Shaphan Jezreel Louie

In the post-pandemic years, evangelistic efforts in India have visibly intensified. From rural outreaches to city-wide crusades, millions have gathered to hear the message of hope. Social media broadcasts now claim global reach. Preachers and “prophets” appear on stage with dazzling confidence. At first glance, it may seem that the Great Commission is advancing. But when we listen closely to the stories left in the wake of these gatherings, we are compelled to ask: is modern evangelism in India truly reflecting the Christ it claims to proclaim? As someone who lives within this landscape of mission, I cannot escape the deep concerns surfacing all around me. Evangelism in India is no longer under persecution alone; it is under moral collapse. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have witnessed a troubling rise in public scandals involving figures who claim to “evangelize” India. These cases include not only financial misappropriation and civil disputes, but grievous sexual offenses. Several pr...

I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Over 200 people lost their lives in the Ahmedabad plane crash. That number is still echoing in my heart. I didn’t know them, but somehow the weight of it feels close. It was too many, too soon. And while I was grieving from a distance, tragedy came closer to home. Just 2 kilometers from where I stay in Porur, Chennai, a massive concrete slab fell from the metro rail construction site. It struck a man on the road and ended his life in an instant. No time to prepare. No goodbye. Just sudden silence where life had been moments earlier. That could have been anyone. That could have been me. Since then, I’ve seen people posting online. "Life is unpredictable." "It’s all so meaningless." "Nothing matters in the end." I understand those reactions. I’ve had my moments of fear and trembling too. It's normal to feel that way when life’s fragility is exposed. But in my heart, I know that while such thoughts may be c...