Reach India, Reach the World

Before sunrise, while most of his state is still waking up, J. Shetty is already at work.

His mornings often begin with phone calls to pastors scattered across Maharashtra, India–checking in, asking questions, encouraging them through challenges, and helping them think through ministry decisions. Then oftentimes he packs a bag and travels. Sometimes that means a few hours on the road. Other times it means journeys of up to sixteen hours to reach pastors in villages and towns for two or three days of training.

For J, church planting has never simply been about starting churches. It has always been about developing leaders.

That conviction has shaped more than two decades of ministry.

J planted his first church in 2002. By 2006, that work had grown into three churches, and some of the leaders serving today came from those early congregations. Since then, the ministry has expanded across Maharashtra through church planting and leadership development.

Today, J and his team are connected to 26 churches and church plants throughout the state.

But numbers alone do not tell the story.

Many of the pastors J trains have never received formal biblical education. Some planted churches before ever studying Scripture systematically. Jeremiah first walks with these men through a year-long process rooted in the BMA doctrinal statement and focused on building strong foundations for long-term ministry.

Training that follows includes systematic Bible study, expository preaching, practical ministry skills, stewardship, generosity, church health, and the qualifications for pastoral ministry found in I and II Timothy.

“We want pastors to understand not only how to preach,” J shared, “but how to lead churches that become healthy and self-sustaining.”

J does not do this work alone.

A respected senior pastor named Steven Paig helps address challenges that require experience and wisdom. Two younger leaders in their thirties support areas where they bring unique strengths. Together, they function as a team–because ministry requires more than teaching.

“It’s relationship building. It’s discipleship,” J explained.

Currently, 14 new pastors have begun serving in churches and church plants. Twelve established churches are active across the network, with three located in one major urban center and the remaining churches serving smaller towns and villages. Additional home fellowships and church plants continue to develop.

Yet ministry in India comes with challenges.

India’s legal environment allows churches to meet in dedicated buildings or rented public spaces, but ministry settings can become more limited in certain places. Evangelism remains legal, but pastors must exercise wisdom and sensitivity in how they communicate their faith. Restrictions around religious funding and ministry activity continue to shape how churches operate.

Opposition can also come through family and community pressure.

For new believers, following Christ may affect relationships with parents, extended family, and social networks. In smaller communities especially, choosing baptism or openly identifying as Christian can come at a personal cost. Some pastors have faced harassment or social pressure in the villages where they serve.

J understands those realities personally.

“In the beginning, I faced more challenges because I was inexperienced and overly enthusiastic,” he said with a smile. “Experience teaches you wisdom.”

Despite the obstacles, J remains hopeful.

Part of that hope comes from his own story.

When he was 19 years old, J met Bro. Pradeep Borde, who invited him to help with outreach and youth ministry at his church. Through that relationship, J was connected to BMA Seminary.

He arrived at seminary at age 21.

“It was wonderful,” J said. “God gave me friendships that became like real brothers.”

As graduation approached, another conversation shaped his future.

A month before finishing seminary, Bro. Jerry Kidd met with J, prayed with him, and challenged him to return to India as a missionary.

J still remembers the words:

“If God has called you to ministry, you need to get going. Don’t wait.”

God used those relationships to send J back…and now he hopes to do the same for others.

His next vision is a Bible institute.

The goal is to launch a hybrid training model that combines online and in-person learning for pastors, church planters, bi-vocational leaders, and laypeople. J hopes to begin the first cohort in June 2028.

His prayer extends beyond India itself.

India sends workers all over the world. J believes that if believers are trained well and discipled faithfully, those same men and women can carry the Gospel wherever they go.

His vision is simple:

Reach India. Reach the world.

As J looks ahead, his prayer remains unchanged:

“Pray that God would raise up more disciples, more church planters, and more workers who can be trained. And pray that God would continue opening doors for ministry.”