“I want to follow Jesus, but I have years of Hinduism to unlearn.”
For many South Asians who have expressed a desire to follow Christ, like new believers attending a church plant in Little Rock, doing so may involve a complete change in worldview and even the loss of lifelong relationships.
For Pranay and Allison Borde, planting a congregation among internationals in Little Rock means faithfully walking alongside people who are not only discovering who Jesus is but also counting a real cost to follow Him. So Borde and his core team pursue sincere relationships as they share the gospel and foster genuine community.
‘Family, faith and the gospel’
“True friendship, without any feeling of an agenda, opens up internationals to honest conversations about family, faith and the gospel,” Borde explained. “Don’t just be friendly, but be friends.”
They also seek to equip and encourage believers to see themselves as ambassadors for Christ wherever God sends them. Many associated with their Discovery Bible Studies and fellowship events are international students who might only be there a few years before either going back home or getting jobs in global cities across North America. The ministry has the potential to impact a broader population of internationals, for whom many across the Southern Baptist Convention are networking to reach.
The vision of the sending church, Hillcrest Community in Little Rock, is to be “in the city, for the nations.” It is this emphasis, combined with their sincere and missional hospitality, that has allowed the Bordes to experience favor among some of the world’s most unreached people groups.
Prayer points
Pray as the couple continues to build and strengthen a consistent core team.
Pray for internationals from unreached people groups who are counting the cost to follow Jesus — to find Him worthy.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was originally published by the Arkansas Baptist News.
