HIMALAYA HARVEST APRIL- JUNE 2008

EDITORIAL

Thy will be done ...... (Luke 11:2)

As long as we are in this world we are in constant interaction with the people and things around us, our parents, teachers, relations, friends and benefactors. We just cannot avoid them or be immuned to their influence in our daily lives.

However at times there may arise a conflict between the will of God and the demands of the world around us. The decision lies with us as to whom we should give priority? Whom do we value more? As Christians we must obey the will of God that is our primary duty. In Heb. 1:9 Jesus said “I have come to do your will O God—”. That was His one and only goal. Our first duty should also be to do the will of God, in spite of all adversity.

In 1 Samuel 17th chapter we see David being harshly scolded by brothers for leaving his sheep behind, although he was only obeying the orders of his father. Such harsh scolding would have had David running back home. But David did not reply back, nor was he influenced in any way by his brothers. He said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the army of God…” (1 Sam.17:26). He gave more value to things of God than to the influence of man. As a result we see that Goliath is killed in one second instead of a prolonged war by the army of Israel. This impossible task was made possible just because one man stood up against all odds and obeyed the will of God. This is why God loved David so much. He lifted that poor shepherd boy and made him the king.

In this life many a times we will face this dilemma whether to obey the will of God or to give into the demands of this world.

Remember on one side is the all knowing, almighty and omnipresent God; who loves you and wants to honor you by taking a personal interest in speaking to you, and, on the other side is the voice of temporary worldly demands which are passing away. Whose words we should value more? If we honor God, He will honor us and bless us. Don’t we all want God’s blessings? We spend our whole life in asking for the blessings from God.

Dear brothers and sisters don’t chase blessings; Obey God and blessings will chase you.

Dr. B. Walters

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR OWN DEAD, YOU GO

Out of the 3 men mentioned in Lk. 9:57-62, Jesus said to the second man, “Follow me”. It seems, Jesus found him more worthy than the other two and called him. The man himself was willing to obey and follow Jesus after burying his father. It is not even clear if this man’s father was really dead; it could also mean that his father was getting old and he wants to make sure that his father’s last days would be comfortable and that he will have a peaceful end and a dignified burial.

It can also be applied to those who postpone obeying Jesus with several other excuses like, a handsome job or leaving some precious property or position. But the answer Jesus gave to such a good man sounds very harsh. Let the dead bury the dead, you go.

How is it possible for the dead to do anything? If they are dead they cannot do anything. If they can work they are not dead. But Jesus said there are some things which the dead also can do. Dr T.C. Hammond, the great theologian said, “Wherever there is God, there is mystery”. If we are willing to listen, He will reveal His mysteries to us.

I feel there is a lot of misunderstanding among Christians about the term ‘calling’. About 35 years back I met a S. Indian Christian in Kuwait in one of my meetings there. He could speak several languages fluently, sing well, preach and teach from the Bible well. I asked him, brother, why don’t you step out to serve the Lord full time where you can devote more of your God given talents in a better way. His reply was very interesting, “My mummy and daddy dedicated me for the Lord’s work, my pastor challenged me to serve the Lord and I also really wanted to serve the Lord full time”. I replied everything is favorable, then what is the problem? He replied immediately, “God did not call me”.

According to this young man, his mummy, daddy, pastor and he himself are very good missionary minded people; but he seems to imply, ‘this poor God has no such missionary vision!’ I asked him, “Did God call you to come and work in Kuwait”. He did not reply. He probably meant, he did not see any spectacular calling like Paul or Abraham or Moses had.

Friends, we need to make a difference between a command and a calling. “Go into all the world and preach” (Mk.16.15) is a command and not a choice. You do not need to wait for a “calling” to obey a command. Jn. 15.16 says, ‘I have chosen you and appointed you to go...’ In the early part of our ministry, we worked in Jammu Kashmir for about 33 years. At that time I also served as honorary chaplain for the forces. There I was closely associated with almost all ranks in the army and air force. When a soldier receives a command from his senior officer, he would never say that he should feel a calling also in his heart to obey.

Here we have a command from our Supreme Commander and no other choice is given to a true disciple. The only difference in spiritual life is, God will not interfere with your free will or force you. You have to decide how much you will obey and whether you will be satisfied with the second best or the third best or be called “… you wicked and lazy servant …” (Mt.25:26).

In OT times God’s call was mainly to one tribe and also to isolated persons. For example it was to one Noah from the whole world of his time, it was one Abraham from his world, it was one Moses from the people of Israel etc. But in NT times, God is calling all the people of the world to Himself (Mt. 11:28) and then giving a command to all who come to Him to go out and lead others to Him. (Mk.16:15 and Jn. 15:16). All believers are commanded to go and bring others. He anoints them (Acts 1.8) to serve as His ambassadors (2 Cor.5:20) on this earth; or in other words, the whole church with the whole gospel to the whole world.

Jesus says many are called; but few are chosen (Mt. 22:14). Why is it only few are chosen out of the many? The excuse of the rest are basically the same, ‘Let me see the facilities I can get, let me burry my father, do justice to my family members, my new promising job. Some will say they will stay back to pray or support missionaries. But Jesus’ answer to such good people has not changed. We see some outstanding guidelines in the Bible, by which God calls all people, but why He cannot choose all of them or send them. I want to point out from the Bible seven conditions of God’s calling and selection.

