The atmosphere in the hall was electric. Four hundred young
people gathered in Patna, Bihar October 23-25, 2012 and the movement of God’s
Spirit is still being felt across the region.
"Mission Possible–With Sacrifice"
October 2012 Youth Conference participants |
Young people worldwide have heard the slogan, “Mission: Impossible.”
The blockbuster movies from Hollywood have made it well-known. The giant banner
in Bihar adroitly turned the phrase, as written above, challenging the group to consider
undertaking a task so large it might seem impossible to many. Focusing on
evangelism and discipleship, the mission placed before the youth was nothing
less than the total transformation of the State of Bihar through the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
Bihar has a population of almost 100 million people; only
one in a thousand is a Christian. The state is 83% Hindu and 16.5% Muslim.
Bihar has long been known as the “graveyard of missions” because of widespread poverty,
illiteracy, and persecution. The 2010
edition of Operation World calls the
state “one of the least-evangelized mega-populations in the world.” 90% live in
rural villages, one of the world’s highest rates. 22 people groups with more than 100,000 souls
each remain unreached. How could this mission be deemed “possible?”
One startling statistic holds out hope for Bihar: 60% of the population is under 25 years of
age. “Let NO ONE despise your youth,” intoned Dr. S.D. Ponraj, quoting from 1
Timothy 4:12. A sea of young faces listened quietly. Ponraj had their
attention.
Later that same day, following a presentation of the gospel
and an invitation, approximately 150 of the 400 received Christ as their
Savior. Most of them were from a Hindu background. The next day the same pastor
taught about Christian growth, holy living, and the Spirit-filled life. Those
who were there experienced first-hand the meaning of Joel 2:28, “I will pour
out My Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and
your young men will see visions.” Healing, joy, and peace began to flow as
young people cried out for God’s mercy and power! The transformation had begun.
Small group sessions encouraged those from the same regions
to get acquainted. They shared their challenges and questions while experienced
pastors and youth leaders offered guidance and prayer. Strategies were
developed by these small groups for coordinated, organized outreach. When the
final service was over, a goal had been set to start Christian youth clubs in
150 villages and to hold more conferences like the one they had just attended.
But would it make a
difference? How could 400 youth have an impact on 100 million people? The
answer to these questions is becoming evident. The transformation is beginning
one life at a time. The following testimonies were received by e-mail on November
21. Names and locations have been omitted to protect young people who might be
targeted for persecution.
- Four girls from JG village went home, shared the gospel, and brought six other girls to the pastor for baptism.
- SK, a 16-year-old young woman, was under demonic power and sought out the main speaker at the conference for prayer. She was miraculously and instantly delivered. When she went home she witnessed to her family; they all accepted Christ and are now ready for baptism.
- GD from a small village dedicated His life to God at the conference. Upon returning home he was baptized. As his personal transformation became apparent to family and friends, many came to the Lord.
- AK, 19 years old, carried the gospel home to her village. Six have been saved and baptized already, and three more are completing discipleship classes in preparation for baptism.
- VK was not attending church, even though his parents were Christians. At the youth conference he was wonderfully touched by God. Now he is very active in serving the Lord through the church in his village.
- SK went home from the conference and began sharing her testimony. Five youth accepted Christ and were received into the church through baptism by the local pastor.
Reports show that in less than one month these 400 youth
have brought 206 people to Christ: 50 have been baptized, 61 are ready for
baptism, and 95 continue in discipleship in preparation for baptism. 63 of the
150 youth clubs have already begun!
Let no one despise the youth of these Bihari Christians.
Trickles of response have already begun. The Kingdom principle of
multiplication means that soon those trickles will become streams, and then
mighty rivers of souls will be coming to Christ.
An ER-sponsored GC3 conference was held in Bihar
in 2010. Indigenous church leaders like Dr. S.D. Ponraj perceive the vast
potential of young people to evangelize; they are continuing to work on their
own initiative to keep GC3 momentum, working tirelessly to equip the
young generation. Pray for these young people as they participate in
discipleship, Bible training, and evangelism. Ask the Lord to help them fulfill
their mission–the total transformation of Bihar.
Learn more about the youth movement in India on ER's page at this link:
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