Teaching the Untaught...

Our Vision to train native leaders for rural church ministry and men for the churches in urban areas continues to grow. We cannot provide for this leadership vacuum fast enough. Every resource we have is committed to this, and we are seeing great results with what we have.

KSOM students performing a skit

As of today, the Koinonia School of Ministry has been running for 6 years – training and equipping native leaders. We have graduated 25 young people, all of whom are now actively serving the Lord in ministries across India.

Our student body comes from very poor families from the villages, towns, cities, and tribal areas of India. They have no resources to pay for this training, so we provide not only the training to all of them at no cost, but also their lodging, food, stationary, text books, study Bibles, and medical care. The cost each month per student is $40.00.

The school is growing, and this year we have added several new full-time professors. The Lord is using these young men and their wives through this unique school of ministry teaching line by line, precept by precept…

Dr. Andrew with KSOM students - June 2010

The faculty is prayerfully working with Dr. Andrew Sargent to expand the curriculum to better meet the needs of the students. These programs are being developed with the Asia Theological Association, of which KSOM is now an Associate Member. The ATA is an accrediting body recognized by Evangelical Christian organizations throughout Asia. Our goal is to apply for a Full Membership in two years, and offer degrees with the ATA Seal.

We do not have our own Bible School building, and therefore we have been renting a building to provide this training. We could train more students every year if only our facility were bigger. We have enough staff in place to double the number of students without having to add any administrative costs.

We have made a step of faith – the Lord has provided land and we are planning to construct a new facility - a permanent home for KSOM and the Medical Clinic.

Artist rendering of new KSOM facility in Pune

To build an 11,000 square foot building this year will cost us $250,000. I am sure this figure will boggle your mind,  but “nothing is impossible for God”. He answered our prayers and provided the land for us after many years of praying, and if it His will, then He will provide these necessary funds to build upon it.

The Pune Center facility will have space available to house the students, the Koinonia Medical Clinic and give us the capacity to hold regular Pastor’s Conferences and other events.

If the Lord puts it on your heart, you can donate online by clicking on the Donate button on the right. Or you can make a check out to Koinonia Fellowship India Ministry and specify “Building Fund” in the memo section.

Send checks to:
Koinonia Fellowship India Ministry
500 Main Street, East Rochester, NY 14445

Work Progressing on English Curriculum

by Sarah Farnand

As many of you know, amazing things are happening with the India ministry! The Lord is working in the hearts of the people in India, and it is exciting to think about what the Lord is going to do through the ministry in the upcoming year.

Over the past few months, the Lord has brought together a team of educators (Kerstin Bagley, Susan Pazda, and Susan Stafford) to help develop an English curriculum for the students at the KSOM Bible College in Pune, India. It is such a blessing to be able to work with those who share a common goal of wanting the Gospel message spread throughout the world. As a team our vision is to create a comprehensive English language curriculum that will help the students further the Gospel message in India and throughout the world.

To realize this vision, during our regular meetings we came up with the following goals for the students and professors:

1. To help the students understand the English language in their other classes at KSOM.
2. To help the students effectively communicate with English speakers on the mission field (i.e. doctors, pastors, missionaries, etc.)
3. To establish training tools that will enable KSOM professors to implement their curriculum successfully.

Progress made towards KSOM accreditation

by Dr. Andrew D. Sargent, PhD.

The new school year for the Koinonia School of Ministry began in June, and already much has been tackled and accomplished by the grace of God through His Spirit and His saints.

New KSOM students in Hebrew class

Each year, John Donnelly and I travel to India and take deliberate steps toward the Koinonia School of Ministry's goal of becoming a fully functioning Bible College, built on biblical languages, biblical theology, and solid interpretive methodology, that promotes Global, Cultural, Biblical and Christian literacy, affords the opportunity for developing practical skills in all areas of ministry, and offers accredited degrees on both the Bachelors and Masters level.

This year KSOM expanded its faculty to six. John and I had an intense month of interaction with these professors, acclimating them to the vision of the program as I taught Biblical Hebrew Language, Conceptual Backgrounds to Biblical Theology, the New Testament's use of the Old Testament, and did a four part series on Gospels as Theology. John labored hard teaching the student body all things necessary for the foundations of biblical interpretation. The faculty is a bright group, who seem eager to begin the official establishment of the Bachelors of Theology one year from now. Their articulate input into the design of the program was invaluable.

