Message Magazine Online

Other Online Features

• The Borrower
  Ron Berrus
• Missionary Mess-Ups
  Carolee Graf, Brazil
• Sharing Christ in Eastern Europe
  Bill and Denise Braun
• Bushwhacking to a Baptism
  Jim and Carla Junge
• They Call It a Splav
  Bill and Denise Braun
• Many Voices, One Lord
  Maureen Longnecker
• Four Dads and Four Daughters
  Cheryl Fawcett
• Ten Days of Casave
  Andrew Large, Nicaragua
• Something Unusual in France
  Frank and Marlea Pfeifer
• MKs Help in Outreach to Small Town Portugal
  Miriam Tyers, Portugal
• What is Language School Like?
  By a missionary in South Asia
• Dreaming Big: Church Ministries Institute Partners with Horizon International Schools
  John Taylor
• Nenagh-Gateway to Lough Derg
  Matt Tuttlebee, Baptist Missions Ireland
• Orthopedic Specialists Visit Togo
  Russ and Melody Ebersole

To Help Make Every Believer in India a Presenter of the Gospel

By Wally & Jeannie Stephenson

During our recent visit to Madras, we viewed the rounded knoll of St. Thomas Mount. This shrine depicts the life of the apostle known as "Doubting Thomas." Tradition states that Thomas traveled to India, preached the Gospel, and died as a martyr near Madras.

Chennai - as Madras is now called - continues to be a place from which the light of the Gospel spreads across India. One outstanding example is the Faith, Prayer, and Tract League (FPTL) Literature Production and Distribution operation.

FPTL started 47 years ago when evangelist Samuel Daniel was looking for a way to share the Gospel with the masses. Literature proved to be one answer. His son, Mano, now continues the ministry begun by Samuel Daniel.

• During 2003, the on-site FPTL press rolled out 45 million tracts in 12 languages.
• 22,500 volunteers distributed the literature all over India.

Training

• The distributors, 80% of whom are women, meet periodically for fellowship, Bible study, and encouragement. Jeannie conducted seminars for three of these groups of women. Curiously, a man who happened to attend came forward to dedicate his life to serve as a distributor.
• Two groups of selected pastors come to the FPTL facilities three times a year for theological and practical training. Wally spoke to a group who would soon return to difficult ministries in North India.

Child Support

• Rather than operating orphanages, FPTL sponsors children in their own homes.
• If parents agree to take their young children out of the work force and put them in school, FPTL will compensate them for the loss of wages.
• Recent reports from the 85 sponsored children include stories of pre-teen housemaids being given a fresh outlook on life, and an alcoholic father overcoming his addiction for the sake of his school-going son.

Special Ministries

• Christian films shown on a Sunday morning TV broadcast have produced 206,000 responses. Wally taped an upcoming TV message.
• FPTL staff contact the people who respond and offer free Bible correspondence school courses.
• On three consecutive nights in December, staff, friends, and children from local schools presented a "Musical Extravaganza" on the life of Esther to a total of 6,000 people.

The FPTL motto for 2004 is "To Help Make Every Believer in India a Presenter of the Gospel." I don't think Thomas would have any doubts about this work for the Lord.