Calcutta Mercy Ministries : About

"I am please to endorse the work of Calcutta Mercy Ministries. I am greatly encouraged to see that the dream and vision of my brother Mark, and his wife, Huldah, is being kept alive.

We have a great future as we continue to meet the needs and face the challenges of reaching the great nation of India with the love of Jesus."

Rev. Fulton Buntain
Senior Pastor Emeritus
Life Center
Tacoma, Washington

About Us
History
Our Team

Who We Are

Calcutta Mercy Ministries is founded on the work of missionaries
Mark and Huldah Buntain. Over 53 years, they established a vast
network of ministries to holistically serve the spiritual and physical
needs of others. Today, Huldah, her daughter, Bonnie, and Bonnie’s
husband, Dr. Jim, continue to lay a new foundation for the future.

Our Mission

Calcutta Mercy Ministries is dedicated to developing the best
in cutting-edge care and services for the diverse needs in India
through partnerships with individuals and organizations of various
professions and passions from across the globe.

What We Do

In 1977, we opened a full general hospital. Today, this hospital
has 173 beds with 30 multi-specialty units, along with a Cardiac
Care Unit, an Intensive Care Unit, Pediatrics, a Blood Bank and
Diagnostic Centers. Hospital treatment extends beyond Calcutta
through Mercy Outreach Clinics. The Calcutta work also includes
an educational system with over 100 city and rural schools, like the
Teacher’s Training College, the Calcutta School of Nursing, a school
for the blind, and homes for children. Further services include a
daily feeding program for more than 25,000 people.

"Whenever we visited Mark Buntain and the Calcutta hospital, the doors were always open. I am very grateful to all the people there who shared in the joy of loving by sharing their time, their hands, so altogether we can do something beautiful for God."

- Mother Teresa

“Anyone who ever prayed with Mark Buntain would never forget it; he was a weeping prophet whose heart must have been continually hurt with the pain of India.”

In 1953, Mark heard the Lord tell him he would go to India. Fifteen months later we received a letter asking us to go to India for one year of evangelistic services.

Mark and I both came from families of ministers. His father pastored a large church in Winnipeg, Canada before moving to Toronto to become the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Canada. My great grandfather was a Presbyterian minister in England and my grandfather a minister in our church in Vancouver, Canada. My mother and father lived for many years as missionaries in Japan before my father returned to Vancouver to pastor the church after my grandfather’s death.

I made up my mind that I would never be a minister’s wife. But, God had different plans for
my life. I met Mark after my grandfather invited him to speak at our church in Vancouver. I still resolved never to marry a preacher, but eventually he won me over.

In 1954, Mark, my mother, and I headed for India aboard a ship departing from New York. Upon arrival a number of weeks later, we began services every night in a large tent on an open piece of strategically placed land. But, monsoons soon made it impossible to continue tent services. We found a large hall to rent above a nightclub on the main street, a miraculous discovery in such a congested city. Many joked that it was “hell downstairs and heaven upstairs.”

The First Church

The congregation grew at our nightly services and we soon decided we needed to construct a church. However, in a city of 14 million people only 7 miles long and four miles wide, land was a premium. The only property available was where we held the tent meetings, but a Muslim family owned it and refused to sell. Mark continually visited their family and built a strong relationship until one day the grandfather informed Mark, “My family is not in favor, but I am going to sell you the land.” Two years later, the first church to be constructed in Calcutta in one hundred years was dedicated on Christmas Sunday, 1959, on that very property.

Compassionate Ministries

One night during a tent service, a beggar walked in and screamed, “Preacher, feed our belliesand then tell us there is a God in heaven who loves us.” He spoke to our hearts and inspired us over the following years to develop a series of compassionate ministries all across the city of Calcutta.

Mark loved the poor. It didn’t matter if they wore tattered clothes, were alcoholics, drug addicts, or lived on the street. He loved them and ardently believed that helping them fulfills Christ’s commission and follows the example he set.

