The incredible story of Bihar in India reminds us of the Biblical story of dry bones coming to life again. A situation that seemed dead and hopeless is being revived and reinstated constantly. Many years ago Bilhar was rated highly for its religious, cultural and political influence that spread to her neighbours Sri Lanka, Japan, Tibet and much further. History also indicates that Bihar enjoyed a great wealth of natural resources and in the 1950 it rated as the third richest state in India. This good rating however started declining and a once prosperous state is now the most corrupt, least literate, most lawless and above all one of the poorest states in India according to an article in India Today on 5 December 2005.
Christian movements, and a presence which dates as far as 1792, remind us of the many missionaries, their wives and children, who gave their lives in the land of Bihar and became ‘the kernel of wheat’ that fell and died for the salvation of the people of Bihar. Their graves are in various parts of Bihar and are a constant reminder of the blood, sweat, and tears that were shed for the people of Bihar. Many years later Bihar is still in a dire and dilapidated state with a declining Christian population, ruined churches and a strong opposition to Christianity.
Two hundred years after the first missionaries set foot in Bihar state a second revival started sweeping the land. Through the prayers of many people around the world the hearts of the people of Bihar were softened and they began responding positively to Christian activities. The despair and hopelessness of the people, as Bihar lost its former glory, encouraged them to look for an alternative hope and they found it in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
At the height of this revival a strong and enthusiastic movement called ‘Bihar Outreach Network (BORN)’ was born. The origins of BORN can be traced back as far as 1970 when several missionaries laboured tirelessly in the barren land of Bihar and sowing the seeds of the gospel. People who felt doomed for destitution began to see new signs of hope.
In 1990 BORN was officially established at a conference attended by many mission leaders from different denominations, including Anglican, Baptist, Assembly of God and Pentecostal churches just to mention a few. During the conference the Lord moved among the participants giving new hope and affirmation for a time of great harvest in Bihar. It was at this conference that the vision from Ezekiel chapter 37, declaring that "Bihar will be no more known as the graveyard of missions but will be transformed as a vineyard for missions”, was shared.
There followed other conferences where mission leaders and key people continued to engage with issues concerning missions in a Bilhar context. With the united efforts the people of Bihar are experiencing a wind of revival and the movement is growing everyday. Fifteen years since its inauguration the movement has registered a tremendous growth with the current membership of churches and mission groups standing at 90 members and 60 active members. Over the same period over 50,000 people have responded to the gospel and taken baptism and about 5000 house churches have been planted.
There is now great joy as we see the same people who had rejected the Gospel and vehemently opposed it now coming to the Lord. Today an average 1500 people take baptism every month and three house churches are planted every day.
Amazing stories are coming out of Bihar! Churches are being revived, strong movements of young people and women are being registered and spiritual and physical healing is being witnessed. A situation once declared "the graveyard of missions" has finally become "the vineyard of missions".