Foundations for the new Seventh-day Adventist church in Bawngva, Mizoram, India. [Photo: Maranatha Volunteers International]
February 21, 2024 | California, United States | Maranatha Volunteers International, and Adventist Review
In 2024, Seventh-day Adventist supporting ministry Maranatha Volunteers International hit the ground running on a variety of projects across India. Since January, crews have begun work on five church buildings, drilled 44 water wells, and continued work on the Binjipali Adventist School campus in Binjipali, Odisha State.
Maranatha’s country director for India, Vinish Wilson, said he is excited for what his team plans to accomplish in 2024. “This year in India, the goal is to construct 30 churches, dig 100 wells, and continue adding buildings to the Binjipali campus,” he said.
Local workers prepare the ground to begin the construction of a new Adventist church building in Kimdegre, Meghalaya, India. [Photo: Maranatha Volunteers International]
Well-drilling is off to a strong start toward achieving this year’s goal of 100 wells. The 44 wells drilled in January are located in the southern coastal state of Andhra Pradesh. This semi-arid region suffers from economic stagnation that exacerbates its water insecurity. Communities in that area are thankful for Maranatha wells and the hope they bring.
A water tank next to a water well drilled by Maranatha in the Indian coastal state of Andhra Pradesh. [Photo: Maranatha Volunteers International]
In India, the need for infrastructure is great, impacting a large portion of its population. “The demand for churches is substantial, as only 450,000 out of 1.1 million members have a place of worship,” Wilson said. “Additionally, 40 percent of the rural population in India lacks access to clean drinking water, making the need for wells urgent.”
As part of Maranatha’s support to an Adventist school in Binjipali, Odisha State, Maranatha is building a house for the institution’s principal. [Photo: Maranatha Volunteers International]
The original version of this story was posted by Maranatha Volunteers International, which is an independent supporting ministry and is not operated by the corporate Seventh-day Adventist Church.