The Work of the Missionary
Over the past twenty-three years, missions work has posed countless challenges, both personal and spiritual. Yet, for many people today, the idea of missions doesn’t spark much enthusiasm. Interest is often limited to reading inspiring stories about missionaries from long ago or watching a PowerPoint presentation at the local church. Some may offer up prayers for those serving abroad, but the thought of actually stepping onto the mission field, even for a short-term trip, rarely attracts the majority. The reality is, few are drawn to actively experience the day-to-day life and work of a missionary, despite the profound impact such service can have.
Missions work in rural India often takes place far from cities, in villages where daily life revolves around farming, seasonal rains, close-knit families, and potentially long travel to schools or clinics. In these settings, many children don’t even attend school, and some even have to work to help out with daily struggles.
In such environments, missions work encompasses various aspects, including learning local customs and serving in practical ways that reflect Christ’s compassion. Bible and Gospel preaching is typically conducted in small gatherings, perhaps under a tree, in simple homes, rooftops for evangelism, or at the edge of fields, where stories can be shared naturally and questions are welcomed.
Teaching often begins with foundational themes such as creation, sin, and redemption, and forgiveness, and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. These themes are connected to the realities people face, such as fear, poverty, family conflict, illness, and the longing for hope, and identity, and relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
In addition to preaching, Moriel Missions frequently provide discipleship and literacy-based Bible study, enabling new believers to comprehend prayer, worship, and the faithful application of Jesus’ teachings within their community.
Outreach initiatives encompass children’s educational programs, youth mentorship, and the training of local leaders, ensuring that ministry remains grounded in the village rather than reliant on external visitors.
Given the cultural emphasis on harmony in rural communities, effective mission practice is characterized by humility and integrity. This involves refraining from employing pressure, financial incentives, or deceptive promises, and consistently demonstrating respect for neighbors of diverse faiths.
The primary objective is not to engage in arguments but to provide clear witness by sharing the Gospel with gentleness. Objections are addressed with patience, and love is demonstrated through consistent service. Over time, a small fellowship may emerge, meeting regularly, providing care for the vulnerable, and serving as a beacon of light to surrounding villages. This fellowship will carry the message of Christ forward in their own language and cultural context.
Continuing missions work in rural India requires remarkable endurance and steadfast faithfulness, as missionaries often face a multitude of challenges that test their resolve. The path is rarely easy as there are obstacles such as isolation, language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and the persistent realities of poverty and illness.
Many missionaries must travel long distances by foot or on rough roads, enduring harsh weather conditions and living with few modern comforts. These physical hardships are compounded by emotional and spiritual trials, including opposition, discouragement, and the slow pace of visible progress. In villages where suspicion or indifference may greet outsiders, it is easy to feel disheartened when efforts seem to bear little immediate fruit.
Extreme Missions
Moriel had the opportunity to travel to Raikia, Kandhamal District, Odisha, shortly after a major persecution that resulted in the burning down of over 1,300 Christian homes and the murder of hundreds of Christians. Moriel ventured deep into the heart of the village, where pastors had been killed and a small church had been burned to the ground. Upon entering, there was a palpable sense of suspicion, and many people were hesitant to engage.
Over the course of approximately eighteen months, a small house was converted into a hall, which we named New Life Hall. We intentionally omitted the word “church” from its name to ensure its use by all villages. We laid tiles on the floor and provided washing machines for locals to use. This hall then transformed into a gathering place where we could pray and make a positive impact on people’s lives. Currently, we have over forty adults and over sixty children attending the hall (church).
Upon entering, Moriel missionaries would be warmly welcomed, perhaps even hugged by some, and the overall atmosphere of the hall would have changed. Today, life in the village was once again seen, and this could only be done by the Lord. For your information, reaching this area would require an over ten-hour car journey. During the first trip, all foreigners were prohibited from entering. Consequently, the missionary had to travel there in the trunk of a car. Raw missions often come with risks, but to give people the opportunity to hear the gospel, extreme measures must be taken.
Yet, it is precisely in these circumstances that endurance and faithfulness become vital. Missionaries draw strength from their calling and from a deep trust in God’s promises, believing that their labor is not in vain even when results are unseen. Faithfulness means showing up day after day, serving with humility, and maintaining integrity, regardless of recognition or reward. It means loving neighbors persistently, planting seeds of hope, and trusting God for the growth. This steadfastness is often the greatest testimony to those around them, demonstrating Christ’s love in tangible ways. Over time, small acts of kindness, patient teaching, and unwavering presence can break down barriers, build genuine relationships, and foster communities of faith that endure long after the missionaries have moved on. Endurance and faithfulness ensure that the Gospel is not only preached but lived out, shining as a light in even the most challenging circumstances.
Why Short-Term Missions
The primary reason behind this method is that Moriel India is fundamentally a mission dedicated to spreading the gospel, therefore missions work would be constantly moving forwards to un-reached areas. Currently, it operates in rural areas of India, particularly in regions where there has been no Christian presence, no churches, no pastors, and no mention of the Lord Jesus Christ to the local villagers.
Moriel would enter and preach from various locations, such as rooftops, street corners, or even inviting people to come to a house to hear the gospel message. This would serve as the foundation for establishing a house church. Over several months, as we consistently reviewed the progress, we would eventually invite a pastor to lead the work and continue its development. Once this has been established, we would move further afield and commence a new work.
Moriel Horeb Church, Punjab:
This church has now fully engaged with the local area and is now operating small house churches in surrounding regions. This church serves as the home church, and Moriel is expanding churches from this base. This ministry originated from an invitation extended by a Christian sister. We established a modest stage and witnessed the remarkable turnout of the entire village eager to hear the gospel. From the outset, individuals flocked to the Lord. Over the years, during all mission trips, Moriel would organize a meeting here, employing the same method. From this point, we commenced a house church, subsequently rented a larger space, and ultimately, the Lord provided the necessary funds to construct a church. This is the essence of all missions: to bring people to Christ. In the Punjab region, Moriel has established thirteen churches and numerous affiliated churches. Many pastors attend Moriel conferences to gain insights from its teachings.
Moriel Horeb Andhra Pradesh:
Here, the church is consistently reaching out, and we are witnessing gradual growth. This work is a bit more discreet because Moriel operates The Mitchell Children Home from this area. Despite this, Moriel actively participates in numerous pastor conferences and engages with many churches. Moriel is well-established, and pastors express their love for attending Moriel conferences, as they always gain valuable insights. Moriel Mission provides encouragement to hundreds of pastors.
Moriel Chennai:
Moriel is fully engaged in mission work, which includes pastors’ conferences, street preaching, rooftop preaching, and house visits to Hindu and Muslim homes. More than thirty churches want to connect with Moriel Chennai. This ministry is experiencing rapid growth, and it is anticipated that through more engaging ministry, a significant number of individuals will come to Christ. A typical small church would invite local Hindus to attend services, and many do. We earnestly pray for hearts to be softened and that many will call upon the name of the Lord. The preacher must capture the attention of the congregation, and this can only be achieved through powerful gospel messages. Jesus will then capture the hearts of the people. The world is changing rapidly, which necessitates a real urgency for mission work.
Moriel West Bengal:
The work here has been relatively low-key for several years. Moriel has worked in Siliguri, Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Sikkim, and has also entered Nepal from the Siliguri Border. Moriel will be conducting pastors’ conferences, with over two hundred pastors eager to attend. Meetings are also planned in some of the aforementioned areas, Again, this could prove to be a very busy area for Moriel to conduct meetings and establish a work environment here.
