STN - Our History

A Global Partnership

For many years, God placed the burden of worldwide missions and the call to train up leaders on the hearts of two individuals who lived half a world apart. Pastor Ryder Kumar spent 30 years shepherding the flock in India while Pastor Paul Brown was shepherding his own flock in the Los Angeles area. God brought these two pastors together in 2001 when Paul invited Ryder to plant a church for the local ethnic Asians at Shepherd’s Community Church (SCC). Through Ryder’s experience-oriented leadership and key contacts in India, these two pastors traveled together to India for the first time in 2004 to lead Bible conferences to train Indian pastors. Through much prayer and the support of the local church, a second mission trip in 2005 enabled more church leaders to go and experience the fruit of this vision. In June of 2007 the elders at SCC approved the formation of a new missions organization known as “Shepherding the Nations.”

First Mission Trip 2004

Paul accompanied Ryder on this first missions trip to India in May of 2004.

Second Mission Trip 2005

For our second trip to India, our team started with six members (from left to right Ryder Kumar, Darryl Burnett, Susan Leinen, Tristy Urs, Randy Leinen and Devraj Urs.) Our team then grew to seven as Paul Brown flew into Bombay to preach at the wedding of Ryder to Flory Kumar. This 21-day trip took us to three areas of India -- Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bombay for Bible Conferences. We then flew to Katmandu, Nepal for a final two-day conference there.

Third Mission Trip 2007

In November of 2007, a team of six members, the Browns, Leinens, and Kumars returned to India for a 17-day missions trip. God abundantly answered prayer by providing for all of the expenses through our inaugural fundraising dinner in October of 2007. We were able to preach in many churches in India and lead two 3-day Bible conferences teaching and training the national workers. Since one of our burdens is to train these workers to accurately preach and teach the Word of God, all of our main sessions had that as their focus. Beyond the conferences, we spent much time meeting with national leaders talking about the ministry of STN and how we can partner with them to fulfill the Great Commission.

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