GMI News Letter

On Mar 3, 2025 5

March 2025 Newsletter

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. II Peter 1:3

GOD SEES OUR GIVING

Roy Joseph, GMI

“And GMI 2 Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury; and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:42-44

Before the destruction of the temple, the treasury functioned as a vehicle to cater to the needs of the poor and needy including widows. It was the responsibility of the rich to give to the treasury and according to the law, widows were not required to give. Yet, this widow gave everything she had, and Jesus commended her giving.

Jesus watches what we give to the Lord and what we keep for ourselves. Even today, some give out of their abundance, and some do not even give despite their abundance. What an example is this poor widow for us!

God is our best example for giving. He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sakes on the cross so that we might have eternal life. First century Christians went as far as selling their property and giving the entire proceeds to the Apostles to take care of the needs of fellow believers (Acts 4:35). Although this is not a current practice among churches today, the needs of the believers remain the same. It is our regular giving that takes care of the needs of these believers.

Giving is an act of worship. It is a sweet-smelling aroma of sacrifice and well pleasing to God (Philip. 4:18). Apostle Paul writes to the Philippian believers, “Not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” (Phil 4:17). Paul is saying that when we give to the Lord’s work, God blesses us back more abundantly. Some of us are immensely blessed by God. Many of God’s servants who have committed their lives for fulltime ministry are struggling daily. Many evangelists in God’s vineyard have great needs. They deserve our support and encouragement. Out of your abundance that God has blessed you with, would you extend your caring hands to them? Giving is a blessing.

Several needs are mentioned in this newsletter. Please take a moment to read it and then open your heart and hands to any of those needs. It is an investment for eternity. “For them that honor Me, I will honor,” says God (1 Sam. 2:30).

ONGOING ASSEMBLY HALL CONSTRUCTION NEEDS

Chandrabanda Zion Brethren Church, Karnataka

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Chandrabanda Zion Brethren Church, Karnataka is situated 12 miles from Raichur City and serves a congregation of over 35 believers. The construction of the new hall has progressed up to the lintel level. An additional $4,000 is required to complete this project, with the goal of having it ready for dedication within the next four months. This assembly is poised to make an impact on the neighboring villages.

Chagbhavi Zion Brethren Church, Karnataka

Chagbhavi Zion Brethren Church, Karnataka is located approximately 40 miles from Raichur city and serves a congregation of around 60 believers. Construction has already begun on the foundation, and an additional $7,500 is needed to complete the assembly hall within the next seven months. This assembly will also play a vital role in outreach to the surrounding villages.

Ephratha Christian Brethren Assembly, Belgaum:

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The Assembly began in Camp Belgaum in 1998. For over two decades, the assembly met in rented halls. However, on December 19, 2021, the

activists entered during the worship time and threatened to stop all the activities in the camp premises. The assembly gathering was forced out on January 2, 2022. A plot was purchased immediately and the construction started in May 2022. Since that time, God’s provision and the generosity of believers have enabled considerable progress to be made. Almost 75% of the construction is complete. However, the construction is stopped for lack of funds. An additional $10,000 is needed to finish the work.

Mission Station in Vsarvadi, Maharashtra:

This year we plan to expand the Mission Station which serves the Vasavi tribe, and it is equipped with all the necessary facilities. The extension will provide adequate space for an elementary school to educate the children from surrounding villages. Currently, we have 60 children enrolled and the number is expected to exceed 100 once the school begins. An estimated $4,500 will be sufficient to complete this expansion consisting of additional classrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms.

A new Mission Station in Nandurbar District

Additionally, we are planning to establish a new Mission Station in Nandurbar District, approximately 40 miles from our current location in Vsarvadi. This area comprises over 20 villages, and we have established four small gatherings. The estimated cost for construction for this Mission Station is $7,500.

HOUSING NEEDS FOR WIDOWS

Jacob Mathen

Our team of evangelists in Kotturu, Andhra Pradesh, continues to engage in outreach ministry, focusing on pioneering areas. Following the recent hurricane, we provided relief through our Assemblies by distributing rice and groceries to selected families in 12 villages. We are helping a few widows with housing after the hurricane. Additionally, two widows have been identified for immediate housing assistance. These widows, seen standing in front of their damaged shacks, are in urgent need of support. We are considering constructing modest homes for them as soon as funds become available. Each house is estimated to cost around $3,500, slightly higher than previous housing costs due to the plans for concrete roofing. The concrete roof will provide better protection against the frequent hurricanes in the region

Sister Krishnaveni is a widow who lives alone in a dilapidated shed. She earns her living as a daily laborer and has no one to support her for housing.

