India
Community and Project Information
Having served together in full-time ministry for 31 years both in US pastorates and in missions, John and Dee Cook launched IMI in 2003 with the main purpose of training nationals to reach nationals. The purpose of IMI is to rapidly multiply the efforts and expedite results of in-country ministries in building the Kingdom of God. Today IMI also ministers in The Middle East and Indonesia.
Other aspects of IMI’s ministries include pastoral training conferences, church planting, medical ministries, Bible college training, and micro business loans.
Country Information
India is the largest democracy in the world with a population of over 1.2 billion (3.5 times that of the U.S) on one-third the land size of the United States. It is second only to China being the most populous country in the world. Since 1997 with the new openness to international investment and trade, India has quickly taken giant strides towards status as a superpower.
Geographically, the country is divided in to the Himalayan region in the north, the Gangetic Plain, and the plateau region on the south central side of the country. The spectacular Himalayan region contains some of the highest mountains in the world; India also includes three river systems: the Ganges, the Indus, and the Brahmaputra.
Indian cuisine is characterized by an incredible array and sophisticated use of herbs and spices. The staple foods in the central region are rice, chipati (flat bread), and vegetable and meat curries. Above all, though, Indian hospitality reigns supreme and a visit to any humble village hut or generous modern home in Hydrabad will always stay in your memory with the joy and generous nature you were received with. Traditional Indian dress varies throughout the country, but in Central India women wear the sari and men generally wear the European or Western style trousers and long sleeved shirts. Boys and girls generally wear their school uniform each day and pants or shorts and shirts come out at playtime.
India’s history goes back to 3,200 B.C. For centuries, India’s culture has managed to preserve established traditions while absorbing new customs, traditions, and ideas from invaders and immigrants and spreading its cultural influence to other parts of Asia. Indian architecture is one area that represents the diversity of Indian culture, such as the Taj Mahal, the spectacular Pink Fort in Jaipur and the many temples and monuments to historic events.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism. Judaism. Zoroashtrianism, Christianity and Islam all exist within the country today, however, the major religion in India is primarily Hinduism. In Central India Muslims comprise approximately 30% of the population. Christianity came to India with the Apostle Thomas and as he ministered along the Southern parts of India, many came to a strong faith in God; to this day southern India is peppered with many Protestant and Catholic churches. Through the centuries the Christians in India have endured persecution and testing, but even today, although there is religious freedom in this great nation, there are many sects of Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism that are energetically at work to stop the ongoing work of the Gospel. We at IMI consider it a great privilege, joy and challenge to partner with our indigenous ministries in India.
