Celebrating South Asian Christian women

International women’s day is a special day for me, more so as it’s my late mother’s birthday. It’s a day that reminds me of the sacrifices our mothers and grandmothers made, the hardships they faced, the sweat and tears they poured out so that the younger generations could have a better life. Daughters were often seen as a burden and the cause of financial deprivation for families. This has changed and continues to change. However, in some areas around the world this is still the case.

Culturally South Asian women in many nations have been seen as subordinate to men, but when I read the Bible and see the way Jesus loved and treated women, it gave me a different perspective on what it means to be of South Asian heritage, a disciple of Jesus and also a woman and why it’s important to celebrate that. 

Recently I learned about a modern-day martyr of South Asian heritage called Esther John, whose statue is above Westminster Abbey’s Great West door. Esther John was born in India to a wealthy Muslim family. She converted secretly from Islam to Christianity whilst attending a school in Madras. She was a nurse and also an evangelist. She was born in India in 1929 and was murdered in 1960. Why is this story special? Firstly, she has been recognised in the west, but more so it gives me hope of those of South Asian heritage who have gone before us in the Christian faith.

This month I am highlighting three South Asian Christian women across the UK who have special stories of how God is working through them where they are today.

In the last few years, I have come to be deeply grateful for the way God is writing my story, starting with my parents.

Both my parents are from different states in South India and didn’t grow up with a personal relationship with Jesus until meeting Him in profound encounters. Meeting in Saudi Arabia whilst working, my parents were part of the persecuted church. 

I was born in Riyadh in this time, but we soon moved to the UK, where my mum was to work as a nurse in the NHS. My parents were both very involved in ministry and started their own church in our living room during my teenage years. Empowered and encouraged by them, I began to preach and lead worship throughout my teens. 

I loved being surrounded by many different cultures, languages and backgrounds, both in church and school. I learned firsthand of the beauty found in diverse communities. Growing up hearing many stories and struggles, my sense of God’s heart for justice grew, as did my heart for the church. It was at university that suddenly I was often the only non-white person on stages leading worship or preaching. 

I was doing what I loved but often felt different from those around me. My heart longed and still longs to see the nations represented in our churches, especially on our leadership teams. I believe I release the story of God’s pursuit and love as I sing. I love the thought that people may feel more at home, and even safer in God’s house, seeing someone like me sing of the gospel that is for all nations.

I am a second-generation migrant and first-generation Christ follower from a Hindu background. My parents came from near the Surat area of Gujarat in the 1950s. My husband and I became a full-time mission partners in 1988. Our years in the Middle East were very challenging. The missionary culture was white and exclusive. So, we began working amongst the migrants and refugees. During the second Gulf War we moved to the US to serve with migrants and refugees. We returned to Britain in 2016 to work on doctorates. After almost 30 years away, we saw South Asians in every area in society. Small numbers had become followers of Christ. 

My research allowed me to journey with Gujarati Christians and at the same time speak with leaders in churches in Britain. In 2018 I was invited to Amsterdam to Lausanne Europe leaders think tank. I was surprised to hear ministry and mission leaders talking about South Asians and speaking for them. I asked why the South Asians, migrants or other marginalised people couldn’t speak for themselves. This was the first time I felt heard by leaders in 30 years of ministry. The theme for my book Unmuted began.

I serve in full-time ​‘faith’ mission with European Christian Mission. My roles are as Lausanne Europe regional co-director, a director of CMMW and a senior leader at Christ Theological College. I continue to serve in evangelism and discipleship with South Asians and publish on issues of migration, missiology and theology.

My heritage is originally from Gujarat in North-West India. My great grandfather moved to Uganda whilst working for the British government. My maternal grandparents and parents were born in Uganda and Kenya and later came to England as refugees during Idi Amin’s reign. After marriage my parents moved to Milton Keynes, which is where I was born and raised in a Hindu Gujarati family.

Fast forward to my final year at university, where I was aged 22 and training to be a professional actor. I battled with depression and anxiety. During this time I encountered the Holy Spirit in a way that began to shift the whole perspective I had of my life. After speaking with my older sister on numerous occasions about who Jesus is and this idea of the Holy Spirit, I began my journey of discovery on many Alpha courses. I was baptised in 2019 and soon after I was introduced to Saltmine Theatre company where I now work as a full time actor, theatre-maker and most recently writer.

Since a young age I’ve always had a creative mind but it wasn’t until my drama GCSE that I knew performing and being on stage was where I wanted to be. I’ve now had the privilege over the last four years to witness first hand the impact of theatre in schools and communities through my role at Saltmine. From performing in missional plays about the gospel and teachings of Jesus’ life to preventative theatre in education shows that delve into increasing issues such as knife crime, gang culture, identity, online safety and more. Although this role is demanding at times, I am passionate about using my role within the arts to continue to empower and affirm young people and audiences to a living God that shifts the narrative of their lives amidst some of the darkness that worldly culture can expose them to everyday.