Not long ago, I took my 29th trip to India to connect with Jaya and the team there. We sat together and Jaya shared some of the “wins” going all the way back to CEM’s founding in 1986.
It’s not hard to celebrate progress in the here and now – there are great things happening all around us at CEM. But when I saw all of the progress and the tens of thousands of lives touched by CEM laid out in front of me, I was reminded again of the adventure that we are all on together; and all I could say in response was, “This story needs to be told.”
We’ve often shared stories of individual life change, but it was clear that we needed to celebrate the aggregate impact of over thirty years of ministry to the people of Andhra Pradesh. Impact that we would never have experienced without your prayers and support.
So we want to take you through the history of CEM’s impact on the lives of people from infancy to old age and beyond.
Jim Mayes – Executive Director, Impact India 360
Twenty years ago, India accounted for over 25% of maternal deaths worldwide.
Expectant mothers in rural India faced the grim reality that they would often not survive their pregnancy.
In 2004, CEM started its medical clinic for the poor...
...including services to expectant mothers.
Since then, over 1,000 babies have been delivered in a safe and supportive environment.
Poverty creates all kinds of instability among families, and children are often the first to suffer.
In 1989, CEM began its ministry to the street kids of Rajahmundry…
…and over 1,800 children have come from all kinds of situations and found safety, community and opportunities through the Grace Children’s Home.
But it isn’t just food and shelter.
In 2002, the JEMS School was started to fill the gap in educational options both for children in the Grace Children’s Home and those in the community…
…and now over 1,600 have been touched by a chance out of poverty through education.
Indian girls have dreams, just like every other girl in the world. But the realities of poverty can limit those dreams to just a few distasteful options.
In 1990, CEM started a small school to help neighborhood women learn a trade and find their way out of prostitution or manual labor.
Since then, over 500 graduates have received vocational and Bible training.
They can then go back to their villages with economic independence and the ability to share a message of hope with their community.
India has experienced an economic boom in the last twenty years. But there are unintended consequences.
The young and able have migrated into urban centers...
...often leaving their aging parents without support.
In 2001, CEM began its benevolence program to the area’s elderly.
And over 11,000 have been helped with the funds they need to survive the week.
But it didn’t stop there. In 2011, CEM founded the Agape Old Age Home in its pursuit of Rajahmundry’s most marginalized.
And dozens have experienced the love of Christ with a safe place to sleep, hot meals and a caring community where they can live out their lives.
In addition, an initiative to triple its capacity with a new building is in its final stages of completion.
For all of the tangible good that CEM does, people need more than hope for their next meal or a career. They need meaning for their whole lives as well.
CEM planted its first church in 1987 and has since planted over 350 more, reaching thousands of people all over Andhra Pradesh.
And in 2001, CEM doubled down on its commitment to reach the lost, founding the Missionary Training School.
There are now over 1,000 graduates working in full time and bivocational ministry.
And the results...
Over 30,000 Baptisms.
Tens of thousands of lives that have been changed forever.
Potentially millions that will hear the message of hope.
And your prayers and financial support have been the fuel for this engine.
On behalf of all of us at CEM, I want to thank you for your tireless prayers and financial support of our mission. Whether you sponsor a child through nochild.org or are giving to our operating budget, we could not serve the poor of our community without your help.
We have thirty years of ministry behind us and have made great strides in making the world better for so many – and we have only just begun. With your support, I believe our best years are ahead of us!
Jaya Sankar – Founder & President, CEM