Indian Missionary Society
The Indian Missionary Society is an indigenous missionary congregation of priests and evangelist brothers. This congregation was founded by Rev. Father Gasper A. Pinto in the year 1941 in Varanasi, the holy city of Hindus, in Uttar Pradesh, India. Today the IMS has two provinces, Delhi and Varanasi, and one region, Ranchi. The main charism of the congregation is pioneering evangelization.
IMS - Ranchi Region
The IMS Ranchi Region was erected on March 19, 2004. It is currently working in five states of Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal. These states are rich in mineral deposits and natural resources. For centuries, they have been home to many tribes and under-privileged communities. Many of our missionaries are themselves tribals. We work for the upliftment and welfare of these communities. We as missionaries provide these communities an opportunity to understand themselves as the children of God and to live a dignified life like in any other communities. We use spiritual renewal, preaching of the Word of God, and education as means of empowerment, change and transformation.
All the three units of the IMS are independent with regard to financial administration, ministries, recruitment and initial formation of candidates, and establishment of mission centers. The IMS Ranchi Region is largely engaged in non-institutional programs. Hence it does not have any income generating institutions.
Our main thrust is building up of basic human communities, which should ultimately transform to basic Christian communities. This is achieved through animation and conscientisation programs, Gospel proclamation, inter-religious dialogue, spiritual discourses, counseling, non-formal education programs, etc. However, the Region gives more priorities to the ministries of faith formation and protecting and preserving the authentic tribal cultures by opening spirituality and development centers. Currently, the Region has nine mission centers.
Mission Field
To share with you about our life and ministry, the Ranchi Region of IMS has taken up these major areas for our immediate attention:
- Empowerment of the existing Christian communities and sharing the word of God with the people of other faiths.
- Empowering the poor and marginalized with a special focus on women and children.
- Education of the poor and marginalized, especially tribal and untouchables.
- Community-based rehabilitation of the disabled children and youngsters.
- Prevention and rehabilitation of alcoholics.
- Social action and advocacy, promoting social harmony by organizing various programs with people of different religions, faiths, cultures, and backgrounds.
Additionally, we work for the rehabilitation of the rag pickers and migrant and domestic workers.
Being a newly formed Region we are in need of financial assistance for formation of students to the priesthood, above projects and to fulfill the manifold needs of the people. We completely depend upon God’s providence and the generosity of our benefactors for the major expenses. We do not have any major income-generating institutions.