I love India, and so does our church.
Here are some posts about India:
We’ve got another team headed to India today at 2:30pm. We've sent hundreds of people to India over the years. Our teams are all laser focused in terms of adding value to the churches and communities on the ground in India. We don’t do exposure trips where Americans come to simply see the work and have the illusion of impact. We train our teams to build capacity and skills in the members of the Indian churches and the members of the community the churches are in. We don't just do "for" them. We focus on working “with” them, equipping them so they can do for themselves.
The team will be focusing on Conversational English and Micro-enterprise.
Conversational English Team
While Hindi is the official language of India, English is the preferred language for trade, commerce, business and education. In India, children who cannot speak English with a reasonably high level of proficiency are relegated to jobs that earn less than a livable wage, and are unable to achieve a higher standard of living for their families, thus perpetuating cycles of poverty and hopelessness. The goal of our Conversational English Team is to change that.
Micro-Enterprise/Small Business Team
In order to ensure that Indian families have not only a relationship with Jesus, decent housing, clean water and education for their children, GCC families work in conjunction with Life Mission, the organization GCC started in India, and local churches we’ve planted to provide start-up capital and education for small businesses. These small businesses often quite literally mean the difference between starvation and life for many families, and GCC’s success thus far in helping widows and families to improve their income generating potential has literally changed the face of the communities in which they have been involved.
Please join them for the journey at www.gccindiateams.blogspot.com and pray for the team.
Dig into the bigger story here and pick up a copy of Share the Well.
Here are the revolutionaries who comprise this team:
Jerry Blanchard Jr
Kyle Chezem
Jessica Ekema
Phillip Gadsen
Rachel Gadson
Amanda Harris
Todd Hollingsworth
Julie LaFleur
Matthew LaFleur
Nate Stem
Jessica Stem
Benjamin Thompson
Nancy Tucker
Anna Turner
Denise Walsh
Joel Wolfgang
Shari Wolfgang
One word: unbelievable.
Backstory: The people of this village are Irula. Irula is a scheduled tribe in India. Let me explain. You have the castes, then actually BELOW the castes are the scheduled tribes. The high caste, Brahmans, are taught they are the people spawned from the tops of the heads of the gods. The Irula are taught that they are the people spawned from the bottom of the feet of the gods. They are literally "dirt" underneath the feet of the gods.
This same elder who you just watched be baptized said to our team last December, "Irula literally means 'people of the darkness.' That is who we have been for centuries. But no longer are we the 'people of darkness,' now we are 'THE PEOPLE OF LIGHT!'"
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2
Have you seen my office lately? I’ve got duffle bags piled up almost to the ceiling! “Why?” you might ask.
Was there a sale at the army navy surplus store?
Left over supplies from my Y2K bunker?
Tomorrow at noon 30 folks from GCC will hand-carry 1500lbs of supplies into Tamil Nadu, India. What’s in these bags?
* 798 pairs of Crocs. Every single person in Kalavai will be sporting a new pair of Crocs. This will have a dramatic impact on reducing injuries and sickness caused by cuts, scrapes, parasites and pathogens.
* 54 backpacks crammed with school supplies. This past Christmas the kids in All Stars collected school supply for the children of Kalavai. For the kids in Kalavai, this will be their first ever backpack as they are the FIRST GENERATION of kids in the village to go to school.
* Clothing. The people of GCC have been collecting “gently used” clothing items. Many of the families we are serving in India literally have one pair of clothes.
* Team Gear. We’ll have six teams functioning simultaneously over the next couples weeks.
Creative Arts: Our artists will be leading a cultural exchange with local artists, performing multiple concerts, and raising the profile of the local church
Mirco-Enterprise & Recon: The team will assess and help enhance the small business already started (goat-herding, tailor shop, etc). In addition, ground work for two new business will be laid, Grocery Shop and Brick Production
Conversational English: The team will be working with the both the children of Kalavai and at a local school in the area. English is a key component to academic and vocational success in India.
Construction: The team will span a community latrine, 2 homes, 14 bath areas, and the next phase of the Kalavai Colony Community Center.
Health and Hygiene: The team will be providing basic training in community health, as well as family life training focused on strengthening parenting and marriages.
Be praying for the team. I’ve listed their names below.
In addition, follow the action blow by blow at the team blog.
Creative Arts Team
Shelley Arrendondo Team Leader
Dan Vukmirovich Team Leader
Jason Aquila
Stephanie Lancione
Tim Burkey
Dale Shafer
Brian Warrell
David Glass
Construction Team
Greg Schermier Team Leader
Jeff Inman
David Leist
Nancy Leist
Conversational English
Jessica Stemm Team Leader
Amanda Harris
Jeanna Miller
Nancy Tucker
Kelly VonGunten
Health & Wellness
Jim & Barb Blechl Team Leaders
Judy Reynolds
Rachele Whitlow
Joel Wolfgang
Kevin Yoder
Mirco-Enterprise & Recon
Nate Stemm Team Leader
Sarah Way Team Leader
Denise Walsh
Erin Schwabauer
Media
Ben Sanders
Dustin Maust
Captain America: Jack Magruder
1 year + 166 new churches + 39,000 on-going spiritual conversations = 4700 lives transformed by Amazing Grace. This is what a move of God looks like.
