“Anyone who goes there is overwhelmed with the lostness and the spiritual and physical needs,” surmised Mike Hamlet, who led a group of 15 South Carolina Baptists, representing seven churches, on a “vision trip” to find ways to minister among the people of South Asia in late January.
Future ministry – These two girls live in the town of Madikeri, where North Spartanburg First Baptist Church anticipated adopting a people group.“You are also impressed with the openness of the people to talk about spiritual matters,” observed Hamlet, pastor of North Spartanburg’s First Baptist Church and a former state convention president. “Because of the nature of Hinduism and so many other religions there, people are willing to talk about that,” he explained.
One of the most significant things about the state convention’s partnership, however, is that “everybody can be a part of it,” Hamlet urged. “It’s a long ways off, and it’s a very different world,” he allowed. “But everybody can be involved, no matter what size church you are in.”
Hamlet encouraged all South Carolina Baptists to “aggressively say, ‘We need to be a part of this,'” whether through participating in a mission trip, praying for the volunteers, or financial support for those willing to go.
“Praying is important, but, folks, all of us need to take another step,” he urged, suggesting making further commitments to go on a mission trip, to adopt and to work with a people group. “All of those options are there,” he added.
“Whatever you want to do in ministry, you can do – working with all different types of people groups, working with Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, animists,” he said. “We found lots of ways we could be involved, and we are praying about what is the best way for our church to be involved.”
Al Phillips, associate pastor at North Spartanburg, who also went on the vision trip, went to the town of Madikeri about eight hours west of Bangalore, India, to find ways church members could minister among the Korgi people group, many of whom are animists who worship the river.
Hamlet also saw opportunities for ministry in a slum area in Bangalore, which has tremendous physical needs as far as improving living conditions and combating rampant illnesses such as tuberculosis, he said. Other opportunities may include assisting with a children’s home, teaching in a seminary for Indian church planters, medical missions work connected with Bangalore Baptist Hospital, and helping Southern Baptist representatives who are surveying various people groups.
Asserting that God can use anyone and any work skill in ministry there, Hamlet said, “All we did was show up. Just be available, and God gives you the opportunities.
“Do we have the solutions for this people group? No. Do we have the strategy to reach them? No,” he added. “But we are committed to it, and we’re further along than anybody else at the present time.”
Nic Natale, pastor of spiritual growth and leadership at Second Baptist Church, Lancaster, was also among those on the vision team. He traveled with Debbie McDowell and Marshall Fagg of the state convention staff to Pakistan, where they discovered needs that remain among people living in remote mountainous villages affected by a violent earthquake in October.
“People are in dire need of basic necessities of food and shelter in the winter months,” Natale shared. “We saw thousands of canvas tents, which, when it rains, are just flooded. Entire families are living in these tents,” he added.
They also visited in some schools and restocked students with supplies and recreational equipment, he said. “Everywhere we went, we were able to share stories that Jesus told, such as the Good Samaritan, that convey not only biblical truths, but our hearts as well,” Natale said.
Rich Lancaster, pastor of Kirby Memorial Baptist Church, Gaffney, was part of a team that met with pastors in Bangladesh, where Christians make up less than 1 percent of the predominantly Muslim population.
“As believers in Christ, they were so encouraged and literally energized by our visit,” Lancaster said, “and to know that there were Christians in America who cared enough about their plight that we would come spend time with them to pray together, to fellowship and to encourage one another.”
Teaching – Mike Hamlet talks with two Indian church planters, Albert and Mahadesh, outside Shanthi (Peace) Church in Madikeri, where he helped conduct training.Tremendous people needs exist, such as providing education for children, with which South Carolina Baptists can assist to “open inroads for the gospel,” Lancaster observed.
Lancaster noted that there are several boarding houses that are being supported by Baptists, where children stay while they attend the local school. At these houses, the children may be exposed to the Christian beliefs of their hosts. “It’s an opportunity for Southern Baptists to have an impact on the lives of these children for the cause of Christ, and I believe it’s going to pay huge dividends for generations to come,” he explained.
Lancaster is also leading his congregation to adopt a people group, the Hilltracks of Chittagong, a coastal city in eastern Bangladesh. Noting that the country is among the poorest in the world, he sees overwhelming ministry opportunities to make a difference in the name of Christ.
More than 280 South Carolina Baptists were involved in working in South Asia last year, according to McDowell. Others on the most recent trip included Richard Johnson, Marty Price, Ken Forrester, Lyn Sloop, Mark Gallman, John and Kathryn Browning, Wayne Batson, and Eddie Coakley.
Emphasizing that many types of volunteers are needed this year, McDowell stated on the convention’s website, “We need people who are willing to go wherever God leads beyond what is comfortable and convenient.
“Most of the ministries are not specific ministries, but whatever gifts God has given you can be used in whatever setting God calls you to work,” she added.
For information about participating in the South Asia partnership, contact McDowell at 1-800-723-7242, or online at www.scbaptist.org/missions.