Fall 2015

Winter 2013

ReNewA Reaching Indians Ministries InternationalPublication

R I M I N e w s

ExpEriEncE thE BEnEfit of GEnErous GivinG

RIMI News2

The Gift of Giving

I recently visited Dr. Billie Hanks in Asheville, NC; he gave me a book written by Wayne Watts, titled, “The Gift of Giving”. As I read the book on the flight home, I was praising God for all my friends whom God has brought into the ministry of RIMI. Every relationship has been ordained by God for His glory. I have always believed that

we become better people by investing in each others’ lives just as Paul invested in young Timothy. Like them, we are impacting the world, and conforming to the likeness of His Son-Jesus Christ.

I want you to know that God continues to bless the work of RIMI through your prayers and partnership. Your gifts bring many expressions of thanksgiving to God (2 Cor. 9:6-15). All gifts are sincerely prayed over with thanksgiving: by the RIMI office before sending to India, by the staff in India before sending to the field, and by the children, Bible students, missionaries, and believers who receive the benefits of your gifts with a grateful heart.

Following is a quick summary of the basic principles of giving that help us understand why we should intentionally develop the gift of giving (adopted/edited from the Gift of Giving, page 113-114).

1. God owns everything. We do not own anything, but we hold everything “in trust” for God (Psalm 24:1).2. After giving God His rightful part-a tithe from our “first fruits”-we are to give in proportion to how God has blessed us (both spiritually and materially), regardless of our income level. 3. God’s giving is tied to His love. He gave his Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins because He loves us. As members of God’s family we must give as God gave.4. Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38a). This is the principle on which God works, and His principle never varies.5. God is the source of everything. He has in store for us all that we will ever need (Philippians 4:19).6. We are to share our wealth with those who

teach us God’s Word (Galatians 6:6). Thus we support our pastors and missionaries.7. We must yield or present our bodies to Christ as a living sacrifice (Rom.12:1). This must be a total commitment on our part. He gives the power to create wealth and the desire to give back for His work.8. We are to grow in grace continually. Everything, our faith, witnessing, knowledge of God, love, and giving, should grow stronger as we continually experience God’s grace.9. Give generously and cheerfully to those in need. This giving will be a testimony to others who will glorify God.10. From the early days in the Old Testament, God’s people have come to worship bringing gifts. Giving is a form of worship and thus we should not go to church empty-handed, but bringing gifts for God.

Giving is a command, and a privilege. Unfortunately, today’s generation does not understand the principle of giving. They do not obey God in giving. Tithing to the Lord is no longer a priority. People are offended these days when taught about giving. But the church who honors God in sacrificial giving is a growing and influential church. And the individual who gives sacrificially shows himself to be a growing Christian whom the Lord blesses.

I heard the story of a businessman named Doug. In a meeting with Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, Doug was challenged to pledge $1,000,000. He accepted the challenge, even though he had no way to give that kind of money. Doug has a gift of giving and enjoys giving for the Lord’s work. He trusted God, and within three years, he was able to fulfill the pledge!

(cont. page 4)

Prayer Requests

• Pray for safe travels and good health for US staff visiting India - Saji, Tony, and Richard

• Bitoli Church Dedication on August 8 • Lala Mathew, Mission India Accounts Manager, is

getting married on August 15

• Partners traveling to India in October/November 2015• Pastor Naredra Raika, Mission India State leader of

Sikkim, will undergo heart surgery• Pastor Prashant Nag, Mission India missionary, just

had a baby girl and she is not doing well

“Give, and it shall be given unto you...”

Luke 6:38a

Reaching Indians Ministries International 3

Saji’s Travel ScheduleAugust

1-31 India

Roy MathewPastor Roy Mathew was born and raised in a Christian home in Kerala, South India. As a teenager, Pastor Roy was not a committed follower of Christ and was away from the Lord. He developed several bad habits and became an alcoholic.

One day, Roy’s brother, who is a Pastor, asked him to come to a prayer meeting. After much persuasion, Roy reluctantly went with his brother. The Holy Spirit spoke to Roy through the pastor’s word with power and conviction. The pastor told of God’s unconditional love for him and that in Christ, he can find peace and have a better life. That evening, Roy repented and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and decided to serve the Lord in full time ministry!

Over the years Pastor Roy and his family encountered many trials. In the beginning they suffered severe financial struggles and went without food at times. He was beaten and verbally abused on many occasions. However, Pastor Roy never once gave up and has stayed true to his calling and commitment to the Lord!