Two of our team members, Jack Magruder and Gene Ort, recently returned from field visits to the One Prayer Church Planting movement in Cambodia and India. Our team was there to observe the One Prayer church planters in action and to assess the physical needs of the communities these new churches are planted within.
These baby churches are growing at an astounding pace. Reminiscent of the early church in the book of Acts, new people are coming to faith every day.
As we celebrate the new souls saved, simultaneously our hearts break over the poverty which oppresses these communities.
Jesus is not just for saved souls, but saved wholes: mind, body, and soul.
This year One Prayer is expanding beyond church planting into holistic community development initiatives in these villages, bringing “up there” down here.
Watch for more video updates about this grass roots revolution. This first intallment will introduce you to the sights and sounds of Cambodia and India.
One Prayer Update Episode 1 from Gene Ort on Vimeo.
We are extremely excited to announce for the first time publically to the One Prayer Network, that together, we have raised a total of $448,576.32 for the One Prayer movement!
That is almost half of a million dollars used specifically to plant churches in limited access countries, to disciple new believers and to radically change the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. We are truly honored by the sacrifice of the One Prayer churches during this difficult financial season for many.
Already since the first run of One Prayer two years ago…over (wait for it)…1800 NEW CHURCHES HAVE BEEN PLANTED in China, Sudan, Cambodia, and India!
If you’ve been reading these One Prayer updates and thinking, “I wish I could meet some of these amazing men and woman of God firsthand. I wish I could experience what God is doing on the frontline of the Great Commission.”
I have great news. You can. We have put together opportunities for you to travel to each of the One Prayer sites. Please see the information below on how to participate on one of the trips:
India
- Dates: March 5-14, 2010
- Cost: $3000 *Includes travel to and from India (from Chicago, IL) as well as your Indian visa. Also includes meals, lodging, travel insurance and all other expenses while in India. We will be taking care of all arrangements as well as preparing you for what you will experience in India.
- What will I be doing? Visiting church planters and churches that have been formed through the One Prayer network, and also be able to take notes on training processes and success of the overall implementation.
- Why should I go? To experience first-hand what God is doing through the network of churches in India and to witness the impact that you and your church have had…as well as to communicate that impact to your church body, once you return.
- Immunizations/Vaccinations: The list below are recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Although we are listing the recommendations, we encourage you to check with your physician prior to making any final decisions regarding immunizations, asthese are only "suggestions."
- Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Anti-malaria meds, Tetanus immunization within last 5 years, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies, and Adult Polio
- Passport/Visa Information: Passport Required: YES/* At the time of the trip your passport must be valid for at least 6 months prior to its expiration. Visa Required: YES/*More details will be provided once your application is submitted.
- To Apply (Go to the following link):http://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/121053
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 5, 2010
- For More Information: Contact Jeanna Tripp at jtripp@gccwired.com or 574.243.3500, ext. 318.
China
- Dates: April 15 – 23, 2010
- Cost: $3400 *Includes travel to and from China (from Chicago, IL) as well as your Chinese visa. Also includes meals, lodging, travel insurance and all other expenses while in China. We will be taking care of all arrangements as well as preparing you for what you will experience in China.
- What will I be doing? Visiting church planters and churches that have been formed through the One Prayer network, and also be able to take notes on training processes and success of the overall implementation.
- Why should I go? To experience first-hand what God is doing through the network of churches in China and to witness the impact that you and your church has had…as well as to communicate that impact to your church body, once you return.
- Immunizations/Vaccinations: The list below are recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Although we are listing the recommendations, we encourage you to check with your physician prior to making any final decisions regarding immunizations, asthese are only "suggestions."
- Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Anti-malaria meds, Tetanus immunization within last 5 years, Japanese encephalitis, & Rabies
- Passport/Visa Information: Passport Required: YES/* At the time of the trip your passport must be valid for at least 6 months prior to its expiration. Visa Required: YES/*More details will be provided once your application is submitted.
- To Apply: http://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/121054
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 2, 2010
- For More Information: Contact Jeanna Tripp at jtripp@gccwired.com or 574.243.3500, ext. 318.
Sudan
- Dates: May 22 – 28, 2010
- Cost: $3400 *Includes travel to and from Sudan (from Chicago, IL) as well as your Sudanese visa. Also includes meals, lodging, travel insurance and all other expenses while in Sudan. We will be taking care of all arrangements as well as preparing you for what you will experience in Sudan.
- What will I be doing? Visiting church planters and churches that have been formed through the One Prayer network, and also be able to take notes on training processes and success of the overall implementation.
- Why should I go? To experience first-hand what God is doing through the network of churches in Cambodia and to witness the impact that you and your church have had…as well as to communicate that impact to your church body, once you return.
