In a remarkable display of Christian unity, over 200 pastors and community leaders representing 26 denominations from across Punjab gathered in Ludhiana on August 7, to issue a bold declaration of their faith-based commitment to peace, justice, and national unity in response to India’s mounting social challenges.
The Punjab Christian Leaders Assembly (PCLA), representing one of the largest interdenominational Christian gatherings in the region’s recent history, drew participants from 23 districts including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Moga, Firozpur, Barnala, Ropar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, and Fatehgarh Sahib.
Responding to National Crisis
The assembly convened as a direct response to what leaders described as “escalating religious polarisation and social fragmentation across our nation.” The Christian leaders positioned their faith communities at the forefront of reconciliation efforts, declaring their constitutional duty to serve as moral advocates for harmony.
“We cannot retreat into comfortable silence while our communities face these challenges,” said the Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, Chairman of the Evangelical Church of God and the assembly’s convenor to Christian Today.
“Our mission as followers of Christ is to build bridges, not walls,” the leaders declared with unified voice. “This gathering transcends our individual churches - it represents our prayerful stand for the very soul of our nation.”
The statement articulated a comprehensive scriptural vision for Punjab rooted in biblical values, emphasising peace that bridges hearts across communities, unity in diversity reflecting God’s design, and brotherhood that endures across generations.
Commitment to Interfaith Dialogue
Demonstrating a commitment to India’s pluralistic fabric, the Christian leaders pledged to build authentic relationships with communities of all faiths. They emphasised seeking dialogue, mutual respect, and collaborative action with their Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, and other neighbours, recognising that “India’s strength lies in its diversity.”
The assembly reaffirmed unwavering commitment to India’s constitutional principles of religious freedom, equality, and human dignity for all citizens regardless of faith, caste, or social standing.
Addressing Punjab’s Drug Crisis
In a candid acknowledgment of institutional shortcomings, the leaders identified youth drug addiction as a crisis demanding immediate action. They confessed “past institutional passivity whilst an entire generation suffers in silence” and committed to developing comprehensive solutions including:
· Spiritual mentorship-based rehabilitation programmes
· Community-based outreach initiatives targeting at-risk youth
· Collaborative partnerships with government agencies and civil society
· Long-term healing strategies addressing root causes of addiction
· Championing the Marginalised
The declaration issued a clarion call for churches to champion the voiceless, including Dalits, displaced families, religious minorities, and economically disadvantaged communities. Leaders embraced their “gospel mandate to speak truth to power where others are silenced by fear or indifference.”
Particularly noteworthy was their commitment to women’s empowerment, which they framed not as a political agenda but as “a biblical imperative.” The Church, they declared, must reflect “the justice and freedom of God’s kingdom where ‘there is neither male nor female, but all are one in Christ.’“
Their commitments include prioritising education for girls, promoting gender equality in leadership, and addressing domestic violence and gender-based discrimination both within and beyond church walls.
Biblical Foundation for Social Action
Drawing inspiration from Exodus 2, Bishop Darbara Singh of the Church of North India, Chandigarh Diocese, challenged the assembly to trust divine guidance during national struggles whilst courageously pursuing justice and deliverance. The leaders were reminded that even in times of oppression, God raises up leaders to catalyse transformative change.
“Our faith communities cannot retreat into comfortable silence,” the declaration stated unequivocally. “We must illuminate public discourse as beacons of hope, justice, and compassion, remaining faithful to gospel principles whilst championing democratic ideals enshrined in the Indian Constitution.”
Concrete Action Plan
Moving beyond rhetoric to measurable action, the assembly pledged to implement across Punjab:
1. Youth Recovery Support Groups in every district offering counselling and rehabilitation services for drug addiction
2. Women’s Leadership and Vocational Training Cells to equip women for local governance, income generation, and advocacy
3. Justice Desks providing free legal aid, social support, and pastoral care for Dalits and marginalised families
4. Quarterly Interfaith Friendship Meetings with local religious leaders to build trust and dialogue
5. Annual “Faith & Constitution” Sunday in all churches teaching religious freedom, equality, and civic responsibility
Leadership and Organisation
The historic gathering was organised by key leaders including Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, Chairman of the Evangelical Church of God; Bishop Randeep Matthews from New Life City; Bishop Brian Anderson of Light of the World Church, Chandigarh; Rev. Isaac Dutta as Coordinator; and Mrs. Aashima Samuel from Ashray Trust.
The Rev. Richard Howell serves as the convenor of PCLA and media contact for the assembly.
A Historic Moment
This unprecedented unity among Punjab’s diverse Christian communities represents a significant moment in the region’s religious landscape. The leaders positioned themselves as essential partners in building a more just and harmonious society, concluding their declaration with the commitment to “live out these biblical truths daily.”
Their vision encompasses a Punjab that embodies “the peace that bridges hearts, unity in diversity, noble heritage, joy in every gathering, affection that binds communities, and brotherhood that endures across generations,” said Howell.
The assembly stands ready to serve their beloved nation “with integrity, faith, and sacrificial love,” marking a new chapter in Christian engagement with India’s social challenges.
The Punjab Christian Leaders Assembly represents one of the largest inter-denominational Christian gatherings in Punjab’s recent history, demonstrating the potential for faith communities to unite around shared values of justice, peace, and national service.
