"The people walking in darkness…"
India is a country of more than one billion people, one of the largest and most populous countries in the world. While India can boast of a growing economy, an abundance of natural resources, and a rich history, it is also a nation trapped in poverty and illiteracy; where the caste system still holds sway; where millions of women and children are victims of human trafficking and sexual slavery; and where Truth is often compromised because of tradition, occult practices, or syncretism, the attempt to reconcile conflicting beliefs.
"Have seen a great light…"
The people of India deeply need the grace of Jesus Christ, and it was in response to this need that Charasia's Bible Institute was founded in 1991. It was designed to equip young men for pastoral ministry. India averages only one pastor for every six churches, so the need is great to train young men to be the spiritual leaders of a growing Christian community. We train young men to be godly pastors and leaders, focused on Scripture as their final authority and Christ as their firm foundation.
"You have broken the yoke of burden…"
In 1994, the ministry expanded to open a girls' orphanage, Grace Children's Home, whose purpose is to bring children out of situations of poverty, abuse, or neglect and bring them into an environment where they are cared for and loved. The orphanage provides the girls with a safe home, an education, and most importantly, the opportunity to learn more about the Lord Jesus Christ. The girls of today are becoming equipped to be the future caregivers and Kingdom Leaders of tomorrow.
"You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy…"
In 1999, the leader of these two ministries passed away. His nephew, Ralph Borde, was working in the United States at the time. With each trip Ralph took to India, the Lord began to place a burden on his heart to continue the ministry his uncle had started. When the ministry's Board of Directors in India asked Ralph to take on the responsibility of leadership, he prayerfully accepted. At the end of 2005, Ralph left his position in the corporate world to dedicate his life to bringing the gospel to India. This led to the official formation of Charasia, NFP as a U.S.-based non-profit organization in 2006.
Since then, God has richly blessed our efforts and Charasia has grown rapidly. Our focus, however, remains the same: Empowering Kingdom Leaders through Church Leadership and Orphan Care.
Charasia thrives and continues to train and equip young men to be spiritual leaders, encouraging them to plant churches and raise up leaders in those churches.
Our orphan care ministry also continues to expand. We currently have 2 homes with over 60 girls. We are working to develop our Sparrow's Nest Orphan Care Campus, which will help us provide care for more than 150 girls. Our God is "a Father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5), and these words motivate us to be Christ to these girls.
The Charis Institute for Leadership Excellence, founded in January 2007 is a continuing education program for both men and women in ministry, the program encourages and equips them in the areas of Church Leadership and Orphan Care. Our Leadership Institute's focus is "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of God" (Ephesians 4:12-13).
The various goals we are pursuing—teaching, equipping, care giving, ministering—all come down to one ultimate goal: bringing glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We thank you for your partnership in this endeavor and praise God with you as we strive to expand His Kingdom.