The First School

After 1959, the church had phenomenal growth, but we were concerned about the poverty stricken families and their children without education. Yet, we didn’t have the money to obtain land or construct a school. One day, Mark received a phone call from the hospital. His Muslim friend had become very ill and wanted to see him. As Mark kneeled by his bedside, the elderly man faintly whispered, “I have told my sons, if I die, to make sure you have the first option to purchase the property behind the church to build your school.” A few days later his sons called and offered us the purchase of the land. However, we had no money and a limited amount of time to make the decision.

Mark called a prayer meeting. I stayed home to take care of Bonnie. That night I received a phone call from Mark’s sister. A good friend of Mark’s told her he sensed something was notright in India and asked her if Mark was ill. I explained the situation and informed her of Mark’s prayer meeting that evening. When my sister relayed the information to him, Mark’s friend, a prosperous businessman, immediately told us that he would donate the money to purchase the property for the school. After the purchase of the land, the Reverend Jim Long (Sr.) and family was sent to relieve us while we traveled in the states to raise funds to build the school. God helped us meet our goal and we returned to Calcutta to construct our first school, which we dedicated in January 1964 with 200 children enrolled.

The Miracle Story

We wanted to extend our compassionate ministries for the poor of Calcutta, but the questions remained “where” and “how?” Mark noticed a vacant cemetery being used as a soccer field near the church and school buildings on one of Calcutta’s main streets. After inquiring, he discovered it was an old British cemetery that had not been used for over 100 years. Miraculously, the city granted us a ninety-nine year renewable lease for the nearly four square blocks of land.

First, we needed to construct a hospital. The moment digging started we hit a huge problem – a lake of water. Calcutta is only 12 feet above sea level. The contractors informed us we needed to place pilings before beginning construction. Convinced it was an attack from the enemy, Mark gathered the staff together around the pool of water and explained that we did not have enough finances for pilings for this huge building. As they held hands, Mark cried out loudly, “God, give us another miracle. Push the water back and allow us to move forward with the construction of this hospital.” He then pulled a small Bible out of his pocket, wrapped a rope around it, andlowered it into the water. Mark prayed, “If we ask anything in Your name, You will hear us. In the name of Jesus, stop this seepage of water.”

To the amazement of everyone gathered there, the water receded and the seepage stopped. I will never forget the astonished faces of the contractors. God honored Mark’s faith. They poured cement as the water dried up and construction proceeded as scheduled. Today, the basement of our hospital is the driest of any building in the area. During the heavy monsoon rains when other basements are flooded, not a drop of water can be found in the basement of the hospital. The construction of the hospital is an amazing story that’s too long to enumerate, but suffice it to say that God performed one miracle after another in answer to many prayers until the building was finally completed. Donations came from numerous, unexpected sources. It was overwhelming to see how God answered our prayers. On March 17th, 1977 the 120 bed hospital opened its doors to the city of Calcutta. Today, the hospital treats over 100,000 patients a yearwith 40% receiving free treatment irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.

After constructing the hospital, we built a large school complex and nine-story office building on the property. Today, the school is the Assembly of God Church School and the office building is known as AG Towers. The office building houses a medical clinic, pharmacy, nursing school, church offices, in addition to renting space to other companies to provide income for the hospital, feeding programs, and other charitable ministries.

The Mark Buntain Memorial Assembly of God Church

Mark died in June 1989 of a cerebral brain hemorrhage. The media reported that over twenty thousand people attended the funeral service as well as hundreds standing on roofs of surrounding buildings and the street in front of the mission.

Mark had just signed plans for our new church that Friday and passed away on Sunday morning. This was the last building to be constructed on our mission complex. Again, it would take pages to record all the miracles that followed. In short, God helped me complete this mighty project. While in Germany a few weeks before his death, Mark said God spoke to him about evangelizing the unreached areas in the states surrounding Calcutta. I wish he could have lived to see his prayers become a reality. Today, Calcutta Mercy Ministries is responsible for ministries in eleven states with a combined population of 230 million people.

