The Gospel In India Americans from institutional churches of Christ began going to India shortly after the end of WW2. As a result of their work, scores of schools and orphan homes have been established in the southern states. There may be as many as 2000 institutional churches in India. These churches look and act much like the denominations and corruption and scandal have given them a bad name.

The Institutional Network in India The institutional network in India is a denominational pyramid scheme with several layers of Indian bureaucrats and an American preacher at the top. The leading Indians (usually the proprietors of a “Bible School”) are known locally as “boss preachers.” They distribute large sums of money from an American sponsoring church that filters through several layers of the pyrimid.

The Institutional Network in India The “boss preacher” in Hyderabad supports around 500 preachers at the bottom of the pyramid. The institutional churches of Christ are an organizational framework that for all practical purposes functions like a standard denomination. In general, these churches in India have been so corrupted by American money that they are held in very low esteem by the public in general.

The Institutional Network in India Institutionalism in India is decadent, unproductive, and unscriptural. The Christians we worked with have diligently sought to separate themselves both in behavior and in reputation from this institutional network. These brethren have built fine self-supporting congregations and have won the respect of the community because of their independence and zeal.

The Gospel In India Around 20 Non-Institutional American preachers have worked in India since the 1970’s. Among the pioneer workers who have left legacies in India are John Humphries, Ed Brand, Billy Raimer, Bernard Bolton and Ed Harrell.

Self-Sufficient Local Churches Ed Harrell – Building Self-Sufficient Local Churches in India

Supporting Gospel Preachers Gospel preachers received wages (2 Corinthians 11:8) from… 1. Job (1 Corinthians 9:1-18) 2. The church where they preached 3. Other churches (Philippians 4:15) The main reason we come: To see, build relationships and make recommendations.

Supporting Gospel Preachers A church sending money to a preacher is the right way. Each church doing her work. No “boss preacher.” The Lord cut out a lot of corruption and institutional organization.

The Moula Ali church In 1993 the Moula Ali church was a small group of 20 Christians meeting in a brother’s home. In 2014 the Moula Ali church has elders and deacons and has a regular attendance of around 200 and each Sunday a number of men from Moula Ali (supported by the congregation) go to preach elsewhere.

Moula Ali Shepherds Benson Rathnam Wilson

Sadisavapet “These men didn’t bring medical supplies or benevolent aid. They brought the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God unto salvation and we thank them for coming and their good message from God.”

God’s Work Anywhere 1. When God’s work is done God’s way it will never lack God’s supply – Philippians 4:19 2. When we plant and water we can trust for God to give the increase – 1 Corinthians 3:6 3. When God’s work is done God’s way in all things, then God is glorified through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit – 1 Peter 4:11