Recent amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and additions to anti-conversion laws in India give more control to the government over Christian ministries like The TideĀ®.
The key changes to the amendment include restrictions to the transfer of money between non-governmental organizations, which negatively affects possible collaboration; restriction of administrative expenses to 20 percent of contributions; control over the type and number of bank accounts allowed to organizations and increased investigative power of government officials.
āThese laws do not restrict the Lord,ā said The Tide Director Don Shenk. āHe is in control now just as He has been in control of everything the past year and all the years before. We are continuing to broadcast the Gospel message across India, and we continue to hear responses from listeners who have been touched through our programming by the love of Jesus Christ.ā
The Freedom of Religion Bill, 2020, an anti-conversion law, recently signed in Madhya Pradesh as well as two other Indian States, requires a 60-day prior ādeclaration of the intention to convert.ā In Uttar Pradesh, a similar law requires a magistrate to conduct an inquiry into the reason for converting. The bill is presented as an action against forceful conversions, but the new ordinances make it difficult for new Christians to practice their faith.
Though the FCRA and the Freedom of Religion Bill have tightened restrictions, and COVID-19 still threatens the health of people everywhere, The Tide broadcasts are continuing their life-altering mission through radio programs in India. The ministry is working to spread Christās hope and wisdom to believers as well as those who may be far from Christ or not yet introduced to His love and grace, broadcasting 12 different programs in 11 different languages across the region of India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
The Tide radio ministry in India is complemented by effective discipleship activities including literature distribution, Bible correspondence courses, seekers conferences (discipleship seminars), and a radio distribution project we call āRadios for India.ā This combination of ministry elements has proven to be extremely effective in changing lives throughout India and planting churches where believers can be nurtured in their faith and through which whole communities can be drawn into the Kingdom of God.
A listener named Susmita wrote to say, āI am a non-Christian young man and a regular listener of your radio program and learn many things from the Bible. The program is very nice and interesting. I want to receive some books from you so I can learn more.ā
In partnership with native missionaries, The Tide ministry has been instrumental in bringing many around the world, including those in India, into a relationship with Jesus Christ and establishing healthy, growing indigenous churches.
