TELANGANA, THE REGION THAT GOSPEL FORGOT

INTRODUCTION

Telangana is one of out the three regions in Andhra Pradesh in South India. History has it that this region was opposing British rule during the colonial era, but was firmly under the control of the Nijams, who had their headquarters in HYDERABAD.
It is on record that slavery was the order of the day, and the surrounding towns and villages received no significant developments like educational infrastructures or many other lacking necessities.
These people were seriously bound by traditional beliefs and up until today, they do all they can to oppose the gospel. There is a solid tie between the rulers who are of the high cast group, and the people, holding a strong belief that Jesus Christ is a foreign god (THE GOD OF THE WHITE RACE), therefore putting everyone in danger who are to believe and profess the Christian faith.
Telangana region has many disadvantages, ranging from geographical location to economic values and many others. There is no known river in the Telangana region, and they depend on rainfall to keep life going. The lifestyle is a boring routine, of waking early to go to the fields and returning late to wait for another day. Poverty found its base here, and many shocking things which will be mentioned later.

TRUE LIFE EXPERINCE

I came to India with the heart that so many western gospel ministers have done much here. Taking a close study, the establishment of the missionaries are what I can call
"ICHABOD" -- the Churches founded made a little move and stopped. In Hyderabad there are some very big churches but there are over 25 villages surrounding the capital and yet having no single Church. I have personally seen these places with a man who is seriously burdened in his heart concerning these souls: Rev. Isaac Raju. It is hard to say that before our very eyes, things like this could befall our faith when we were asked " OCCUPY TILL I COME".
Telangana lacks the presence of God, and when He is not recognized, darkness prevails. There are terrible things going on in this region, of which I will mention a few.
* Pastors and Evangelist are being attacked, even in the capital city of Hyderabad.
* Children are abused in every way possible, especially with the caste system. The Government can not contend these people, but the gospel can. A child of 8 years works in a nearby factory to support her parents, she is out of school. I spoke with her personally in my music class; on that day I could do nothing due to the shocks I received. *How would you feel if your daughter, sister or relation of age 14 is asked to leave school for marriage? I did not hear this, but saw instances of this in my short stay, which indicates that more of these happens all the time.
*In the village I went to preach, a few people gathered under a tree and heard the gospel, on our way home Pastor Raju said the HIV epidemic is much in these areas yet the people are not well informed.

WHY IS IT THIS WAY

Today's kind of evangelism is what I may call the "SELFISH EVANGELISM". Ministers come to India to gather a crowd and tell the world how great they are, but what is the result? Instead of winning souls to the kingdom of God, we are preaching our Church, and denomination.
My brother told me how a minister said to him that he cannot work with him because he was a Baptist. Is
the kingdom divided? We should know that the message of the kingdom must be preached to the whole world before the end will come.
I call on all who come in contact with this material to pass it to another, so that we can successfuly pick up the serpent by the tail, for it to become a rod in our hand in Telangana region.

PROPOSALS

1. RAISING INDIGENOUS MINISTERS

Mission is termed successful when the natives of the evangelized community receives and carries the mission to their own people. I have seen this work in many places, and Rev. Raju has established 5 village churches, and there are indigenous pastors handling these churches even without support. The welfare of these men and their present condition discourages others to venture in to the field even with a notable call. We desire to give these ministers at least a 4 year support of $40 Dollar monthly, so that they in turn can build others to do same.

2. TRAINING FOR TOMORROW

We desire to train at least one student from each of the Telangana villages for tomorrow.

This we can do by sponsoring their Bible College Training for a year and send them to the field with a well arranged support as stated ealier.

3. EDUCATIONAL PULL

There were many forms of attractions in the ministry of Jesus Christ, the healing and the feeding with bread was not the reason he came, but to seek and save that which was lost. We desire to set up nursery schools at least one to serve 3 -4 villages. Also to the young adults we are planning to start a Christian Music School, this will help us get the very young men and women to carry on the work. If their own people tell them the goodness of God and it is seen, what can hinder them.

CONCLUSION

I wish to thank all the readers of this article, and pray that the Lord help you speak to people with burdens in their SPIRIT to first pray and do the very little they can to glorify the name of the Lord in Telngana region. Romans 10:14-15 May the good Lord bless you richly in Christ Jesus. Amen.

FOR FURTHER CONTACT WRITE TO

Rev. ISAAC K. RAJU

ENHAKKORE BAPTIST CHURCH,

SECUNDERABAD, A.P, SOUTH INDIA

www.faithindeed.org

Compiled by Rev. A B. NICE

Apostolic Revival OUTREACH

Nigerian Missionary to Asia.