Summer Break- India
India-Worship Arts
Location: Mumbai & Pune, India
Partner: Hindustani Covenant Church
Dates: May 15-29th 2012
Leaders: Bethany Lato, Melissa Nordlie, & Aaron Boock
Group Size: 10-15 students
Estimated Cost: $2,700
Applications available: October 1st
Information about our Partner
Hindustani Covenant Church, or HCC, draws its inspiration from the Bible and seeks to become an establishment of God's Kingdom and to witness His love by becoming salt and light to the suffering people. It visualizes a society where peace, justice, and equality prevail and where all citizens irrespective of caste, creed, language, and religion live in peace and communal harmony. HCC envisages a society where the poor and the marginalized have equal opportunity for their involvement in the development process where they seek to create an environment that is sustainable, supportive, and allows people to live at their highest potential of personal value and worth.
Trip Description
In collaboration with the Hindustani Covenant Church, a select group of students who are passionate about worship arts --dancers, singers, musicians, visual artists and photographers--will have the opportunity to perform worship converts in Pune, while leaders from HCC will share the Gospel message. This will be an opportunity for North Park students to bless HCC with our artistic talent and learn about worship in different cultural contexts. It will be a time for HCC to bless North Park with their wisdom and experience ministering to people from different religions and castes through their evangelical and humanitarian endeavors. North Park students will have the opportunity to witness HCC's education programs, HIV Prevention programs, and micro-enterprise programs. This is a great opportunity for anyone that plans on working in the church as a worship leader or pastor, those interested in serving the Indian community here or abroad, and/or those that want to learn about cross-cultural ministry.
This trip will take a substantial amount of preparation. Students will be required to audition with the trip leaders as part of the application process. The worship band will meet once a week to rehearse and global partnership team training will occur at a separate time each week. During these meetings you will develop as a team, learn about Indian cultures and languages, and study social justice issues facing the country. You will also dedicate time to fundraising both individually and as a team. All team members must pay or raise $2700 in funds by May 2012.
Regional/Country Info
The Republic of India is the second most populous country in the world. This democracy is one of the most diverse, as it is home to people from many different cultures, religions, and languages. Four of the world's major religions - Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism originated here, while Christianity, Judaism and Islam all reached the country by the first century CE.
India has experienced major economic developments over the last thirty years, creating a substantial middle class, but one quarter of its population still live under the poverty line. Other social justice issues facing the country include caste systems, illiteracy, the growing prevalence of HIV/AIDS, prostitution and child labor.
Helpful links
Watch the video of the previous trip!