By Matters India Reporter
NAGPUR, November 2, 2026: In the changing socio-political context and emergence of religious nationalism in India, Christian leaders must understand their context and people to remain relevant while preaching the gospel, said a group of 50 mission theologians and leaders at their 21st National Conference and Research Seminar, held Oct. 26-29.
The biennial conference at the Pallottine Animation Centre in Nagpur was organized by the Fellowship of Indian Missiologists (FOIM). Founded in 1991 as an ecumenical forum, FOIM includes members from Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Pentecostal churches.
Fifteen research papers focused on current issues in Indian mission work, particularly anti-Christian attacks, anti-conversion laws, interreligious dialogue, dialogue with cultures, education of excluded populations, and the empowerment of marginalized groups and women.
In his inaugural address, Archbishop Elias Joseph Gonsales of Nagpur said these are challenging times for minority religious communities in India due to victimization by communalist forces.
“We need to be instruments of reconciliation, heralds of peace, and express solidarity with the persecuted,” Archbishop Gonsales said. “We need to be more sensitive to the culture and religious persuasions of people while engaging them in dialogue.”
Addressing the current context, Hruda Ranjan Lohora noted that although the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, Christians face targeting by Hindutva forces. He said churches face anti-conversion laws currently implemented by 13 Indian states.
“Conversion is problematic; but even practice of Christianity is objected to,” Lohora said, arguing that missions must shift from a conversion-centric model to accompanying belief.
Mission theologian K. Vijayan highlighted the reality of “hidden Christians” (Crypto-Christians) in India who cannot publicly practice their faith due to state anti-conversion laws.
“Church should form house-churches rather than public churches,” Vijayan suggested, adding that missions must adapt to believers who consider themselves Khrist bhaktas (devotees of Christ) without formally joining a church through baptism.
On interreligious dialogue, senior Pentecostal missionary Ebenezer Dasan said the environment in 2026 remains hostile to Christian evangelists, who face harassment, accusations, and arrest.
“Practice of one’s faith is fundamental right as per the Indian Constitution,” Dasan said, asking how Christians should respond when dialogue becomes impossible.
North East India theologian Asanga Leimur observed that Christian missions are still frequently associated with colonial power, leading some to view educational and social services as conversion strategies.
“It is time Missions should give witness to Christ through humble service, acceptance of peoples’ cultures, inter-religious dialogue and bringing peace among conflicting groups,” Leimur said, emphasizing that dialogue enables constructive participation in India’s religiously plural public sphere.
Roger Gaikwad, former general secretary of the National Council of Churches in India, said in his keynote address that evangelism should ennoble local cultures rather than uproot people from them.
“Re-thinking missions implies removing western hegemony, and indigenizing the churches,” Gaikwad said.
Divine Word missiologist Father Stanislaus Lazar agreed, stating that mission work now focuses on accepting and ennobling indigenous cultures.
Quoting Pope Francis on the Holy Spirit’s presence across cultures, Father Lazar added, “All cultures have good and bad elements. We should accept the good elements, but also purify the bad ones.”
Carmelite theologian Father Antony Kalliath stressed that society must be accepted as pluralistic. “Differences are not to be removed, but accepted; world is not a place for religious conquest, but a place for encounter and dialogue,” he said.
Regarding work among marginalized communities, Archbishop Gonsales said the church’s focus should be on accompanying marginalized people rather than expanding institutions. Father Lazar added that missionaries should advocate for the rights of the marginalized beyond basic charity work.
Historian of Christianity in India Jesuit Father Jose Kalapura stated that despite government restrictions, the church’s mission to empower the poor, particularly Dalits and Tribals, must continue through inclusive education.
Presbyterian theologian Rev. Lalnunmuwiah from Mizoram clarified that Christian education aims to transform societal mindsets rather than proselytize.
Addressing inclusion, theologian Ella Sonawane called for greater roles for women in mission leadership, while Ganesh Barve emphasized that priority must be given to healing and reconciliation among Dalit converts.
On modern outreach, creative thinker Joseph Patmury urged the church to engage youth through the digital space.
Meanwhile, theologian Father Thomas Vettukallel and FOIM General Secretary Dr. S.K. Jena emphasized synodality and inter-church collaboration to project a unified Christian witness.