"Church devoted to the promotion of human welfare"

The Church in India is under serious threat. A threat not only from Hindu fundamentalists but also from the secular minded people. And adding fuel to fire is the violence in Orissa and erroneous allegations of forced conversions, which has placed it in jeopardy.

The question today facing the Church is - what it has done in divergent with its evangelistic alacrity. What it has achieved in India on lines of human morality – maintaining the basic values of serving and loving keeping apart its "conversion agenda".

In a freewheeling interview with Christian Today, Church of North India Director of Programmes, Sudipta Singh denies these claims and states, "The Church has been restlessly serving the people in India, disregarding whatever religion, caste or creed they belong to."

"It has devoted to the promotion of human welfare and has been part of the biggest developments and contributions in this land," he says.

When asked on the numerous programmes, events and others being regularly hosted by the Church, but its lack of action and the implementation of its propositions, he replied, "Yes, we mobilize regularly to plan and cogitate on several issues rattling the Church. However, we also make sure, the Church actualizes what it plans. Church of North India in particular has been involved in various activities that has been productive and fruitful."

The Church of North India (CNI) is the dominant Protestant denomination in northern India, with over 1,250,000 members in 3,000 pastorates.

Says Sudipta: "The Church has been in the forefront to render its services for the human cause. Let it be education, medical care or any of its sort - we have always served and helped change people's lives. It is not true that we are only seeking the evangelistic growth or progression."

Outlining some of the recent developments and strategies undertaken by the Church body, he says, "For the first time in India, the CNI has taken an initiative to help the children of the prostitutes and the trafficked women. We have built houses/child centers, that welcome these children and provide them with education and other basic facilities that can give them a good future – something different of what their parents follow."

"This is a Church initiative and once we build a good model, we encourage the government to follow the same," he says.

When asked if these children are also given the Christian education, he patently responded, "We dont evangelise them or force them to read the Bible and follow Christian traditions. We first care and love them, and subsequently we believe some day through our action, they shall realise what Christianity is all about and what the Gospel of Christ means." Allegations of Christians forcing conversions are fabricated, he said.

In addition, Sudipta says, "When Tsunami hit the country, it was the Church that began the rehabilitation programmes and embracing the poor and lost - irrespective of their religion. Hindu or Muslim, all were served equally by the Church." In Andaman and Nicobar, he says, "After everything was washed away, even before the government people arrived, it was the Church that began relief works."

"The government even failed to construct a single school for their children and ignored them completely, however bearing all difficulties, with lack of food and shelter, we traveled to those places, to bring back lives to normal. We established six schools. And all these schools are handed over to the government for management," he said.

The Christian notes that secular people and the Hindu organisations are following suit by holding Sunday schools and opening education centers for the destitute. Church is their inspiration, he proudly claims.

Social involvement is a major emphasis in the CNI. There are synodal boards in charge of various ministries: Secondary, Higher, Technical and Theological Education, Health Services, Social Services, Rural Development, Literature and Media. There is also a synodal Programme Office which seeks to protect and promote peace, justice, harmony and dignity of life.

The CNI currently operates 65 hospitals, nine nursing schools, 250 educational institutions and three technical schools. Some of the oldest and well-respected educational institutions in India including Bishop's College and the Scottish Church College both in Calcutta, St. Paul's School, Darjeeling and St. Stephen's College in Delhi are affiliated to or administered by the CNI.