Sister Leelamani is a 28-year-old widow

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and a devoted believer who faithfully attends church with her 11-year-old daughter. Her husband passed away six years ago, and she now lives with her ailing father in a small shed. To support her family, she works as a daily wage laborer. We specifically chose these two widows for assistance because of their strong Christian testimony in their village. However, they have faced excommunication from their community due to their unwavering faith in Christ.

HOPE ACADEMY

Monsy Abraham, Bhopal

We have traveled 16 years on His glorious mission trails. As we step into the 17th year, we are indebted to God for His gracious benevolence these past 16 years. The assembly activities are going well. The assembly is actively pursuing the following ministry initiatives and needs your prayer and support:

1. HOPE Academy of Theology & Science:

The Lord brought us to the third trimester of the current academic year. Presently, we are training 157 students enrolled in various residential and online programs. We are, God-willing, starting Master’s in Divinity (M. Div.) Program in April 2025. Thus far, we have trained over 300 students.

2. Bible Translation:

We are involved in translating Scripture to transform people and language groups. Presently, we have taken up the NIMADI translation project. Progress is slow. We need more resources and collaborations.

3. Vision4mp:

Vision4mp is a prayer and outreach movement of HBA for Madhya Pradesh, pleading to the Lord of the harvest to send workers to all 55 districts of MP and also reaching the unreached places with the Gospel, challenging people with the message of the cross, planting local assemblies, and strengthening members in the Word through Bible classes. Vision 20/30 aims to see work/assemblies in all five districts of MP by the year 2030.

GARDEN HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOL

Arun K Paul

Garden Hills, started in 2014 with 11 children, has blossomed into a thriving school now with more than 200 students. Our mission priority is to educate the underprivileged and needy children while providing a beacon of hope and support to many families. By God’s grace, we have successfully obtained the CBSE affiliation from the federal government for a stipulated period. To make it permanent, we will have to make further improvements to the campus including upgrading the playground, fire and safety machines, and a multipurpose room for co-curricular student activities. We are thankful to the Lord for the support we have received so far and continue to look to Him for our ongoing needs.

WILLS AND TRUSTS

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A generation goes away, and a new generation comes, but the Lord’s work goes on from generation to generation. If you would like to support the Lord’s work in India beyond your life time, please add Gospel Missions of India (GMI) as a beneficiary in your will and/or trust. This is a wonderful way of investing your treasure on earth for the salvation of precious souls. For more information, please contact us.

REGARDING FUNDS

There are multiple ways of sending funds to Gospel Missions of India (GMI). If you are doing an online transaction, we strongly recommend that you contact us as soon as the donation is made with your address, phone number, and email ID. This will help us to immediately process the donation and provide you with a receipt. If the donation is designated, please send us the phone number and email Id (if available) of the recipient, to get the relevant details.

You may designate your gifts to help with any of the following areas:

Assembly hall construction
Support for evangelists
Education support
Evangelists’ healthcare
Orphanages
VBS and Bible Camps
Hospitals and medical camps
Literature and tract printing
Disaster relief
Radio, TV and Audio Bibles
Vocational training
Bible Schools

Checks: US: Please send to GMI, P.O. Box 1043, Warren Mi – 48090. Canada: Please send your gift to the “India Missions Fund” at MSC Canada www.msccanada.org. NOTE: After sending fellowship via MSC, please communicate directly with us at gospelmi@proton.me regarding any specific designations.

Using Zelle: You can send from your bank account and direct your payment to gospelmi@proton.me or you can send through www.zellepay.com.

Credit Card: You can pay using your Credit Card from our website at www.gospelmi.org.

Bank Transaction/Stocks: If you would like to donate directly using your bank account, or setup recurring donations from your Credit Card or bank account, or would like to donate stocks, please contact us.

Will or Trust: One more way you can help the assembly work in India is by adding Gospel Missions of India to your Wills, Annuities, and Trusts. It is an investment for eternity. If you need additional information, please contact us.

GOSPEL MISSIONS OF INDIA DONOR SERVICES

Please contact one of us:

Roy Joseph, Executive Director: 586-219-1645

P Joseph Raju, Director: 586-216-7924

EMAIL: gospelmi@proton.me

Yours In Christ,

Gospel Missions of India,

P O Box 1043, Warren, MI 48090
Website: www.gospelmi.org