1. Availability: Am I available so that God can speak to me? Hab. 2:1 says. “I will stand on my watch and station myself on the ramparts and look to see what He will say to me and what answer I am to give”. If we are standing in the wrong place God cannot speak to us. Why is it Abraham could hear God’s voice? Gen.18:22 says “The men turned away and went towards Sodom; but Abraham remained standing before the Lord”. Saul the apostle had the vision and not the others with him (Acts 9:7)? Habakkuk gives the answer. I will wait at the right place where God can speak to me. Again the question is, are we available?

2. Without conditions: God told Lot to flee to the mountain. But he said, let me flee to this small town and my life will be spared (Gen.19:17-20). Are we confining or restricting God? There is a story of a young man who prayed, “Lord show me the girl I should marry? She should be a good singer, a graduate, fair in color, slim and 5’3", tall and you know that is Mary”! Many people want God to counter-sign what they have already decided. The wisest man on earth, Solomon says, “Where there is no vision, people perish” (Pro.29:18). In Jude.11 and Rev.2:14 we see Balaam gave his own conditions because he loved money and position.

3. Implicit Obedience: King Saul was willing for partial obedience and as a result lost his kingdom and also lost his life (1Sam.15; 2Sam.1:8). Remember partial obedience is disobedience. Abraham, when he heard God’s voice (Acts 7:2-3), decided to obey and set out with his wife Sarah. Noah was asked to make a huge water- proof box and was also asked to preach and ask people to get into the box with him. He obeyed and continued to preach for over 100 years. Animals obeyed while man did not. But Noah did not stop until God told him to stop preaching and get into the box himself. Jesus obeyed when His Father called Him to go and He said “Behold, I come; ..I delight to do Your will”.

4. Implicit Faith: Abraham believed, that his God is able to lead him to the land He has promised, Eljah believed, that God is true and that He will provide both at Cherith and in the widows house. He will also send the fire and the rain. Moses believed, that his God is able to deliver his people from the cruel Pharaoh. Paul believed and said even before his martyrdom, “I know whom I have believed” (2Tim.1:12). Friends, Elijah was a man like us (Jam.5:17); what He has done for others He will do for you.

5. Implicit Commitment: It is not enough to have faith and obedience, but we must be willing to pay the price also, even if we have to give our own lives. That is the way Abraham left his relatives and also even willing to sacrifice his only son. Moses was willing to sacrifice all his greatness and privileges in Pharaoh’s palace and then to return to that cruel emperor again and challenge him at the risk of his life. When one is willing to obey and also trust God he will have no problem to sacrifice his everything, because he has seen the invisible and heard the supernatural call. His vision is his food, his house and salary. He does not need anything else. Friends, this has been my experience right from the time I left home and job in Kerala in 1953 without any mission or salary.

6. Implicit Humility: Here again Moses is the supreme example in OT and Jesus is the supreme example in NT. (Num. 12:3) “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” (Phil. 2:5-8) “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, … made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant … He humbled Himself ...” Servant leadership is the only leadership we see in the Bible. See also Jn. 13:13-17: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet ...”

7. Calling is progressive: You will not see the whole of your path when you start your journey. As you start your journey your eyes can reach only up to the next curve and you know when you reach that curve you will see the next and some day reach the final goal. Is. 35:8 says, “A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness … Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray”. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it...” (Is. 30:21). Be sensitive to God’s leading and make sure you are taking each step in the center of God’s will.

So what shall be our next step if we are willing to obey God? The answer is simple. Just tell Him as Jesus said “Father, here I come, I delight to do your will” or say as Israel replied to Joshua, “… All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go” (Jos. 1:16) or repeat with Isaiah, “Here am I Lord, send me” (Is. 6:8). This is the way I heard God’s call; there was no other miracle vision.

I did not see any vision on a mid-day like Paul saw, or heaven opened like John saw. Such calls are exceptional cases. But every time I would hear a missionary challenge or a missionary song, I would commit and recommit my life again and again to serve Him anywhere He would send me. If I was not willing to do that, I would have continued as a teacher, send some money to support missionaries, preached some more missionary messages, and would have enjoyed the tenth or the hundredth best of God.

What we mean is, all are called but very few are ready to pay the price or obey. Give Him the full freedom over your life. You will certainly hear His voice and you will never have to regret if you obeyed Him and we can be sure of reaching our goal of world evangelism sooner than we think. Friends, your call depends upon your availability, your willingness to obey, and to pay the price for it. Your God is as big as your faith, your greatness depends upon your humility and your progress depends upon your willingness to respond to God’s still voice and His leading at each step.

The answer of this man in Luke 9 agrees with other scriptures in OT, as well as with some of the teachings of Jesus, “Honor your father and your mother”. It also agrees with the common eastern custom that the children take care of their parents in their old age. Many of my good Christian friends have taken such verses as an excuse to stay back with their secular jobs or to take care of their homes and parents and their property. Why should Jesus deny this privilege of honoring his father to this man? Read the whole teaching of Jesus on this question in Mt.10:37: “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.”

