The AFLC has made a conscious effort to share the Good News of Christ to unreached people groups within India. To bridge the caste system boundaries, people must go as missionaries and be willing to live in the midst of these people and become one with them.
In an effort to reach some of the unreached people groups of Andra Pradash, a mission team was formed by the local Indian pastors in January 2009. The question was asked, “Are you willing to go to people different from yourselves and bring the gospel?” Five people came forward and met to pray over this need. In the following months a completely Hindu village was chosen as a place to reach.
Our AFLC pastors in India primarily come from the Madhiga people and the village of Pedepi come from the Mala caste. There has never been a Christian presence in Pedepi or the surrounding area. The mission team prayed and planned for a strategy to reach this area. J. Samuel, one of the AFLC pastors, had an uncle from Pedepi who welcomed Samuel and Pastor Luther to use his home and talk with the people about starting a church. First, a survey of the town was held and the elders were told about the idea of starting a church. Second, a doctor was sent to Pedepi to care for the people in the name of Jesus and the people were told that a preaching rally would be held in two weeks. Third, four pastors arrived in town and began going through the streets with a loud speaker, music, tracks, and an invitation to come in the evening to hear about Jesus and to see the film that described His life. That night 60 people attended and many prayed in response to the gospel.
This happened in October, from that time, pastors began to travel weekly to Pedepi to hold worship services. In November, two Hindu’s where baptized into the Christian faith and given Christian names. In February, Pastor Isaac arrived with his family to work with this new mission congregation full-time. In the meantime, we stand in awe of what the Lord can do and continue to pray for the work in this village and future work to other unreached people groups.
