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India Needs JESUS!!
I had over two weeks of ministry in Southern India. It was a very good time of seeing how people really need the Lord. Southern India is indeed challenging but rewarding - to see living faith in the lives of its people.
Pastor BG Thomas and his wife, Pastor Swintar made great company - and the others who came along; Ranjit, Vathany and children and of course Linda as well. We had great fun - overnight on a long train journey, riding the impossible autos, avoiding the traffic whilst walking along the road side, shopping, eating out [always a great fanfare!], sipping coconut drinks [out of the coconut itself], eating pineapple, enjoying the Indian beaches, praying together and of course ministering to His people.
The Team praying....
Indian street....dangerous place to be!
Pray for India...it is a huge country
All Nations House of Prayer
Our first ministry point was a pastors' conference in Chennai. We had a great time of ministry among the leaders who gathered from different parts of the city. We were delighted to meet three American ladies at the Conference as well. It was good that we were able to pray for individuals and speak into their lives and situations.
I had the privilege of ministering to Ps Arul and wife and the three American missionaries visiting Chennai...it is always good to be able to encourage, comfort and strengthen the people of God.
Pastor Steven welcomed Indian style..
Section of the Pastors
The American ladies among us.....PS BG speaking
Ps Arul with Pastor BG Thomas & wife
Zion Christian Church
The first weekend saw us in Zion church. Our ministry to the young people in this church was very fruitful indeed. We saw many young people received the Lord Jesus as Savior on Saturday night. This church has a great potential for the youth of Chennai.
All of us prayed for many individuals who Q to be prayed. We spoke into people's lives and are comforted by the many expressions of gratefulnes and blessings.
Ps BG praying.....
Young people of Zion Church
Power Christian Assembly Church, Trichy
From Chennai I journeyed alone to Trichy. It was a 5 hour ride. It was quite an experience riding an Indian train for the first time. Ps BG Thomas was kind enough to get me onboard the train - just so that I do not miss the ride. I made friends with a man sitting across me -we had a good chat as we enter the city of Trichy.
The welcome was very good - it was a unique experience. I was garlanded with a huge wet rose garland - and it was heavy. Needless to say I was soaking wet as the water simply soaked into my clothing.....
Ps Steven with the welcoming team....
Ps Monydoss, Ps Paul Gilbert & Dr John Mathuram
My host, Pastor Monydoss is an extremely generous man. I was received most graciously. I have never eaten so much Indian food in my life - they kept putting more food on my banana leave [Indian plate!]. I was very well looked after indeed. Thank you Pastors.
I was equally impressed with their living faith - they all had a miracle to tell, an inspiration to give - always a story about how God is so real, even in the mundane things in life!
I could see that the pastor has a great heart to reach the loss, plant as many village churches as possible and win people for Jesus! I hope to connect this pastor with people who are keen to see churches planted everywhere.
PCA Church, Kalpalayam
I ministered in this village church on my first Sunday morning service. People were really hungry for the touch of God. I had a very good interpreter [a retired School Teacher] and the presence of God was there to minister to individuals. I was praying for the sick and oppressed so that Jesus would be glorified in their lives.
Village church
PCA Church, Trichy
My next meeting on Sunday was the main church in the city itself. I was running late but what a thunderous welcome when I entered the sanctuary. God's awesome anointing and presence was there - he was touching His people.
I had a great time praying for many individuals at the altar. It is always good to see people responding to God.
Congregation in Trichy
Ps Steven preaching...
Praying at the altar
PCA Outreach, A. Palur Village
It was a nostalgic trip for me - getting back to a village and doing street meeting there. I grew up with that kind of background in Singapore in the 60s - except that we had no electicity or running water in my willage! I was immediately able to resonate and relate with the villagers, many of whom were Hindu by telling them my own story.
Praise God - many came forward to be prayed for.
Village outreach at night
Prayer Meeting in Trichy
We had a prayer meeting in the weekday - I was so impressed with the number of widows attending and praying fervently.....I was so touched given their extremely difficult background and financial lack that I found myself questioning the approach of simply praying for them - I had to open my wallet and blessed all the widows with a small gift each. For me it was what John was saying in 1 John 3:17 "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"
I saw their lives and it was living faith - I had to join in - in a way!
Prayer meeting ... tremendous energy
Visiting Homes and Praying for...
I visited a few homes - to pray and bring the presence of God into lives and homes....one had a young man with mental problems and when we were there had not drunk or eaten for three days. The family were very concerned and we were there to pray for him....praise God, after a few tries and repeated effort, he drank a glass of water. It was the beginning of healing!
Praying for the family...
The mental problem young man [back second from left]
Another Village Outreach
I was again in a next village the following night. It was great and I enjoyed it. Because it was a Hindu village I have had an initial fear of potential violence but decided that I would "do it afraid"! Again I ended up praying for numerous people - they seems to appear from nowhere.
People everywhere...
Praying with an earnestness...
A gracious gift from the village...
Journey to Trivandrum, Kerala
From Trichy I joined the team on a train to Trivandrum. I caught the train which was on the way from Channei [the team was already asleep inside except Ps BG Thomas who came out to ensure that I got onboard!]. It was an overnight journey of some 11 hours for which I have had little sleep, if any.
The morning after....
City Revival Church A/G, Trivandrum
I had a bit of rest in this city - my first meeting was a Saturday evening Youth Gathering at City Revival Church. I felt really good ministering to young people even if there were no more than 20 of them. I believe God has given me something for the young of this world. They are truly the future....
Small group...but a couple of medical students
An incredible young man of potential...Justin
Sunday Morning Services
I spoke at both the English and Malayalum services at this Church on Sunday morning. It was very good meetings and I was praying for many people at the conclusion of the meetings including the pastor and his family.
Sunday Congregation
The Malayalum Congregation
Pastor Matthew & family
Pastor's Conference, Trivandrum
Our final ministry was a pastor's conference at Trivandrum. Many of the pastors who attended were greatly blessed. We prayed for many and spoke into their lives. It was a time of renewal for many.
Pastor Swintar preaching away....
India is a big country with more than a billion people - India needs Jesus. Hopefully I will make return visits and be instrumental in helping its people connect with the Savior.
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