Jesus said in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple”. Christianity is certainly not a religion of hatred. The term ‘hate’ is used here as a word of exaggerated contrast. The love for Jesus should be so foremost that the love for anything else in this world should be seen as hatred by comparison. When it comes to a choice between Jesus or father or anything or anybody else, you should gladly choose Jesus, without any hesitation. So what should be the Christian attitude when we decide to obey Jesus?

1. We should make it plain to all concerned (Hab. 2:2) with all humility and love that you are going to obey a higher calling and has no other choice but to obey God.

2. Believe God will open a way for our parents, our dear ones, property and other problems when we decide to obey God. Either God will take care of our parents and other problems or He will give renewed health to your dear ones as He did to my people. All my brothers and sisters came into full time Christian ministry and my parents lived a healthy life. At last they came and lived with us, witnessed to many until the Lord called my mother in 1993 and my father at the age of 105. I buried him in our mission field here on March 20, 2006. Friends, you can also trust this Jesus.

3. In a crisis time stand with Jesus. When all people in the family and other dear ones insist that you must stay back and that no one else will be willing to take care of the parents, you must make your call and election clear. Then there should not be any delay in obeying the Lord. I can assure you from my experience that God who has called you will do miracles for you and for your dear ones when you obey the Lord.

4. Lastly Count it a privilege. When you step out to obey the Lord, do it, not because of an obligation only, but because you consider it a privilege to be an ambassador of the King of kings and looking at your coming glory (2Tim.4:8). If saving one soul according to Jesus, is of more worth than gaining the whole world, how much more it will be if the Lord uses you to save thousands?

We had a group of single sisters working with us in the early seventies when we were working in Jammu and Kashmir. One of them, Sister Kunjoonjamma, once received a letter from her people back home in Kerala that she should return home to take care of the aging parents and family property. Her younger sister could not do it because she is married and living with her husband and children. Her brother could not do that because he and his wife both were working and their children were studying in another place.

Kunjoonjamma replied, “I am surprised none of you have understood why I remained single all my life and why I left everything and came all the way from home traveling these 4000 kms and lived in this far away hill country. She was already a heart patient; but she wanted to go out every day for out-reach ministry and would never want to take a rest. Soon her brother made arrangements for the parents and within a few years time Kunjoonjamma also was called home to be with the Lord whom she loved so dearly.

Remember, there are no spectators in the Christian race, all are in the race. You can leave all your responsibilities back home safely in the hands of the One who has called you and He can take care of them much better without your help. Unfortunately many will choose the second best and stay back; but do not say, that is his calling. That is why Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead, you go”. Or in other words let people who are not willing to pay the full price, choose the second best or the hundredth best.

Lastly, one common question, if all go as missionaries, who will make their supports, buildings etc. I have made a calculation in one of my previous articles. The present world Christian population is 2.2 billion. Just imagine, one percent of them are true Christians who are willing to obey Jesus. Let them share the gospel with at least two people a day and also teach them to continue the process for just six days even if they have to go without food and preach. Can you believe, the whole world can be evangelized, in less than six days and we will enter into the new heavens and new earth sooner than we think.

Jesus says in Mt.24:14, ‘preach the gospel in the whole world as a testimony’, not that all should be saved, then the end will come. If that is true, you will not need any long term planning, collection of funds etc. Let every Christian select un-reached areas and work for just ‘six days’. Friends, Jesus’ method is the most practical, easiest and shortest if He can find people who will obey. Until then, listen to Jesus, “Let the dead bury the dead, you go” and some day we will look back and say it was worth all our sacrifices and that God is right.

Your brother because of the gospel,

P.M. Thomas

“HE IS NO FOOL WHO GIVES WHAT HE CANNOT KEEP TO GAIN WHAT HE CANNOT LOOSE” -- JIM ELLIOT

SPECIAL REPORT

Many of you must have been following the story of our missionary Pastor Joseph Babu in Nepal. His story has now become one of daily miracles there. Praise God to know that the days of miracles are not over. Pr. Joseph Babu, was arrested and put in jail two years back instigated by anti-christians. His church and his house were locked up. His wife and children were left stranded and we continued praying before the Almighty God. While he was in jail he spread the word of God among the prisoners and soon many of the inmates got saved. They started singing Christian songs sometimes so loudly that the jailor found it was unbearable and transferred them to about several other jails. Soon the singing and praising started in all those jails also.

The news reached the government and the authorities were surprised to see the change happened in these hard core criminals. They set him free from jail and also gave him a pass to visit all jails in Nepal. He is also asked to speak to the prisoners and see if their lives also can be changed. Thus Joseph Babu’s jail ministry is now spreading to other parts of Nepal. Some of those details have already come out in the last few issues of Himalaya Harvest. Let us see glimpses of blessings as they unfold scene by scene in the life of this servant of God.

Scene One. Joseph Babu has come out of the jail and joined his wife Lovelamma with children staying and working in a rented room as their church and parsonage are locked up by enemies. Now they have one family burden also, that of marrying their grown up daughter. You may only imagine the problem of marrying a grown up daughter in this situation in Nepal, with practically very little prospects of finding a decent bridegroom. They put their supplication before God, whom they serve. Now the battle belongs to the Lord.

