Last updated on: December 3, 2019 at 3:49 am By GFA Staff Writer
Do you remember your senior year of high school? Maybe you were one of those people who had the next 10 years of their life planned out already—I was not. At 17 years old, I knew I wanted to follow Christ, and I felt like He was leading me to be involved in missions somehow, but I had no idea what that was going to look like. I had lots of questions but few answers.
How do I get started? Who can give me some direction? What ministry should I partner with? Am I called to stay in the U.S. or travel and serve abroad? What skills and resources do I need to have under my belt?
Gospel for Asia staff member whose relationship with Christ deepened more in a single year by enrolling in GFA’s School of Discipleship program after high school.
During my senior year, I searched time and time again for missions opportunities with a variety of ministries. But nothing stuck out; nothing seemed to be the right fit. Graduation came and went. I felt stressed, unequipped and no closer to finding an answer to the question everyone under the sun had asked me by that point: “What are you going to do after high school?”
Later that summer, I read Dr. KP Yohannan Metropolitan’s book No Longer a Slumdog for the first time. There was an ad in the back pages about Gospel for Asia (GFA)’s School of Discipleship outside of Dallas, Texas, that peaked my interest, so I jumped on their website. Upon reading the initial description of the program, I remember thinking almost immediately, “This is it. This is what I’m supposed to do.”
School of Discipleship asks the question, “Can you die to yourself for a year?” The heart of the program is to give young adults an opportunity to love, serve and follow Jesus with their whole being—to learn how to worship the Lord with and through every part of their life—and live for Him instead of themselves.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” —Galatians 2:20
By serving alongside other committed believers in Gospel for Asia (GFA)’s U.S. office and partnering with the Body of Christ worldwide, students not only learn how to live as Christ’s disciples, they get to help make disciples at the same time—and that’s the type of opportunity I longed for. It just made sense. In many ways, School of Discipleship gave me a chance like Jesus’ disciples had.
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” —Mark 1:17-18
Dr. KP Yohannan Metropolitan’s book No Longer a Slumdog helped this GFA staff member figure out what she was supposed to do after high school.
He called; they followed. Everywhere He went, these young men did life and ministry together with Jesus, learning from His example and changing all the while. Likewise, by serving alongside older brothers and sisters at Gospel for Asia (GFA) who have walked the road ahead of me and learning from their lives, my relationship with Christ deepened more in a single year than in the five years previous. I learned more than just concepts; I found real-life application.
My time in School of Discipleship was by no means easy. But I consider what I have gained—the hard lessons I learned and the fellowship I now have with Christ as a result—to be far more than worth the challenge.
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Last updated on: December 4, 2019 at 2:17 am By GFA Staff Writer
Thousands of communities are tucked away in remote regions of Asia. In such places, chances to hear the story of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection can be very rare.
Beatings. Taunting words. Long days on the road. Late nights of traveling to pray for the sick. False accusations. Even imprisonment. If national missionaries know ministering to their people may cost them all this, how do they go on day after day? Why do they do it?
One reason missionaries continue to pour themselves out in service to God is because of people like Naitik. He was 80 years old before he ever heard the name of Jesus. National missionaries long for him to understand the love of God, whom they themselves love so much. Naitik is not alone—his story was like millions of others’ who live in remote places in Asia, where, so far, there’s been no mention of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.
Thousands of communities are tucked away in remote regions of Asia. In such places, chances to hear the story of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection can be very rare.
Naitik lived in an area where the people worshiped local deities and believed in witchcraft. Then one day Naitik’s relative introduced him to Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Udyan. During their conversation, Naitik heard for the very first time about Jesus and His sacrifice to save humanity. He became very interested to learn more about this love. Before Pastor Udyan left, he prayed for Naitik’s ailments, which included leg pain and poor eyesight, and encouraged the elderly man to trust Jesus to heal him.
The next morning, Naitik contacted Pastor Udyan and invited him to come to his home again for prayer. When the pastor arrived, the old man welcomed him and said: “I don’t know what is happening to me. I could not sleep properly last night. I felt like someone was talking to me. I want to know more about the Lord Jesus. Also, there is less pain in my leg after you prayed for me.”
As Naitik and his wife spoke with Pastor Udyan, they learned more about the love of God and decided they would go to church for Sunday worship. When they attended the service, they were further encouraged by Pastor Udyan as he taught from God’s Word.
