Faith Facts

• Dallas Theological Seminary has partnered with Evangelical Theological Seminary in India to establish a graduate-level biblical counseling degree program
• The program aims to train Christian counselors grounded in Scripture to serve India’s growing mental health needs from a biblical worldview
• The partnership includes a strategic plan for the Indian seminary to eventually operate the program independently, expanding Christian influence in the region

A major American theological institution is extending its reach across the globe to equip believers with biblical tools for ministry. Dallas Theological Seminary has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Evangelical Theological Seminary in India to launch a graduate-level Christian counseling program that prioritizes Scripture over secular psychology.

The collaboration represents a strategic effort to address mental health challenges through a Christian worldview in one of the world’s most populous nations. Rather than importing Western secular counseling models, the program will train Indian believers to minister to their communities using biblically-grounded principles.

The partnership structure reflects a missions-minded approach to theological education. Dallas Theological Seminary will provide initial expertise, curriculum development, and faculty training, with the ultimate goal of empowering the Indian institution to operate the program independently.

This model ensures sustainability and cultural appropriateness while maintaining theological integrity. By equipping local leaders rather than creating permanent dependency, the partnership honors both the sovereignty of the local church and the universal truth of Scripture.

India’s Christian community, though a minority in the predominantly Hindu nation, has shown remarkable growth and resilience. Access to quality theological education rooted in evangelical principles strengthens the church’s ability to serve both believers and the broader society with compassion and truth.

The graduate-level biblical counseling degree will prepare students to address issues ranging from family conflict to trauma recovery, always anchoring therapeutic approaches in the authority of God’s Word. This stands in contrast to secular counseling programs that often dismiss or marginalize Christian beliefs.

For American Christians, this partnership demonstrates the global impact of faithful theological institutions. Dallas Theological Seminary’s commitment to expanding biblical education internationally reflects the Great Commission’s call to make disciples of all nations.

The initiative also highlights the importance of exporting Christian values and biblical truth rather than allowing secular ideologies to dominate the helping professions worldwide. As Western culture increasingly embraces therapeutic frameworks that contradict Scripture, equipping believers in other nations with biblical counseling tools becomes even more critical.

The long-term vision for Indian independence in operating the program reflects biblical principles of stewardship and multiplication. Rather than maintaining control, Dallas Theological Seminary is investing in local leadership development that will bear fruit for generations.

This approach mirrors the Apostle Paul’s ministry strategy of establishing churches and equipping elders to shepherd their own communities. It recognizes that the gospel transcends culture while respecting the unique contexts in which believers minister.

As the partnership develops, it will serve as a model for other theological institutions seeking to expand their global impact without creating dependency or compromising doctrinal integrity. The focus remains on Scripture, sound doctrine, and practical ministry skills that honor Christ.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• Police in Wenzhou, China raided a house church and seized Pastor David Tang along with six fellow believers, all of whom have disappeared
• Wenzhou is known as ‘China’s Jerusalem’ due to its large Christian population and history of persecution
• The incident highlights escalating religious persecution under Communist Party rule targeting faithful Christians

In a disturbing reminder of the price Christians pay for their faith under communist rule, authorities in China’s Wenzhou city raided a house church and detained its founding pastor along with six fellow believers. All seven remain missing, their whereabouts unknown to family and church members.

Pastor David Tang, who founded the unregistered house church, was taken into custody during the police operation. Six other Christians were also seized in the raid. None have been seen or heard from since their detention.

Wenzhou has earned the designation ‘China’s Jerusalem’ because of its substantial Christian population and long history of vibrant faith communities. Yet this same prominence has made it a prime target for the Chinese Communist Party’s intensifying campaign against religious freedom.

House churches like Pastor Tang’s operate outside the government-controlled ‘Three-Self’ church system that requires registration and submission to state oversight. These independent congregations maintain their autonomy to preach the gospel freely, but face constant risk of persecution from authorities determined to control all religious expression.

The disappearance of these seven believers reflects a broader pattern across China, where President Xi Jinping has systematically tightened restrictions on Christianity and other faiths. Churches have been demolished, crosses removed from buildings, and countless pastors and lay leaders imprisoned or forced into hiding.

For decades, Wenzhou’s Christians courageously built a thriving faith community despite communist opposition. Their dedication transformed the coastal city into a beacon of Christianity in an officially atheist nation. Now that legacy faces an existential threat as authorities work to erase independent Christian witness.

The fate of Pastor Tang and his six colleagues remains unknown. Their families have received no information about charges, location, or condition. This deliberate silence is itself a form of psychological torture, designed to instill fear and break the spirit of the faithful.

American Christians must remember our brothers and sisters suffering for their faith in China and around the world. Their courage under persecution should inspire us to defend religious liberty here at home and to demand our leaders prioritize human rights in diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• Christian media leader Mark Rodgers demonstrates how believers can influence secular culture through bold creativity and gracious engagement
• Traditional approaches to cultural engagement are insufficient in today’s media-driven society
• Believers must combine tireless determination with respectful outreach to make a lasting impact on American culture

In an era when Christian values are increasingly marginalized in the public square, one media leader is charting a different path forward. Mark Rodgers, a prominent figure in American Christian media, exemplifies how believers can effectively engage secular culture without compromising their faith.

The challenge facing Christians today is clear: business-as-usual approaches to cultural influence simply aren’t working. As America’s entertainment industry, educational institutions, and media outlets drift further from traditional values, believers must adopt new strategies rooted in excellence and creativity.

According to insights shared in a recent interview conducted by Bruce Barron, Rodgers emphasizes that Christians need three essential qualities to make a meaningful impact: bold creativity that captures attention, tireless determination that doesn’t give up when facing opposition, and gracious respectfulness that builds bridges rather than walls.

This approach stands in stark contrast to both cultural retreat and combative engagement. Rather than withdrawing from secular spaces or adopting an antagonistic posture, Rodgers advocates for Christians to be present as “salt and light” in the arts and media—fulfilling the biblical mandate to influence culture from within.

The arts represent a particularly powerful arena for cultural engagement. Through film, music, literature, and visual media, Christians can communicate truth in ways that resonate with broader audiences. When believers create excellent work that reflects both professional quality and authentic faith, they gain credibility and influence that preaching alone cannot achieve.

America’s cultural landscape has been shaped predominantly by voices hostile or indifferent to Christian values for decades. Reversing this trend requires Christians willing to invest in long-term creative projects, develop professional excellence in their crafts, and engage respectfully with those who don’t share their worldview.

Rodgers’ example demonstrates that cultural influence isn’t about seeking power or control—it’s about faithful presence and excellent work. When Christians commit to creating art and media that honors God while meeting professional standards, they naturally attract attention and open doors for gospel witness.

The call to be salt and light has never been more urgent. As traditional American values face unprecedented challenges, believers who combine creative boldness with gracious engagement can make a profound difference in their communities and beyond.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.