SOM India
India is the least reached nation for the Gospel in the world. It is currently in the top ten nations of 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-India Director established SOM-India 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 India.
Meet the Director of SOM – India
- 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–India 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 India.
Latest News from SOM India
Children in the Persecuted Church Worldwide
Children Inspire Hope in the Face of Persecution Years ago in India, SOM CEO David Witt interviewed a high-caste, Hindu-background family. For their persecution for leaving Hinduism and preaching Christ, fundamentalist Hindus broke into their house and began to beat the father. The mother fell on the father to protect him. Then, the two young daughters followed suit and fell upon their parents to protect them. Together, they were beaten as a family. The two young girls told David how they prayed for their persecutors during the beating. They said they did not hold any bitterness toward the
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
India: Interrogations Are a New Way of Life
While working hard to teach the Word and serve in the sewing work, sewing workers in India 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 India 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 sick
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 India Refuses to Run
From Hiding to becoming a Thriving Part of the House Church Network Born into a Hindu community, SOM India 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 body