Scene Two. In the sub Himalayan region, a well established mission branch office of HEM is operating in a place called Binnaguri. One of their staff, a qualified medical doctor, Lawrence Bose was to be married on 3rd January 2008 at his home town away from Binnaguri. On 31st December due to some unexpected and unfortunate incidents from the side of the bride’s party the marriage was suddenly cancelled. All preparations for the marriage had been made; all the relatives and friends had started to arrive. It was a crushing tragedy for the whole family, especially for Dr. Lawrence Bose who was heart broken.

Soon they informed Dr. Johnson George and his wife Grace about the problem. They immediately rushed to the boy’s house and consoled him. They reminded that God does not forget His own and that everything will work for good. Dr. Johnson asked the boys family members to keep all the preparations as before and that he will look for a right girl, and God willing his marriage will be solemnized on the original date and time. Dr. Bose agreed and assured them that he will marry the girl they choose. The duo Dr. Johnson George and wife Grace prayed with heavy burden. There was only two days left for marriage and still no sign of a bride.

Scene three. Soon they remembered about Joseph Babu’s daughter. They rang up Bro. Joseph Babu. After five hours of hectic trying they could manage to contact him. Both Joseph and his wife were very happy to hear this news. They told them to come with the girl immediately to India with just the bare minimum clothes on them as there is no time. That day there was a general strike in Nepal. Anyhow Joseph Babu his wife along with their three daughters crossed into India in the midnight of 1st Jan.

Scene four. On 2nd Jan. some formal preparations were made by sister Grace and behold the marriage was solemnized on 3rd January at the exact time and the exact place. No one could have ever thought, no one could have ever expected this miracle to happen. Praise the Lord He is alive and still does miracles.

Campus News

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School for children were held in the last week of May 2008. About 150 children attended the classes with great enthusiasm. The classes were conducted by Bro. Samuel Johnson and his wife, assisted by a number of volunteer teachers. On the last day the parents were invited to see the performance of their children.

Leadership training

Advance Mission Leadership Training conducted by India Missions Association from April 7-11 at Gorakhpur was a boon for our future potential leaders. It was a great blessing to all who attended it.

FELLOWSHIP

Secular meaning of the word fellowship means, “having a good time together”, but Christian meaning of the same word has diversified and deeper meanings than just to have a “good time” together. The Greek word for ‘fellowship is ‘koinonia’ and the various forms of this word are found 45 times in the New Testament which means New Testament has lot to say about fellowship. Out of 45 occurrences of different forms of the word ‘koinonia’, only 5 times it is translated ‘Fellowship’; it means we need to explore the meaning of ‘koinonia’. Literal meaning of the word koinonia is ‘sharing’ or ‘that which is in common’. Sharing is a two way process: ‘having a share’ and ‘giving a share’. A third condition is also possible: ‘sharing with’. We will briefly look into the accounts of all these three aspects.

1. Having a share: In a fellowship all are supposed to give something and at the same time receive something.

Let us see what we receive in a Christian fellowship

a. In Phil. 1:7 Paul speaks of being ‘partakers with me of grace’. Now grace is a spiritual reality. Thus here the meaning of fellowship will be ‘sharing common spiritual realities’. When Acts 2:42 speaks of continuing in fellowship, it includes the idea that the believers enjoyed common spiritual realities. Other spiritual realities we participate in our fellowship are ‘forgiveness of sins’, ‘justification by faith’, ‘the sealing of the Holy Spirit’, ‘the assurance of salvation and eternal life’ etc.

b. In Rom. 11:17, Paul is explaining how the gentiles have through Christ come ‘to share the richness of the olive tree (Israel)’. All the privileges that were once enjoyed by Israel are now shared by those who have received Christ. Christians are now ‘a chosen race and a royal priesthood’. Thus here the idea of fellowship is sharing of privileges. Some of the privileges we enjoy as Christians are prayer, feeding on God’s Word, partaking of the Lord’s Supper. As we do these together, we are expressing fellowship through the sharing of privileges.

c. In Hebrew 10:33 we read ‘and sometimes being partners with those so treated (exposed to abuse and affliction)’. Here the idea of fellowship is sharing of experience. This idea of shared experience is reflected in such statements as ‘rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep’ (Rom. 12:15). Paul also instructed, ‘bear one another’s burdens’ (Gal. 6:2). Fellowship is therefore, not only sharing of spiritual realities and of privileges, but also of common experiences. Paul speaks of sharing of a common experience in 2 Cor. 1:7 when he says, ‘as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.’ The sufferings that Paul experienced were not in actual fact experienced by those in Corinth. They would suffer in other ways and the common factor is that both his sufferings and theirs were experienced because of faith. Thus one of the common experiences shared by Christians is suffering because of their faith.

d. The fourth thing in which we may ‘have a share’ is in relation to a common enterprise. Paul often calls a person, a fellow worker as in 2 Cor. 8:23. The idea is that this other man shares in the same work. In Gal. 2:9 we read about ‘giving the right hand of fellowship’. The context reveals that this was because Paul and Barnabas were going to the gentiles while James, Cephas and John went to the circumcised. This reference, therefore, is in the context of a shared work. Shared work in both references is the work of proclaiming the gospel.

