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The CLCI is made up of more than 7,000 members in 68 congregations, which are served by 44 pastors and evangelists. The CLC came into contact with the group's leader, Pastor V.S. Benjamin, in 1981. The CLCI operates a seminary, as well as a home for orphaned and abandoned children. An active outreach ministry brings the message of Christ to remote Indian villages, where the people have little or no other opportunity to hear of the Savior. Click on the photo to see the full-size image V.S. Benjamin founded the CLCI in the 1970's. He and his sons, Jyothi and Nireekshana, serve the churches from their home in Nidubrolu. Jyothi Benjamin, along with Pastor Isaiah, teaches in the CLCI Bible Institute. These young men will, with the Lord's blessing, serve as pastors in the CLCI. The faculty of the the CLCI Bible Institute: Pastor Jyothi Benjamin and Pastor Isaiah. Missionary Koenig visits our sister churches in India at least once per year. While there, he accompanies the Benjamins on their outreach trips to preach the Gospel, often where Christ is unknown. In this picture, Pastor Jyothi Benjamin translates. After the outreach service, individual families request the missionary to pray for them and their children.  Each year, the CLCI conducts Vacation Bible School outreach, which serves both CLCI and neighboring children, many of whom know only the false Hindu gods. In 2000, over 900 children participated. We praise God for His blessing to these precious souls! The domestic water buffalo is kept for its milk. The CLC, through a "self-help" program, is providing interest-free loans to CLCI pastors, so that they can purchase a water buffalo, as a source of outside income.  India is a country where the Christians are a small minority of the population. Most of the people worship Hindu idols, such as this 80-ft. statue of Hanuman, the monkey-god. The proclamation of Christ is sorely needed here! 29 orphans live with the Benjamins in Nidubrolu. They are supported by monthly contributions of individual CLC members, through Project KINSHIP. V.S. Benjamin, along with several of the orphans who live with him at his home in Nidubrolu. Return to the TOP of this page Missions Home | N. American Missons | Traveling VBS | Overseas History | India: BELC India: CLCI | Congo: ELCC | Nigeria: NCLC | Tanzania: LCEA | Project KINSHIP | How YOU Can Help