In 2023, India surpassed China as the most populated country in the world. By mid 2025, it had an estimated 1.46 billion people, 17.78% of the total world population, and it is continuing to grow. This is a country that cannot be ignored.
Despite the size of country and strong historical links with the UK, less than 6% of the population profess to be Christian – there are more unreached individuals than any other nation. Nearly three quarters of the population are Hindus with Narendra Modi’s government taking an aggressive stance to defend Hinduism, reconverting the Dalit communities (meaning untouchable/outcast), intensifying persecution of other religions and introducing many barriers for foreign Christian mission in India. These Dalit communities represent over 200 million individuals from a wide range of social groups that are marginalised within Hindu caste society.
Vineyard Church in India and its relationship with the UK
Exeter Vineyard sent out an Indian couple returning to their homeland to plant a church in 1998 and this was the genesis of the UK Vineyard relationship with India. Now there are close to 40 Vineyard churches in India. Some of these are congregational home churches, some DMM groups (Discipleship Making Movement), and they also have what they call outposts that are more ministry based.
Challenges facing the church
Many states have anti-conversion laws in place which prohibit conversation using vague language that can be used to target voluntary religious conversion. Those that do convert can find themselves ostracised by family, friends and their community and are at high risk of persecution
Persecution of believers happens. Historically there was a level of protection under the constitution and with the anti-conversion laws this is no longer the case .
With 40 churches spread across the country, it can be very lonely and it is easy to feel isolated, especially when scrutinised and being watched.
“If I am called to be a light then the light will shine”
Encouraging signs – God is moving
• The church is growing – they had 170 leaders at their leadership conference last October which had a focus on Presence and Power
• Church planting – for instance, in the Prime Minister’s home state of Gujarat alone they are preparing 10 more churches and that is a state with some of the most persecution
• Reaching people out of love, building intentional relationships rather than programmes, showing grace, love and care.
• Developing social causes such as medial work, schools, doing things to impact the community
• The School of Ministry – transformational work taking place within emerging leaders
• Doing the stuff – ordinary people praying for people in the villages and seeing miracles happen
• Building communities such as those among the snake charmers in Kerala state and seeing almost complete transformation
They recognise a lot of people are coming to faith and a lot of discipleship is still needed.
Moving forward
We are looking to develop a new partnership with the Vineyard church in India. There is a history but no British or Irish Vineyard churches are involved at present. They are looking for partners to stand with them on this journey and there is a wealth of opportunity to get involved.
They need:
• Pastors and teachers to come and teach
• People who can impart skills for small business and entrepreneurship so that the pastors can be bi-vocational.
• People who will pray for them
If you would like to explore this and find out more, we would love to hear from you. Please contact [email protected]
Meanwhile, please pray for:
• Boldness
• Protection
• An expectation for God to move
• Encounters with the Holy Spirit in a fresh way
• Deepening of relationships
• Discipleship
• More to come to faith
• At least three churches from the UK and Ireland to be stirred to partner together with the Vineyard church in India – at present there are none – could this be you?
