Vision of DBI

The vision of Delhi Bible Institute to is teach, train, resource and reach North India with the gospel of Jesus Christ. More specifically, Vision 2025 is to see the training of 30,000 students and see the planting of 15,000 new bible-preaching churches by 2025.

Growth of a Vision

In the beginning, DBI provided short-term residential Bible and language courses to believers preparing for Christian service. In the ensuing years, programs of longer duration, ranging from one to three years, were added. During this initial phase from 1965 to 1984, about 500 men were equipped. These servants of God started or headed significant and pioneering works in India, not a few of them laying down their lives for the gospel of Christ, as many continue to do. Over the years, Bible portions have been distributed extensively, public exposition of the Scriptures organized,
radio programs added, and films on the life and teaching of Lord Jesus screened in schools and colleges. Through our participation in New Delhi World Book Fairs since 1986, we have sold and distributed 26,000 Bibles, 21,000 New Testaments and Scripture portions, 3,600 Jesus videos, 1.8 million pieces of Christian literature, and enrolled 16,000 men and women for Bible correspondence courses.

In 1985 DBI began short-term training programs which included Bible Exposition, Leadership, Counseling and Church Planting. Ten different residential programs are being offered now in Hindi, English and Nepali languages. Since 1985, 5,000 people have been equipped through these programs, and we have seen the planting of over 2,000 churches throughout North India.
 

Vision 2025

In 1954 the population of India was only 400 million. Today there are over 1 billion people in India. Our efforts have only touched the fringe of this enormous population. Millions have yet to hear about the message of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation through Christ, and this need continually challenges us. Delhi Bible Institute now embarks upon a new vision for our beloved nation. With God's grace we aim to train 30,000 young men and women, resulting in the planting of 15,000 new churches by 2025. To see this vision through, we seek to establish 12 new centers
(ashrams) in the eleven state capitals of North India, and one for the Nepali world. Last year, the first one of these centers opened in Dehradun, Uttraranchal, strategically located just a few kilometers from some of Hinduism’s holiest sites. This year, the second such center has opened in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh is a state with only 1% Christian population (in any and all senses of the word “Christian”), and Lucknow is a city with a strong Muslim community and history.

In the near future, we are also looking to add new courses, including an M.A. in Expository Preaching and Practical Theology. We also look to provide new tools in the Hindi language for preachers and all believers. This is a God-sized vision and we depend on Him and on your prayers and cooperation to see this come true in our lifetime.

Fulfillment of a Vision

DBI is seeking to realize Vision 2025 by developing the following:

1. New centers in the twelve state capitals of North India. These centers will be:

• Locations for the church in the heart of the community
• Locations for training church planters, evangelists, and pastors who are currently in the field doing the work of ministry
• Locations where strategic researching and planning for reaching the unreached of the area will take place
• Locations that initiate and monitor church planting in the area
• Locations that strengthen other missions works in the area through resources and training

The first two of these 12 proposed centers are in operation, in the state capital cities Dehradun and Lucknow the next center is going to be in the city of Chandigarh.

2. New training of church planters and missionaries through a series of courses of various lengths, and ministry in the local church and community. These men will be reaching identified unreached people groups.
3. New tools (commentaries, study resources, etc.) in the Hindi language – both by translating existing materials, and writing relevant new materials for national leaders. There is a dearth of suitable resources for church planters, preachers and pastors. We seek to publish books containing expository notes on 10 books of the Bible over the next 10 years. We are currently publishing the first 2 books of this nature.
4. New relief and social initiatives, which will function to both provide necessary aid to the most impoverished areas of North India and build ‘bridges’ for gospel ministry.
5. New partnership which will pool resources (financial, personnel, volunteers, etc.) to equip DBI in its work. This partnership will organize churches into a visible and viable network that can oversee a number of supporting efforts.