SOM Asia
Asia is the least-reached regions for the Gospel in the world. It is also in the top for persecution against its small minority of Christians. In 2011, SOM USA assisted the first church planting school within the SOM International network. In 2012, the SOM Asia Director established SOM Asia with a heart to serve persecuted Christians and advance the Gospel.
Ladies’ sewing discipleship schools were also established, training widows in the skill of sewing and biblical discipleship.
As of 2023, there are twenty-seven church planting schools and twenty-seven sewing discipleship schools operating twice a year, commissioning these leaders to reach the remotest areas of Asia.
Meet the Director of SOM Asia
- This pastor was healed of terminal liver disease. Two days later, he and his family gave their lives to faith in Christ.
- He preached the Gospel to others for three months before receiving his first Bible.
- At age 16, he left home by faith to preach the Gospel full time. He only had the clothes on his back, a tattered Bible, and the equivalent of $3.00 USD.
- He walked over 40,000 miles, witnessing Christ to thousands in unreached villages from 1992 to 2001.
- The SOM Asia Director is fluent in seven languages.
- He currently oversees an exploding network of over 40,000 house churches.
- He has a team of leaders multiplying leaders alongside him to help spread the Gospel throughout a country in Asia.
Latest News from SOM Asia
Asia Update: The Power of God’s Word
Naveen's journey is a testament to the transformative power of God's Word. He, a Hindu-background servant of Christ, graduated in June of this year from the twenty-sixth class of church planters. Here is his story, a beacon of hope and inspiration for your encouragement: Naveen’s Story After my conversion to Christianity, my family and I faced severe persecution, including being beaten and driven out of our village home. Despite these hardships, we persevered, living with my grandfather. However, even this respite was short-lived, as my grandfather passed away. Village members started to say that because I became a Christian, my
Asia: Interrogations Are a New Way of Life
While working hard to teach the Word and serve in the sewing work, sewing workers in Asia are facing a new challenge. Police are increasing the number of interrogations among these workers to scrutinize and antagonize the work. One of the SOM Asia regional leaders reported that a sewing and discipleship leader was recently stopped and questioned by police to find out how she learned the skill of sewing and where she received the sewing machine. Authorities are trying to learn more about the network and the sources behind it. Another Sewing and Discipleship leader was praying for a
Persecuted but Not Abandoned
By Dave Arden What a great joy and honor to meet face-to-face with our persecuted brothers and sisters in India. While the SOM USA team was in India for November graduation, we met two Sewing and Discipleship School leaders. This instructor has raised many Sewing and Discipleship leaders over the years. In her region, she serves as an advisor and counselor to hundreds of workers. Opposition Is the Soup of the Day When a woman receives Christ in rural India, “The surrounding villagers turn their back on us,” Sewing and Discipleship leader said. Consider the barbs of mistreatment that so
Church Planter in Asia Refuses to Run
From Hiding to becoming a Thriving Part of the House Church Network Born into a Hindu community, SOM Asia church planter spent many years without knowing the power of Jesus’ name. His family of origin was clouded for decades by death. Of nine children born, six died due to illness and dark circumstances. His mother was a village Hindu prophetess who proclaimed her divinity. Yet despite hours of chanting Hindu prophecies, she was not able to revive any of her six dead children. When his next brother became ill, the family was in despair. His suffering increased, and his
Reaching Unreached People Groups in Asia
Few places in the world offer immense opportunities to share the Gospel like in Asia. With over 2,400 unreached people groups, one diverse country speaks hundreds of languages and has a booming population of nearly 1.4 billion. However, the vast majority of this country has no connection to Jesus Christ, and the spiritual needs far exceed what we can put into words. Here is how SOM is reaching unreached people groups in Asia. SOM Asia has a well-established relationship with the work in India, providing training for over 6,000 workers in half the states. At the May graduation, the SOM
Building the Church in Asia
Church Planting Transforming a Subcontinent in Asia This series has been my delight to share our global directors' Christ-like leadership insights and styles. Today, I reflect on the SOM International Director of Asia. He is passionate about growing the church in Asia. I see these qualities of Jesus in this leader: Mighty visionary Empowering leader Humble servant Christ-centered follower Faithful steward Courageous warrior. As an entrusted vessel of the Holy Spirit, he is an inspiring evangelist who shares Christ with anybody, anytime, anywhere. He has a unique God-given gift of speaking many languages in the most diverse country on earth.