2. Giving a share: This is second aspect of fellowship involving inter-personal relationships. ‘Giving a share’ involves one person passing on something to another. Let us look at three aspects of giving:

a. In 2 Cor. 9:13, Paul refers to ‘the generosity of your contribution’. This can be translated as, ‘the generosity of your sharing or your fellowship’. In contrast to first aspect of fellowship, this involves actual giving to others. It is interesting to note that in Rom. 15:26 Paul again talks about a ‘contribution’ and at this time it is specifically stated that it is for the poor. The context of 2 Cor. 9:13 also refers that the recipients of their giving were ‘the poor in Jerusalem’. Jesus said, ‘for you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do well to them’ (Mk. 14:7). Thus we cannot ignore the poor in the fellowship.

b. Of course, giving to Christian work and workers is sharing, in the sense of giving a share. Phil. 1:5 refers to the financial help that the Philippian church gave to Paul. He thanks them for their ‘partnership in the gospel’. This is an interesting use of the word, ‘koinonia’ as it combines the idea of giving a share with the idea of having a share.

c. We must not however limit the meaning of giving a share to the giving of finance. After Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have’, he gave to the lame man the benefit of his spiritual gift. The giving of our time and skills, our advice and cheer can all be classified as fellowship, because they involve giving a share.

3. Sharing with: Third aspect of fellowship is ‘sharing with’. It involves the idea of partnership or union with others in the bonds of a business partnership or just proximity. This is a condition of being an associate on equal and friendly terms. Christians are told not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-18) because such a union, either in marriage, business, or society is incompatible with fellowship with Christians and with God. Paul further warns, ‘have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness’ (Eph. 5:11). 1Jn. 1:3 speaks of ‘fellowship with us’ which highlights the idea that fellowship involves ‘sharing with’.

So we see that common misconception that fellowship is being together is not entirely incorrect. Although it is first and the foremost participating in common objects and not primarily a bond joining Christians, it must ultimately express it self in togetherness or sharing with others where heavenly love fills (should fill) the hearts of believers one for another and for God. For this love is the true fellowship for which the Scripture uses a word ‘agape’ which seldom appears in classical Greek. This fellowship is deeper and more satisfying than any mere human love whether social, parental, conjugal or other. Calanay has said, “Men are made for society and mutual fellowship”.

“Any idea, therefore, of enjoying salvation or being a Christian in isolation is foreign to the New Testament writings” (Alan Stibbs).

Dr. S. D Sharma

Western Region

Brooklyn Mission School: Brooklyn Mission School with 350 students is again a great source to reach out to many non- Christians and share the gospel. Many parents are responding well when we share the gospel and distribute tracts.

43 Baptised!

Udhampur: 30 Baptisms at the base A team of our local Pastors, Pr Danish, Bro. Charan Das & Bro. Khemraj Bakshi have kept the fort high by taking up the challenges. All the women get together and pray and intercede for various needs and for the growth of the Church. In the month of March we had 30 baptisms here in our local church. We Praise God for all the wonderful blessings.

Good Friday & Easter: On Good Friday service the church was packed with many non-Christians also. They listened to the great sacrifice of Jesus. Many confessed their sins and made decisions to follow Jesus. Nearly 1800 people, attended the Easter programs and the Easter procession. These programs were published by the local secular newspapers also.

Women’s Retreat: A one day women’s retreat was organized to encourage the women with the word of God. Sis. Shimona brought the Word of God and challenged the women to be prayer warriors. The women ministry in Udhampur is growing with 8 cell groups and is now multiplying. Through this fellowship many are strengthened to be strong in their faith and trust in the Lord.

Jammu: Our Evangelical Church at Jammu has grown well to 90 families and it is like a church on the hill top which gives light to the people who are living in darkness, idolatry and witchcraft.

Srinagar: Raja Mukthar and Ruth from Kashmir valley report that they had to leave the valley for some time because of threats from militants. This was very hard for them to leave with their one year old son forsaking all their belongings. But God’s kingdom is on the move in the valley. One young man from a staunch Muslim background accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour. On 02/05/2008 he was baptized at Udhampur. Sewing Centre and regular visit to leper colony has been very fruitful. Please continue to pray for them.

Ramban: Sunny and Karuna, Bro. Victor & Vinus report from Ramban that God strengthened them to do an effective outreach ministry in Ramban and to reach out to the mountains which took 4-5 hrs by foot. The cell churches on those mountains are growing. Twenty new people have come to faith in the last few months. The children’s club is also going on well. They are planning to have a Vacation Bible School for these children during this summer break. They have also started a Goshen Home Bible School for the local residents to teach them from the word of God and send them back to their own community. At present 11 students are enrolled.

Kundernullah: Pastor Yaqoob & Meena report from Doda that Lord enabled them to share the gospel with 18 new people. People are showing interest to learn more. A special prayer meeting was arranged in Bhaderwah town where nearly 200 people gathered together to worship the Lord. Lord has healed and delivered 15 people from demon possession. Through this miracle one entire family turned to Christ and accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour. Now Pr. Yaqoob is going to start a cell church at Baderwah town.

