ANGLICAN MISSION IN SOUTH ASIA LAUNCHED (AMISA)

A network of Anglican Churches, congregations and Christian Service Organisations

Sept. 2, 2025

Introduction: The establishment and work of Anglican Mission in America and the Anglican Mission in Europe has inspired church leaders in India committed to an orthodox Anglican theology and practice to launch a network of churches and congregations’ eager to identify with a Reformed Anglican/Catholic tradition and become part of the Global Anglican family.

GROWTH OF INDEPENDENT CHURCHES IN INDIA:

In the past forty years there is a very significant growth of “independent” churches in India. Such growth is rapid in urban centres and is also accelerating in rural India.  Church growth in India is largely among such churches that have membership of between 50 to 100 families in a congregation, meeting in homes or rented halls. Less than 1% have grown into large churches with membership of 500 to 2000 families. The membership is mostly of low-income families (the “Anawim” of the Bible) and is often home to Christian families who no longer feel at home with large upwardly mobile urban churches of established denominations to which they once belonged. Some of them call themselves ex-Anglican.

NEED FOR TRAINING:

Such independent churches are usually enterprises started by a gifted and even charismatic lay leader who is self-trained and with no formal theological or pastoral training. Some of us have been involved in offering training programmes for such pastors for 30 years. Leaders of the AMISA network in South India are in touch with over 2000 such churches in the South Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Independent Churches have many more first generation Christians than historic, established churches as they grow through Christian mission and witness that is their dominant concern. They are at the cutting edge of church growth in South Asia. Similarly, leaders in North India, Sril Lanka and Nepal are in touch with several hundred similar independent churches who work with first generation believers.

CHALLENGES FACED BY INDEPENDENT CHURCHES:

Training of Pastors in understanding the nature of the church, its ministry and its role in India today where there is greater hostility to such independent churches.

They are the main targets of persecution and have few friends and assets to help them face this challenge. They have few local, national and international connections unlike recognised, established and historic churches like the Catholics, Church of South India, Methodists etc.

Few of them have proper legal identities, management and administrative structures and procedures.

Their understanding of the current social, political and religious context of India is very inadequate and is likely to create major problems for them if they are investigated by state agencies or organisations hostile to the Christian faith. And yet they not only survive but grow.

Their need to be in recognised structures, with accountability for ministry, mission and resources requires them to be part of a national network that has global connections and recognitions.

Existing Historic Protestant and Catholic Churches appear not to be interested in the welfare and future of these independent churches.    

THE NEED:

The Network of Anglican Mission in South Asia meets the need providing a historic Episcopal system and structures, will provide Theological and Pastoral Training drawing on the resources of the Global Orthodox Anglican Churches and Organisations and a recognition by state authorities that these churches are not little independent actors but part of a globally recognised entity and drawing on the traditions, knowledge & fellowships of the global church.

ANGLICAN MISSION IN SOUTH ASIA:

Theological Educators and Anglican Episcopal Leaders are part of AMISA leadership. It has the support of retired bishops of historic protestant churches who cherish their Anglican heritage and are deeply committed to the churches mission in South Asia and the future of independent churches.

There is enthusiastic response from several hundred independent churches eager to be part of AMISA and train their pastors and develop systems and structures of accountability.

The main work of AMISA will be:

Provide accredited training of pastors in a biblical and Anglican understanding of the church, the nature of its ministry and its mission. Youth and Children’s ministry. Recognised training is needed in securing state recognition where required.

Providing Episcopal oversight, ordinations and confirmations. Congregations/pastors will be self-governing and self-sustaining.

Assist in relating to the state authorities and equipping them to deal with hostility.

AMISA’s own administrative structure will be simple and minimal.  At the appropriate time groups of churches who seek a structure will be assisted in forming into deaneries and dioceses and will be self-governing and self-supporting. AMISA will remain a training and resourcing network.

OUR REQUESTS:

Churches and organisations in the rest of the world to be our partners and provide resources of training, and finance.

Support our modest start up budget with an initial grant and be open to supporting us for three years.

G. Team

Convener: Canon Vinay K Samuel, Oxford and Bangalore

Secretary: Rev Dr. David Selvaraj, Founder of Visthar Bangalore

Episcopal Member: Bishop Daniel Premkumar, Anglican Union.

Dr Richard Howell of Caleb Seminary, Rev Vijayesh Lal General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India and Dr Samuel Richmond of Caleb and Northeast Christian University will coordinate work in North India. Bishop Samantaroy retired Moderator of the Church of North India will provide episcopal oversight.

Rev Dr Sunil Caleb, Principal of Bishops College Calcutta will be invited to participate.

Senior Leaders of Episcopal Churches in India have been informed of this initiative. We are encouraged at the very positive response of some retired and serving bishops and theological leaders of the Church of North India and the Church of South India. Some have agreed to assist us with episcopal services.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India that is in contact with many networks of independent churches in North India is keen to partner with AMISA. Roman Catholic Church leaders who know us well have also been informed and are supportive.

Gifts can be made through Anglican Mainstream tagged for AMISA here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/anglican-mainstream-fundraiser