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Print Media
PASTORS’ DIGEST
THE CHURCH IN PAKISTAN (An Introduction).
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is an ideological state. It is a sovereign country, which came into existence on August 14, 1947, a separation from India. The separation was the result of a long drawn Hindu-Muslim conflict and the fall of the British Empire in this part of the world.
Today, after almost five decades, Pakistan remains rich in an over-whelming large Muslim population. According to the 1990 census, the country has a population of 114 millions. Minorities (composed of Christian, Scheduled castes & others) are a meager 5%. A juxtaposition of percentages will show this situation better:-
a. Muslims 95.00%
b. Christians 2.50%
c. Scheduled castes 1.50%
d. Tribes 1.00%
The history of Christianity and missionary work in this land stretches back to the 1st century AD. The Acts of St. Thomas (an apocryphal book) indicates that St. Thomas came to Taxila (about 20 miles west of Islamabad – Pakistani capital) and baptized many people. The first converts were martyred by the Kushan tribe who invaded this land. History points out that Christian traders came from other countries too, and some of them settled here.
The present Christian community is really the fruit of the evangelistic labor of western missionaries. The missionaries made use of their freedom to evangelize during the British Empire. Their first targets were the high caste natives. But “ because they were obstinate & their neck was an iron sinew and their brow brass” the Lord led these servants to the low caste tribes (the untouchable’s aborigines) of this territory. As a result of a mass movement after the mid – 19th century, a part of these oppressed and depressed people accepted the Christian faith.
OUR NEED
God has revealed His will through His written Word – The Holy Bible which needs to be explained to people living in this age. He has ordained pastors, teachers and evangelists for this task. However, these servants of the Lord need helping material for guidance to communicate God’s will effectively.
The fact is that “visions” always grow on the soil of needs and circumstances. In Pakistan, commentaries, theological treatises, and devotional books are available mostly in English language, while a majority of our pastors are unable to make use of such material being unfamiliar with a foreign language. There are very limited books in Urdu-Pakistani language. Thus, pastors living in remote areas do not have access to Urdu books. These books are in-accessible because of their cost as well.
OUR VISION
A. The question emerges of how to take the required helping material to such workers. The answer is, THE PASTORS DIGEST. The digest will include:-
a. Sermon Outlines.
b. Studies on Old Testament and New Testament.
c. Sermons Illustrations.
d. Material for Sunday school teachers, women and youth workers.
B. The Digest will be published every three months , for 6,000 pastors, teachers and evangelists of different denominations in the remote areas of Pakistani Churches.
C. The Digest will be for free circulation.
We visualize that The Pastors Digest will play a vital role for revival in the Pakistani congregations. AMEN!
We would be much pleased if you could help us by sending us your sugestions and articles.
If you happen to be a lecturer, professor, academician or a resource person in theologoy and if you could please send articles regulary to us, We would be more than pleased to publish your articles in Pastor's Digest.
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