James & Rebekah Patole are currently serving in urban ministry and theological education in Pune, India. Together, they have two sons and believe living authentic lives as a Christian family is an impactful witness for Christ. They are both looking forward to serving with Global City Mission among Asian migrants in North American cities.
James Patole
Born Pune city, James lived in South and Western India for several years before significantly engaging in urban ministry in North India. Growing up in a missionary church, he loved the Lord and the Bible from an early age. He first pursued engineering studies before his passion for evangelism led him to ministry leadership.
After completing a Master of Divinity from Union Biblical Seminary and a master’s in Missiology-Urban Studies from South Asian Institute of Christian Studies (SAIACS) in Bangalore, James pursued a Ph.D. from the University of Mysore. He researched the impact of globalization on the educated global Hindu middle class. He has been serving in different capacities in the Indian urban context for more than fifteen years. God prepared him and later used him in various outreach initiatives, discipleship training, intercultural ministry, equipping believers, pastors, & leaders. In addition, he authored two books and wrote various peer-reviewed journal articles both in secular and Christian academia, published in both India and the United States. While operating under national and international organizations, God has used him to develop cross-cultural urban mission mobilization and strategies, research, and various discipleship training programs.
James traveled to the U.S. several times between 2007 to 2016, serving churches of both Asian and North American backgrounds, and he developed a desire to serve South Asian diasporas. He is looking forward to planting organic relational fellowships among the immigrant communities from South Asia in the U.S. and participating in God’s global mission of love and service. While anticipating working with Global City Mission, he is currently serving as the Associate Director at North India Urban Ministry.
James is married to Rebekah, a full-time servant, and educator. They are blessed with two boys, Josiah, eighteen, and Nathan, eight years old.
Rebekah Patole
Rebekah was born in Kerala, South India, and raised in Pune in Western India. After completing a degree in English Literature, she joined Southern Asia Bible College (SABC) in Bangalore where she received a Master of Divinity degree in 2003. Rebekah served in the Bible school as a lecturer for the next five years, training upcoming missionaries and pastors. In addition, she served the local church and discipling women through bible study and occasional preaching and teaching ministry. In 2013, she completed her Masters of Theology (Th.M.) from SAIACS in Bangalore, specializing in World Religions and Hinduism. She was the recipient of the best thesis award in Th.M. Her thesis focused on the global development of Hinduism and how to engage with them more effectively.
After serving at SABC as a visiting lecturer and contributing to their distance education program, she joined Timothy Initiative, a church planting ministry, and served at the head office in Bangalore. After returning to Pune with her family in 2018, she continued training youth in evangelism, discipleship, church ministry, and mission work.
God has used Rebekah in coaching and teaching ministry at several churches and ministries. Along with ongoing ministry, she has engaged in editing, writing, & women’s ministry. In 2018, James & Rebekah initiated a marketplace ministry among Christian professionals. Rebekah continues to pursue her passion of serving along with the Church and mission organizations to engage with Hindu and other South Asian communities. Anticipating serving with Global City Mission, Rebekah is presently serving as a lecturer and loves parenting their boys, Josiah (18) and Nathan (8), with James.