When it comes to equipping leaders and supporting the global church, we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Each of our regions is unique, and each faces distinct challenges and opportunities. Because of this, our work is "tailor made" to best serve the church in each context.
In India, this is illustrated by our new initiative focused on pastors' wives. After observing that many pastors and their families have been going hungry due to the pandemic lockdowns and subsequent lack of tithes, we knew we had to do something.
Our resourceful team in India saw an opportunity for us to support these faithful families by training pastors' wives in tailoring. By providing an additional source of income for these families, pastors will no longer be forced to choose between continuing in the work of ministry or feeding their families.
We are also excited about the many pastors and ministry leaders who are currently being equipped through our Foundations programme all across India, including a class of 22 leaders on the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Your support makes all of this possible. Thank you!
Recognising Amit Mondal
Celebrating 20 Years of Service
This month we would like to congratulate and thank Amit Mondal for his 20 years of service with Global Action! Amit is our Director of South Asia, and brings such excellence, creativity, passion, and Christ-like leadership to our ministry.
Based in Hyderabad, India, Amit first began working with Global Action in an administrative role. His leadership qualities quickly became apparent, and he started taking on more responsibilities, coordinating programmes, and communicating with local pastors and leaders.
“I began to understand and see the bigger picture of Global Action's mission. The first thing I realised and learned is that the church is not just about the size of a building, but it is about the people and the community we serve. Being a mission leader, everything you do should connect the church to the people and lead them in the right direction to expand the kingdom of God.”
Amit says he’s most proud of the work Global Action does in rural areas where he sees needs are the greatest. Seeing strong foundations being built in communities and hearing personal stories of how the gospel is at work in people’s lives reminds him every day that, “We are on the right track.”
Tailor Made
Like most places, India is coming out of two hard years in the pandemic. For many, daily life seems to be resuming, but for the "daily wagers" - or working class - the return to normalcy is much slower. Ongoing unemployment coupled with a decrease in tithes and services has many of our alumni and their families still struggling to put food on the table.
Recognising the need to for an immediate and reliable income stream, Global Action worked to establish a new sewing class that aims to equip pastors' wives with professional skills and financial stability. While the course is primarily focused on helping pastors' wives supplement the loss of income due to decreased tithes following the pandemic, we found the need was also significant for other vulnerable women in the community, like Aruna (pictured above).
Aruna tells us she did her best to make ends meet by working as a housekeeper after her husband died. It was the only job she believed an uneducated widow could do. But when COVID broke out, she lost the job that had been the only source of income for her family.
“Your team has made me realise that I am not born to just be cleaning and washing the dishes. In the right time your God gave me this opportunity to train myself with life sustainable skills so that I can support my family without needing to depend on anyone. I am going to work hard to train myself. Someday, I might be a help to another lady.”
Nearly 20 women are now taking part in the course. The women are in the early stages of learning to sew and soon will be able to mend and make new clothing. There is already a need for more classes in other communities!
With your support, Global Action will work to set up additional centres equipped with sewing machines and instructors to provide more women the opportunity to grow their skills and serve their community.