Produced by First Baptist Church Centerton in Arkansas
God calls Ramsden Chippada* to work with the Bedia. He leaves a good government job to minister to the Bedia and other local tribes.
Sahaji Bedia* decides to follow Christ while away at boarding school. Having a desire to sing praises to God in his own language, he writes the very first Bedia praise and worship song.
Ramsden Chippada* issues challenge to reach beyond own circle. One Indian man heeds the call to share the Gospel outside of his own people group. This disciple chooses the Bedia.
Avery Willis challenges First Baptist Church Centerton in Arkansas to adopt a UUPG. FBCC chooses a group called Bedia and decides to take a Vision Trip in 2007.
The disciple of Ramsden Chippada* shares Gospel with a few Bedia for the first time. Monahar Bedia’s* children hear about this praying disiciple. They take their mentally ill and demon possessed father to be miraculously healed. As word of this miracle spreads, a few more Bedia come to know Jesus. Amita Bedia,* along with her son and daughter, become believers when she is also healed.
FBCC vision trip to India cements adoption of the Bedia. Pastor Stuart Bell meets first Bedia through partnership with Indian pastor. Around 250 church members in Arkansas commit to pray for the Bedia until the first baptism and first church. National partners map out 70 Bedia villages.
First Baptist Church Centerton signs commitment cards to pray daily for the Bedia until there are baptized believers and a church planted. Around 250 make the commitment.
Persecution of Bedia Christians begins. Village leaders issue threats if anyone gets baptized. Some back out. Amita Bedia* boldly shares with her sister-in-law, Shanti,* who accepts Christ.
Fierce persecution initially slows work to a standstill. In spite of this, followers grow deeper in faith and bolder in sharing. Shanti Bedia* is tired of the persecution and pleads with God to bring more believers. More than 50 Bedia believers profess Jesus as their Savior, including her husband Ashish,* but they are so spread out that they cannot worship together. (FBCC has no idea about this movement.)
Indian partner visits Arkansas. This visit helps to connect FBC-Centerton with Bedia again. No word of gaining any ground with the Gospel.
Pastor Stuart Bell and Isaac Mims* make second trip to Bedia villages. Because it was becoming harder to reach the Bedia people, it seemed as though there was no fruit.
Continued persecution makes it unsafe for Indian national workers or FBCC to be in the villages. The national partner pulled out and FBC did not receive a report on the Bedia for TWO years. FBCC is disheartened from the lack of progress but is encouraged by the IMB to connect with new missionaries on the field.
FBCC makes contact with IMB personnel, Clifton Melek.* Finds out Bedia are already in discipleship training, learning to share their faith. FBCC learns about five new baptisms … the first they’ve ever heard of in five years.
The fire was reignited at FBCC with the news of believers and discipleship training. A team goes to India to witness the fruit and see how to help. They see Bedia baptized and attend the very first Bedia church. FBCC Pastor Stuart Bell names it “Bedia Victory Baptist Church.” Celebrations commence in Arkansas as FBCC realizes the power of prayer. God uses years and years of faithful prayers to “embrace” a people group that had never heard the Gospel. Six years after Avery Willis challenges the church to adopt, there are now 777 baptized Bedia.
The first "official" Bedia church is registered. There are also seven house groups meetings in various villages. Work starts on building a community center for training leaders.
FBCC prays exactly five years to see a baptism and church plant. Mission team sees first baptism and attends first Bedia worship service.
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