South Asia's first NMI events inspire leaders

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

India and South Asia Fields

In the first three weeks of March, districts in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal held conferences focused on the work and philosophy of Nazarene Missions International (NMI). Groups in Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore (India), Birgonj, Bangladesh, and Kathmandu, Nepal, gathered between 20 and 500 participants.

Though the common focus was global participation and the foundational goals of NMI, each city's meeting was unique. In Nepal, an introduction was offered to participants who had never been previously taught about NMI, and then on the same field in Bangladesh, a three-day mission conference, "Walk With Jesus," was held with nearly 500 people. In each location, no matter what their background was in NMI, those who gathered were very excited about participating in missions through both local and global contexts.

"In all of the places, I thought it was important to ensure that there was a shared understanding of why we do missions, why it's important, the purpose of NMI and the fact that it's for everyone," said Eurasia NMI Coordinator Heidi Bowes. "Why we do missions is tied to the command of the Great Commission and really the character of God. God is calling all people, in all nations everywhere to go and make disciples."

"Everywhere I went, I met such excellent leaders who really want to see their churches and local districts play an active role in global missions," she added.

Sarah Dandge, who attended all three gatherings in India, found them informative and challenging. "The various leaders were able to share about their understanding of NMI and how they participate in missions," she said. "This sharing was encouraging to others who did not do missions in their church or district. Some leaders expressed their misconceptions about NMI, which was an eye-opening experience and offered a challenge for them to begin teaching and practicing missions with a new perspective."

With emphasis on NMI's four main goals of prayer, giving, mission education, and discipling children and youth, every group shared how they are living missionally in their setting while developing new ways of working locally and globally.

Some give standard monetary offerings, while others focus on more tangible items like rice, a handful of which a home can gather daily from each family member and then re-sell to aid in local community work.

Others work locally, visiting neighbors with different religious backgrounds and praying for their families as well as seeking to meet various physical needs.

"There are so many things that the rest of the region can learn from the India and South Asia Fields," Bowes said "and it is exciting to see and envision how God will be using our churches in these areas to reach others around the globe for Him."

Future NMI gatherings are being organized for India's southern and western districts as some in Bangalore committed to holding missions rallies in the next six months.

"Having a mission gathering encourages people to begin thinking globally and gives you that priority to say, 'missions is important, and this is what the Lord has enabled us to do for others,'" said Bowes. "NMI is integral to the very fabric of the Church of the Nazarene; it's who we are, and hopefully living missionally can be a natural outflow for what it means to follow Christ no matter where you live in the world."
--Eurasia Communications 

 

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