Why We Go

by Mark Jappe - February 4, 2009

India, it is a long way, and people here need our help. Isn’t it dangerous? What about the recent shootings in Mumbai? Yes, yes, yes, all true. Yet, Christ commanded that we go into the entire world to preach the Gospel. This was not a subtle suggestion, “Hey, if you’ve got some time, you might want to see if the ministry can expand.” This is the core reason we call ourselves evangelicals. And it is the concept of partnership that I have been promoting since I have been your pastor. Partnership means that we directly build relationships with people all over the world, using direct missions as the major paradigm. “Eye to eye, hand to hand and heart to heart, “ life-changing relationships with others. The reason that we are going to India specifically is to continue our relationship with Bala Sundaram and Joseph Shrinivas. These two intelligent and energetic men of God have a special relationship to Jan and me and Gateway Church. I feel it is crucial that they know we love and care for them and also hold them accountable for the significant contributions we are sending their way. I know people work best when they are in partnering and a mentoring relationship.

Another significant reason that we head to Agra is love can never be just a number on a check; it comes best with a hug from the heart. Sixty orphans in the shadow of the Taj Mahal suffer from constant rejection because their culture and their religion of Hinduism believes that karma, this “universal force” is paying them back for being a rotten person in a past life by taking their parents from them and leaving them destitute. In Christian love, we go and tell them that’s not true. God loves them so much; He gave His only Son so they can have life eternal and life better right here. To make this message come alive, and to follow Jesus’ example of loving the little children, we are bringing every child a love box filled with gifts. Our children at Gateway Church have filled these boxes with toys, pencils, paper, and gifts of all sorts so that the love can grow through their communication and young partnerships together. Please pray for us as we minister in India. Do consider giving a gift so that those of us who go can have the financial burden lightened. We can all be partners together in this ministry of reconciliation. As the book of Romans says, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14,15

Please pray for us (India is 14 hours ahead of us):

^{Feb 1st - 4th: Traveling Mercies}

^{Feb 4th: Delhi/ VBS Day One}

^{Feb 5th: Health Education Class/ VBS Day}

^{Feb 6th: Orphanage assembly/ VBS Day Three}

^{Feb 7th: Leper Colony Visitation/ Travel to Agra}

^{Feb 8th: Church and Sabbath rest with Pastor Bala}

^{Feb 9th: Leper Colony Visitation/ Trip with Jesus Mission Children to Taj Mahal}

^{Feb 10th: Health education/assessments @ Jesus Mission/ VBS Day One}

^{Feb 11th}^:^{Pastor’s Conference/ VBS Day Two}

^{Feb 12th: Preaching to students/ VBS Day Three}

^{Feb 13th: Travel to Delhi}