The Return

I returned from India a week ago and starting to get back into the groove of things. Our trip was a complete success. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people total attended the 4 concerts we performed, 2 in Chennai and 2 in Trichy. My camera died on the second day so I don't have a lot of pictures or video by I wanted to share this one with you. Thanks for you support and prayers your kindness and generosity has touched thousands of lives.
 

Time is running out

Good morning friends, the fundraising is still going very well but time is running out. We have 10 days to raise just a little over $700.

In this time of tornadoes and floods reeking havoc right here in our own country and everyone asking for donations to help these people in need you may ask yourself, why would I help send someone 9000 miles away to play music for people whom I will never met when my help is needed here?

That's a great question. According to the US Census Bureau in a 2008 phone survey 75% of the American population are self-described Christians. My guess would be that almost everyone in the US has at least heard of Jesus. In the state of Tamil Nadu India (where our team will be traveling) only 3% of the population is Christian (according to the Census of India 2001).

In the US we have a choice: to follow Him or not. But in India an overwhelming segment of the population has never even heard His name let alone given the choice to follow Him. With the help  of the Indian Pastors, the worship music, dance and drama we'll be providing and your investment we can make a huge dent in this problem.

Help is need here at home and I hope that you are able to contribute to those causes. But as Christians we are to spread the Good News near and far, and with your help we can make a difference in the lives of people who may never get the chance to hear His Word.

Thanks

WOW!

The fund raising is going very well, as of today we are at $2156 of the $3000 needed by June 22. Thanks to those who have already invested in the trip! If you are still planning to make a contribution please do so as soon as you can. If you're unable to give I understand completely, I ask that you keep our mission in your prayers.

Importance

This is one of the worship songs we are rehearsing for the trip.

One of the things that is very important to us as we prepare for the concert series in India is playing music in the native language of Tamil. It would much easier to just go over there and play the worship music we already know in English, but if we did that who would know what we are singing about. Our mission is to help people meet Jesus right where they are; physically and spiritually. We hope that singing worship songs from their culture will help all of us worship Him together united by His love.

Busy

I haven't posted anything for the past 3 weeks because I've been a little busy. This last semester has been the hardest one I've had since I started school 3 years ago. So I really need to crack down on the studies to keep up my GPA. On Friday a graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ivy Tech Community College. It's taken a lot of work to get through but it was worth every minute. In the fall I will be attending Bethel College to further my education. Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers over the last couple of years. 

He is Risen

Luke 24:46-48

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

Did you know that there are 1.2 billion people in India? Millions have never even heard His name. But you can help change that with a donation to the cause. On this Easter Sunday please pray and search your heart to help me go to India with my team so we can share the gift of music with those who need His Love.

People here need help.

I received a message from someone asking why would we go overseas to do this kind of work when there are people right here that need help. That is a great question. The work in India is only one part of the mission. We are also doing work in downtown South Bend, check it out. 

http://www.monroecircle.com/ 

Thanks for the question Joe.

First Goal Surpassed

We've surpassed the first goal of $300 April 13th! This is awesome! Our next goal is $1500 by May 18th.

I ask you to pray and search your heart to see if God is leading you make a donation. We all need Jesus even those who have never heard his name.

Thanks for you support!

Calling

After all the music was played and the preaching was done this is what it was all about. An alter call by Pastor Sam. (3-8-2010)

India 2011 The Mission Part 2

A year and a half ago I was asked to take part in something that was much more than anything I could ever imagine; a mission trip to India. On that trip, 30 people from Granger Community Church left the comforts of home and traveled 9,000 miles away to make a difference in the lives of a 158 villagers in a small colony of untouchables in the village of Kalavai southern India.

As part of a long term ongoing effort in Kalavai this mission consisted of 5 teams, each with a specific goal in mind. The construction team helped the villagers rebuild brick homes that had
fallen down over time due to poor construction methods and inferior materials. The Conversational English team taught school children how to speak a few words of English to get
them started for English as a second language. The Health and Wellness team gave everyone in the village a checkup and taught the men and women about hygiene and the benefits of a healthy diet. They also checked the water supply for bacteria and other water borne microorganisms that can cause illness. The Micro-Enterprise team purchased goats from a nearby farmer so the villagers to raise and sell them at market for a profit. And we sent a Worship team that performed 4 concerts at outdoor revival meetings in and around the town of Kalavia.

I’ve been asked to return to India on another mission trip. This time will be a little different than the last. We are only sending one team, an arts team. This team will consist of a worship band,
actors and dancers. We’ll be traveling to 4 cities around the state of Tamil Nadu. We’ll be performing concerts (most of the music in the native language of Tamil) in each city during the evening and throughout the day we will be teaching church planters how to conduct worship in their services. In addition to this teaching we’ll be spending time with local pastors to help them establish themselves in new villages.

The Indian culture consists of a very complex caste system, or social class system. One of our highest priorities is the edification of Indian Pastors. When we (westerners) go into a village with a pastor he gains great credibility just by the fact that we believe in the same God that he does. We are looked upon as being in the highest caste, almost god like, therefore if we support his efforts the people will have more reason to trust him and his beliefs and teachings.

India is a dark place, and any light we can bring, be it through music, teaching, or edification will push back that darkness in the name of the Lord.

With all that said I’m asking you to search your heart and pray for guidance in helping this mission happen. Your contribution, support and prayers will make a difference in the lives of thousands of people who my have never heard the name Jesus before.

India 2011

In July I will be returning to India for a mission trip. On this trip, like our trip in March 2010, we will be performing at 4 concerts in cities around the area. Something we do that is unique to our mission is to preform the music in the native language of Tamil.

In order to do this I need your support. The cost of the trip is $3000. Please pray and search your heart about donating to the cause. Worship music in any language is uplifting, but for these people who never get the chance to worship in a way that we take for granted is life changing.

I've added a donate button on the side if God is leading you to support this trip.

Thank you, God Bless