Blog - South Asian Concern

The Last Nation to Have no Indigenous Church?

October 3, 2019

Since 2011, possession of religious texts other than the Quran carries an automatic ﬁve-year prison sentence in the Maldives. Yet no one would be arrested for carrying a Bible in Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives, because they do not have one!

The Idea of India

February 27, 2019

As India’s constitution reaches 70 years of age Dr R reflects on the Christian contributions that have helped to build the nation and, with elections looming, the need for prayer.

Focus on Pakistan

September 17, 2018

On 18th 2018 former cricketer Imran Khan took the oath to become Pakistan’s Prime Minister. During his victory speech, he laid out the policy outlines for his future government. What are some of the issues he’ll have to deal with and how can we pray for him and for his country?

Focus on Sri Lanka

May 31, 2018

Despite its natural beauty and splendour, for which we give God thanks, there is much we need to pray for Sri Lanka into order to bring this beautiful island closer to God’s heartbeat.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things…

June 15, 2017

I am constantly reminded that what we say and what others hear are rarely the same thing. That is especially true when preaching in a multi-cultural context. Since the most common immigrant group locally are Tamils, my church generously sent me off on sabbatical to Sri Lanka and India last summer.

Discovering the Meaning of Christmas

February 22, 2017

Growing up in Asia for the first 12 years of my life, I had celebrated Christmas as a time of gifts and parties. I had no idea of the meaning of Christmas or that it had anything to do with any religion, least of all Christianity.

Lessons in love

November 9, 2016

Anumati was married at 19. A marriage had been arranged for her elder sister but, the day before the wedding, her sister ran away. Wanting to save her family from shame, Anumati decided she would be married in her sister’s place.

The Roti – Bread that Unites

May 17, 2016

It is important in our discovery of interfaith engagement to remember that we begin with a shared story and this is no better illustrated than in the story of bread.