How Discipleship Resources Will Help Fix a 100-Year Old Problem in Manipur

Respond to the Call

Why are you coming back?

This common refrain echoed through Athan and Chanchan’s conversations as they shared with family and friends about their decision to return home to northeast India. They had spent the previous six years living and studying in the United States, completing degrees in Christian Counseling, Practical Theology, and Education. They didn’t have much economically left over to support a life in Manipur, an economically unstable region in the far eastern corner of India. But despite its socioeconomic challenges, the sense of God calling them to return and minister to pastors and church leaders in need was a more powerful force. So despite the questions, their response remained the same:

We must go.

From their experiences growing up, Athan and Chanchan understood the challenges of the churches in Manipur. As Athan explained:

We need biblical churches here—and we need good preaching. The problem started 100 years ago when missionaries came to Manipur. Many received the gospel, but since that time, there has been a lack of discipleship and teaching. When they became Christians, they were left in their budding faith without proper teaching because the missionaries couldn’t continue to live and minister here. When they left, the locals were not equipped to carry on the church and step into leadership roles. What has resulted is a lack of training and leadership that comes from a lack of education.

Athan longed to provide the greatly needed training, resources, and encouragement to pastors and church leaders of the region, and so he returned with his family to Manipur in 2022 to serve as missionaries with Reaching and Teaching International Ministries (RTIM). A key to Athan’s training strategy is access to biblically sound resources, but they are very hard to come by. So when Athan was offered pastors book sets from Crossway, he was thrilled to be a recipient. Crossway donors have since supported 4,000 book sets, printed and distributed in India, to help Indian pastors and church leaders receive the training they need. The gospel is going forth and, through the work of the Spirit, the Lord is building up the church for his glory.

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Respond to the Hunger

Manipur may not be a strategic location for economic gain, but Athan believes it’s strategic for the spread of the gospel. Men and women are hungry for the truth. Even those who aren’t Christians are asking questions in the face of political realities. A Google search of the news in Manipur is often filled with updates on the latest violence and political unrest. Due to the chaos, people want stability and something lasting they can cling to. But without a proper understanding of the gospel, local pastors are ill-equipped to respond because they themselves lack the training needed to equip them for ministry work.

Part of the absence of biblical training is due to the fact that it’s nearly impossible to get resources into the region. Even though there is a thriving Amazon India ecosystem, it doesn't reach Ukhrul—the smaller, 110,000 person city in Manipur where Athan lives. There are no Christian bookstores in the region, and it’s nearly 1,500 miles from the Indian capital of New Delhi, which is an arduous three day trip.

Nevertheless, Athan has made it his mission to bring training and resources to pastors and church leaders in Manipur despite the many challenges. In addition to training, Athan recognizes that pastors also need a source of income to support their ministry work, given the economic instability. He shares how he is working to meet both of these needs simultaneously:

We have been working to establish a vocational training center, where we’re set up to teach carpentry, embroidery, crafts, welding, mechanics, and organic farming. The reason we chose a trade school over a theological or Bible school is because we see the socioeconomic condition of the people. If you open a Bible school here, you are focusing on a minority of people. But if you open a trade school, many people will come and the impact will be greater. Right now, we are building basic structures for the school. Very soon we will be opening the school to start the training.

As students of the trade school are built up in their understanding of the gospel and care for their churches, they’ll also be equipped to support themselves. And even though the training center isn’t open yet, Athan has committed to investing in the intentional training of pastors in the meantime.

Respond to the Challenge

During training sessions, Athan addresses the foundational truths of a healthy church and gives copies of Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever to those in attendance. Pastor Phungreikan, who shepherds a church in Ukhrul, received a book and was particularly impacted by Athan’s teaching on church membership from Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. “One of the key takeaways for me from the book,” Pastor Phungreikan shared, “was the importance of expositional preaching and biblical church membership. I’ve learned how vital it is to build a church that is rooted in Scripture, where every member is intentionally growing and being shepherded. It’s helped me reevaluate how I teach, lead, and disciple others.” Now, he is better equipped to biblically lead his church as he applies what he learns through this and other books he received as part of the Crossway book set.

These books are part of the first printing of Crossway resources in India. Up to this point, books have been printed elsewhere and then shipped to their destinations. This often results in shipping delays and expenses. By printing these resources in India, we are able to respond to resource requests more efficiently and at a lower cost. And in God’s grace, the first printing was such a success that plans are already underway for a second printing. With completion scheduled in the next few months, partners like Athan can continue supplying resources to brothers and sisters in considerable need.

“These are priceless resources,” Athan stated. “The pastors have been yearning to get all of these books and now many of them have!” Thank you for considering partnering with Crossway and playing a role in encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world!

Pray that God will raise up additional faithful pastors in Manipur, and pray that he will also bring opportunities for more training in this part of it.

Pray for peace in Manipur in the midst of political unrest. Pray that ultimately many in this region would come to know the peace of Christ.