Later, Naitik happily received a Bible from the pastor. In spite of his limited education and his poor eyesight, Naitik faithfully read the Bible, and to his surprise, the Lord restored his vision!
God’s Word has the power to transform lives, just like it did for Naitik.
Seeing God’s work in his life, Naitik asked Pastor Udyan to conduct prayer meetings at his house. During the first meeting, the couple learned the importance of prayer in a believer’s life when the Lord miraculously healed Naitik’s wife from a breathing problem! Experiencing the Lord’s kindness and grace led this dear old couple to put their trust in the Savior.
Naitik and his wife are very happy to know Jesus. They are even inviting their neighbors and friends to be part of the new fellowship that is gathering at their home. Naitik is reading his Bible faithfully, spending time in prayer and growing in his faith. He said, “Although I had spent my whole life in darkness, now I have found light in Jesus. He is really God. I want to live for Him for the rest of my life.”
How precious these words are of an old man who was able to meet one of God’s servants, hear about Jesus and be giventhe chance to respond to Christ’s love and sacrifice near the end of his life. Tragically, there are many people of Naitik’s generation who are going into eternity without ever meeting anyone who could point them to the Light of the World.
For many of them, time is running out fast. Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers minister in many countries where the average life expectance is only 66–75 years, according to the World Bank.
Through personal interaction with pastors and their wives, many people in Asia can hear about God’s mercy and compassion.
But the Lord has raised up Asian men and women who are ready—and eager—to go to their own people and be Christ’s hands and feet. Their limitations for ministry are minor compared to foreign missionaries. They know the intricacies of the culture or can adapt very quickly and well. As their neighbors watch their daily life, many discover for themselves that Jesus isn’t a foreign God, but is their own Creator and knows their every need.
As Christians, it is our privilege and instruction from the Lord to share the life-giving hope of Christ to the nations. National missionaries like Pastor Udyan and millions of other Christ followers know this, and they live with the daily reality of the cost of carrying out that directive. In writing about the persecuted church, Dr. KP Yohannan quotes Jeremy Weber of Christianity Today as saying “For the third year in a row, the modern persecution of Christians worldwide has hit another record high.”
Our brothers and sisters are paying a high price to obey Jesus’ words spoken on the shores of Galilee.
But they also experience the joy of seeing a spark gleam in a new believer’s eye when he understands for the first time that the God of the universe listens to their every prayer. They see the transformation that follows as addictions crumble and love enters families’ home life. They see how generosity and compassion changes a community.
Jesus Himself endured beatings, mockery, abuse and death to carry out God’s plan of redemption for the world. And His example strengthens each one of us who ministers for the sake of His name.
“. . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” —Hebrews 12:1b–3
See the passion of National Missionaries:
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Last updated on: November 19, 2019 at 2:38 pm By GFA Staff Writer
It’s 4:30 in the morning.
The sun has not yet crested the horizon.
A young seminary student rises from bed and heads to the kitchen.
Today’s agenda? Cook and distribute thousands of meals to people in need of food.
Monday, October 16, was World Food Day, and across the globe, individuals and organizations reached out in compassion to their communities. Gospel for Asia-supported workers and Bible college students cooked and distributed meals to more than 2,500 people throughout Asia.
Gospel for Asia-supported workers serve food at a leprosy colony on World Food Day, Oct. 16.
They traveled to slums, leper colonies, orphanages, homes for the elderly and hospitals with hands full of delicious food packages for the poor and needy. Street children, beggars and people living at a railway station received special meals delivered in the name of Jesus. For the first time, some of them may have experienced unconditional love as they looked into the compassionate eyes of those serving them.
Gospel for Asia-supported Bridge of Hope students took part in the event also, handing out packages of food to children living on the streets who may have been just their age.
In an act of sacrificial love and service, some Bible college students fasted and gave up their own meals leading up to World Food Day so more food could be provided to others.
On the other side of the globe, Gospel for Asia’s (GFA) U.S. office in Wills Point, Texas, observed World Food Day by collecting food donations for a local food bank. GFA staff piled canned food in a box throughout the day. Many of the local food bank’s most-needed items were contributed. Staff were eager for the opportunity to help locally, with one stating, “I pray that this will be a great blessing to the community here.”
