Yeh Hai Mera Mumbai (This is my Mumbai)

Mumbai…a city of innumerable dreams, chronic bustle and eclectic cultures...!

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the state of Maharashtra, the most populous city of India, and by some measures the most populous city in the world. A city that never sleeps and yet hosts over 20 million people, each of whom always finds a place to rest their head at night!

From the filthy rich to the feeble poor, everyone has a unique place here—an identity of their own, a name, a face, a purpose and a plan. She gives solace to the lonely beggar as much as fame to the glamorous fashion model on the ramp. Sixteen out of India's 40 richest business magnates call Mumbai home. Literally hundreds of Bollywood actors and directors make a living spinning out more than a thousand movies a year.

Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment capital of India. This city houses the biggest financial institutions in the country, and has corporate heads of important Indian companies.

It is here that migrants from all over India come, like bees to a thriving hive. And in a potpourri of various communities and cultures one can easily make a living.

Disharmony, riots, bomb blasts, political unrest, water shortage, challenging weather, natural calamities, and all other sorts of things have tried their best to bring the city down…but she has stood tall through it all, resilient and strong.

Life here is an unbelievable paradox. When you meet a Mumbaikar, you will not be able to make out where he or she is from. It is a cosmopolitan city. A Mumbaite is a mushy mixture of culture and traditions. We even speak a unique blend of languages that only we can understand. We’ve all found a way to make this city our own, to call it Aamchi Mumbai, to recognise the Bumbaiyya slang, to cheer for our fellowmen and to stand one with each other when the times are hard. We love this city!

From bankers to call-centres, from software solutions to dark delusions and from the posh malls to the drug hauls…this city is unique, like no other!

It is here the Church has her presence. She thrives. She hurts. She suffers. She lives! Men have tried to waste her. Business has tried to use her. Bollywood to abuse her, and yet many choose her! And she’s here to stay! It is here that demons try to make their home yet it is here that angels freely roam. From lofty cathedrals to dinghy corners, full throated songs of glory rise to God’s Throne. Night and day praying lips and hearts join in causing Satan to shudder and run or to turn and strike again. It is here dear reader, the Church stands beautiful, reflecting the Father’s heart for the nations. You can say what you want…but the Church in Mumbai has the destiny to touch nations, and for the nations to come and touch her.

This is her new season! The Church in Mumbai has entered into a dimension she has never known before. This new generation that longs for God’s Presence and His Amazing Grace is already touching the broken, the hungry, the needy, the lost, the lonely and the reject. Look around and see.

Just as Jesus stood on the Island of Patmos giving John the message for the churches nearly two thousand years ago, today Jesus stands on this island sharing His message to us…

Indeed he, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches!

Pray for us!