Teaching the Word in a Remote Nation

The training event was hosted by a local church and attended by 20 pastors—eight from the capital city and 12 who traveled up to 20 hours over treacherous roads from distant regions. The focus of this session was Hermeneutics, the principles of biblical interpretation. Pastor Josh guided the pastors through the book of Titus and helped them understand different biblical genres, such as poetry and prophecy. Although overwhelming at first, the pastors found the training invaluable in connecting all of Scripture to Christ and applying expositional preaching.

Overcoming Challenges to Advance the Gospel

Ministry in this nation comes with challenges. While local Christians can worship and share their faith, foreign teachers are prohibited from instructing locals in religious matters. Pressure from neighboring India adds to the restrictions, requiring training sessions to be conducted discreetly.

Joanna Tillman, Josh’s wife, also joined the trip. She partnered with the missionary’s wife to support pastors’ wives and assist in a Christian-founded private school. The missionary family, with the father being a Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate, ultimately hopes to establish a seminary in the country to further equip local leaders.

A Call to Go and Invest Personally

Reflecting on the trip, Pastor Josh was deeply moved by the pastors’ humility and eagerness to learn. “Seeing their willingness to learn, it was humbling,” he shared. “Hinduism casts a dark reality over the nation, making evangelism incredibly difficult. We visited a famous Hindu site where bodies are burned, and ashes are scattered in the river. The need for the gospel is overwhelming.”

The work is just beginning. Plans are underway for a second cohort of pastors in another region, and business professionals are needed to help create economic opportunities that provide sustainable access for ministry.

How You Can Get Involved

Would you or your church consider partnering in this work? Here are a few ways to participate:

• Pray for the pastors being trained and for open doors to continue the work.
• Go by joining future trips to equip local pastors.
• Support efforts to develop business platforms that create opportunities for long-term engagement.
• Give to help provide resources and training materials for these pastors.

If you feel led to join this mission, reach out to learn more and take the next step in making a lasting impact.