Today and On…

When I look over the growth of our ministry over the last 52 years, I am reminded of Ephesians 3:20, “God is able to do far more than our thoughts, hopes, dreams, and ever our prayers.” Today my daughter, Bonnie Buntain-Long, is the Executive Coordinator of Calcutta Mercy Hospital and her husband, Jim, serves as President of the hospital board. I continue as President of the Calcutta Ministries and Founder of Calcutta Mercy Ministries. It is always gratifying to see pastors, doctors, nurses, teachers and workers in all departments of our ministries, many of which were poor children who attended our schools, with no hope of a future life. However, with education, training, and hope in Christ, they have become strong national leaders in our mission.

Little did we know what God planned for our lives when we arrived by ship in October, 1954. I will never forget our first week in Calcutta. Many people warned us it was a hopeless city, but we believed that nothing was impossible for God. Over the years there was much discouragement and the devil fought hard to hinder the progress of our ministries. But through God’s help, the Calcutta Ministries have culminated into one of the world’s most comprehensive Christian inner city outreaches.

I am often asked how we were able to accomplish so much for the Kingdom of God: We took it one day at a time. We worked hard and we did our best to listen to the voice of the Lord, knowing that He was the One who sent us. He was the One who performed the miracles and He was the one who sustained us.

- Huldah Buntain

		Rev. Dr. Huldah Buntain Founder, Calcutta Mercy Ministries huldah@buntain.org In 1954, Huldah and her late husband, Rev. Dr. Mark Buntain, agreed to travel to India and serve in Calcutta for one year. That year turned into a lifetime of service to the people of Calcutta and its surrounding communities. Together, they established a holistic inner-city outreach consisting of more than 100 schools, over 700 churches, a daily feeding program for 25,000, and a full general hospital that has treated 2.2 million people and provided free care to 880,000. After her husband passed on in 1989, the Calcutta mission appointed her Chairman and Senior Pastor of the church. Since then, she has continued to faithfully serve the people of India as she travels around the world raising funds. In 2005, Huldah founded Calcutta Mercy Ministries to support the comprehensive ministry her and her husband built over the past 53 years.
		Dr. David Burdine David Burdine served as the president of Bethesda Associates for 26 years. During this time David traveled to more than 65 countries to work on projects funded by Bethesda and Calcutta Mercy Ministries. He is a former chairman of Light for the Lost, a literature ministry of several thousand laymen. In 1993, he was awarded the General Superintendent’s Medal of Honor by the Assemblies of God Church. An Honorary Doctorate was awarded to David in May, 2000 by Northwest University.
		Fulton Buntain Founder, Calcutta Mercy Ministries fulton@buntain.org In his younger days, Fulton Buntain travelled as an evangelist with his brother Mark Buntain. In 1965, he accepted a pastoral position in Tacoma, Washington. He founded Calcutta Mission of Mercy along with his brother and later wrote "Mark Buntain: One Man's Compassion" about Mark's ministry in Calcutta. Today, he is the Senior Pastor Emeritus of Life Center Asseblies of God in Tacoma, Washington. In addition, he passionately works with Calcutta Mercy Ministries to meet the needs of the people of India.
		Dean Curry Representative, Calcutta Mercy Ministries dean@buntain.org Dean Curry is the Senior Pastor of Life Center in Tacoma, Washington -- one of the largest congregations in the state of Washington. Dean is recognized as one of the fresh new voices in Christianity today. A dynamic and insightful public speaker, he is known for his inspirational, fun, and practical lessons. In addition to serving as Senior Pastor he also serves on the Alumni Board of Northwest University and the Northwest Leadership Foundation. A sought after corporate speaker, Dean has spoken to such Fortune 500 companies as Kraft Foods, Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless. He is also a frequent guest on television, in addition to serving as a regular guest host of Northwest PTL on the TBN network. Dean is a graduate of Northwest University. He was also an Alumnus of the prestigious Harvard School of Divinity Summer Leadership Study. Dean and his wife Anne have been married for 17 years and live in Tacoma , Washington with their children, Drew and Gabriella.
