New Laws Restricting Ministry in India Will Not Stop the Gospel

HARRISBURG, Pa.—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 Tide® (www.TheTide.org) ministry, which broadcasts the Gospel message in local languages around the world.
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.

“These laws do not restrict the Lord,” said The Tide Director Don Shenk. “He 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.”
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 “declaration of the intention to convert.” 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 Christ’s 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 “Radios for India.” 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, “I 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.”
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.


For nearly 75 years, The Tide ministry has recorded and broadcast gospel programming which now extends into multiple regions on three continents with content in 30 heart languages spoken by millions of people in various countries, including Afghanistan, Albania, Bhutan, India, Kosovo, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, and Zimbabwe. With more than 7,000 languages spoken worldwide and more than 2,000 people groups yet unreached with the Good News of Jesus, the opportunities are tremendous
For more information about The Tide broadcast projects, history, radio programs around the world, special yearlong campaigns, the weekly Global Update radio features or other news, visit its website at www.thetide.org or its Facebook page. Read more about The Tide ministry and Director Don Shenk here.
The Tide ministry is actively looking for godly men who are manly enough to take up the 2021 Year Beard® challenge. Visit www.YearBeard.org for background and to meet some of the participants who are growing out their facial hair to raise awareness and financial support to help The Tide ministry reach an additional 1 million people with the name of Jesus next year.
###
To schedule interviews with Don Shenk, director of The Tide global radio ministry, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Marjorie Pratt, 610.584.1096, ext. 107, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.