House Churches Breaking Casteism in India

In India, a country known for its diversity and complexity, the church is experiencing a radical movement of growth and transformation. Despite cultural and political obstacles, the church is flourishing, and new house churches are popping up all over the country.

One of the main drivers of this movement is the strategic approach taken by local leaders and their implementation of DCPI’s House Church Planting training track. Rather than simply training church planters, these leaders are putting their focus on training indigenous local church planting leaders, who then go on to train other leaders, multiplying the impact of their work. Around 100 groups made up of approximately 40 leaders meet every three months for five days of training, coaching, and mentoring, focusing on DCPI’s House Church Planting track of training.

This approach has been incredibly successful, with many new Christians being healed and delivered through Jesus Christ and then going on to plant house churches in villages across India. These house churches typically range from 30-50 people, sometimes as much as 100, and are led by indigenous leaders who have a deep understanding of the local culture and are respected in their communities.

In places like Bihar, previously known as the graveyard of missions, house churches are breaking casteism and bringing people from different backgrounds and social classes together in worship. A house church in Bihar on average totals about 50 people but can have people from 20 different people groups. This radical movement is sweeping the Indian nation and is transforming lives and communities.

During a visit to one of the house churches resulting from the training, a DCPI leader noticed an Indian woman crying. When he asked why she wept, she shared the overwhelming emotion of joy she was experiencing hosting people in her home from such a wide array of class systems. There were people present that she would never have imagined having any association with, let alone hosting them in her home.

Despite political obstacles such as fines and/or imprisonment, the church in India is growing and thriving. It is projected that each of the 45,000 villages in India will have a church within this decade.

Let us pray for the continued growth of the church in India and for the brave and dedicated leaders who are working tirelessly to bring the gospel to their communities.