Partnership Overview

For many years Edward Qasar has been involved with IBS (International Bible School). It is a correspondence course that he used as a young boy and that he is the co-ordinator for in Pakistan and in Lahore. In a country like Pakistan, correspondence courses are an effective means of training as it is not easy for people of other faiths to obtain access to the real story. This is also a useful tool for Christian people to be discipled and nurtured in their faith.

IBS in Pakistan was previously funded out of the USA but this funding has recently ceased. Edward was also receiving financial support from them personally in his national role and that has stopped too. He has been co-ordinating these correspondence courses since 2007, about the time BHW first met him. 

There are seven lessons in the course and despite the loss of funding Edward is keen to carry on providing these lessons. There are approximately 5,000 students at any one time. Many become Christians and this is all they will ever have as a discipling resources. There are 1,200 people waiting for the lessons.  

History of Partnership

BHW has had a relationship with Edward Qasar and EGM (Evangelistic Gospel Ministries) since 2008 when we first visited them. They had commenced a programme of church growth and development and impressed us by their clear understanding of holistic ministry and their desire to tell people about the Christian message while at the same time helping the poor and vulnerable.

Since then BHW has been involved in a variety of projects with them including a computer training centre (PAK02), brilliant students scholarship fund (PAK07), a sewing factory (PAK04), and sewing courses (PAK09). In 2017 Edward informed us of the situation around funding for the IBS courses and in 2018 BHW commenced funding of these courses.  

Beneficiaries

Those who hear about the courses and who sign up for studies. They are mainly young people of Christian background and some Muslims.  

What We Like About The Partnership

Pakistan is a tough country for Christian ministry and it is hard for many people to get to a church. These courses provide a point of contact for new and young Christians to learn the basics of Christian faith and to link into groups of like-minded people. 

This is a proven resource and there is a structure in place to deliver the courses. 

Key People

Leadership Profile

The key person is Edward Qasar. He was a school teacher before going into full time Christian ministry. He has studied and completed at least 12 Emmaus courses in Urdu and has a Diploma of Theology from the Evangelical College of Western Australia. 

Edward is married to Shakila and they have a small family. Edward and Shakila live in the area of Yohannabad with their extended family, they lead a church there and he preaches around the country. 

Vision And Annual Strategy

Vision 

To get the courses to as many people as possible throughout Pakistan. 

Strategy

There are five bases in Pakistan - Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Islamabad and Karachi. Each of them is overseen by a local volunteer. 

Annual Budget

The funds sent by BHW will cover the cost of printing 1,000 copies of each of the seven lessons per year.