January 2024 Prayer Letter

USA Preacher Reports on the Ministry 

The Scripture says: “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. Proverbs 27:2

Although he’s not a stranger to the ministry having been a supporter for a long time, Dr. Barry Somerville recently completed a mission’s trip to India. Pastor Somerville has been in pastoral ministry for over 40 years. 

He has served in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and has been pastor of Finger Lakes Baptist in Geneva, New York for the past for 21 years. Here is his report…
 

“I returned a few days ago from my seventh mission trip to Peoples Baptist Ministries to India.  

Here is what impressed me on this trip:

1. The sheer number of people who need to hear about Jesus Christ. 

I visited 5 major cities. The LEAST populated was over 2 million. The most populated was Mumbai, the ninth largest city in the world with over 21 million people. 

As great as the ministry of PBM has been, there are still millions of unreached souls in India. 

2. The dedication and fervency of PBM pastors. 

I was able to teach at two pastor/extension school meetings, one near Hyderabad and another in Mumbai. 
 

Pastor Barry Teaching Pastors at an Extension School
 

The total number that attended was about 100 pastors. They were all appreciative of the teaching from 2 Timothy. 

Among them was Pastor Saliram from Gujarat. When he went to this state over 20 years ago, he was the only gospel witness. 

Since then, 30 churches have been planted with 21 pastors serving.  
It is the heartfelt prayer of Pastor Prasant to see 500 churches planted in Mumbai during his lifetime. 

Most of these pastors have the same zeal for souls. 
 

G.S. and Pastor at a New Church Plant in Orissa State

 3. The hospitality of the Indian people. 

Everywhere I stayed I was met with love and kindness. You will never leave a home hungry! 

After G. S. And I split up, Prasant and Ruth took great care of me.

4. The amount of time it takes to travel by automobile. 

When PBM pastors travel to their meetings or to evangelize in their states it can be grueling even with a car let alone by motorcycle, train, or bus. 
 

Preaching at Another Church

5. The ongoing need of ministry development. 

College dorms need to be built, children’s homes need to be expanded, church buildings need to be constructed, new churches need to be planted and supplied with pastors. 

There is no greater ministry that we can support that will return eternal rewards than FBMI!”

Current Need:
Praise the Lord, we have reached almost 50% of the $142,000 to cover the cumulative expenses and bills incurred in the course of our ministry's operations which I mentioned in my last prayer letter. Whatever you can do to help is greatly appreciated!
 

P.S. Below is a photo of a leper lady kept warm with a new blanket that your gift to the ministry purchased. The ministry recently distributed over 100 blankets to these lepers.

Your brother in Christ,

Jack