Current KSOM building

We also have initiated the process of accreditation through the Asian Theological Association (ATA). We have many steps to take before meeting their full requirements, but this is an important step away from theoretical planning toward practical establishment. The building of the new planned KSOM facility, which will include library space, a dining common and kitchen facilities, appropriate dorm space, multiple properly-designed classrooms, official computer labs, and more, will do much to meet ATA demands. Please prayerfully consider making a financial contribution to this exciting project!

On John's and my part, we must concern ourselves with the following: 1. Finalizing the design of the Bachelors Program, and helping the faculty prepare for the first year of that program by the start of school 2011; and, 2. Gathering and shipping a specific collection of library materials, both bound and electronic, numbering about 5,000, as set by the ATA.

It has always been my dream to design and establish a biblical studies curriculum that fosters the highest educational experience for future ministers from the very beginning. John and I met with one of the Old Testament professors from the main seminary in Pune and talked at length about our program. He was very excited that we planned to establish our program on biblical languages, biblical theology, and interpretive methodology, recognizing it for the necessary, but unique, endeavor that it is. If we are successful, we will establish the strongest biblical studies program in India and may very well bring about a shift in the paradigm for other bible colleges there as well.

Remember, through your prayers and financial support, you too have a vital part in the LORD’s work in India!

Teaching English as a Second Language

By Christine Salisbury

Sarah and Christine with KSOM students

We have arrived back safely after 19 days in India teaching English to the KSOM students. During our first visit to the school, we completed an assessment of each of the 11 students. It was decided that we would teach all the students, both first and second year, and soon realized that their skills at reading, speaking, and comprehending English varied greatly. Three or four had had little or no English education, and others had gone far beyond what they call "standard 10", which would be comparable to a 10th grade education here in the States.

I learned that India’s educational system is structured in a teacher lecturing / students taking notes format. Rarely would students be asked questions, and even more rarely would they ask a question of their teacher for clarification. So there is little chance for the students to actually practice speaking English, if they study English at all. Since this format is what the students are accustomed to, our approach was quite different for them.

Practically Done!

By Dana Colbert

In February, I traveled to Pune, India with Pastor Randy Coblentz from Richmond, Virginia. By God's grace, we were both very blessed with good health and strength, and also by the loving hospitality of all the people there. We had huge prayer coverage and we felt the peace of the Lord.

Here is a living answer to prayer that I saw: On this trip I met Pallavi, the little girl who had heart surgery in December 2007. This 10-year old was running around, playing and smiling that big India smile we see in so many photos! Many people prayed and played a part in her having her surgery. What a blessing it was to see her living a vibrant life, giving glory to Jesus! Also, many of you may remember Miss Namrata Kadam, pastor Anil's daughter. Well, here is another answer to prayer. Several years ago, the word went out about her desire to become a doctor and to use her skills for the Lord Jesus Christ. Many people helped her financially to that end. Joseph, Pastor Randy and I went over to her home. Now she is an employed, successful doctor. She is married and lives in a small apartment.

Joseph seems to be really excited about what went on with the Medical Missions team in January, and he told me he has a vision for an all-volunteer Christian hospital to be created here in Pune. Namrata is very interested in doing that work full time. Joseph knows several other seasoned medical professionals who are also very interested in showing the love of Christ through this work.

Professor James and Randy

Please pray also for all who live and minister here day after day. I am so struck by their steadfast devotion to Jesus and their desire to see HIS will be done! Even though we were from the other side of the globe, it was a joy to be in the company of like-minded people and we saw Ephesians 4:3-6 lived out! “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Randy and I talked with Pastor Joseph about the KSOM (Koinonia School of Ministry) and future plans. For now, due to the economy, no construction is taking place on the land we purchased. The KSOM building is currently being rented. Now, there are sixteen students using that building every single day. Please pray for the Lord to grant wisdom, guidance and provision for the next steps in this exciting ministry!