Usha Reifsnider is a regional director of Lausanne Europe, researcher, and author who evangelises and disciplines Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh migrants in England.
When did you trust Christ?
I was raised in a Hindu home. I was invited to Sunday School as a child, and when I was 11 years old, I made a confession of faith. I was baptised at age 19, resulting in my being homeless for two years.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
Catholic neighbours cared for my family, and a Christian school teacher invited us to Sunday School. I made a confession of faith at a Don Summers crusade, and later, Joel Edwards was my mentor. My academic supervisor, Dr Paul Woods (OMF), and also Rev Dr Israel Olofinjana and Dr Kate Coleman, have been sources of support since I relocated to Britain in 2016.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I am keen to learn from other leaders and see how collaborative efforts will better serve the cause of the mission.
What is your ministry?
My work with Lausanne Europe is in the fields of cultural anthropology, theology, and missiology. Since completing my PhD at Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, I have continued on mission to migrants through practice, research, and publishing.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I served as a missionary with Go to Nations from 1988 to 2023. I have served as Lausanne Europe's regional co-director since 2022. I am one of the directors of the Centre for Mission from Majority World, a module leader for a master's programme at Waverley Abbey College, and I serve on the European Evangelical Alliance board. I lead outreach and discipleship for migrants from Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh backgrounds.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
There are 640,000 Hindus in Britain. The 300 Gujaratis in Britain are the best educated, wealthiest migrants, with leaders in every institution, yet they are a minority in the church. As a missionary and academic, my unique perspectives could help reach migrant communities.
