(864) 877-9813
Dr. Edwin Chelli & Rev. Johanan Chelli
India
With 17% of the population, India is the world's second most populous nation after China. India is located on the Indian subcontinent in South Asia. Diverse of language and beliefs the country is a patchwork of cultures in fifteen states organized from over 550 in 1947.Contrary to popular belief, only some areas revere cattle as sacred.
The country is a republic with ties to its Commonwealth of Nations head, Great Britain. Currently, under a new law, converts to Christianity have to appeal to the State for permission to change "religions" or consider baptism. Religious persecution is common and the country is currently closed to outside missionary efforts.
That is one reason why the fifty-year-old Berean Baptist Bible College and Seminary is vital to the country. Growing from just two students in 1956 to nearly 600 per year, Berean has had more than 4,000 graduates and go out into the world to preach the Gospel. It costs approximately $50 per student per month to train nationals, a tiny fraction of what it costs to train missionaries from outside India.
Berean Baptist also has a mobile clinic to distant villages and is beginning construction on a clinic in Bangalore.
Church Planting has seen 575 churches begun and 80 pastors supported. A goal of 100 more churches to be planted in the next five years.
Children's Orphanages & Schools are serving 92 orphans and 150 students at the Hubli center. Markapur houses 20 more orphans. Holokari cares for five children. Nepal Orphanage is currently caring for 20 children. Bagalur is currently caring for ten with room for fifteen more.
Dr. Edwin Chelli, MD is president of BBBC&S and his brother Rev. Johanan Chelli is vice president. They are continuing this important ministry after the homecoming of their father, Dr. Jacob Chelli.
Area:
1,269,345 square miles
Population:
1,014,004,000. The second most populous country in the world.
Under 35 years of age:
69%
Major Religions:
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism.
Official Language:
Hindu
Literacy Rate:
52%
Industry:
Jute, processed food, steel, machinery, cement. software and engineering.
Dr. Jacob L. Chelli
Dr. Jacob Chelli was called home to glory Friday, April 29, 2005. As a minister and missionary he has reached hundreds of thousands of people for Christ through his preaching and radio ministry. As president of Berean Baptist Bible College and Seminary he helped train a new generation of Christian workers. How many million Indians will come to Christ because this man submitted to the Lord? We will only know in glory. Dnations may be made to Dr. Chelli's mission board: Global Baptist Mission, 8140 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240.
