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. SOM USA has supported Asian Christian leadership with assistance of distribution of tens of thousands of Bibles and Christian materials since 2008.
In 2011, SOM USA assisted the first church planting school within the SOM International network. In 2012, SOM Asia Director Brother “Singh” 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. Discipleship schools operate twice a year, commissioning these leaders to reach the remotest areas of Asia.
In 2017, another faithful Asian Christian leader established a second SOM Asia partnership. In 2019, SOM Asia Director “Seth” started his region’s first church planting school and sewing discipleship school to empower the leadership and multiplication of the Church at risk in the region.
Meet SOM Asia Director Brother “Singh”
- 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.
- He is fluent in seven languages and 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.
Meet SOM Asia Director “Seth”
- His lineage is from the minority Hindu background.
- He has been a champion of organizing teams to distribute Gospel materials to the largest gatherings of Muslims in the world.
- Over his lifetime of ministry, it is estimated that he has distributed more than one million Gospel materials to people in his country.
- He was put into jail for his witness of Christ but continues to courageously reach the lost.
Latest News from SOM Asia
Life Imprisonment Bill Passed in Indian State
In persecuted and unreached regions of the world, the scattered followers of Christ have a choice: a life of imprisonment to sin or being captured in obedience to Christ. The most populous state of India is Uttar Pradesh, and estimates say it is home to over 250 million people This makes just one state in India nearly 75 percent of the population of the USA. This state’s government is determined to keep its subjects in idolatry and darkness. If Christians share Christ or change their religion from Hinduism to Christianity, they are in danger of spending twenty years in
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
Asia Outreach Faces Threats and Arrests
In the middle of January, two million Muslims gathered for the Bishwa Ijtema, one of the largest Muslim festivals in the world. Their focus was on prayer, unity, and the reciting of the Quran. The SOM Asia team of witnesses courageously stepped out to share the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. The SOM Asia Director has a huge heart for the people and reports, "We want to see more people come to Jesus." The team's focus during the event was the distribution of the New Testament, Christian tracts, and Christian literature so many listeners could hear and believe the
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