Gospel for Asia staff serving in the U.S. office celebrated World Food Day by donating nonperishable goods to the local food bank.
All over the world, whether in Asia or the U.S., many cannot afford the basic necessities of life, like a daily meal. There are children like Meena, a 5-year-old girl who lived in a Bombay slum and survived by begging. When she wasn’t able to find food, she resorted to eating sewage-infested dirt off the street. Soon, as the sewage poisoned her system, her body shutdown, and she passed away. Dr. KP Yohannan shares more about this precious girl in his blog, Living in the Light of Eternity.
When we remember Meena and the thousands just like her, we at Gospel for Asia praise God for opportunities like World Food Day to help ease the suffering of many—and to maybe even rescue some from a premature death.
Just as Jesus served the needy around Him, including feeding thousands, the GFA world seeks to follow in the Lord’s footsteps. Jesus had compassion on those around Him and continually reached out in love to minister. We desire to continue His ministry and see lives impacted by the love of Christ through word and deed.
World Food Day was a great opportunity to do just that, both locally for the U.S. staff in Wills Point, Texas, and our partners in Asia.
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Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.
Last updated on: October 27, 2017 at 1:48 am By KP Yohannan
Interested furthering your spiritual growth? Enjoy this collection of free resources we’ve compiled just for that purpose!
Books and Booklets
Revolution in World Missions
In this exciting and fast-moving narrative, K.P. Yohannan shares how God brought him from his remote Indian village to become the founder of Gospel for Asia.
No Longer a Slumdog
No Longer a Slumdog demonstrates God’s tender mercy at its best! It’s a story of redemption, a celebration of lives transformed from despair to hope.
A Life of Balance
Remember learning how to ride a bike? It was all a matter of balance. The same is true for our lives. Learn how to develop that balance which will keep your life and ministry healthy and honoring to God.
Learning to Pray
Whether you realize it or not, your prayers change things. See for yourself how God constantly does the impossible through prayer!
Audio Messages
A Mighty Minority
God isn’t looking for the best of the best, or those most qualified to get things done, He is looking for the few who will follow Him at any cost. He is looking for the mighty minority.
Authentic Christianity
In his message Authentic Christianity, K.P. Yohannan encourages us to be fully committed to Christ, throwing off all that hinders us.
Infographics
Colorful, convenient, and easy to share, we also offer a selection of free infographics! Download yours today!
Pray for Street Children
Millions of children roam the streets of South Asia each day. The streets of India alone are home to 18 million children who are either orphans, runaways, or discarded by their family. Find out how you can start praying for them today by downloading this free infographic.
World Water Facts!
You knew water was important, right? Here are some facts from around the world that will help you see the importance of water even more!
Don’t miss out, there’s more! Check out our website for even more free downloads!
Last updated on: March 18, 2025 at 8:19 pm By KP Yohannan
Since 1979, Gospel for Asia (now GFA World) has been committed to serving the “least of these” in Asia, often in places where no one else is serving, so they can experience the love of God for the first time. GFA supports national workers serving as the hands and feet of Christ in four main ways. Sponsoring national missionaries to minister to people’s needs, sponsoring children, investing in community development, and helping families in need of care or during disasters.
Gospel for Asia is about changing communities—both for this life and for eternity. GFA is present in India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Laos, and Thailand, Rwanda and Liberia.
Programs
National missionaries
GFA’s main focus is to train and equip national missionaries who come from different cultures and languages rather than nation-states. This selection provides GFA with people within a single nation-state who are specialized in the particular village that they are ministering to. Some of these missionaries actually belong to these villages which makes it easier for them to share the love of Christ. In 2018 GFA reported that they have over 16,000 missionaries and church planters in 18 Asian nations.
Church buildings, Bibles, and gospel literature
Part of GFA’s program for discipleship is the establishment of Christian worship centers in small villages. These centers also provide a visible meeting place for Christians. In major cities, GFA builds large cathedral-type buildings to cater to bigger congregations. Similarly, GFA distributes native-language bibles and evangelical Christian literature to the region.
Radio and television broadcasts
GFA provides biblical content through its radio program, Athmeeya Yathra (Spiritual Journey) and its YouTube channel, Athmeeyayathra Television.
Bible colleges
GFA has established 56 bible colleges in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. These institutions train native missionaries within their own dialects and cultures so that they will be effective ministers. The program includes three years of instruction, including field instruction and experience.
