India (MNN) — Anti-Christian
opposition came in the form of a warning for a literacy teacher and church
leader in India.
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission
India says their partner, Rakesh, reported extremists burned his small church
to the ground this month. The incident
disrupts the classes, which not only teaches illiterates how to read and write,
but shares the love of Jesus.
Why is it
important to be able to read and write? Global
literacy experts believe 70% of Indians are functionally illiterate
— that's twice the official government estimates. When you take into account
that over 740 million people live in rural, impoverished villages, earning between
$1 and $2 a day, the only way out of poverty is literacy.
Mission
India provides indigenous ministry partners, like Rakesh, with training and
materials in 21 of India's languages.
During their 52-week Adult
Literacy program, a class of 30 students meets for 2 hours a night, 5 nights a
week.
Volunteer teachers who have
little formal education themselves can teach the curriculum. Even better, the Bible-based curriculum introduces students
to Jesus Christ.
At the end of the yearlong
literacy program, ministry partners report on the results. On average, 80% of
students graduate at a fifth-grade level of reading and writing. Many graduates
make a decision to follow Christ, leading to discipleship and church planting
work.
Ask God to protect Rakesh and to
provide a new meeting place to allow the literacy class to continue. It costs just $30 to give the gift of literacy and hope. You can help. Click here.
