ROGERS, Ark. — Pastors and church planters from across the United States gathered in Rogers May 8-9 for the third annual All Indian Pastors Conference, a nationwide gathering focused on collaboration, encouragement, and advancing the Gospel among the South Asian Indian diaspora in North America.

Hosted through a partnership between the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and Arkansas Baptists, the two-day conference welcomed Indian pastors and ministry leaders from states including Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, Georgia, New Mexico, and Arkansas. The event was held at First Baptist Rogers’ Olive Street campus.

The conference was organized by Pranay Borde of Hillcrest International Collective in Little Rock alongside Bose Varghese of First Baptist Rogers, with support from NAMB and Southern Baptist Convention partners.

Borde said this year’s conference centered on strengthening collaboration among pastors and ministry leaders reaching Indian and South Asian communities throughout North America.

Organizers cast a shared call they described as “Vision 5.5” — a reminder of the estimated 5.5 million people of Indian origin currently living in the United States.

Borde said many Indian-origin families continue living primarily within their own cultural and linguistic contexts, creating an urgent need for intentional gospel engagement and discipleship.

“The need to bring the gospel to them needs an intentional effort to raise up mission minded disciples who are able to contextualize the gospel and make disciples in the various Indian sub-contexts of college students, corporate workers, first-generation families, medical communities and more,” he said.

A major emphasis of the conference was dedicated sessions where pastors and church planters shared victories and challenges they face in ministry within their individual cities and diaspora communities.

“The pastors in the conference shared how they often feel very isolated and siloed in their ministry,” Borde said. “As most of them are just one or two SBC Indian pastors trying to reach entire large cities like Dallas or New Jersey.”

He said gathering annually provides encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to share ministry tools and resources while praying for one another through challenges and victories.

Among the featured speakers was Steve Lasiter with Arkansas Baptists’ Missions Team, who spoke about diaspora missions and opportunities for churches to engage international communities living throughout the United States.

“You don’t have to stand on a street corner with a Bible,” Lasiter said. “As you go through everyday life, God gives opportunities to build relationships and share the gospel naturally.”

Drawing from his experiences, Lasiter described how monthly international potluck gatherings with coworkers eventually connected more than 120 colleagues representing over 20 countries.

“What I learned is that it starts in our local churches and in our everyday lives. God is already bringing the nations to us,” he said.

Conference discussions also focused on challenges pastors encounter while ministering among Indian diaspora communities.

Borde explained that many Indian immigrants arrive highly educated and career-focused, often pursuing STEM professions while placing a high value on professional achievement and financial stability.

“Rarely do they give time or preference to an alternate theology that stands in contrast to both their pursuant way of life as well as any religious background,” Borde said, referencing Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Buddhist upbringings common within many Indian communities.

At the same time, churches have discovered opportunities to serve and build trust through practical ministry, including airport pickups, temporary housing, transportation, and helping families navigate schools, neighborhoods, and daily needs.

Lasiter also shared examples of Arkansas churches partnering with international church planters from Congolese, Filipino, Haitian, Vietnamese, and Indian backgrounds.

One story highlighted a Congolese church planter serving refugee communities in Northwest Arkansas. During an Easter Sunday service, more than 100 worshippers heard the Gospel preached in Swahili, with four baptisms taking place that same day.

“It’s not about the size of the population,” Lasiter said. “Every people group deserves to hear the Gospel in their heart language.”

Conference attendees also heard stories illustrating the long-term impact of missions work across generations.

One pastor from Atlanta shared how American missionaries led his grandfather to Christ in India in 1919. Years later, while researching Baptist archives, he discovered records showing his grandfather eventually became a pastor himself.

Borde said one of the most encouraging moments came through the participation of younger leaders and first-time attendees.

One college student house church leader shared how God called him to view his student visa not simply as an educational opportunity, but as a mission field among fellow students from his own people group.

“The ‘seasoned’ pastors were extremely encouraged seeing this young man’s faith and desire to walk in his calling,” Borde said.

Throughout the conference, leaders emphasized that diaspora missions are becoming increasingly important as international populations continue to grow in communities across the United States.

“There’s something special about hearing the gospel in a language and culture that feels like home,” Lasiter said.

Borde said one of the conference’s greatest takeaways was the need for a broader, collaborative vision for reaching Indian diaspora communities throughout North America.

“Almost every pastor highlighted the need to intentionally pray for more laborers as the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,” Borde said.

The conference marked the third annual gathering of its kind, following previous meetings in South Carolina and New Mexico. Organizers expressed hope that the growing partnership among pastors, church planters, and SBC leaders will continue strengthening ministry efforts and church planting initiatives in the years ahead.