Bridge of Hope
Bridge of Hope is a child sponsorship program for poor families in underserved communities, especially lower-caste families and Dalits. The program offers education, physical and spiritual care, including healthcare training and vocational training for women.
Wells
This is a Jesus Well in a remote village in Asia.
In response to water shortage problems in communities, GFA digs wells for long-term use near churches, bible colleges, or Bridge of Hope centers. These wells are turned over to the local church and are maintained by a local pastor.
Leprosy Ministry
This ministry is also called “Reaching Friends Ministry” to help people suffering from the disease through social and relief work, medical aid, and health and hygiene awareness.
Expansion to Africa
In 2020, GFA started World Child Sponsorship in the slums of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. It also include training national missionaries, clean water projects, medical ministry, education for the underprivileged, women’s empowerment, and community development projects. In 2025, GFA World extends missionary movement to Liberia, West Africa.
Affiliate Offices
GFA has or had 14 known affiliated LLCs registered in Willis Point, TX as well as national offices in various countries in which they operate mission efforts.
Believers Eastern Church
Believers Eastern Church is administratively based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It was reorganizd in 2015 into 33 dioceses. Its membership includes over 3.5 million people in 10 countries speaking a hundred languages. The Church currently has 30 Bishops, and the current Metropolitan Bishop is Athanasius Yohan I.
GFA Canada
The GFA Canada office is registered with the Canadian government. It was established in 1986 and is located in Ontario. As a charity office, it provides disaster relief among other humanitarian efforts to communities.
History
Dr. K.P. Yohannan founded Gospel for Asia as a Christian NGO in 1978. In the US, the organization is located in Wills Point, TX. In 1981, a branch was established in Kerala, India. Another headquarters was set up in Tiruvalla in 1983. GFA has also established bible colleges, compassion and community development projects, and disaster relief operations. GFA is supported by donations and has been considered to be “one of the most financially powerful mission undertakings in India in the 1980s.”
What Others Are Saying About Gospel for Asia
George Verwer shares why he stands with Gospel for Asia
“Gospel for Asia is not a movement but a phenomenon. GFA has become one of the most significant mission organizations of this century.
“I praise God for the great love and commitment of K.P. and Gisela Yohannan for the people of Asia. Millions have received the Word of God because of them and the ministry of Gospel for Asia.”
—George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization and world missions advocate
Ajith Fernando, teaching director of Sri Lanka’s Youth for Christ
“I am grateful for the training that Gospel for Asia has given to many evangelists who are effectively reaping the ripe harvest fields of Sri Lanka.”
—Ajith Fernando, teaching director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka
Paul Louis Cole, president of Christian Men’s Network
“Dr. K.P. Yohannan is a missionary statesman, a pastor to pastors, a mission leader to mission leaders, and a father to the fatherless. At Christian Men’s Network, we look for deserving men around the world to highlight as role models for our Global Fatherhood Initiative. My introduction to Dr. Yohannan was reading Against the Wind, Finishing Well in a World of Compromise, which stirred me deeply. In a unanimous decision, the CMN board presented Dr. Yohannan with the first annual Reggie White Fatherhood Award, to honor his demonstration for over 40 years of what it means to be a father by providing leadership to compassionate workers of faith and hope to the defeated.”
—Rev. Paul Louis Cole, D.Th., president of Christian Men’s Network
Francis Chan, pastor and author
“K.P. has been a mentor to me for years. The way that he speaks to God and about Him is different from anyone else I know. His words and actions have led to me loving Jesus more consistently and deeply. He continues to be an example to me. For this, I am eternally grateful.”
Gospel for Asia is also a community inspiring others in the West to be committed to Christ
GFA’s first Core Value is knowing the Lord Jesus more fully and intimately. This value is lived out daily by GFA staff and since its inception; GFA has provided ways for people to live out their commitment to Christ.
GFA School of Discipleship in Texas
GFA created an immersive, authentic discipleship program for youth ages 18 – 27. Daily students are challenged to “die to yourself” while living in a community of believers who love Christ and serve others.
The foundation of GFA’s ministry is prayer. We know nothing is accomplished without prayer, and therefore, we give it a place of priority. GFA-supported missionaries and GFA staff around the world pray consistently and with great fervor for those who have yet to comprehend the depth of God’s love and grace.
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