehl, LCMS World Mission regional director for Asia, and Rev. Matthew Harrison, LCMS World Relief and Human Care executive director. Individuals and congregations working with the IELC also gave reports about their experiences and plans for work in India.

Herb Hoefer, LCMS World Mission’s area director for India and Sri Lanka, pointed out that the IELC is on track to attain its personal goal of reaching out to 25 million people as part of the Ablaze! goal to reach 100 million people by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. “But they (the IELC) can use all the help God’s people can give them,” Hoefer said.

One Summit participant, an architect from Philadelphia, Pa., Banny Jesudason, grew up in India as a member of the IELC. Mr. Jesudason shared his reflections and thoughts following this first-of-its-kind gathering.

“I went to the India Summit without knowing what I was going to hear or see. But, it was an experience that I will never forget as long as I live! The ‘India Summit’ brought back my childhood memories: growing up in Ambur, walking to the school in the mission compound with a lunch box and books in my shoulder bag, running to Bethesda Hospital out-patient department with a bleeding knee injury (while playing soccer with a tennis ball in the school yard), climbing the mango tree near the school during recess, etc.; it brought back tears to my eyes.

“Sitting in the basement of the church with those missionaries who spent their youthful years in South India and all those well-wishers who supported and continue to support the IELC and its mission work was such blessing to me. One by one as they gave their testimonies, I could personally relate to every word they said. It was like sitting on a hard cement floor with my both legs folded and watching an old black and white movie with flashing lines across the white-washed cement wall in Concordia High School in Ambur!

“It was an emotional experience for me and I was deeply saddened to see the way some things have deteriorated over the years. At the same time, I am excited to see the progress especially at Bethesda Hospital, and in areas of care for the physically challenged children. Obviously, there is room for improvement. Lots of room, I must add.

“It is my hope that we can all join hands and with the help of LCMS and other organizations help the IELC and the mission work they are doing. Whatever we do now should be carried out in such a manner that it would eliminate the nearly 100-year- old ‘culture of dependency’ that is existing today. With new leadership within the IELC and with a positive outlook, I feel that the time has come to embark on a new approach to our mission work in India. We have to come up with new ideas that will take us into next century. The time is here. We have to strike when the iron it hot. This is the time! We cannot miss this opportunity.

“I can see the IELC as a powerful, dynamic organization serving the people of India and our God in a way that we have never seen in the past 100-plus years. I am excited at the opportunity that our loving and wonder-working God has given us now. India is going through such a historical transformation. This is our opportunity to show who we are and where our strength comes from! Glory be to our God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”

How can I get involved?

• Join our brothers and sisters in India in prayer for God’s working among them as they boldly share the Good News of Jesus Christ among the people of the world’s second-largest mission field.
• Learn more about the IELC, read a recent Harvest News article online at www.lcms.org?12985. 
• Give to support an IELC project done in partnership with LCMS World Mission, visit www.lcms.org?6002.

Related posts:

1. India - IELC Golden Jubilee - Video India - IELC Golden Jubilee ; In June 2008,...
2. Good News from Rev. Herb Hoefer in India “I am now in Ambur, where I have been...
3. India Schools Project-Video India became the first foreign mission field of the Lutheran...
4. Photo of the Week Dave Hoeppner interviews teachers in India regarding the needs...