Today, a powerful and lively church has been established with about two hundred regular members in attendance. This is a large number for a predominantly Hindu community. The church has vibrant ministries for children, youth, women, and a Christian based English school for rural kids. The community has been blessed by this church.

Missionary Spotlight

September

11 Banquet in Monroe, WI23-25 Board Meeting at AWANA Headquarters in Streamwood, IL26 Annual Banquet in Wheeling, IL

Child SpotlightChandraprakash BansodChandraprakash’s father deserted the family when he was young. His mother worked as a household servant, but she was not able to support both herself and her two children. A local pastor told her about our Mercy Home program. Seeing the great need, we immediately admitted Chandraprakash to our Mercy Home program.

Chandraprakash is a sweet and happy boy with an adorable smile. He is friendly, healthy, and enjoys reading the Bible and memorizing. He is performing very well in his studies. He also accomplishes all of the tasks he is assigned at the Mercy Home. He wakes up at 5:30 am for devotions and spends time memorizing scripture verses which he recites in Sunday worship.

Through child sponsorship and the mercy home program, we are able to continue caring for Chandraprakash and provide him with opportunities to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.

It is wonderful to see how Chandraprakash is responding to the love and care he is receiving at the Mercy Home. He is doing well in school, and we expect he will be a great student who will go on to do great things in life.

He is also part of the first batch of Mercy Home children to stay in the 100-child capacity facility on our Nagpur Seminary Campus.

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the

least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:40

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good

news...”Isaiah 52:7

Praise• Safety during recent storms - tornados came within a few

miles of the US headquarters• Recent generous gifts to cover general needs and Bible

school operations• God’s continued provision in His right timing

Every prayer request that comes into the office is prayed for during our weekly devotional time. Please let us know how we can be praying for you. Also, we love to hear stories of praise. As Paul said in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Let us rejoice and weep with you.

I encourage you to pray for the upcoming annual conference which will held in Nagpur, India, from November 9-15. Great speakers will be teaching the Epistles of John. Our budget for the week-long conference is $75,000 to sponsor 1500 plus delegates ($50 each). See the enclosed letter for more information.

RIMI News4

Upcoming Events Follow Us RIMI Annual Banquet September 26, 2015Chevy Chase Country Club, Wheeling, IL 60090

Annual Leader ConferenceNovember 9-15, 2015 Mission India Seminary

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

We’d love to share more of what God

is doing with you!

Facebook.com/ReachingIndians

Twitter: @ReachingIndians

Contact UsPhone: (847) 265-0630

Fax: (847) 265-0642

Website: rimi.org

E-mail: ministry@rimi.org

Postal: 1949 Old Elm Road Lindenhurst,

One True God

Illinois 60046

Saji’s new book, The One True God, is out. It is filled with testimonies of God’s working through the lives our those on the front lines. The stories in this book will inspire you and help you grow in your faith in Jesus Christ who is the True one God among all gods of this world. Following is an excerpt from chapter 8:

“In the beginning, they [Pastor Nag and his family] worked in the community and held many cottage prayer meetings, establishing home cells (house churches). They began with a few believers, meeting and praying together in small groups. They would sing and Pastor Nag would share simple truths from the Gospel. God blessed their prayers and some were healed; others were drawn by the message of hope and peace. They began to welcome a few converts to Christianity and slowly,

their church began to grow. This angered some of the people in the community and a scheme was hatched to get Pastor Nag arrested. Some false charges were brought against him and he was arrested and taken to jail. The little church gathered and prayed...”

To read more, get your copy today at www.RIMI.org/resources. A suggested donation of $10 will help us cover our costs and provide needed materials for our bible school students.

Annual Leaders Conference

Annual Banquet

“However, if you suffer

as a Christian, do not be

ashamed, but praise God

that you bear that name”

1 Peter 4:16

Pastor Nag and Family

The Gift of Giving (cont. from page 2)I humbly ask all of you to obey Christ, without fear and doubt, in giving and then enjoy his favor and blessings. Please consider giving a special gift for the various needs of the ministry.

Once again, thank you for your love, consistent prayers, and financial support to reach the unreached. Experience the gift of generous giving!

Dr. Saji LukosFounder and President

Rejoice with those who rejoice...

Our annual banquet is coming soon. It will be held on September 26, 2015 12 noon - 3pm at the Chevy Chase Country Club, Wheeling, IL 60090. This is the same location as last year. There is no charge to attend, but opportunity will be given to give for the ministry work. Bryan Hughes, Senior Pastor of Grace Bible Church in Bozeman, MT will be the keynote speaker. Register online today at: www.RIMI.org/register.