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Church pours love, infrastructure into troubled nation
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Chapel Missions India gives Treasure Valley residents an array of opportunities to actually jump into missions and charity work rather than simply talking about it.
This program at Calvary Chapel Boise is devoted to helping people in one of the most needy places in the world — both financially and spiritually. Those involved can make a difference through a variety of efforts, including:
- Church planting — Nearly 100 Calvary Chapel churches or home fellowships in India.
- Pastoral training — Two-year Bible college for native pastors and evangelists.
- Children centers — 50 centers, for all children in a village or slum where no other gospel representation exists. Instruction includes school subjects, medical/hygiene and the Bible.
- Orphanages — Eight "Homes of Hope" care full-time for 450 children, of whom 120 have HIV/AIDS.
- HIV/AIDS family care – Provides nutrition, medicine, education/prevention, child care, the gospel and prayer for families suffering with HIV/AIDS.
- Medical ministry – Aid for lepers, along with a clinic and hospice facility for HIV/AIDS sufferers.
- Information provided by Lauren Phillips, CMI's stateside administrator under the directorship of CCB Pastor Bob Caldwell and Pastor L. Gunasekaran, director of the projects in India.
Inception story
Phillips says the church didn't go looking for India as a substantial project; instead, God brought it to them.
"I’ve heard Bob (Caldwell) say countless times (that) when a need presents itself, then the Lord’s provision will be there for us to help be the solution," Phillips says. "Through a series of divine appointments, God brought Bob and Guna together to reach India for Christ."
Now, almost 20 years after its humble beginnings, CMI is a huge ministry involving more than 5,000 people directly in India alone, as well as many thousands indirectly. In the U.S., there are more than 1,200 individual sponsors and about 25 church sponsors. Further, about 30 volunteers help facilitate the ministry through mailings, events and office work, Phillips says.
Last year more than $1.2 million was poured into the ministry, with 100 percent of all donations devoted to India. CCB pays for the administrative costs.
Much work remains
Even with CMI's long-term success, the needs in India persist. Phillips said an influx of funds for church planting/pastoral support and AIDS family sponsorships would greatly increase the amount of people the organization could help.
This ministry needs prayer warriors as well. "The ongoing persecution of Christians is the greatest need for prayer," Phillips says. "Many churches have been destroyed, pastors attacked and people harassed for their faith."
Phillips says the one benefit CMI has is that it's the only organization in India that houses and cares for HIV/AIDS children. In many towns and villages, the government's gratefulness has prevented CMI's work from being shut down, she says.
You can help
Locals can get involved by sponsoring a child or family with AIDS. The cost is $35 per month. CMI also hopes sponsors will serve as spiritual mentors for those they help. Correspondence is strongly encouraged.
Take the first step by calling Phillips at 208-321-7440 or visiting www.chapelmissions.org
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