In April 2026, the Enforcement Directorate carried out coordinated searches across multiple locations linked to an organisation called The Timothy Initiative (TTI), triggering a wide-ranging investigation into suspected foreign funding violations and conversion-linked activities that appear to stretch far beyond isolated financial irregularities.
According to the agency, TTI allegedly channelled more than Rs 95 crore into India between November 2025 and April 2026. What immediately raised concern was not just the scale of the funds involved, but the method used to bring this money into the country. Investigators believe the system was deliberately structured to bypass regulatory oversight mechanisms laid down under Indian law.
Officials stated that instead of routing funds through legally permitted channels under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, the organisation used foreign bank-issued debit cards to withdraw cash directly from ATMs across multiple locations in India. This method, they say, allowed large volumes of money to enter and circulate within the country without triggering standard compliance checks.
TTI is not registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, which means it is legally barred from receiving foreign contributions for activities in India. Despite this restriction, investigators documented repeated withdrawals amounting to crores of rupees. The pattern, according to the Enforcement Directorate, points towards what appears to be a systematic and organised financial operation rather than sporadic or individual transactions.
The agency’s findings reveal a carefully structured mechanism. Foreign debit cards linked to accounts in the United States, particularly with Truist Bank, were physically brought into India and used to withdraw cash from ATMs across several states. During the raids, officials seized 25 foreign debit cards, along with Rs 40 lakh in cash, as well as digital devices and documents considered crucial to the investigation.
A key breakthrough came when an individual identified as Micah Mark was intercepted at Bengaluru International Airport by immigration authorities. Acting on a Look Out Circular issued by the Enforcement Directorate, officials recovered 24 foreign debit cards from his possession. These cards were allegedly intended for further withdrawals, suggesting that the network was being actively replenished and sustained.
Investigators noted that a significant portion of these withdrawals took place in Left Wing Extremism affected regions, particularly in districts such as Dhamtari and Bastar in Chhattisgarh. Over the past few years, approximately Rs 6.5 crore is believed to have been withdrawn in these areas alone. The concentration of financial activity in such sensitive regions has added a serious security dimension to the case.
The Enforcement Directorate has stated that the pattern of withdrawals suggests central coordination. Officials believe the transactions were not random but part of a larger, structured network operating on the ground. This raises the possibility of a parallel cash-based system functioning outside formal financial channels.
The emergence of such a cash ecosystem in Naxal-affected areas has triggered concerns within security agencies. Officials have warned that unregulated flows of cash in these regions could potentially facilitate unlawful activities, disrupt financial systems and intersect with existing extremist networks. The agency observed that the creation of a parallel cash-based economy in Naxalite affected areas poses a serious threat to the security and financial integrity of the country.
Adding another layer to the investigation, the Enforcement Directorate found that TTI maintained records of withdrawals and expenditures through an online accounting platform. According to officials, this system was allegedly controlled by foreign entities. This suggests that the financial activity was not only organised but also monitored and possibly directed from outside India.
The Timothy Initiative describes itself as a global Christian movement focused on making and multiplying disciples, churches and leaders. While its website remains geo-blocked in India, material accessed during the investigation and from public sources indicates that its central objective is to establish a church in every village worldwide.
According to its own published data, TTI claims to have planted more than 2,68,750 churches since 2007 and operates in over 50 countries. It also claims that more than 23.9 lakh individuals have been converted, including widows and orphans. These figures are based on estimated averages, which means the actual numbers could be even higher.
At the core of TTI’s operations is a replication-based training model inspired by the Biblical concept of passing teachings through successive generations of followers. The model functions by training individuals who then train others, creating a cascading chain of expansion. This structure has often been compared to a multi-layered system where growth is driven by continuous recruitment and training.
The organisation outlines multiple levels of leadership, including trainees, trainers and senior movement leaders. Each level is provided with structured training through extensive material that includes books, manuals and multi-stage modules. The expectation, according to its own documents, is that each trained individual contributes to expanding the network further.
Unlike purely voluntary outreach models, TTI’s framework includes financial support systems. Its own material indicates that trainers and leaders receive stipends to support their work. Funds are allocated for travel, food, accommodation and logistical needs. This suggests that the network operates with sustained financial backing rather than informal or sporadic support.
The organisation also conducts events aimed at mobilising new participants into the network. These sessions are designed to expand the base of trained individuals and increase outreach. Additionally, TTI claims to deploy field representatives to verify the existence of newly established churches, indicating that the organisation maintains a structured monitoring and reporting system.
The scope of expenditure outlined in its documents is extensive. It includes spending on village mapping software, leadership development programmes, digital reporting tools, printing and distribution of training material, audio and video content, regional offices and local fundraising initiatives. This integrated approach combines technology, training, funding and verification into what investigators describe as a large-scale organised framework.
While the current investigation is centred on Chhattisgarh, emerging evidence suggests that TTI’s activities may extend to other parts of India. Social media posts linked to partner organisations indicate operations in Rajasthan, northern India and other rural regions. Some posts claim that thousands of house churches have been established through international partnerships.
Additional reports from regions within Chhattisgarh provide further context to the investigation. In districts such as Jashpur, Ambikapur, Raigarh, Bastar and Surguja, there have been claims of changing local dynamics, including the emergence of villages with multiple churches and shifts in traditional practices. Reports also suggest the presence of salaried individuals working across villages, which aligns with the structured model described in TTI’s own material.
The organisation’s history reflects a steady and deliberate expansion strategy. It began in 2007 following a visit by its founder to Asia. By 2008, it had launched a training programme involving thousands of church planters. In 2010, it developed core training material with the expectation that each trainee would establish a church.
In 2013, it introduced a model called Disciples Making Disciples, which further strengthened its replication approach. By 2020, it had launched an initiative aimed at ensuring a church in every village, supported by large-scale mapping exercises. In 2021, it expanded this effort through partnerships designed to cover millions of villages globally.
Today, the organisation claims that a new church is being planted every 11 minutes. This figure, if accurate, highlights the scale and pace at which the network operates.
TTI is currently led by Dr Jared Nelms, who serves as its President and Chief Executive Officer. His stated focus is on partnering with local leaders worldwide to expand the reach of the organisation’s mission. This combination of global leadership and local implementation forms the backbone of its operational model.
The ongoing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate has brought into focus a complex network involving foreign funding, structured outreach activities and operations in sensitive regions. Authorities are now examining not only the financial trail but also the organisational structure and international linkages associated with the entity.
As the probe progresses, officials are expected to explore whether the activities violated existing laws, including provisions related to foreign funding, and whether there are broader implications for national security. The findings could have significant consequences for how foreign-linked organisations operate in India, particularly in regions that are already vulnerable due to socio-economic and security challenges.