Batote: James and Suman report from Batote that, seven people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Besides these they have regular cottage prayer meetings and personal evangelism, Sunday school and ladies fellowship. Lord has added one more family to the church. Marcus Masih & his wife report from Batote that the last two months were really blessed time of ministry among the Muslims and many of them are showing interest. Many approached them with various problems. Bro. Marcus and his wife prayed for them and the Lord answered and strengthened their faith.

Sudmahadev: In answer to our prayers the Lord sent Bro. Raman Kumar and his wife Sangeeta with their three children to this place. They completed our training and stepped out as full time missionaries. On 24th of April he and his family went to Sudmahadev and started their ministry from the scratch. Please continue to pray for this family.

Jyotipuram Pastor Yaqoob & Vijay from Jyotipuram report that God is doing miracles in the Church. Many people approached them to know more about Jesus. Pastor Yaqoob had a regular Bible study with them. Everyone was presented with a copy of the New Testament each. Most of them are high school students and college students.

Prithvipur: Pastor Shadrak Mattoo & Sangeeta report from Prithvipur that the Lord has proved His faithfulness through their lives once again. Lord used him in different Bible Schools and Churches to share the Word of God. Many interior villages were reached with the gospel and they report that 18 people gave their lives to Jesus.

Kashmir Bible College Pastor P.R Antony and his wife Leya Antony has taken up the challenge to run the Kashmir Bible College at Kathua. Pastor Antony has a vision to train the young men and women and send them out to the unreached areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir Bible College has 25 boys and girls who are undergoing the 2 years D. Th course. Pastor Antony and his wife have requested to uphold them in your personal prayers to train these young men and women for His kingdom.

Punjab

52 got saved 12 Persons Baptized !

Cap. Yousaf of Dadwan shares that out of 52 people who accepted Christ in the last three months 12 have received water baptism. One lady who could not be healed through treatment from fever due to demon possession was brought to them. She got sudden relief through prayer. A woman tortured by evil spirit namely Naga was prayed for and received healing. They prayed for another lady who was bed ridden due to evil possession. Soon after prayer she got up and began to praise Jesus’ name.

Pastor Yousaf and his wife share that Lord has blessed their ministry and 38 new people have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and 8 among them were baptized. Many sick and demon possessed were set free by prayer in the name of Jesus. Sis. Robina Binyamin from Jaura Chhatran shares that demons depredated many people and she prayed in the name of Jesus. They are praying to construct a church building for worship. Two people were baptized. Sis. Kamla Masih from Suchetgrah shares that many sick and demon possessed were delivered in the name of Jesus. 6 people accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour and 3 were baptized.

Central Region

Bihar

Pr. Hanok Hansdak working in Katihar has visited new unreached villages with the gospel. 150 people accepted Christ and nine of them have taken water baptism. Pr. Pannalal Soren shares from Ranigunj that 24 people have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour. Two old ladies received healing in their eyes. He has started worship in a new village. 24 people have come to the Lord in the last three months.

Paralytic Healed! Believers tortured! 196 got saved!

Bros. Wilson Hembrom and Debdas Marandi from Harnatand report that in the last two months 46 people have accepted Christ and 8 of them received water baptism. One lady, Ramavati bedridden from paralysis, was healed through prayers. They prayed for a baby afflicted by pneumonia, he was healed and the whole family believed in Jesus. One lost son returned back home after being prayed for. Fanatics are torturing the believers.

Central & West Nepal

New Opening for Adivasis! Many healed, 112 got saved!

Pr. Dhanu Ghimire shares from Bashatapur that 34 new persons have come to the church. One demon possessed person was released after prayers. Regular meetings are going on for students. Twenty people are gathering for worship in the branch church which he started for the Chepang Adivasi people living in Chitwan forest. Pr. Dhani Ram Chaudhary (Jhalladi) has shared that his congregation prayed for a paralytic boy. Now the child has started moving his hands and feet slowly. Eight new persons have accepted Christ. Pastor David Lama from Sarikhet shared gospel with a Maoist leader. An antichristian man threatened to beat him. But God delivered him from his hand. Three women, who were being tortured by demonic spirit, were released miraculously through prayer.

Bro. Gahiram Praja working in Ramandar has visited a new village Churi Jada where three people received healing from a contagious disease. Ten people accepted Jesus. Bro. Arun Gurung from Bharadghat shares that eight people have taken water baptism. Six more people have accepted Christ and two of them are ready to be baptized. They prayed with fasting for a woman who was being tortured by demonic powers for two years and God delivered her. One believer gifted a piece of land so they erected a small prayer hall.

Through the ministry of Pr. Arjun Tamang in Parwatipur, nine people have accepted Christ. Pr. Buddhi Bahadur Tamang from Belauri shares that seven new people have committed their lives to Christ. Pastor Hemant Bardewa (Bhaluhi) reports that 18 people have accepted Christ and five new persons are attending the church. Youth meetings and fasting prayers are being held regularly. Pastor Mitra Ram Tamang from Mahendra Nagar shares that one sister Bisha Devi, suffering from severe body pain was healed through prayer. She accepted Christ and is attending the church.

