In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one aspect of our overseas endeavors.
[Editor: The following is a report from Pastor Jyothi Benjamin, in his own words, about current activities in the Church of the Lutheran Confession in India (CLCI). The report is lightly edited for clarity.]
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14 NIV)
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are humbled to write these few words on how God has been using the CLCI and its various churches here in India to reach the unreached. Your prayers and support are of utmost importance for the Evangelical movement through the CLCI here in India.
Joint India Pastoral Conference: We praise the Lord for the two-day Joint India Pastoral conference at Chennai. We express our sincere thanks to the honorable Mission Board for granting this wonderful opportunity to conduct two days Joint India Pastoral Conference at Chennai after four years. What a great joy and blessings we the CLCI and BELC pastors had through this conference. We praise God for the valuable input that we have received from the essays and devotions from our beloved CLC missionary Rev. Matthew Ude.
Church planting: During the year 2023-24, we have added seventeen new congregations, whose pastors were trained through our Immanuel Bible College. Also, we started twenty-five temporary preaching stations in Ongole, Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna districts.
Current Challenges: It is really a great challenge to do Gospel work here in India. Despite having a number of police cases filed against us, God opened new doors. By His grace we continued functioning and carried out our CLCI activities. Nine CLCI pastors and their family members have been arrested on false charges. In addition, five cases have been brought against our CLCI evangelists in various villages. We are often accused of violating the law against converting Hindus.
The persecution here has often included physical assaults. So far this year, there have been dozens of attacks against CLCI pastors and members. If this trend continues, 2024 may be one of the most violent and difficult years that the Christian community in Andhra and Telangana States have ever seen. Hindu anti-Christian groups, which enjoy the protection and patronage of the ruling BJP Hindu alliance Government, have targeted Christians, our places of worship, and even our livelihood.
Yes, it is a great challenge to do mission work here in India, but even under these challenging conditions, we are moving forward successfully with faith in the Lord.
Baptisms: In the past year we have performed a total of 128 Baptisms in Andhra and Telangana States. We are glad to report that many tribal people have heard our CLCI Gospel messages and have been receiving Jesus as their savior and got baptized. We keep moving ahead for more results with the gracious hand of our Lord. We firmly believe that the Good News of Jesus changes the lives of people. All the Glory to God for His wonder-working power in the CLCI! Thank you very much for upholding us in your prayers.
2024 Seminary Graduation: The CLCI Theological Seminary celebrated its graduation on June 15th, 2024, at Nidubrolu. We’re very pleased to inform you that God has led seventeen students to complete the three-year seminary course successfully.
Please pray that the Lord may use the CLCI to bring many Indians into His kingdom. Your prayer support will build the CLCI greatly here in India to do His mighty work.
May the Lord bless you all. Thank you.
is the Chairman of the CLCI. His home is in Nidubrolu, Andhra Pradesh State, India.
