Sewing
Centers
NICO started their first sewing center in 2002 and today has six successful
centers throughout North India . Through these centers women are equipped
with valuable skills that enable them to support their families. Most of
our centers are in places where no vocational training is available for
people. We witness students giving their hearts to Jesus as they participate
in daily Bible study and devotions.
These centers have strengthened the growing churches in North India .
It is NICO’s vision to see every church have a community development
activity. Sewing centers have proven to be a great way to reach out with
the Gospel message.
Medical
Outreach and Childbirth Education
NICO hosts Medical Outreach teams from the US by organizing camps throughout
the mountainous and remote areas in the state of Himachal Pradesh. In
their last outreach within the week a total of 1,100 people were examined.
Each patient was given nutritional supplements: vitamins, antibiotics
or other medicines as needed. Not only did the doctor examine the people
but each person also had the opportunity
to hear the Gospel message and received prayer.
Because women’s health issues and childbirth education is a much
needed area of understanding in North India; NICO is also bringing awareness
to these needs through regular education classes with the local health
care community.
Vehicles
Two wheelers are a great way to get around short distances faster. Many
of the homes in North India villages are scattered and distant from each
other and don’t have reliable bus services. NICO’s pastor and
leaders spend many hours waiting for buses and walk for many miles. They
cannot afford to purchase a vehicle but, it is NICO’s desire to see
each worker with a vehicle; so that they can be more effective and efficient
and save time and money while they minister in their areas.
Prayer
Journey
The foundation of NICO was built on prayer and today NICO continues to witness
that prayer is the essential component to planting and building churches.
They have felt the Lord speak clearly to their hearts as they journey through
Himachal and pray. Prior to sending out a leader to plant a church, NICO
has team journeys to saturate the area with prayer and worship. Prayer journeys
consist of worship, and group as well as personal time, asking the Lord
for His direction in the areas where NICO has a desire to reach out. Prayer
journeys have played an important role for the church planters to confirm
the area where God is calling them. Prayer journeys have not only paved
a way to do ministry, but also NICO believes that before starting a work
it is important to have God’s leading and direction in every portion.
Churches
Leadership
Training
Training the indigenous is a big task and we need your prayers and support
to continue in this endeavor.
As the Lord leads, by 2008 NICO will open a Pastoral and Bible Training
Center in the state of Himachal Pradesh. At the present time NICO organizes
quarterly leadership training conferences for church planters. The ultimate
goal of these conferences is to see the indigenous community trained to
reach their people groups with the Gospel.
To date, NICO has trained more than 60 pastors and leaders to pioneer work
in villages and towns that have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. Currently,
they have 35 indigenous leaders that have planted 26 active fellowships in
North India . Through the zeal and ambitions of these indigenous workers,
NICO has witnessed over 2,000 salvations since 2001.
As this growth is taking place more fellowships have become established and
people are receiving healing with powerful testimonies to the Lord. The Lord
continues to confirm that training the local people is the right approach
to reach the unreached in
remote areas of North India .