Pr. Santa Kumar Rai of Krishna Nagar held fasting prayer for the healing of a demon possessed lady and she was released. Bible study classes for students are going on. Bro. Silas Rangmo from Suwami Chowk has shared that seven people took water baptism. One lady possessed by Satan was released after three days of fasting and prayers. 20 persons were saved. Pr. Vino Joseph shares from Bhairawah that three people have taken water baptism.

Maharashtra

18 Baptized, 106 saved!

Pr. S.B Pateh shares from Gondia that 11 persons have taken water baptism. A two year old girl, Nikita was healed from diarrhea and another lady from jaundice. They conducted open air meeting in two villages where about 850 people gathered and fifty persons accepted Jesus as their Savior. Sis. Kamala Mandiye of Bhadanga prayed for one child Ravinder who was sick for six months and god gave him healing. Four new people have taken water baptism.

Pr. Ravi Pateh from Khairabhanda shares that two persons have taken water baptism. Pr. S.B. Pathode from Kamthwa shares that one lady Umabhai was released from demon possession through fasting and prayers. Pr. Sanjay C. Lilhare working in Surjatola arranged a mini conference in Balaghat, about 150 people attended. 56 people accepted Christ and one person was baptized. Four persons were delivered from demonic grip through prayers.

Orissa

Mentally Retarded healed! T. B patient healed!

Pr. D. N Oddu shares from Rajoda that eleven people have taken water baptism. One mentally retarded man and two children suffering from malaria were healed through prayer. In a special prayer five people were filled with Holy Sprit. Pr. Oddu’s wife Bhanumati has partially lost her eyesight and wants to undergo an operation. Pr. Kabi Tandi (Jhulenbar) has shared that seven people have accepted Christ, two have taken water baptism and four of them are ready for baptism..Sis Bihula Nayak working in Badapada is sick. One side of her body is paralyzed and is in need of prayers

Pr. Binaya Sipka and Sis. Dipti Durga reports from Daspur that twelve people have accepted Christ. While returning to Orissa after the regional conference held in Gorakhpur in March, Sis. Dipti fell down and fractured her leg. Her leg is bandaged.

Through Pr. Joseph Senapati’s gospel work in Funda 13 people have committed their lives for Christ and two people received water baptism. One lady was delivered from evil possession. Persecution is increasing day by day. Pr. Kaibal Bagh shares from Duarsuni that one person received water baptism. Opposition is going on. However nine people were saved.

Pastor P. K Korkora of Amalabhata is facing severe opposition from fanatic leaders. One man suffering from stomach pain for three years and a T. B patient were healed through prayers and 28 people were saved. Pr. Tankadhar Tandi was beaten up by a Hindu leader. However 11 people have come to the Lord. Six people want to take baptism. One policeman was healed through prayer and two ladies were released from demonic grip. Two new families are attending the worship.

Uttar Pradesh

Persecution by fanatics ! More Healings!

Pr. ChandrapaI from Bareilly has shared that three persons have taken water baptism. God has performed many miracles in their midst. One sis. Rekha’s child was healed from Chicken pox. When Pr. Chandrapal was conducting prayer meetings in village Shergarh, a group of fanatics threatened the believers and chased them away. Now he had to stop the prayer fellowship for sometime. He has requested prayers for the early reopening of the church. Bros. Avadhesh Kumar and Yasudev Kara have extended their ministry to eleven new villages. One girl Sudha was healed from headache, which she had for three years. One lady was delivered from demonic grip. They arranged film show in four villages. On 1st May 12 people took baptism.

Through the ministry of Pr. C. C Georgekutty in Khalilabad six people are ready for baptism. Pr. Haribansh Masih of Maryadpur shared that one lady Ram Bechani Devi was released from demon possession. In spite of a lot of opposition eight persons have taken water baptism. Bro. Hastalal working in Maharajganj reported that a lady suffering from severe migraine headache was healed through prayer. Pastor Jai Prakash Rao from Sonabhadra, reports that five persons from a family have started to attend the church. One boy Mahendra Ram was paralyzed since last six months was healed through prayer. Out of the 48 people who accepted Christ, five have received baptism.

Bro. Josobanta Missal and family of Siswa Bazar were miraculously saved from an accident. Eight people accepted Christ as their Saviour. One girl tormented by evil spirit was delivered through prayer. One brother received water baptism and seven others are preparing for the same. Two new families are attending the worship. Bro. Oman Lal has reached ninety children with gospel. A Christian film ‘Dayasagar’ was shown and five people influenced by the film accepted Christ and two of them are willing to take baptism. Through prayer one girl was healed from sciatica.

Pr. Narbada Kumar shares from Vishunpur that one man Rajesh belonging to a Hindu fundamentalist group threatened to kill him. Prayer request was sent to HEM. Prayers were offered and now he is not getting any trouble. One lady, Mujra Devi who was very sick and had no hope of survival was prayed for. She was healed and is now attending the church. Another lady was also healed from her vomiting from which she was suffering for four days and could not eat anything. Pr. Paul Bhulai Ram of Bahadiha visited hospitals and two new villages to share gospel. He has requested for self as he is going through some family troubles.

