The Call to Lead

Chandan at the pulpit, where she regularly taught God’s Word to about 20-25 women. Today, the room is empty as the police and village leaders have threatened her with dire warnings if she continues conducting prayer meetings at her residence.

Chandan’s journey into ministry began during a Bible study led by Pastor Mahendra, a leader with Bible League International. It was during this time that she felt the undeniable pull of God’s love and a desire to help others experience the same spiritual fervor. “My focus has always been on awakening those who are lukewarm,” Chandan shares.

However, stepping into a leadership role wasn’t easy for her. “Raising your voice and preaching was not my thing,” she confesses. Despite being highly educated, she felt unprepared to lead or teach the Bible. “I thought maybe it was better for a man to lead, and I could play a supportive role,” she admits.

Seeing her potential, Mahendra encouraged her to join Bible League’s Church Planter Training. The training equipped Chandan with the skills and confidence to lead effectively.

“Without Church Planter Training, I wouldn’t have known how to study the Bible deeply or lead,” she says. With renewed determination, she began leading a small Project Philip Bible study group.

“Mahendra saw my gift and encouraged me,” she says, her voice filled with gratitude. His mentorship and her faith helped her overcome her initial fears and step into the role God called her to.

Chandan initiated an informal prayer and Bible study group, which grew into a house church. With 20-25 women attending, the church was flourishing until religious fanatics, accompanied by police, raided her home and issued dire warnings to cease all religious services.

Overcoming Cultural Barriers

Chandan’s decision to lead a church was met with skepticism and resistance in her deeply patriarchal society. “The cultural norms don’t allow women to be in such roles,” Chandan explains. Since she comes from Jain heritage, she also faces pressure from within her family. Her father was against her newfound faith, and the wider Jain community regarded her as an outcast.

Jainism is an ancient religion, different from Hinduism, which teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of ahimsa or non-violence and renunciation. “People saw me as a traitor to my heritage,” she says. “Being a Christian meant I had made a big mistake. I was told I had demoted myself from a higher to a lower rank.”

Despite these obstacles, Chandan pressed forward. The Church Planter Training gave her the tools to overcome societal and internal challenges.

With this foundation, Chandan began to lead a house church of 20-25 women. It was a thriving community where women gathered to worship, pray, and study God’s Word.

Courage in the Face of Persecution

As her fellowship grew, it began to draw unwanted attention. On a February morning in 2024, religious fanatics and local authorities stormed her house church.

“We were scared,” Chandan admits. “They told us to stop all religious meetings, that we were violating the law by converting people. But we weren’t forcing anyone. We were just praying and reading the Bible.”

The threats escalated, with photos of her family plastered across local newspapers branding them as outcasts: “The Black Sheep of the Jain Community,” the headlines shouted. Many members of her congregation stopped attending out of fear.

Despite this, Chandan remained undeterred. “I’m not scared at all,” she declares. “The Bible gives me the boldness to carry on. I pray to God, and He empowers me.”

While fighting legal challenges, Chandan transitioned her church into an online fellowship. She continues to nurture the faith of her congregation, helping them re-engage with the Word.

“I fill their lives with the Word, with Jesus. I lead them in worship, and they experience deliverance,” she says.

A Legacy of Courage

Chandan’s story has created a ripple effect, impacting many individuals in her community. Her commitment to sharing the Gospel and empowering others, particularly women, has created a lasting impact.

“People are eager to follow Jesus despite the persecution” says, Mahendra.

“The hunger for truth and the power of the Bible are evident in the lives being changed every day.”

Chandan’s story is proof of that.