AEF was conceived as an Indigenous and Interdenominational faith mission dedicated to the task of Evangelism and Pioneer Missions. Born out of travailing prayer and founded by the (late) Dr. G D James in 1960 to introduce perishing millions to eternal life in Jesus Christ, as per the vision given by the Lord Jesus Christ. AEF India is truly a National, Indigenous Missionary Movement dedicated to the task of Evangelising India by Indian Christians. It was established in 1974 and registered as a Charitable Society and Public Trust in Mumbai, working under a National Governing Board.
To see that the Gospel of Jesus Christ reaches the unreached people groups in India and that the lives of people are transformed into the image of Christ’s likeness, as the body of Christ.
The mission of AEFI is to equip and empower National Evangelists with contextualized methods of communicating the Gospel and plant missional churches in its socio – cultural settings.
The ministry of AEFI is to draw people into the saving grace of Jesus Christ through various ministerial activities like Training, Preaching the Gospel, Church Ministry Development, Education and Social Service to the Community.
It was decided to focus on the less privileged and oppressed slum dwellers. From 1977 onwards, the ministry took root mostly among migrants to Mumbai from interior Maharashtra and other States of South India. The ministry began with one evangelist.
During the past 47 years, we have ministered in different parts of India especially in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat – Valsad, UP – Jaunpur & Bhadohi and in Mumbai. In UP, a school was established and functioned with about 450 children for 15 years till 2009. AEF has established more than 30 churches, among different cultures and people groups. Most of them have been handed over to the local churches. Thousands have been reached with the Gospel and are baptized. Hundreds of children have been made literate through the informal schools and Christian education programme. Vacation Bible School (VBS) has helped to develop many other ministries like youth and Sunday classes for children in Hindi and Marathi, besides Tamil. Ministry among women is also progressing well in different languages.
Currently, we serve in two different states called Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu; 13 mission bases; doing the ministry in 50 different places with 20 church planters. We work among the following linguistic people groups; Hindi, Marathi, Katkari, Tamil, etc. As a result of the ministry, we have 26 Bible study groups, 22 children Bible clubs, 12 worshipping groups and 13 prayer groups. We are preaching the Gospel to transform the communities and establish churches in every mission field.
Thousands have been reached with the Gospel of Christ in many parts of the country, and are baptised. Hundreds of children have been made literate through the informal schools and Christian education programme like Vacation Bible School. VBS has also helped to develop many other ministries like youth and Sunday classes for children in Hindi and Marathi, besides Tamil. Ministry among women is also progressing well in different languages. There are prayer and worship meetings in different areas of ministry.
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
To cite an example, the first church was formed at Sion-Koliwada in Mumbai. It was a slum colony with many bootleggers and the area was marshy. It was dangerous to walk there even during the day time, without fearing for one’s life. It was one of the main centres for illicit liquor distilling. Our Evangelist, (late) Bro. I. A. Jayasingh & Philomina went to stay there, hiring a room, as the colony was mostly occupied by people speaking their language and hailing from their State of Tamil Nadu (South India). They went house to house to share the Gospel. Since they stayed there, the people had no way of escape, and they met very often. As others found great difference in their life-styles, opposition grew strong and they were threatened with dire consequences if they did not leave that area. The Lord alone was their help and shield along with prayer of God’s people who knew them. They remained there and continued to proclaim the unchanging Gospel.
Initially, a drug addict and then a few people, one by one, trusted the Lord for their salvation and a small gathering started in their home for prayer. Others were surprised to see the difference in the Evangelist who spoke the same language and hailed from the same place. This led them to believe in the Gospel which he preached. When the number increased, they hired a hut to have prayer cum worship meeting. Then the Good Shepherd Church, (CNI) and AEF helped the hut to be built as a church in that area. The work continued with lay preachers. More people were added and in due course the church was enlarged by adding more huts nearby.
We have a faith policy regarding our finances, we trust God to supply all our needs for our ministries. We share our prayer concerns with our well wishers who have concern to reach the unreached. The Lord has used many to be a part of this movement through prayer and financial support.
AEF believes in building a long term relationship with its supporters, a relationship based on mutual trust and accountability to God and each other. AEF will give regular updates of the ministry and projects to all supporters. There is a great need for prayer as AEF engages in spiritual warfare in winning Asians for Christ. Meetings for prayer and fellowship are held regularly. AEF also organizes mission trips for Christians to see the work being supported, first hand.
AEF trains and commissions National Evangelists to carry out pioneer missionary work in India. These National Evangelists are organized, supervised and supported by National Board, under the direction of the AEF International Office. This is cost effective, culturally sensitive and viable missionary strategy. Besides being the most suited culturally and linguistically, National Evangelists also require lesser support than overseas missionaries. National workers are generally more effective in Indian cultural and religious setting. In India where doors have been closed to foreign missionaries, this is the effective strategy that works.
To appoint more missionaries to undertake new ministries to reach the unreached people in five different states; To develop more support for the ministry.
- To Start Ministry in UP, Orissa and Gujarat
- To Start Ministry in Villages - 300
- To Start Bible Study - 140
- To Baptise People - 1800
- To Start Worship - 60
- To Appoint Missionaries - 25
- Pray individually and corporately for us- create supporting prayer cells.
- Tell others what you know about AEF ministry. Distribute our Newsletter among friends.
- Be a regular donor. AEF is supported by the freewill offerings of Christians who love God and who have a burden for the salvation of precious souls.
- Donations can be transferred to our bank account.
- Encourage the ministry by visiting our Mission Fields.
- You can give a part of your time or join as a full-time worker of AEF.
If you wish to know more about our ministry, please contact us.
Indian donors can use this bank account to donate to the ministry:
NAME: ASIA EVANGELISTIC FELLOWSHIP INDIA
SB A/C: 1122218707
BANK: CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA
BRANCH: PRABHADEVI, MUMBAI - 400025
IFSC CODE: CBIN0280628