Overview: Jaya Sankar became a follower of Jesus around the age of 15.  From that point onward he dedicated his life to learning about His teachings as well as acting them out in a literal manner.  He had been given the vision to reach out to the poorest of the poor in the village of Dowlaiswaram by following God's calling on his life, and therefore working with several groups of marginalized, forgotten people.  Jaya has a degree from seminary and uses both his education and his compassion to impact thousands of people every year.  He self-funded this ministry for the first 15 years and then God brought Jaya and Kensington together in 2000 where a relationship started, and has been blessed in incredible, miraculous, life transforming ways.  CEM is made up of 7 ministries with the common goal of reaching people by demonstrating the love of Jesus.

1) Orphan Care:  CEM currently houses, feeds and educates more than 200 children, ranging in age from 3-16.  The children are responsible to do chores, study, and play together daily to build lasting relationships and to be examples to all those around them.  There are currently three dormitories in which they live.  Since its inception Grace Children's Home (GCH) has cared for over 500 children.
2) Missionary Training School (MTS):  This school educates adults of varying ages in the scriptures, equipping them to go back to their hometown upon completion of one of three degrees or certificates and plant a church, or begin a work in the name of Jesus.  The program now graduates around 50 students per year with a total to date of 485.  There are several village churches that have been planted from this program reaching as far as 150 kilometers away from the CEM Campus.
3) Sewing Training School (STS):  This is a vocational school for women, mostly widowed or unmarried, teaching them a skill they can use to support themselves and their loved ones.  It is a one year program and at graduation they are given a sewing machine to help them get started.  To date the STS program has graduated over 600 women.
4) JEMS School:  This is a private school for children in grades pre-K through 5th.  It is an English Medium School meaning that the bulk of their leaning takes place in the English Language.  This is a school for children living in the village, mostly Hindu, where they can come to a safe, encouraging environment and in one class per day hear about the teachings of Jesus.
5) Compassion Ministry:  This is a program for the elderly and adult homeless where twice a month they come to the Sunday church service on the campus at CEM and, after the service, they receive free rice or money to buy food.  To date the outreach has cared for over 1000 people, all of whose names are registered in a book kept at the CEM office.
6) Free Medical Clinic (FMC):  The free medical clinic is also located on the property of CEM.  On staff are two medical doctors, 5 nurses, a lab technician, and a pharmacist.  Medical insurance for people living in poverty (which is the majority of the people in the village) is non-existent and most can't afford to pay for the simplest of procedures.   This ministry has seen more than 150,000 patients.
7) Church and Church Planting:  Through both the church services held on site and the MTS program, there have been more than 170 churches planted in villages all over the state of Andhra Pradesh.
  
Relationship:  In the year 2000, Steve Andrews and Craig Mayes traveled to Dowlaiswaram to visit Jaya and to hear his vision and calling in that area of India.  They had been put in touch with Jaya through a relative of Steve's that had happened to run into Jaya at a Seminary program in South India.  The connection that took place on the trip was surely divine and forever joined Kensington and Jaya together.  From that time forward the relationship between the two has grown strong and has seen some incredible growth and impact for the Kingdom.  Kensington continues to be a major partner with Jaya and has sent several mission teams to learn about the work and to contribute in whatever ways they are able.
Not only has Kensington continued to support the different ministries listed above, but they have also been an integral part of the hospital now being constructed a few lots down from the CEM Campus.

Future Plans: The Lord continues to bless this ministry in almost unimaginable ways. There are several things being worked on now, as well as some plans for future projects, all of which are in conjunction with Jaya's calling and vision from God.

* Hospital:  One of the most incredible things happening in the village is the construction of a 4 story hospital which will have nearly 70 beds, two operation theaters, a full dental facility, a state of the art lab, a full service pharmacy, an ICU and NICU, an emergency service, and many other medical programs.  This hospital and its operation are being set up to care for those with little or no ability to pay for care.  The model will work toward self-sustainability over the next few years by providing very high quality care to people that either have insurance or the money to pay for care. 
* Church Building:  Plans have been completed and construction is to begin in August, 2009 on a 500 seat church right on the CEM grounds.  This church will house the Sunday service, the daily chapel services, Pastors conventions, MTS training seminars, and the annual MTS graduation service, among other events.
* Nurse Training:  Jaya has the vision to start a nurse's training school at or near CEM which will allow him to staff the hospital as well as to give the GCH children a possible career path.
* HIV Care Center: Jaya also has felt the need to convert the current medical clinic into an HIV care center as AIDS is sweeping across India at an alarming rate.
* Widow/Elderly Care Center:  Jaya has had on his heart to improve the  care for both widows and the elderly, often times being one in the same.  These are two of the most marginalized groups of people in the country.  Plans would include having a house/building dedicated to providing food, medical attention, and general care for these people.

Summary:  The impact that CEM has had for the Kingdom of God has been amazing.  It is not by the words spoken but rather by the unconditional, sacrificial love that has been shown to all village residents regardless of Caste, creed, religion, sex, or age.  Hindu and Muslims alike have been observing this love for years and are in full support of all of the things taking place at CEM.  Through this observation and consistent authenticity we allow Jesus to get hold of people as only He can.