India Abundant Ministries
History of India Abundant Ministries
Isaac Benarjee was born and brought up in a good Christian family in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, but when he was in the 10th grade, his mother died. As Isaac describes it, "That incident caused me great pain. I began to question God." By his own admission, Isaac lived in an ungodly fashion for some years after this tragedy.
However, Isaac says that at the age of 20, the Lord led him to repent of all his sins. When he did so, he received "a great joy and peace in my heart" and desired thenceforth to serve God. Through the help of a Canadian missionary, Isaac obtained degrees in theology at Hindustan Bible Institute in Chennai (then Madras). He taught homiletics for twelve years at the Institute, and then returned to Andhra Pradesh to serve as a pastor. Later, through working as Director of the "Voice of Love" radio ministry, he became impassioned to preach to unreached people groups. Thus, in 1985, Pastor Benarjee founded India Abundant Ministries (IAM).
Church Growth
IAM maintains four mission centers. IAM's goal is that every mission center reach ten local villages and plant branch churches in their area. In one mission center, the local pastor's outreach program includes open-air preaching and having his congregation distribute tracts locally on Saturdays. As a result of these efforts, their thatched-roof church is filled to overflowing with 250 worshippers. Another mission center has already planted three branch churches.
India Partners supports IAM's village pastors in a number of ways, including
- pastor sponsorships
- rebuilding a parsonage for a pastor whose home collapsed in the monsoon
- providing monthly support for pastors' children to attend school
In Pastor Benarjee's words, "We praise God for His continuous guidance and fruitful harvest in our mission field. Kindly remember the congregation and their spiritual growth."
Reaching the Disabled
India Partners sponsors provide monthly support for the education of physically disabled persons. Pastor Benarjee writes of one disabled young man, "This has been a great blessing to Raju, to study and continue his studies in future. He gave his heart to Jesus Christ and he is serving the Lord by playing tabla [an Indian drum] every Sunday in the church choir."
Providing for Widows
When her son died from AIDS, "Variya," a local widow, shouldered the responsibility to look after her daughter-in-law and grandchildren. She became distraught and discouraged. IAM provided monthly financial support and spiritual nurture. Pastor Benarjee writes, "When she tasted the love of Jesus Christ, she gave her life to the Lord. She realized that she has a great big wonderful God with her now." India Partners provides support to several widows in the areas served by IAM.
Through India Partners, IAM also gives saris to about 40 poor widows at Christmas.
Sheila Tailoring School
The Sheila Tailoring School trains young women from poor working families in tailoring and basic business practices. Upon completion of the rigorous six-month program, each woman is given a treadle sewing machine. In many of these families, the husbands work as day laborers. During the lean times, when their husbands cannot find work, the wife's income is difference between food on the table and hunger. IAM follows up with the graduates as they launch their careers. The school can accommodate about 15 women at a time and, since its launch in 2003, 75 women have successfully completed the program and gone to work.
In a recent year:
- Through IAM's gospel conventions and church meetings, over 1,000 people accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior
- Pastor Benarjee preached at 27 gospel conventions
- IAM held six special church meetings for women
- IAM conducted six counseling programs for the pastors in the mission centers
- IAM conducted seven gospel outreach meetings for young people
- Nearly 2,500 children participated in vacation Bible school
- IAM assisted in disaster relief
