In New Delhi, India, an angry group ordered the Seventh-day Adventist missionaries to leave their neighborhood. The missionaries wanted to establish the first Adventist church here, but there was a dispute over rights to the plot of land. It wasn’t that they disliked the Adventists. Hoping to resolve the conflict, church leadership sent a Global Mission pioneer named Suleman [pronounced SOO-luh-mon] to this unentered area.

Pioneer Suleman was in for a challenge. There are millions of people in New Delhi who don’t know Jesus yet, and in this crowded city, every piece of land is valuable. He knew the group claiming ownership rights wouldn’t give up the property without a fight. But as a Global Mission pioneer, Suleman not only hoped to resolve the conflict, he also planned to share the love of Jesus and eventually start a new group of believers.

When Suleman arrived, he and his family received serious threats.

(male) -

“They told me, Your church won’t save you. You better leave this property or we will get even with you.”

So the pioneer asked God for wisdom on how best to deal with the escalating conflict. Then hespoke with the angry men who were threatening to beat him.

“I am here to serve. If you chase me, where will I go? Your conflict is with my administration. Let me stay here. If the property is deeded to you, at least someone is taking care of the property while this matter gets resolved.”

The men thought this was a reasonable proposition, so they allowed pioneer Suleman to stay, but he couldn’t make any changes to the property. Faced with no choice, the pioneer agreed.

Suleman and his wife got to know the surrounding community. They visited neighbors and developed friendships that allowed them to share their faith. By God’s grace, people opened up to the gospel and wanted to hear more about Jesus.

One day, they met Sushma [pronounced SOOS-mah], the wife of a man who was raised Seventh-day Adventist. Sushma and the pioneer’s wife became good friends, cooking together and sharing life experiences. Sushma increasingly admired the Adventists. She saw that they were humble people who lived a simple life. The pioneer’s wife asked Sushma if she would be interested to learn more about the Bible, and she agreed. So Suleman and his wife began to teach Sushma about God.

(female)

“My husband was an Adventist, but I didn’t know much about this church. I didn’t know much before marrying into an Adventist family. But after the pioneer arrived, I came to know more about Jesus and the Adventist Church. Please pray for my husband. He doesn’t want to come to church even though he was an Adventist from childhood.”

Today, because Suleman mingled with the people showing Christ’s love, this property is formally deeded to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in India. There are approximately 25 regular members who worship here every Sabbath. As this congregation grows, he continues to pray for wisdom.

Please pray for Suleman despite the challenges he faces. Pray, too, for frontline mission work in unentered areas, among major world religions, and in urban areas. Thank you for your support of Global Mission.

They had problems with land mafia so the church sent the GMp

The mafia told him that they would get even with him if he didn’t leave. The church people won’t be able to save you.

GMp. I am here to serve, if you chase me where will I go?

Your conflict is with administration, why do you want to get even with me. I am only performing my tasks.

He told the mafia, let me stay here. If the property is deeded to you, at least I am here taking care of it for you while this gets resolved.

So they said I could stay with my wife and children. They restricted me from planting any vegetables or from taking too good care of the buildings. So I didn’t take care of these areas. They kept visiting the campus every so often to see.

In the evenings we visit the neighbors and the people around. Later, we met a sister that we visited in her house. Sister would give us a place to sit. So she began talking with my wife. They were making friends. Looking at her she said you are very simple, tell me more about you.

She was impressed with the simplicity of our lifestyle.

If you are impressed with our lifestyle and want to learn more. Please come to study with us. She began studying and then attending our church. She was very enthusiastic in singing. They come regularly and are strong members now. She is a strong believer in our church.

GMp met her when visiting homes in the area. She would go around with his wife.

Isaiah 41:10 was an encouragement for him during this difficult time.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

He worked with Gospel Outreach before. He has been GMp for 1 year.

He always wanted to build a church. His father passed and he always took part. Pastor noticed him because of his faithful support of the local church. He attended seminary convention nearby.

He wishes to have a nice big church established here.

25 regular worshipers on a Sabbath.

The people in this area face challenges to attend church on Sabbath. Many of them have jobs that press them to work on Sabbath. Eating and drinking is also a problem.

Sushma Kujur - new believer

My husband is an Adventist but I didn’t know much about this church. I didn’t know much before marrying into an Adventist family. But after the pioneer, I came to know more about Jesus and the Adventist Church.

I am very proud to be part of this church, my husband sometimes doesn’t come to church and work on Sabbath sometimes. As long as I have breath I will praise God and worship God.

I used to work as a house maid. Sulliman met my husband. So then after the pioneer met my husband we began interacting and growing in friendship now I am in church.

The fellowship, the love and faith we share attracted me to the Adventist church.

Initially when I got married, I still continue using my jewelry and bracelets but after learning here. I began to dislike the jewelry.

My old lifestyle, my Hindu family would eat and drink things I don’t now. I have two brothers, they still drink. But

If I continued in my old religion, I would be as my family today.

Please pray for my husband he does not want to come to church although he was an Adventist from childhood.