The air in Rajahmundry usually carries the scent of the Godavari River and the energy of Andhra Pradesh. But for the forty days leading up to Resurrection Sunday, a different atmosphere took hold. It was a season of stillness and strength that moved through the homes and hearts of the Brethren Church in India.

The journey began in the shadows of Lent. Across the region, believers entered a period of prayer and fasting. More than a ritual exercise, it was a collective stripping away of the noise to hear a single Voice. In small village chapels and city living rooms, the faithful petitioned for their neighbors, their country, and for a move of the Spirit.

The quiet of the fast broke into public celebration on Palm Sunday. The streets of Rajahmundry turned into a sea of green as a procession of children led the way. They waved palm leaves—symbols of victory and peace—recreating the entrance into Jerusalem. Their shouts of “Hosanna!” were both a reenactment of historical events and the declaration of a present King. Passersby stopped to watch as the joy of the children spilled from the church walls into the community.

As the exuberance of the palm procession subsided, it gave way to the solemn anticipation of Holy Week, eventually culminating in the dawn of the Resurrection. On Easter Sunday, the churches were overflowing with people. The atmosphere during worship was heavy with the weight of raw, honest prayer of a people who know God deeply as their provider and protector.

The most powerful sight was at the water’s edge, where dozens of believers stepped forward to be baptized. Men and women, young and old, publicly declared their faith. Each immersion represented a life consecrated to the Lord—dying to the old and rising into the newness of Christ.

While these baptisms mark a personal turning point for Rajahmundry’s believers, they also represent the fruit of a global partnership of prayer and support. This scene in India is a single thread in the larger story of the Brethren Church worldwide. Through the prayers and generosity of sister churches across the globe, the work in India continues to flourish. Lives are being changed and communities are being transformed by the tangible presence of a Church that fasts, prays, and celebrates together. Praise God for His goodness, grace, and mercy. The story of the empty tomb continues to unfold in the streets of Rajahmundry and beyond.

Respectfully submitted,

Scott Soden
Director of Global Partners and Development