Indian villages served by Routs

Luke Society India co-director Prem Rout poses with some of the residents of a village in which he and his wife, Dr. Pushpa (far right), serve the physical and spiritual needs of the people.

ODISHA, INDIA—Pastor Prem and Dr. Pushpa Rout have spent the last 22 years sharing the Good News of God’s kingdom with small villages throughout Odisha, India.

They faithfully travel to the poorest of the poor villages to assist with medical care and, over time, they share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have seen a number of entire villages come to believe in Jesus.

After coming to faith in Christ, many villages then open small mud-brick churches with thatched roofs. Worship is vibrant and simple in the villages. There are not theological or political hang-ups, but rather heartfelt singing, dancing and crying out to God in prayer.

There is much to pray for as the spiritual battle is so tangible in the villages of Odisha. Please pray that more people will find dissatisfaction with the gods of wood which are offered through the Hindu religion. “Idols…made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see…” (Psalm 115:4-5).

Instead may people continue to be like the Macedonians who “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God…” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Pray that the new believers in the villages might grow in their faith and relationship with God. Pray for the Routs who minister to the villagers — for wisdom, their health, safety in travel and safety from persecution.

The full January GAP newsletter can be viewed by toggling between the two images below.