		Wayne Francis Representative, Calcutta Mercy Ministries wayne@buntain.org The son of missionaries, Wayne spent the first twelve years of his life growing up in Kenya and going to school with other missionary kids at Rift Valley Academy. He continued his education at Northwest College in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada and went on to pastor a church in Peterborough, Ontario. Later, he served in churches in Modesto, California and Bellingham, Washington. In 1970, he moved to Calcutta. During his fourteen-year stay he traveled extensively throughout India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh to share God’s message of love and grace. During that period of time he also became involved with the Buntain’s ministry. Today, he lives with his wife and two daughters near San Diego. His love for kids and his desire to give them a chance to fulfill their dreams motivates him as he travels across the country speaking at meetings, conventions, foundations, and events raising funds to support the work of Calcutta Mercy Ministries.
		Reverend Dwain Jones Representative, Calcutta Mercy Ministries dwain@buntain.org Rev. Dwain Jones, ministry representative for Calcutta Mercy Ministries, has served as a pastor, missionary, national secretary for Light-for-the-Lost, as well as director of Men's Ministries for the General Council of the Assemblies of God. Rev. Jones has served pastorates in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. He and his wife, Jeanne, now live in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Dwain Jones is a tremendous communicator. He is in great demand as an evangelist at camp and revival meetings. He speaks with conviction, conveying to listeners that he is a man sincerely interested in bringing the gospel to a lost and dying world. Dwain Jones shares about how individuals can become involved in reaching the hurting of our world for Jesus Christ.
		Bonnie Buntain Long President, Calcutta Mercy Ministries bonnie@buntain.org Bonnie grew up in Calcutta as her parents lay the foundations for their extensive ministry outreach. Her father instilled in her a love for people regardless of race, caste, gender, or religion. Oblivious to social stigmas she befriended all the children around her and quickly picked up their different languages. When people asked why she and her parents lived in Calcutta she would proudly reply, “We are missionaries with a mission to accomplish.” After an eventful and adventurous childhood oversees, she moved to the U.S. for college. Yet, India was her home, where she belonged, and she longed to return. Today, Bonnie works as a nurse in a critical care unit at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City and is the proud mother of three boys. After her father’s death in 1989, she felt the burning desire to return to her roots and to lay down her life as her father did. Today his work and dream live on in her as she firmly holds to an undying faith in God while she continues the work her father began.
		James W. Long, MD, PhD President, Hospital (Calcutta, India) James grew up in Asia between the countries of India, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and the Philippines. He developed a fascination for the science of medicine and pursued medical education to use his interests and talents to help others. He met his wife, Bonnie (daughter of Huldah Buntain, founder of Calcutta Mercy Ministries), in India when they were children. They reunited years later while attending Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri both pursuing degrees in medicine. James continued his education at the University of Missouri to receive his MD and PhD. He went on to found and direct the Utah Artificial Heart Program and became the surgical director of the Utah Cardiac Transplant Program at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. In March 2008, James became the head of the Oklahoma Advanced Heart Failure Program at Integris Baptist Medical Center. In addition to an already demanding schedule, Jim also feels called to help the people of India and serves as the president of Calcutta Mercy Hospital. He travels to Calcutta multiple times a year to work alongside Sanjay Prasad, the executive director.
		Sanjay Prasad Executive Director, Hospital (Calcutta, India) sanjay@calcuttamercyhospital.org Sanjay studied at the Buntain’s first school on Royd Street and at the more extensive complex on Park Street. During those adolescent years he became acquainted with Mark Buntain through his early morning heartfelt Bible studies with the students. These formative years under the wing of the Buntain’s ministry set the path for the rest of his life including introducing him to his future wife. After high school, Sanjay earned a college degree and became highly successful in the banking industry. At the height of his career, he felt led to return to the mission that had nurtured him in his youth. Today, Sanjay serves as the executive director of the hospital in Calcutta. He is blessed to see the tangible effect of his actions on a daily basis in the patients treated at the hospital. Through this he sees God using him to transform their lives – the ultimate job satisfaction.
