Leaning on God and the Church Through Times of Discouragement
By Pastors Thomas* (State Director), Raj* (State Director), Joshua* (State Director), and Priya* (GATE Director)
“Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.” Zechariah 9:12
Andaman & Nicobar Islands at a Glance: Political, Societal, and Environmental Context
Though located fairly close to Myanmar and Thailand, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a territory of India. Small in population and largely overlooked in international news headlines, these islands feel a world removed—but isolation can exacerbate social ills like alcoholism and drug abuse.
In 2025, Christians on the islands continued to minister to needs like these, reaching out with the Gospel to the Islands’ ethnically, linguistically, and religiously diverse population. Believers, including our local partners, served faithfully despite rising opposition from Hindu extremist groups such as the RSS, which paralleled continued trends in mainland India.
Serving Joyfully
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support.”
“Your partnership in this ministry has been a great source of strength for me and the believers here. Often, in moments of weariness or discouragement, I am reminded that we are not laboring alone, but are upheld by the prayers of God’s people across the world. Your intercession has truly carried us through challenges and enabled us to serve more effectively and joyfully.
The Lord has enabled us to continue faithfully in ministry, even amidst challenges. We have been conducting regular Sunday services, mid-week services, youth meetings, and Friday fasting prayers, where believers gathered for worship, teaching of the word, and intercession. These meetings have provided strength, encouragement, and fellowship for the church family. We also held Sunday classes for children, helping the younger generation grow in the knowledge of God’s word through songs, stories, and lessons.
2025 has been both challenging and encouraging. Persecution remains a reality in our context. While we did not face direct physical attacks, we encountered verbal opposition, ridicule, and resistance during outreach efforts, particularly while sharing tracts and visiting homes. Such moments can be discouraging, yet we take them as a reminder that we are partakers in Christ’s sufferings and that He is with us in every trial. In the midst of this, we have seen God’s hand at work in many ways.” —Pastor Manu*
Growth of Persecution, Challenges, and Fellowship
After coming into power, the BJP government [India’s ruling party] people are more opposed to the Gospel. They are supporting the religious Hindutva groups in creating chaos among the minorities, especially targeting the Christian missionaries.
The majority Hindus are taking advantage of suppressing the minorities. Earlier in Andaman, there was no problem at all. [Now] people in Andaman are also slowly turning against Christianity. Recently, one of the leaders of the RSS [a right-wing Hindu nationalist group], came here and conducted a meeting. After that, people are getting some kind of boost, you could say. [They say] ‘we have to safeguard our religion.’ That thought is going through the minds of the people. Compared to 2024, this year was a little bit aggressive. We questioned God about why they are doing like this and what we have
to do.
There were a lot of discouraging moments in the ministry by seeing the lack of response from the people. People are more prone to miracles rather than the salvation. Expected results are not coming, in spite of the hard works. Disappointment came when the church believers are not attending the church services and prayers regularly. It affects us more in our heart, and so many times we got down in the spirit. We asked, “Lord, when are you going to save these people?” As we are praying and meeting them for the last so many years, but still, they are not coming to church. “Lord, do the wonders and signs in the ministry, so that the people will come to know that you are God.”
God’s Spirit encouraged us through His word and from His servants. Time and again, God encouraged us through the fellowship meetings and other pastor fellowship meetings. In the ways of ministry every day, we are learning new lessons in approaching, speaking and sharing the Gospel with the people. Time and again, God gives the scripture which is relevant to the situation people are going through. It was an amazing act of God. He knows the heart of people and according to their need, God gives the word to tell them and pray for them. For me, God gave the scripture Zechariah 9:12, “Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.” By holding onto this scripture, I encouraged the congregation to pray for the double portion blessings in personal life and also in the church.
Pastor Yash* shares an example of growth from his ministry:
“In all the ministry/prayer, many of [the church members] received blessings and shared their testimonies in the Sunday service. God wonderfully led us throughout these months by meeting all our needs. We were able to start a new house church in the month of June. This place is located in the middle of the forest of [a small island with a population of less than 350]; to reach that place from the shore, it takes two hours. There is no road and no vehicle; even bicycles also are not there. Only by foot we have to go, and that too in the forest. Houses are there, here and there. One brother, Aarav*, aged about 75, is residing there along with his family. We started the house church in his house. It was a great blessing to the neighbors and also to that area. A few neighbors are attending the house church, as and when they are in some need.”
“Time and again, God encouraged us through the fellowship meetings and other pastor fellowship meetings.”
Ministry Support is Vital
Inflation as a whole affects the day to day lives of people. Especially the poor daily-rate laborers and downtrodden people, it affects more.
The essential commodity rates were increased significantly in comparison to the income. All those who got the economic development projects were financially benefited. For example, to Josiah* we provided the funds to start a tailoring business. Josiah’s wife knows the job, and they were actually already waiting on how to start it. After getting this fund, they started. They took a room on rent, and it’s this wonderful experiment. They’re so happy!
Monthly support from HB is so much helpful in meeting the needs of households. By God’s grace, the family and ministry needs were met through the support from HB, church offerings, tithes, and help from friends and family. The ministry tools, Bibles, and special helps were timely help for the ministry.
“Monthly support is very much useful to me. The study Bible project is helpful in preparing the sermons personally, and in giving Bibles to the newcomers.” —Suhani*
“The Bible project and ministry tools are encouraging and gave us a boost to do more ministry to reach the unreached people. We did not think that this help will come. But our God heard our prayer and blessed us with the much-needed items such as study Bible, ordinary Bible, chairs, raincoat, executive bag, cooker, and dress clothes. Let the Lord bless all the sponsors.” —David*
“Please continue to uphold us before the Lord, that we may remain steadfast in faith, unwavering in our commitment, and fruitful in every area of ministry. It is my humble desire that all our labors—whether great or small—may bring glory to God alone and bear lasting fruit for His Kingdom.” —Pastor Manu
“The Bible project and ministry tools are encouraging and gave us a boost to do more ministry to reach the unreached people.”
Devotional
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands present unique challenges for ministry, but the same God who strengthens believers there is the One who meets all of us in our discouragement. Pastor Ram chose Zechariah 9:12 to share with you: “Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope . . .” A “prisoner of hope” is someone who binds themselves to God’s promises even when circumstances press in.
1. Pastor Manu shared about the ridicule and resistance they encounter while sharing the Gospel, yet he also expressed how God continually strengthens them through His word
and the faithful prayers of others. When you feel unseen or discouraged in your own walk with God, where do you turn first? What helps you remain a “prisoner of hope” rather than a prisoner of disappointment?
2. One new house church began in the middle of a forest, requiring a two-hour walk by foot. Where are you being called to follow Christ, even when the path seems long? A 75-year-old believer there opened his home, and neighbors now gather there when they are in need. What small act of obedience in your life might God use to bless others?
3. Leaders shared how deeply grateful they are to receive Bibles. How might you grow in gratitude for the access you have to God’s word, and in what ways are you allowing Scripture to shape your daily life?
4. Despite challenges, five new house churches were planted, 16 believers were baptized, and 30 students attended monthly Bible training. Where do you see evidence of God’s faithfulness in your own life, even when things are difficult?