Publisher's Synopsis
The book studies the emergence of Christ Groups against the background of western individualistic approaches in the Indian relational context. These small worship groups were formed and grew as the conversion of families began as a result of the literature distribution that was meant to reach the individuals. The Christ Groups allow the cultural response to develop at its own pace in contrast to the mass movement approach of church growth through homogenous units towards complete social and cultural change, focusing on social responsibility and social justice. This is eye-opening research. It carefully and convincingly investigates the work of the Christ Groups in India, which have carried out extremely successful evangelism. ... Effective evangelism requires a close partnership between God's power and the faithful and wise obedience of his people. This research, therefore, is another important gift to the world church in reaching out to the lost with the living Word of God. From the Foreword by Julie Ma Research Tutor, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, Oxford UK This is a book every Christian leader and church planter should read who wishes to understand how churches in rural India, particularly in Karnataka state, are planted and multiplied taking into consideration the relational aspects, the past societal memories of bhakti and other movements, and longings for social change. Dr R Theodore Srinivasagam, General Secretary, India Missions Association Saheb Borgall offers an analysis of how a western ministry which concentrated on the mass distribution of one message to all its recipients became a movement of families responding to and sharing the love of Jesus with their communities. The age of mass movements to Christ, common in earlier periods of history, is not past and can now be understood in greater depth. Canon Dr Chris Sugden, Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life Saheb John Borgall was born in a Sunni Muslim orthodox family. He worked in a bank before joining full-time ministry in 1970 and worked 26 years for a literature agency. In 1994 he started an indigenous mission called Tribal Transformation - India to reach unreached people groups. He is the Principal of Yeshuva College of Cultural and Mission Studies and Pastor of Divya Jyothi Yeshuva Evangelical Church. He is a well-known preacher in Karnataka, a radio and a TV evangelist as well as a writer and publisher of several books in Kannada.
