GO and MAKE DISCIPLES! Odisha, India

by Jitendre Nayak

Greetings from Odisha, India! According to tradition, the gospel reached India as early as 52 AD through the Apostle Thomas; however, it has yet to penetrate every corner of this vast nation. Even today many villagers have never heard of Jesus. In recent times, the challenges facing the Christian community have intensified, with growing restrictions and social pressures limiting the freedom to share the gospel openly in regions such as Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. In fact, tension within communities, reports of arrest, and denial of burial rights are a daily reality and cause for great concern among believers. Yet these hardships, though severe, have not stopped the mission entrusted to us by Christ. Our Master Disciple-Maker, who commanded His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations,” continues His work even in the midst of opposition. In Him we are sustained and empowered to persevere in our faith, to witness and serve, trusting that His purposes will prevail regardless of the challenges and obstacles.

Faithful followers of the Lord Jesus

Despite hardship and even persecution, the Christians I work with are dedicated and devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ and His mission. Currently I am training 200 believers residing in seven locations. I offer Step-by-Step training one-on-one and in small groups, both in person and online. Our goal is to reach 450 villages with the love of God.

We reach them while they’re young - Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14)

I intentionally invest in children by discipling them from an early age, drawing inspiration from passages such as Matthew 19:13–15, Mark 10:14, Proverbs 22:6, and Deuteronomy 6:6–7. These scriptures emphasize the value Jesus placed upon children and the responsibility of nurturing them in faith from their earliest years. I believe that childhood is a foundational season where values, identity, purpose, and spiritual understanding are formed, and therefore it is necessary to guide them with love, wisdom, and consistent teaching before they are shaped by competing influences around them.

My aim is not only to introduce them to Christ but also to help them grow as committed disciples who understand and apply His teachings, develop a personal relationship with Him, and reflect His character in their daily lives. Through intentional mentoring, storytelling, prayer, and practical examples, I seek to equip them with a strong spiritual foundation so that, as they grow, they will be confident in their faith and prepared to carry forward the mission of disciple-making. Like runners in a relay, they are being prepared to receive the baton, not passively, but with readiness and purpose—to continue the race with endurance, integrity, and a heart to serve others, becoming faithful witnesses in their generation.

SMALL GROUP DISCIPLESHIP

While interacting with pastors and Christian leaders, I had the privilege of meeting Arun, his wife Surekha, and their daughter from Khordha, Odisha. During our time together, I shared with them the biblical vision of discipleship and the call to make disciples who, in turn, disciple others. I was especially encouraged by their openness and eagerness to grow, not just individually but also as a family unit committed to Christ’s calling and mission. They have embraced the process of being trained together—learning, praying, and applying the Step-by-Step Discipleship Process in their daily lives.

This godly family has already begun to multiply the vision of Disciplers International by intentionally investing in others around them, guiding new believers and nurturing them in their faith journey. It is inspiring to see how this family is becoming a living example of generational discipleship, where faith is not only taught but modeled, and where the impact extends beyond their home to the wider community. Their commitment reflects how discipleship can be both relational and reproducible, creating a ripple effect that strengthens the church and advances the mission in meaningful and sustainable ways.

LARGE GROUP DISCIPLESHIP

I have been actively engaged in large-group disciple-making initiatives across seven different locations—Junagarh, Belgaon, Kesinga, Raijaran, Kurtamgarh, G. Udayagiri, and Paripara. These sizeable gatherings serve as strategic platforms where I introduce participants to the Step-by-Step Guide to Spiritual Intimacy, helping them understand the foundation necessary for a deeper, closer walk with Jesus Christ.

The purpose of these large groups is not only to teach but also to discern and identify individuals who show a genuine hunger for growth, faithfulness in practice, and the potential to become disciple-makers themselves. From among these participants, I prayerfully select and invest more intentionally in those who are willing to commit to the journey of multiplication. Through ongoing mentoring, training, and nurturing, I am equipping them to carry forward the mission and vision of Disciplers International. This approach allows the work to move beyond addition to multiplication, as those who are trained begin to disciple others in their own contexts.

It is encouraging to see how these groups of men and women are developing into hubs of spiritual growth and leadership formation, contributing to a sustainable movement of disciple-making that can extend far beyond the initial gatherings and impact communities in a lasting way. To God be the glory, because “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation of shifting shadow” (James 1:17).

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