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In this two-and-a-half-minute on-location video, David Kumar gives us a look at the rural village where he, his wife, Taru, and Pastor Walter conducted their most recent training. 

I was both amazed and saddened at the same time. …

Monday, June 5 was the first day of the school year for Deepam Primary School, the outreach of our partners, David and Taru Kumar! Deepam Center…

David and Taru Kumar, India

Greetings from a Small Rural Church in India! (Video)

In this two-and-a-half-minute on-location video, David Kumar gives us a look at the rural village where he, his wife, Taru, and Pastor Walter conducted their most recent training. 

India, Kumar

Dear Team: Reaffirming Our Commitment to (Real) Success

I was both amazed and saddened at the same time. …

Kumar, India, Deepam

From Tears to Smiles on the First Day at Deepam

Monday, June 5 was the first day of the school year for Deepam Primary School, the outreach of our partners, David and Taru Kumar! Deepam Center…

It was a warm spring morning. The small collection of rooms that houses Deepam Primary School was full. Tucked into the area of Bangalore, India, known as Modi Road…

“I never came out of my house but stayed within four walls of my house and never went to see the outside world…”

While planning my travel to Pakistan, many encouraged me not to go. Many expressed sentiments like, “You know what goes on over there!” “I don’t really think you should go to Pakistan,” or “Think about doing something different than going there.” …

Kumar, India, Deepam

Honoring 20 Graduates in an Indian Slum

It was a warm spring morning. The small collection of rooms that houses Deepam Primary School was full. Tucked into the area of Bangalore, India, known as Modi Road…

Kumar, graduation

What One Skills Training Graduate Says About David and Taru’s Ministry

“I never came out of my house but stayed within four walls of my house and never went to see the outside world…”

salt, steve evers, pakistan, abid

7 Things the Lord Impressed on Me in Asia

While planning my travel to Pakistan, many encouraged me not to go. Many expressed sentiments like, “You know what goes on over there!” “I don’t really think you should go to Pakistan,” or “Think about doing something different than going there.” …

THE CONTEXT

David and Taru have been called to minister in a Muslim slum in Bangalore, India.

Impoverished and forced out, this group of people have set up an informal settlement next to a dump, where no one else wants to be.

Many of the men squander their meager income, leaving their wives and children with little to nothing.

It's not uncommon for the little that is left - if there is any - to be split between a husband's multiple households that are home to children numbering the double digits.

School is not provided for these children, so their future is not likely to include anything brighter.

Most of the women are forbidden by their husbands to obtain work outside the slum, and there's little industry within it.

 


Kumar, modi road

A narrow passageway in the slum where David and Taru work.

 

Kumar, modi road

David and Taru minister to women and children, for whom life in this Indian slum can be unspeakably harsh and oppressive.

India, Kumar

Considered property, many are forbidden to leave the slum or sometimes even their tiny, drab homes.

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT DOES

Reach Muslim Families for Christ

Your support of David and Taru Kumar allows them to continue the ministries of Deepam Center, reaching Muslim families for Christ.

Equip Rural Pastors to Share Jesus with Muslims

Partnership with David and Taru provides for David to travel to rural villages and train pastors and believers how to talk to their Muslim friends and family about Jesus.

Reach a "Closed" Community with the Gospel

David and Taru have been offering hope and love to families in this slum for years, and they have been given unique respect and access to this community that not just anyone has.

Get to Know the Kumars and Their Ministry

Deepam Primary School

David and Taru operate a small primary school that prepares children of the slum for future schooling.

They are taught how to hold a pencil, recognize letters and count, but they are also taught about Jesus and that they can call on him. Just participating in organized activities is immensely beneficial. Their parents are thrilled to see how they learn and grow.

Without these experiences, many would begin elementary school having never held a pencil.

India, Kumar

India, Kumar

Tailoring and Crafting Courses

Taru and other Christian women provide machines and teach the women of the slum to sew. This allows them to earn income without leaving the slum, making a huge the difference for their family's well-being.

David and Taru, India

Muslim women learning to sew.

David and Taru, India

David and Taru, India, sewing

David and Taru, India, Steve Evers

ITMI's Steve Evers and David share the story of the potter and the clay with the women after they've done their sewing.

Deepam Center, Women, David and Taru, India

They come to earn income making crafts, but they LOVE the rare opportunity to connect with other women in a way that is acceptable to their husbands.

Children's Ministry

During the summer, Taru holds week-long VBS-type outreaches at the Deepam Educational Center. Attendance is highly sought-after by the children of the community and they often have to turn children away.

During the week, the students participate in crafts, stories and games that demonstrate the Biblical principles needed to understand God's plan of salvation.

David and Taru, India,

Taru with two young girls, proudly displaying their crafts.

David and Taru, India

Taru demonstrates the love of Christ to the young children of the slum through VBS. 

A Glimpse Inside VBS With David and Taru

Evangelism Training

Many believers in rural villages are scared and unprepared for how to talk to their Muslim neighbors and community members, much less to discuss the truths of the Gospel.

David has a passion to equip Indian Christians for this. He travels to rural villages and equips pastors there to reach Muslims with the Good News. As a result, many have led their Muslim friends and neighbors to the Lord!

What a Rural Pastor in India Had to Say About David's Training

HISTORY

kumar, feature, indiaDavid and Taru both grew up in orphanages in India.

Taru doesn’t know why her family left her where she grew up when she was a baby.

David’s father worked at the orphanage where he was raised, but was so poor that the orphans were better off than his own children, so they were raised with the orphans.

David and Taru had been living across the dumping ground from a Muslim slum in Bangalore, India for some time.

They had been in a employee-like role with another ministry organization for quite a few years. But around 2015, when the organization wanted to relocate them to Northern India so David could manage something they were doing, David and Taru risked everything and said they couldn’t go.

They knew God had called them to demonstrate and declare the Good News in that Bangalore slum.

“Our staff was in tears as he was…”

It was December 20th. Fifty mothers and four fathers packed into the tiny collection of rooms…

We asked our partners to share some of the ways Jesus’ kingdom was advanced this year. We hope you are encouraged by their answers and the special messages they have for you!

steve evers, india, kumar

Tearful Fellowship with the Deepam Primary School Staff

“Our staff was in tears as he was…”

Kumar, India

Parents of Preschoolers Crowd Around, Hear the Gospel

It was December 20th. Fifty mothers and four fathers packed into the tiny collection of rooms…

merry christmas

Merry Christmas From Your ITMI Partners!

We asked our partners to share some of the ways Jesus’ kingdom was advanced this year. We hope you are encouraged by their answers and the special messages they have for you!

“After many days, we slept well,” Sayida told ITMI’s Taru Kumar, mustering a gentle half-smile.

Taru Kumar thought Rahman* was crying because he did not want to come to school that day. …

Taru smiles as she hands a blanket to Zain's mother

Your Gifts Shine Jesus’ Light into Darkness

“After many days, we slept well,” Sayida told ITMI’s Taru Kumar, mustering a gentle half-smile.

The dark reality

The Dark Reality of Ministering in India

Taru Kumar thought Rahman* was crying because he did not want to come to school that day. …