2026 Sri Lanka Mission Report

Expanding Our Support Across South Asia

Mission to Colombo, Sri Lanka

In February 2026, I traveled to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to connect with Rev. Sherine Kara and her husband, Pastor Dileepa Anthony. The primary purpose of this mission was to provide leadership training and ministry support to The Centre Church.

A Legacy of Calling and Resilience

Our partnership with The Centre Church is a story of profound calling and resilience. Rev. Sherine was born in Sri Lanka but immigrated to Canada as a child. At age 16, she received a clear calling to return to her motherland as a minister—a land she had once sworn never to return to. In 1998, she left her family in Canada to serve as a missionary and qualified trauma counselor during the peak of the Sri Lankan Civil War, sent out by her home church, World Outreach Ministries of Canada. While serving with World Vision Lanka, she met Dileepa, who was then the chief internal auditor. The couple was ordained as licensed ministers by Faith Christian Fellowship Canada in 2009. Today, their mission is financially supported in part by the pastors, churches, and ministries of FCF Canada.

The Centre Church opened its doors in Colombo in 2010, growing from a small Bible study group of 25 young adults that began in 2007. Their vision is to become authentic followers of Jesus and multiply disciples through intentional disciple-making and contextual teaching. Pastor Sherine’s core conviction is that a life of obedience speaks louder than persuasive words.

Edifying the Church

During my time there, I worked closely with the leadership, the church board, and the congregation to strengthen their organizational and spiritual foundations. We focused on the "Ministry of Helps" to equip the church with necessary tools, and my teaching emphasized the practical application of faith—specifically the Lordship of Christ in daily life. By preparing the next generation of leaders and teaching how adaptable leadership serves as an asset in shifting environments, we aimed to create a framework for long-term stability. I was received with immense grace, and the time spent was well worth the investment; our relationship was strengthened so that together we can reach the world for Christ.

Navigating the Landscape

The Church in Sri Lanka is having a significant impact but continues to navigate a landscape shaped by historical trauma and contemporary opposition. The "health" of the church is often tested by the lingering scars of three major events:

1. The Civil War (1983–2009): Left a legacy of deep ethnic divisions where churches are often viewed through a Sinhalese vs. Tamil lens.

2. The 2004 Tsunami: Led to accusations of "unethical conversions,” sparking a wave of anti-conversion sentiment towards Christian aid organizations. A sentiment that still hampers the church.

3. The 2019 Easter Bombings claimed 269 lives across three churches and several hotels, fundamentally changing the security landscape.

Even now in 2026, congregations must maintain high-level security protocols and face intensified state surveillance under the guise of national security.

The Challenge of Opposition

The most consistent pressure comes from a movement viewing Sri Lanka as a purely Buddhist state. Nationalists often perceive the growth of Christianity as a threat to national identity. This manifests in mob violence against house churches, social boycotts of Christian families in rural villages, and legal harassment. While the Church in Colombo is growing, it does so under a persistent "climate of concern" where legal protections are often secondary to the influence of the religious majority. Furthermore, the national economic crisis has created a "perfect storm" for human trafficking, eroding the social safety nets for the most vulnerable. In this era, the church serves as a vital protector, and its impact is measured by its ability to serve as a healer in a struggling nation.

A Frontline Gospel Presence

Faith Christian Fellowship Canada enables a frontline Gospel presence in Sri Lanka. Your support empowers Sherine and Dileepa to be a Christ-centered presence that brings tangible hope. As we navigate a global landscape marked by both challenge and opportunity, the call for FCF to stand as a pillar of support for our international pastors has never been more vital.

Restoring Hope in South Asia

I am writing to invite you and your congregation to partner with us in consistent, monthly missions support for several critical areas of our global reach: restoring hope in Sri Lanka and expanding our impact across Eastern and South India.

Eastern India: We remain deeply committed to the vital work of Pastor Prem Singh, who continues to bring spiritual and social restoration to Eastern India. FCF board member Pastor Jesse Knight recently returned from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, visiting Pastor Prem, where he spent significant time evaluating the ministry and ministering to churches and pastors. We will be sharing a full, detailed report from Jesse shortly.

South India: FCF board member Pastor Fredrica Walters and Pastor Thomas Aro have traveled to South India to stand with Pastor Vijaya Teetla. Pastor Vijaya is establishing a powerful, growing church in Mysore, Karnataka, with a bold vision to plant 100 churches.

An Invitation to Partner

We are asking our FCF member pastors and churches to prayerfully consider a monthly financial commitment to these missions. Your partnership ensures that Pastors Sherine, Dileepa, Prem, and Vijaya don’t just survive, but continue to lead their nations into the light of Christ. Thank you for your leadership, your heart for the nations, and your continued trust as we serve as a spiritual covering for these incredible ministries.

Shawn Annis, Pastor

Vice President, Faith Christian Fellowship Canada