- Immunizations/Vaccinations: The list below are recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Although we are listing the recommendations, we encourage you to check with your physician prior to making any final decisions regarding immunizations, asthese are only "suggestions."
- Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Anti-malaria meds, Tetanus immunization within last 5 years, Rabies, Yellow Fever, Meningococcal (meningitis), & Adult Polio
- Passport/Visa Information: Passport Required: YES/* At the time of the trip your passport must be valid for at least 6 months prior to its expiration. Visa Required: YES/*More details will be provided once your application is submitted.
- To Apply (Go to the following link):http://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/121055
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
- For More Information: Contact Jeanna Tripp at jtripp@gccwired.com or 574.243.3500, ext. 318.
Raj just sent me this photo. Ground has been broken and the foundation is being laid for the Kalavai Colony Community Center (KC3).
Yes! Kingdom breakthrough! The short video below provides a "before" look at the construction sight and overview of the community-transforming initiatives that KC3 will house.
Another GCC team leaves today, picking up the baton from the long line of GCC teams that have gone before them. Each team member has responded to the call of Jesus and then engaged a rigorous training process. They are ready heart, mind, body, and soul. As one of their pastors, they make me so proud I could almost burst.
The current team will function in two villages where GCC has planted churches. They will:
- Begin construction of the Kalavai Colony Community Center.
- Teach conversational English. Conversational English unlocks the door to vocational and academic opportunity in India.
- Host health camps that will revolve around teaching basic health, hygiene, sanitation, and nutritional. Over 80% of illness in a village can be alleviated through this type of education.
- Fire up three new small businesses: A rope shop, a flower shop, and goat-raising.
As you can see, the impact will be profound.
They are more than ready to join in the action. I hope you will too! Our team leaders have all been iphone-equipped and twitter-trained, so you'll experience "in real time" reporting from the field.
Here's the part you can play to make a difference:
- Follow along at the team blog. Take a few minutes every day to "go to India."
- Engage the global conversation by leaving them encouraging comments. Imagine how morale will soar as they read scores of messages from the GCC family back here in Indiana.
- Support the team in prayer. Your prayers are powerful and will reach all the way around the world instantly.
Here we go!
KC3 in Kalavai from Gene Ort on Vimeo.
We're seven days out from our launch date for "June in India." Many people have been asking, "What will you do while you are there?" I'll take the next few posts to explain the goals of the next month.
To understand this trip, you need to understand what we call the "Bore Well" Church Planting model. A bore well requires significant drilling to excavate dirt and stone, providing access to the clean water in underground aquifers.
Since 2002, GCC's church planting strategy depends on increasingly focused networks of men and women, being led into deepening levels of training, relationship, and partnership.
We're drilling deep, both in the lives of those we are training and in the villages where these churches are planted. This increasing depth and richness of impact is only made possible through the combination of a laser focus and long term commitment.
June is about deepening the well of living water we been drilling in Tamil Nadu for seven years.
The Bore Well strategy involves four overlapping layers of training (pictured above), that involve both "classroom" modular training and in the field coaching.
Kingdom of God Training (KGT): This is the foundational training and funnel entry point designed to give men and woman the basics of church planting. We currently have over 200 church planters being trained, each of these in batches of 30-50. The training cycles is 18 months.
Purpose Driving Training (PDT): The 50 best and brightest of each cycle of the KGT training are invited to the PDT training. PDT coaches the new church plants in church health and balance. We offer this training to batches of 50 pastors at a time over an 18 month cycle.
Leadership Development Training (LDT): Out of PDT, a small group of 8-10 planters are invited and equipped to become "the pastor of the pastors" and the "leaders of leaders." The pastors become network leaders within the larger movement, not only caring for their congregations, but other pastors and churches. LDT is an on-going relationship and not time bound.
Community Transformation Training (CDT): Due to the exceptionally complex and time-consuming nature of community development initiatives in a developing world context, GCC offers a final layer of training and implementation for a small number of churches who moved through all the previous layers of training. The purpose of this training is to prepare indigenous churches to determine real vs. felt needs in the community, negotiate government bureaucracy, develop a technical survey of issues to intercept, and create a workable project plan for handling both community contributions (funds, labor and expertise) as well as outside (NGO, government, church-to-church) partnership. To date, of the almost 600 churches in the movement at various levels of training, 12 churches have successfully completed CTT training, with 3 moving forward into workable community development plans.
The strength of "bore well" model lies in the overlapping and reinforcing levels of selection, commitment, training, implementation, and demonstrated impact. At each level, the church is provided "bit-sized" chunks of training and support through coaching. Those who prove faithful and effective, are given greater opportunity to experience additional training and opportunity. Everyone is supported at their level of giftedness and capacity.
This model developed organically over the last eight years through the equal collaboration of the people of GCC and the churches in Tamil Nadu.
So, with that framework in mind, the trip in June will add value at each one of the levels of the bore well. I'll break that down in the next few posts.
Interested in reading more on Bore Well Church Planting? Download Bore Well Church Planting Model
Are you pastor or church leader interested in seeing the model in action firsthand? Check this out.