photo courtesy Riley Shelton Jr.

Riley Shelton Jr. baptizes new converts in the Bay of Bengal. The fog was welcomed because Hindu extremists can be hostile to Christians.

photo courtesy Riley Shelton Jr.

Riley Shelton Jr., far right, and his wife Debbie, center, in India.

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He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24
English Standard version

Using a strong faith for their foundation, a desire to help the unfortunate and an eagerness to spread the Gospel for raw materials - missionaries Riley Jr. and Debbie Shelton are building a better future for the hungry orphans of India.

The Sheltons live in Hartwell, Ga., but both have family in Blackville and Kline and both were former Barnwell County residents.

The couple has been making trips to India to help the destitute for the last 12 years under the umbrella of Hope for the World, a missionary organization.

Riley is the Hope for the World director for India. He and his wife raise money from churches and individuals nationwide to help with their spiritual mission.

"Our primary work is rescuing orphans and training people to bring the Gospel to remote areas," said Riley. "There are 400 million people who have never heard of Jesus."

India has 10 to 12 million orphans, said Riley.

The Sheltons feed, clothe house and educate as many of these homeless children as they can.

In 2005, the couple took in 84 children who were displaced from the Indian Ocean tsunami.

The Sheltons have helped drill freshwater wells and built churches in the jungle's steamy heat.

Only 8 percent of Christian missionaries are in India, said Riley, and at times the Sheltons have experienced a sense of unwelcomeness there.

That's because of the volatile situation between Christians and Hindu militant extremists, said Riley.

The Sheltons knew some fellow missionary friends who were killed by Hindu militants.

They helped establish a children's home in Orissa which was the 2008 scene of anti-Christian violence where more than 100 Christians were murdered and thousands others displaced by militant Hindus.

"Their only crime was they would not repent Jesus's name," said Riley.

Christians comprise around 2 percent of India's total population of 1.2 billion people, said Riley.

About 82 percent of the country's people are Hindu, he said.

Seven of India's 26 states have passed anti-conversion laws, said Riley.

Though India has constitutional freedoms, militant Hindu groups have increasingly influenced the federal government, according to Hope for the World data.

"There are 51 countries where it's restricted to share your faith and India is on its way to being another," said Riley.

But for those to whom the Shelton's reach, their message of compassion and faith makes a lasting impression.

"We have been in places half the night just standing there praying with people," said Riley.

Debbie told of a woman who walked 3.5 hours to be prayed over.

A large part of the Shelton's work involves training people to take God's word to remote areas.

There are 1,500 languages and dialects in India.

The Sheltons have been doing missionary work since 1997, when they were invited to go on a mission trip to Uganda.

The trip fostered in them a love of helping the unfortunate and spreading the word of God.

The Sheltons were living well in Atlanta and running a multi-million dollar transportation company then.

"But there was more to life than being successful - are you willing to trade success for significance?" said Shelton.

Later, the Sheltons were asked by a missionary from Luther Rice Seminary to go to India.

Riley said he had a dream one night of building a children's home in a jungle.

The dream stayed with him through the years.

"I thought it was going to be in Africa," said Shelton.

In a remote area of India, Riley recognized the place of his dream, as 24 children asked him, "Was I the man they had been praying for?"

In 2004, God told Riley to give his business away and do full-time mission work in India - and he did.

"I couldn't ask people to put their trust in God without me totally putting my trust in him to provide for my livelihood," said Riley.

But Debbie was unsure if her calling was in India.

"You can't be in the ministry without your wife," said Riley.

But at a 2003 Christmas Eve candlelight service in Barnwell, Debbie said she heard a voice just as the candle was lighted in front of her.

"Child, I want you to take my light and go," Debbie said the voice told her.

And go they did.

"People ask us why do you come?" said Debbie. "Because our God sent us."

Despite their hardships, the children of India and make the best of their situation.

"India has some of the most beautiful children in the world - many of them are musically gifted," said Debbie.

"If there is a children's choir in India it is made of Indians - angelic voices," said Riley.

"India is the hardest job we love to do," said Debbie.

The Sheltons are heading back to India Jan. 27 and anyone interested in making a contribution to their cause can call (706) 376-2903 or (770) 826-4114 or www.hftwindia.org.

A gift of $10 will feed a child for a month; $25 will feed, clothe, educate and house a child for a month; $300 can feed nearly 1,000 people.