Our team in Punjab, India, recently conducted a customized training based on New Man, New Woman, New Life. Here is their report.
The 20 couples that attended learned for the first time, through materials translated into their local language, about the importance of deepening their relationships in their family life. The seminar, called “The Family, God’s Design,” conveyed biblical principles about each family member’s involvement in the family through group and couples’ discussions.
Punjab is located in the Northern part of India. The majority religion of Punjab is Sikhism. Hindus make up the largest minority, but there also is a significant population of Muslims. There are small communities of Christians and Jains in some areas. (Jainism, which originated in India, is one of the world’s oldest religions.)
Some two-fifths of Punjab’s population consists of Hindus and Sikhs who officially belong to the Scheduled Castes (formerly called “untouchables”), which occupy a relatively low position within the traditional Indian caste system.
Punjab state has 22 districts, and its population rank is 16th place in India. Punjab population in 2024 is estimated to be 30.73 million (3.073 Crores).
The workshop was held in a village where the Christian population is small, and sometimes persecuted. To avoid risking the livelihood of the local believers we conduct seminars and workshops in smaller numbers. The majority of the local population follows Hinduism with pockets of Sikh religion in and around the village.
There were two non-Christian couples among the participants who commented that, “we did not realize how God’s love (continually) intervenes in our marriage.” They learned for the first time that men and women are not cursed. They saw the importance of such workshops/seminars and Bible studies in their community and expressed interest in the local church. It is vital to continue such events and follow-up programs in the near future.
After the workshop, a pastor and his wife who had attended invited us to their home. During a prayer session, we shared about family relationships between parents and children. That message was particularly relevant for this family.
After the prayer, the pastor’s wife told us that their son disregards their guidance, neglecting prayer and Bible reading, and sometimes shouting at them, which deeply affects their relationship. She was touched by the sharing (and the workshop) and praised God. This boy also attended the workshop and listened to all the lessons discussed. Please remember them in your prayers. The need for theological training is great even among the believers’ community in Punjab, as is with the majority of North India.
We are greatly helped by your prayers and ongoing support. Thank you for continuing to provide for this important ministry.