Welcome to the India Village Mission Website!
INDIA VILLAGE MISSION (IVM) is a non-profit, Religious and Charitable Trust, registered in the city of Dehradun in the State of Uttarakhand, India. The Trust was registered in January 2008.
The Mission had its origin in the heart of a theology student. God’s work in Him began to find tangible expressions during his practical work. He was challenged to do something that would impact the lives of people for good, which would also afford opportunities to share God’s love and His word.
The mission takes a holistic approach to human problems, seeking to address spiritual as well as physical needs of people. The primary focus is on women and children of the deprived sections of the population. IVM seeks to lift them up. The initial project “The Village”, seeks to help poor village women develop their natural talents and skills, and to train them, where they lack such skills, to produce useful and beautiful hand-crafted items. They are provided with a work-station, raw materials and equipment along with encourage ment and leadership. The income generated by the sale of the products goes to help the participants and their families. IVM expects this will contribute to their general well-being and give them the incentive to educate their children. We expect this to have a spill-over effect on the community in general. In a later phase, we hope to build up awareness among people about various problems in such areas as health, hygiene, various kinds of additions, etc. IVM volunteers coordinate the activities of “The Village”.
Side by side this effort, IVM also seeks to give the participants spiritual counseling. As a Christian organization, we believe that the gospel has life and power – life to give life, and power to lift up. We also believe that love is the motivation that works to lift people up. Therefore, the gospel is very much the life blood of this organization. However, working in religious and cultural environments that do not openly embrace the gospel, IVM recognizes the sensitivities of the situation and seeks to work quietly and without giving offence. Such work is already making an impact. Some participants have confessed faith in the Lord Jesus for salvation. Some others are being positively influenced, as evidenced by the change in their lifestyle.
In approaching the human problem it encounters, we believe IVM has an inspiring example worth emulating from the Lord Jesus Himself. We know from the scriptures that the Lord Jesus cared for both the spiritual and physical needs of people. The miracle of the five loaves and two fish speak to this. He fed the people when they were hungry, and through it drew their attention to their spiritual need for the Bread of Life, showing that He Himself was that Bread. Having taken care of the physical hunger of the crowd, He told people: "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." (John 6:27 NIV) Had they remained hungry when He preached, they would have still heard Him, but would have understood much less, if at all.
The true intent of IVM is to seek to bring people to the saving knowledge of Christ. It is the two pronged approach and the silent work that have borne fruit. We have reason to continue that work.
We seek the prayer and participation of God’s people everywhere. Together we could be partners in a great work in reaching village people in areas as yet un-reached. To see how you can help, go to:
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