PRESENT MINISTRY
Carlisle Hanna continues to work in village evangelism in the area of Sonapurhat in North India. Carlisle is also involved in Bible training, small group Bible studies, evangelism efforts at fairs and market areas and in film evangelism. He is the only Free Will Baptist missionary ministering in India today as no new missionary personnel have been allowed to enter the country since the 1950s.
In addition to the work in North India, Carlisle acts as an advisor to national pastors in South India and is coordinator of that work.
CONVERSION
Carlisle accepted Christ when he was in business college in Columbia, S.C., in March of 1947.
EARLY MINISTRY
In 1948 Carlisle yielded his life to God’s will. The Lord laid on him an unending burden for India and its millions of souls. He and his wife, Marie, were appointed in March of 1951 and they departed in October of the following year. They faced a radically different culture, but they faithfully served there for many years in the area of Sonapurhat, West Bengal
Many times during these years it was necessary for Carlisle and Marie to be separated due to the children’s schooling. Carlisle was involved in a pastoral, evangelistic and teaching ministry during this time. The Hannas also have maintained Christian hostels involving them in educational work.
Marie Hanna went to be with the Lord on April 23, 1998, while serving in India. Carlisle continues to minister without her.
CHILDREN
The Hannas have three children: Brenda Roach, born June 28; Donald, born October 24; and Mark, born July 4. They lost their first child, Sheila, in 1953 just a few months after their arrival in India.
Brenda graduated from Covenant College in Chattanooga, Tenn., with a B.S. in English and Journalism. She received the M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language from Monterey (Calif.) Institute of International Studies. She and her husband live in Charleston, S.C., where she teaches at Charleston Southern University.
Donald graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina and practices medicine in Charleston, S.C. Mark completed work on his Ph.D. in Industrial Management at Clemson University and currently teaches at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. Both sons are married.
Don and his wife have three children. Mark and his wife have two children.
HOME CHURCH;
Little Star FWB Church, Lake City, S.C.