Cassette Discipleship Program
(CDP)
A Joint effort of GIFTS and M/E Intl
The CDP was directed to us by our Father God in
1984 as we flew over India on our way to Bangalore from Bombay -- the answer to our prayer
-- "How can we help reach these dear people"?
We associated ourselves with GIFTS of India
(Galilean International Film and Television Services) -- they to implement the program for
the villages -- we to help garner Adopters for the Village Evangelists (VEs).
At the present time the program has 90+ VEs
ministering in eight states to about 900 villages (about 900,000 villagers), using
structured cassette messages, -- basically, allowing villagers to reach villagers!
We
have completed 12 of 15 total translations, of our structured messages for the primary
languages of India -- including most of those of North India.
We (GIFTS and M/E Intl) operate on a closely
managed cooperative basis, understanding that we will probably only be able to provide
funding for a short time -- therefore, while we generally provide in excess of 80% of the
funding to start, we all understand that this percentage must shrink in future days to
allow ever increasing indigenous growth.
Ideally,
all churches and denominations of India will either help us to do it, or emulate the CDP
to take advantage of this dynamic, albeit "grass roots", approach to evangelism
for the villages of India.
CDP is basic -- utilizing laymen in the villages,
that know the Lord and want to serve Him, to reach their own by word of mouth as augmented
by the structured cassette messages. This is a powerful tool -- especially when the
messages are prepared in dialogue format to allow a VE and his wife to reach out to a
villager and his wife.
The VE is assigned to an area for about 10
villages, is loaned a cassette player, cassettes, and a bicycle when necessary via his supervisor. The VE is initially trained in his/her village,
with added study/training carried out each month by his supervisor and quarterly by his
regional director. Basically the VE is given two years to complete his mission -- and
establish at least one "church" in a home for each village group. A number of
our "home" churches have "graduated" to good sized groups having their
own church building.
In
general, the equipment needed -- cassette player, cassettes, and bicycle
-- will be provided at a once only cost of about $200.00/VE as the Lord
provides.
How does it get started?
To develop a new area -- preferably one where no
Gospel witness exists -- GIFTS holds a one
week mass communication meeting, using Christian films and speaking. In general this
brings villagers from all surrounding villages out to hear and see the films. From these
meetings, Christians in the new area are discovered along with new converts. From these,
we find a wonderful source for Village Evangelists who want to serve their Lord Jesus
Christ. In some cases, particular groups are high in VE candidates and are used to
initiate new areas in more remote although similar areas.
GIFTS has established a supervisorial structure
wherein National, State, Regions/Districts allow a natural flow for locating, training and
control of the VEs -- with the immediate supervisors responsible for field
feedback/reports, as well as to meet the VEs needs for training, baptisms, church
planting, etc.
The
VE is responsible for about 10,000 villagers in 10 villages. He meets with families and
groups, stimulating evangelism and fellowship. -- leading many to salvation and baptism.
Since he is operating in virgin territory as to Christian witness, he generally finds open
hearts and ready response. Indeed, the harvest is great. This is particularly true where
outside influences have been rare to nil. But, as we see Hindu and other political
encroachment taking place, we are also seeing resistance building against the presentation
of the Gospel -- this all pointing to the need for early pressing the CDP into the
remaining villages of India.
With a VE in every 10th village, one can see the
need for perhaps 80,000 VEs. But, with the limited time for CDP activity being two years,
one can see that the total VE requirement can possibly be less, although the follow-up and
maturing of pastors to fill these needs after the two year period is yet another dimension
of the overall problem which must be considered. We of GIFTS-M/E Intl have pressed to have
the denominations follow-up on our activities, to strengthen and build a mature
congregation as our VEs have to move on.
Close networking ties with denomination and church
groups is an essential ingredient -- for CDP is only the "first-wave" of
evangelism -- the follow-up and consolidation of the church must be carefully orchestrated
if full advantage of the early CDP work is to be obtained and consolidated.
M/E Intl and GIFTS
will help to implement and fund all VEs possible, with the understanding that specific
needs will be considered -- taken to our Lord and funded as He provides. There is an added
element of understanding that is important -- we ask that all participants agree to early
indigenous growth of the process by 10% or 20% per year.
