Back to God Ministries Names New India Leader

After serving for 36 years in Hindi media ministry, on August 26, 2014 Stephen Paul passed the mantle of leadership for Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI) in India on to Rev. A.K. Lama.

“We have been praying and searching for nearly five years to find the right leader to succeed Stephen Paul,” says Rev. Kurt Selles, director of BTGMI.

Lama, who is from northeast India, “brings a depth of educational background and wealth of ministry experience. Joining this ministry will help him carry out his vision of expanding the scope of gospel media proclamation around India,” says Selles.

Lama earned his Ph.D. in Old Testament from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School—both in the US.

He is founder and director of Transforming Leaders in Asia, a ministry that equips and disciples Christian workers. He recently completed a five-year term as general secretary of the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India which encompasses 7,000 churches.

His journey to the Christian faith and ministry began several years ago. He was born in Nalanda, India, the third child of parents who came to India from Tibet.

“My father was the adopted son of a Buddhist Chinese monk. My parents looked after the management of the temple and taught me all the religious disciplines. I did not know any Christians until I went to school in another city.”

While studying veterinary science Lama met Christian students whose sincere love compelled him to join their Bible study group.

“Here I met more godly men and women who encouraged me to ask questions and verbalize my doubts as a Buddhist. They visited me when I was sick and helped me financially when I was in crisis. They genuinely loved and cared for me.”

In October 1983, during an evening fellowship meeting, the Spirit of God convicted Lama. “I felt the awesome presence of God, and stood up with tears in my eyes. There was no more fear, but only a desire to follow Jesus Christ for the rest of my life.”

Now working with Back to God Ministries, and its partners in India, Good Books Ministries and Words of Hope, he is well-known as an evangelical leader throughout India.

“I am excited about the primacy of the preaching of the Word of God and our commitment to taking the gospel to unreached places,” says Lama. “The gospel is the power of God. I have experienced it, and I have seen many lives transformed.”

Rev. David Bast, director of Words of Hope, says, “In the Lord’s strength, we believe that Dr. Lama’s leadership experience will serve Good Books very well.”

In a meeting at the ministry center in Ranchi, India, Stephen Paul and the Hindi media ministry staff expressed their commitment to pray for Lama and thanked God for his experience, training and passion for ministry that led him to this place and time.