This is a story from Hope for South India, one of our ministry partners in South Asia. This story reflects the biblical pattern of disciples making disciples, echoing the vision of sustainable, exponential Gospel impact.
Bhaskar is a 45-year-old agricultural laborer from the Valmiki community, locally known as the Hunters community. He lives with his wife, daughter, and son. Despite many hardships, his journey in faith has been marked by extraordinary transformation and impact.
Two years ago, Bhaskar encountered the Gospel for the first time. Though he was initially met with fierce opposition – attacked by fanatics and persecuted multiple times – he remained steadfast in his faith. This season of trials only strengthened his resolve. Bhaskar was baptized, and soon after, his family followed his lead, placing their faith in Christ.
While he worked his agricultural land in the evenings to support his family, Bhaskar began to share the Gospel within his own kin. Through the relational ties of his mother’s and father’s relatives, doors opened in three nearby villages. Because of these familial connections, the friction he faced while sharing the Gospel was less intense. As a result, Bhaskar consistently and passionately spread the message of Christ, eventually winning about 45 families to the faith.
He started Bible study groups in each of the three villages. With no one else to shepherd these new believers, Bhaskar stepped up to become their pastor and leader. His leadership emerged organically from the movement he helped spark.
Bhaskar attended a three-day discipleship training that became a turning point. Inspired and encouraged, he committed to raising more leaders and deepening the ministry in his district. He has since raised three “Timothys” (Timothy refers to a church planter in training, mentored by a Paul, a seasoned church planter) in the three villages and is now mentoring them while also cultivating second-line leaders.
Last year was especially hard for Bhaskar. He lost his mother, a deeply personal loss that shook his family. Yet even in grief, he continued the ministry with faith and determination. He passionately desires for others to experience the same love of Christ that transformed his life.
Bhaskar’s life is a testimony of how God can use someone with little material means but great faith to spark a movement. His story reflects real multiplication – of disciples, of leaders, and of hope.
