King of Prussia, PA — It is with deep appreciation that International Ministries (IM) announces the upcoming retirement of Global Servants Dan and Sarah Chetti on March 31, 2026. 

For nearly 30 years, Dan and Sarah have faithfully served in the Arab world. Appointed in 1998, they became IM’s first global servants assigned to the Middle East. Their ministry in Lebanon has been marked by mentoring leaders, teaching biblical truth, and ministering to vulnerable communities. 

The Chettis come from a rich heritage of Baptist missions. Dan’s father was an ordained village evangelist in South India who was later called to teach at the Serampore College founded by William Carey near Calcutta. Growing up, Dan’s family lived in Carey’s former home, and he was baptized in the church William Carey established.

After attending Azusa Pacific University and Claremont Graduate University in California, Dan was ordained on July 14th, 1985, at the Bethany Baptist Church in Montclair, CA. He then returned to India as an assistant professor at the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute in Chennai. Later, Dan became a professor and served as dean for the Post Graduate Studies program from 1991 to 1995. He is an avid researcher, published writer, speaker, educator and theologian.

In the early 1990s, Dan’s vision of mission expanded profoundly. While attending multiple conferences in South Africa between 1991 and 1994, he encountered Christian Indians singing hymns of devotion written by his own grandfather decades before. Migrant workers from India had carried them over, sharing them among believers as they strengthened their faith in the new land. This experience opened Dan’s eyes to the power of the gospel to transcend boundaries. “I call this time my ‘conversion to mission,’” Dan explains.

At first, the Chettis anticipated that a new direction of ministry would be with marginalized Indian communities in South Africa. Instead, through God’s leading and IM’s foresight, they were called to Lebanon. Even before their appointment in 1998, Sarah recalls feeling a burden for the country during its civil war. “I remember reading about the car-bombings and praying for Lebanon, not even knowing where it was. I just prayed, ‘Lord, give peace.’ And then God said, ‘Now go there!’”

From 1998 to 2008, Sarah served as librarian for the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut. But God began to draw her from beyond the comforting walls of the library. In 2005, she began visiting imprisoned migrant domestic workers (MDWs). These women had been unjustly detained under Lebanon’s strict labor system. Fluent in their languages, Sarah listened to their struggles, prayed, and advocated for them. 

These encounters, along with data and research, led to the creation of Insaaf: Justice and Compassion of Jesus. Sarah founded this ministry in 2014 to offer holistic care for MDWs. Since its launch, Insaaf: Justice and Compassion of Jesus has provided food, language and skills training, spiritual support, trauma counseling, and legal assistance. It is a ministry showing God’s love in both word and deed.

As Sarah recounted the beginnings of Insaaf and how God continues to provide volunteers and partnerships, she reflected, “If God wasn’t in it, this ministry wouldn’t have happened. It wasn’t my efforts or talents. It was all God when we look back.”

Between 1998 and 2017, Dan served as an associate professor at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, teaching students from across the Arab world and preaching in local churches. He saw firsthand the vastness of the Arab world, which had little exposure to the Christian faith. Dan recognized that the task of spreading the gospel could not rest solely on foreign missionaries. He calls this realization his “second call to missions.” 

In 2014, in partnership with IM, Dan founded Enduring Love. This ministry identifies, trains, and supports Arab Christians from seven countries, equipping them to share Christ in their own communities. What began as a five-year initiative to train and support 4 leaders has expanded to 27 in 2025! Enduring Love is transforming lives across the Middle East and North Africa from the inside out with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Although Dan and Sarah are retiring from formal IM appointment, their ministries will continue. Sarah has already transitioned Insaaf to new leadership, and Dan plans to serve as a mission advocate for Enduring Love while working with IM to ensure its sustainability.

As the Chettis reflect on their time with IM, their gratitude overflows: “It has been a wonderful journey with IM—one of supportive partnership and trust,” Sarah shared. “The ministry deepened my faith. It changed me, and I’m glad I obeyed that call.” Dan added that he remains in awe of God’s providence: “Lebanon is a gateway for many of these ministries, and it still amazes me that God led us there and IM chose it over any other Arab country.” 

Dan and Sarah both affirm that the spiritual, emotional, and ministry-related support they have received over the last 30 years from IM staff, directors and fellow global servants has been invaluable. “They trusted us, and we trusted them,” they said. “It has been a wonderful feeling to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading without restraint.”

International Ministries gives thanks to God for Dan and Sarah Chetti’s decades of service. We cherish their partnership, love for others, and willingness to take the gospel to new places. 

While their official appointment concludes in March 2026, their legacy will live on through the transformed lives of migrant workers and the Arab Christian leaders empowered through theological education and Enduring Love. The Holy Spirit has worked mightily through their obedience, and we celebrate all that God has done! 

If you currently support Dan and Sarah Chetti, they would love for you to continue to support Sarah’s ministry of Insaaf: Justice and Compassion of Jesus and Dan’s Enduring Love ministry. Please contact donor services at IMDonorServices@internationalministries.org for more information. We would be honored to help you continue advancing God’s mission through International Ministries.