As a young man living in India, Vivek Arora had a dream he would someday find a book that would answer all his questions and that he would be instrumental in bringing people together in a way that would let them live in harmony. He discovered that book years later when he came to faith in Christ while reading a Hindi translation of the Bible. As for people living in harmony, he believes the Great Commission is God’s plan for that.
Today, Vivek and his wife, Manisha, are church planting missionaries in Boston, reaching out to the international community that has gathered from around the world in one of America’s great cities.
“We are reaching out to international students and professionals,” Vivek says. “Many come here from their countries for two or three years. If we can reach them for Christ the impact will be greatly multiplied when they return to their home countries.”
The Aroras were among the 119 missionaries and chaplains commissioned by the North American Mission Board on Oct. 5., in Denver, Colorado.
Those commissioned reflected the diversity of the mission field and the missionaries going to that field: Prasad and Vandana Aghamkar minister among the South Asian Indian and Nepali communities of Louisville, Ky.; Ken and Thurleen Bain reach out to Native Americans in Arizona; Chuy and Maria Avila are reaching Hispanics in Laredo, Texas; Jali and Sundus Dawood minister to the Arabic community of Dallas; Harold and Barbara Lunsford minister to oilfield workers in Wyoming; Pedro and Dionisia Escobar are reaching Latinos in New Mexico. All of these missionaries work through state convention partners to most effectively link national priority with local strategy while maximizing efficient use of Southern Baptist resources.
As North America's population grows increasingly diverse and complex, the greater the need for missionaries and chaplains who can reach specific people groups. Pray for these missionaries and others who God has called to reach people in North America.
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