In 1984, Petty Officer Daniel Lantis (who is now the pastor of our congregation in San Diego, California) and two other brothers stationed with him aboard the USS America, were used by God to open a door to a Buddhist and Hindu dominated country, Sri Lanka. They shared the message of water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins with a native Sri Lankan. This Buddhist-raised man realized that if he accepted the truth of Jesus Christ, he could lose everything. Pastor Lantis left him with a Bible and a concordance along with information about how to contact the ministry's headquarters in Waukegan, Illinois. Pastor Lantis promised that Pastor Davis would come to Sri Lanka to baptize him in Jesus’ name if he would only accept the truth. This man later contacted Pastor Davis, the ministry's founding pastor, expressing his desire to be baptized. Pastor Davis soon visited him, personally traveling with a team of evangelists to Sri Lanka. Upon Pastor Davis' arrival, He found this man preaching Jesus on street corners and converting many to the truth of repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and total conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. During his visit, Pastor Davis preached every day, and about 30 souls were baptized, including a man named Sunil Hewage and his wife.

Today, Sunil Hewage is the Bishop of our eight congregations in Sri Lanka. He oversees these congregations and many village outreaches, some in remote regions of the island nation, while working closely with the World Headquarters of CFCMI.  Pastor Thomas, CFCMI’s Director of Foreign Missions, has been visiting the work in Sri Lanka since his visits began in the early 80's.  (Photo Gallery: Visits from 1985-1988).  He returned from his most recent visit in March of 2005, accompanied by the Assistant Director of Missions, Kirk Orelup.  Pastor Hewage and his family blessed us by their attendance at 1998’s international conference in Waukegan, Illinois.  In 2000, the headquarters of our Sri Lanka branch, located in Wadduwa, completed its new church facility.   Pastor Paine, CFCMI’s General Pastor, traveled to Sri Lanka for the dedication of the building and had a wonderful visit as the guest of Pastor Hewage.  Kirk Orelup and Brother Joe Ramirez visited Sri Lanka in 2003; and in 2004, Pastor Hewage returned to the U.S. again; this time accompanied by Pastor James Coulton, one of the assisting pastors in Sri Lanka, and was guest to each of our U.S. congregations in Waukegan, Illinois; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Pastor Edward J. Thomas, Jr.
Director of Foreign Missions

Setbacks such as government restrictions, public protests, the lack of advanced technology, and the tsunami disaster have hindered but never defeated the quest to see the gospel spread through this outreach in Sri Lanka. Our brothers and sisters there are a tremendous blessing to this ministry and have created a landmark of faith for growing congregations to follow.

Photos of our ministry in Sri Lanka can be seen below, listed by city.  Click any of the links to view photos of respective congregations, families and the country.  As you look at these photos of the churches, the country and its people, let us remember to be thankful for what God has blessed us with and to pray for our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka.