Navithan in India

The Navithan or Ambattan or Maruthuvar live in south India. Their traditional occupation was that of being physicians to kings and nobles. With the coming of the British and modern medicine, they became hair cutters for the four castes of Hinduism. The Navithan are considered to be Shudras, the lowest of the four main caste clusters. They are barbers to the three castes above them. Today the Navithan still work as hair cutters and as agricultural workers. University educated Navithan have entered the professions of medicine, engineering and law. The primary language of the Navithan is Tamil.

Ministry Obstacles
Being a Hindu is part of the identity of the Navithan. If they become believers, it could hurt their business.

Outreach Ideas
Hindu background believers can share with the Navithan the blessing of knowing Christ. Gospel centered literature and films exist in the Tamil language and can be shared with them. Pray the Navithan would be open to the gospel and be led to see the JESUS Film in Tamil.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There are no known believers among the Navithan. Pray that God saves some of them soon.

Pray for the entire people group
* Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group. * Pray that the Lord raises up a Bible-believing church planting movement in the Navithan community. * Pray for a movement of Navithan households to study the Bible and accept the blessings of Christ.

Scripture Focus
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedlingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Presented by Joshua Project
www.joshuaproject.net