Bible Faith Mission

Bible Faith Mission (BFM) was begun in 1913 by an Indian evangelist who was burdened to reach the Dalits (or ‘Untouchables’) in the Kerala, south India.

Today, BFM’s vision to bring economic, social and spiritual transformation to the Dalits is stronger than ever.

Comprising nearly one-third of India’s one billion population, Dalits and tribal people are considered sub-human by some higher castes. Oppressed by wealthy land owners and denied education, many subsist at the lowest level of society.

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Dalit lady and child

Today, BFM is a leading Dalit-led church-planting ministry in India. The love and compassion demonstrated by BFM has seen many Dalits turn to Christ.

Training for evangelists, Bible seminars and camps edify and strengthen both believers and church planters. BFM has established more than 250 churches and worship centres in the states of Orissa, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Self-help projects, including a revolving loan fund, have been established to help Dalit Christians start a small family venture, usually animal rearing, basket and mat weaving, or food vending. This programme has been highly effective in enabling them to support their families and churches.

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Dalit girls at BFM school

BFM also operates a school which provides Dalit children a life-changing opportunity for education. The highly-successful school is the only one of its kind in India, and sets standards so high that there is a demand for places from the non-Dalit population.

BFM workers share the gospel and launch projects to serve the poorest of India’s poor, lifting them out of their crippling poverty and offering hope and dignity for the first time in their lives.

Each year, hundreds of Dalits come to faith in Christ through the BFM ministry-more than 1,100 in 2009. Despite the overt injustice they face, thousands of Dalits are finding, for the first time, true freedom and dignity through salvation in Jesus.

A VILLAGE TRANSFORMED BY GOD'S SPIRIT

Oruttambalam church is situated 15 miles northwest of the BFM headquarters in Kerala State. The locality was known for immorality, drinking, and fighting. The men would come home each evening from their labourer jobs to drink alcohol. Many women and young people also drank heavily. Children never went to school and the whole village was in terrible condition.

A few years ago, a BFM church-planting team visited the area. The Lord led them to a few receptive people who listened to the Gospel message. They were interested in changing their lives and habits.

Slowly the Lord helped the team to start a Sunday school and small church. In 2004, BFM bought a piece of land and the church members dug the foundation and basement. In 2008, the building was completed and dedicated to the Lord.

For the Dalits of that church who have been demeaned their whole lives, this church was not just a building. It was a sign of God's love.

MINISTRY LEADERSHIP

Bishop Moses Swamidas took over leadership of Bible Faith Mission in 1976 which at the time included just five dying fellowships. He has since helped revive the Mission, and today it has more than 250 vibrant churches.

Overcoming overwhelming odds - born a Dalit, and suffering a debilitating congenital heart defect - Bishop Moses has worked tirelessly for years advocating for the rights of Dalits who lose their constitutionally-guaranteed benefits when they convert to Christianity.

Bishop Moses is married to Vimala and they have two daughters.

VIDEO

Watch Bible Faith Mission (Youtube) produced by our sister organisation Partners International.

PROJECTS

(Click on the links to see details of the projects of this ministry partner)

215004 - Dalit Church Buildings

215010 - Dalit School