On 19 September, at the King’s Cross Baptist Church, there was cause for celebration as a congregation of supporters of the South Asian Concern (SAC) movement marked 25 years since their founding in 1989.
SAC is a charity focused on revealing the uniqueness of Christ in a cross-cultural effort to bring him among these multi-faith communities.
South Asia Bible Commentary
Director of SAC, Kevin Wren, opened the event and introduced Rachel Chandra-sekaran, who led in worship. Chairman Ram Gidoomal spoke fondly of the charity’s early days, before introducing us to the Diaspora Mission book. Throughout the service video updates from partners like Paul and Su East were given. Catherine Abraham, of Kacchwa Transformational Ministries, spoke of the work her and husband Raju Abraham have carried out in Uttar Pradesh. The Langham Partnership introduced the one-volume South Asia Bible Commentary, followed by Kevin’s closing talk on his vision for the future of SAC.
As part of the goody bags given at the end of the gathering, the congregation received a free copy of Diaspora Mission. Sub-titled ‘The Story of South Asian Concern’, the book gives an insight into the remarkable heart and mission behind the charity. ‘Diaspora’ refers to the dispersed communities of South Asians living in the UK and abroad. The ‘Mission’ began in the hearts of Ram, Dr Raju Abraham, Robin Thomson and Professor Prabhu Guptara. They ‘were compelled, both individually and together as a group – despite their differences – to serve the needs of South Asians, particularly Christians, and to see the gospel flourish’. Diaspora Mission unites and explains the social, economical and spiritual efforts of the SAC, and how serving the cultural needs and livelihoods of South Asians, in the context of the gospel, works – and why it’s needed.
Issues for South Asians
After prayer, Chris Wright and Pieter Kwant from the Langham Partnership were introduced. Chris and Pieter have been working with South Asian scholars to produce a one-volume Bible commentary, available this October. The South Asia Bible Commentary works as a catalyst for the Word of God to speak directly and relevantly to South Asians. The commentary addresses issues South Asians may face as followers of Jesus, rather than leaving them to rely on the popular Western perspectives. The commentary is a bridge, in which cultural relevance wills to instigate the transformational work of God’s Word.
Director Kevin Wren brought the afternoon to a close in sharing his excitement, passion and vision for the future of South Asian Concern. SAC will continue encouraging churches to reach out to South Asians and become multi-cultural churches, discipling those who come to faith in Jesus, and to ‘make Jesus understandable to every culture’.
