GFA to launch Christian TV network in India, hopes it will draw many to God

New Delhi – Gospel for Asia or GFA, a U.S.–based evangelical mission group is all geared up to launch a Christian television network in India next year. The network, called Yathra TV or "Spiritual Journey," will help draw thousands of people to God and will aid in its mission outreach, the mission group has stated.

According to Dr. K.P. Yohannan, founder–president, GFA, Yathra TV was developed to fulfill a need for solid, biblical teaching on television throughout India as well as other Asian countries.

The evangelist, whose ministry trains and equips natives with the Gospel, feels that much of the Christian radio and television programs reaching the Indian audience have not been helpful in winning souls for Christ.

"And our goal is not to attack anybody," he said, "but rather to present Jesus of the New Testament and teach what is in the Bible, hoping that many will hear the gospel and turn to the Lord."

Dr. Yohannan has also pointed out that many so–called evangelical broadcasts focus more on solicitation than salvation. "None of the disciples do you see anywhere going around with a banner saying, 'I'm going to heal all the people – come and give me money.' Jesus never collected money from people that He ministered to," he said.

The head of GFA added that one of the saddest things he sees happening right now is that some unbiblical American preachers who are appearing on U.S.–based Christian stations in India "are really causing huge damage in terms of Christian worldview."

In many instances, he said, "People have no understanding of what Jesus is all about because of what they are doing in these American churches –– screaming and turning around and talking about all these things."

By failing to teach people from Scripture, Yohannan continued, many of these televangelists appearing on Indian television obscure the distinctiveness of the gospel for unsaved viewers. "A lot of stuff they are doing is what is happening in the Hindu temples also," he noted.

As an outreach of Gospel for Asia, Yathra TV will be bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to more than 100 nations throughout Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa.

According to news reports, the new network will begin broadcasting in March.