		Amitabh Singh Board Member, Calcutta Mercy Hospital amitabh@buntain.org Born into a Hindu family, Amitabh learned about Jesus through the Buntain’s ministry. After attending one of their schools he felt called to ministry and earned his Masters of Divinity at Bible College. For the next seven years he served as Rev. Mrs. Buntain’s assistant pastor. Observing the need for qualified spirit-filled administrators in the Christian world, Amitabh decided to return to school to receive an MBA. While in college, he hosted over 300 television programs in English and Hindi for the Christian Broadcasting Network. After graduation he started his own consulting company and consulted for the UNDP and the World Bank. He also taught at various colleges and penned several educational textbooks. He served as CEO of the Hospital (Calcutta, India) for a couple years before moving to the United States. Today, Amitabh, his wife, Susan, and two daughters live in Salt Lake City, Utah. He continues to serve on the hospital's governing board.
		Robert Solomon Representative, Calcutta Mercy Ministries robert@buntain.org In an exhaustive search for peace, Robert’s father looked to numerous Indian religions. When his efforts returned no measurable results he resorted to alcohol and witchcraft. One day, while shuffling down a busy, well-trodden sidewalk in downtown Calcutta he heard a faint, peaceful music emanating from a building nearby. Alert enough for his curiosity to be awakened, he snuck through the door to find a grand auditorium filled with joyful singing from a throng of people. There, in Royd Street Assemblies of God Church, he found the peace he had hunted for for so many years when he discovered the grace and love of Jesus. Inspired by the change in their father, his four children, including Solomon, and his wife followed his lead. Robert began attending the church school and singing with the music program. This ignited a passion for music and a career in singing. Today, he is a representative for Calcutta Mercy Ministries and travels across the U.S. raising funds for leukemia and thalassemia treatment and cleft palate surgeries.
		Michele Struss Representative, Calcutta Mercy Ministries Born with a form of dwarfism, Michele grew up with a daily struggle of physical pain and endured multiple surgeries. Amid her physical tribulations, Michele pursued art. In her mid-twenties she discovered her calling to paint underprivileged children with her favorite medium of choice – watercolors. Through her unique gift, she is able to raise awareness and funds through her paintings to help disadvantaged children. Click here to read more of Michele's story
		Jim Swanson Senior Advisor, Calcutta Mercy Ministries jimswanson@buntain.org As a wise advisor who has observed the growth of the Buntain’s ministry in Calcutta since its inception in 1954, James offers a unique outlook with a broad perspective. He grew up with Mark Buntain and his siblings in Toronto, Ontario in Canada before they split ways. Like Mark, he developed a passion to share God’s love with people throughout the world. During his forty years of pastoral service in multiple churches in the U.S. he built up multiple world outreach ministries. His vision to reach the lost with the message of God’s love is a hallmark of his life’s work. In addition to advising Calcutta Mercy Ministries, James also serves as the President of Oriental Missionary Crusade, a ministry focused on the Philippines.
		Donna Testa Donna was first introduced to the Buntain's work in Calcutta in 1996 while producing the documentary "Mark Buntain: Friend of God, Friend of Calcutta." While working on the project, God put within her heart a desire to help the people of India. Donna returned to the United States to work with the Christian Broadcasting Network as Director of Asia Programming, which included overseeing two production facilities in Delhi and Hyderabad. Donna remains a close friend and supporter of Calcutta Mercy Ministries and takes every opportunity to tell others about its life-changing programs.
		Dr. Randy Valimont Representative, Calcutta Mercy Ministries While serving as Senior Pastor of Exciting First Assembly of God in Griffin, Georgia, more than twenty thousand souls have dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ. The church has grown from 400 to over 4,000 in Sunday morning worship attendance. Pastor Valimont has served on the World Missions Board of the Assemblies of God and is currently an Executive Presbyter of the Georgia District Assemblies of God and General Presbyter for the General Council of the Assemblies of God. He is also on the Board of Regents at Southeastern University, his alma mater. In addition to these responsibilities, Pastor Valimont serves on the following boards: CIS Bible School Board of Regents Chairman, International Media Ministry, Asian Compassionate Touch Foundation, Georgia District Missions Director, Cutting Edge International, and Northwood Assembly Board of Overseers. Pastor Valimont has preached in more than forty nations of the world. He has been featured on the Injoy Life Club, the 700 Club, American Family Radio, Global Pastors Network, and Trinity Broadcasting Network. He is a much sought after preacher, leader, author, and conference speaker.