The mission of LCMI is not only to bring the Gospel to unreached places, but also to strengthen the witness of the local church in Asia. Lasting fruit comes when national believers are equipped and encouraged to reach their own people. For this reason, we intentionally partner with fellow Christians already living and serving in the countries where God has called us. This approach allows the ministry to grow deeper, extend farther, and remain stronger for generations to come. From LCMI’s very first day, God impressed upon Sanjay’s heart the need to partner with national believers.
We strive to help the local church.
LCMI trains local pastors in biblical doctrine so they will be able to teach the Word of God accurately. As a result, campers and families are better discipled in their faith (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Not only does this bless local churches, but as a good seed that is sown, it will grow and spread. LCMI encourages churches to share the Gospel in the regions beyond their villages, becoming sending missionary churches. For centuries the Lord has raised godly men and women from the West who passionately lifted high the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaimed His powerful Gospel in South Asia. Now it is time for national Christian churches to take the lead themselves in sending missionaries and Christian workers to other regions in obedience to the great commission that Jesus gave in Matthew 28:19-20.
National workers bring cultural and language advantages.
For a foreign missionary, learning the language and culture can take decades—and full acceptance may never come. By contrast, local believers already live within the culture, speak the heart language, and enjoy the trust of their communities. Their daily lives demonstrate the transforming power of the Gospel in ways that outsiders cannot. In times of crisis, their presence and immediate help are invaluable as they serve their neighbors with both words and deeds. LCMI is blessed to work directly with these brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our resources are used more effectively.
By combining resources with our national brothers and sisters in Christ, God allows us to be good financial stewards. How grateful we are that the Lord takes our “five barley loaves and two fish” (John 6:9) and multiplies it to meet the needs of many. By working together, we seek to follow the example of the early church: Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common (Acts 4:32). We praise God for His continued blessing in taking care of LCMI’s needs through His people around the world.
We gain greater access to remote areas.
With growing opposition to western missionaries, working with our national missionaries gives us greater penetration and more direct access to remote, rural, and tribal areas. These dear brothers and sisters in Christ help us create new inroads to places that would otherwise be outside our scope of ministry. In doing so, by God’s grace, we are able to reach the unreached in creative ways.
Partnership with local believers is not just practical—it is biblical. Together, we share one mission, one Gospel, and one Lord. By linking arms with our brothers and sisters in Asia, we strengthen the church, extend our reach, and glorify Christ more fully than we ever could alone. We count it a privilege to serve alongside them for His glory and until all hear of the saving power of Jesus Christ!