Bro. Raju Majhi from Bansi shares that one lady, Prabhavati, who became dumb and could not open her mouth either by treatments or pujas was brought to church. After fasting and prayer she started to speak. Bro. Raju visited an AIDS patient, Tilak Ram, who was excluded from village and was in sick bed. Hearing the sacrificial love of Christ he along with his family members committed lives to Christ. Now Friday meeting is being conducted in his house and 15-20 people are gathering. 48 people accepted Christ. Bro. Satish Kumar Bharti of Barwa- Kurd reports that four persons from a single family who were demon possessed were released through prayer and are attending the church. Bro. Sujeet Masih has visited twenty schools and shared gospel through action songs and Christian stories. Five souls were won through outreach ministry.

Pastor Samuel Isaac Mathew of Madhopur prayed for bro. Subhash an epileptic patient, who spent lot of money for treatments and pujas but in vain and was relieved. Another man afflicted by high fever and chicken pox was also being prayed for and was completely healed during prayer itself. All these people have accepted Christ and are attending prayer meetings.

Bros. Subhash Samuel and Gangaram of Nai Bazar have reached eight new villages with the gospel. Eleven people are ready for baptism. In village Khaparia, through prayer one boy suffering from skin disease for three years was cured completely.

Pastor Satyen Biswakarma shares from Siddharth Nagar that a girl Ansu was released from demon possession. During seven days of fasting and prayer God healed a girl from epilepsy. He has started ministry in two new villages. 21 persons committed their lives to Christ.

Uttarakhand

Tortured for Christ !

In Banusa Pastor Kamal Singh Rana is going through great persecution. One brother Ranjit attended women’s prayer meeting, requested to pray for him. They prayed for him and God granted him abundant peace. He along with three others committed lives to Jesus. Pr. Louis Lucas’ (Kashipur) wife was seriously sick due to complications that followed her delivery. Through treatments and prayers she is getting well. Four people committed their lives to Christ.

Pastor M. M Varghese from Haridwar reports that a BSc. Nursing student, Soni took decision for baptism after getting relief from her illness. Bro. Sunil from Jibral village, 16 km far from Haridwar accepted Jesus. One brother who could not walk due to sickness received healing. Sister T. Yadav the only person who accepted Jesus from her village is now being brutally tortured by her husband.

Eastern Region

Arunachal Pradesh

Ministry Opposition!

Bros. James Chhetri and Bijoy Kasom of Gautampur are working among Chakma refugees who are Buddhists. The ministry is growing and 102 people accepted Christ. They have started ministry in a new village namely Khamakliyapur. The local Buddhist people are opposing the ministry, and have destroyed a church building of another organization. Diligent prayers are needed for this area.

Assam

Pr. Prem Kumar Lama of Raimona had arranged gospel meetings in three villages, namely Ballamjhora, Bharat Nagar and Khayarbhuttu and conducted film show. He is expecting and praying for fair response. Through his ministry six people have come to the Lord.

East Nepal

Ex Convict Serves the Lord !

Pr. Joseph Babu working in Karsia has visited more jails in Nepal and shared the word. The number of people attending for regular prayer meetings in jail are increasing day by day. By God’s grace his first jail convert, Tilak Patel is out of jail and he committed his future life to serve the Lord. Mrs. Lovelamma Babu is conducting prayer meetings in Karsia and her ministry is also growing.

Pr. Stephen Hansda from Sunshari shares that in the last two months 30 people have accepted and 22 of them are ready for baptism. All the believers attended the fasting prayer during Good Friday and Easter Sunday and experienced spiritual revival. Two demon possessed persons, Sudhir Mandal and Sunita Mandal were prayed for and were delivered. Pr. Johna Khawas reports that four people have committed their lives to Christ.

Sikkim

Pr. Jack Paul Chhetri from Maniram Bhyanjayang reports that his house owner has gone against him and warned them not to hold worship services. They continuously visited a girl Zarna suffering from jaundice and prayed for her. Now she is healed.

Pr. Dik Bahadur Chhetri’s brother (Suldung Busti) accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. They are engaged in the construction of a prayer hall nowadays. Please pray for its completion.

West Bengal

Satan Worshiper now Worshiping Jesus ! Dumb Speaks!

Pr. James Ramtial working in Sonada reports that one witch doctor who had no peace came to the church and experienced peace after prayers. He accepted Christ and took baptism Pr. John Soren from Samuktola reports that one demon possessed dumb was brought for prayers. After prayers he started to speak Pr. Jacob Rai shares from Neem Busty that one brother healed from stomach pain along with four others accepted Christ. Two people are getting ready for baptism. Now a days fanatics oppose believers to attend the church.

Bro. Jiten Oraon of Zabra More has started ministry in a new village namely Khow Basti. In another village Singhibeta he is conducting Sunday school. Two people took baptism and ten others are ready for the same. Fellowship is being conducted in his house and neighbours are gathering. Ganeshwar Das, a mentally deranged man for 9 years was also healed. Please uphold Pr. John’s wife in prayer as she is suffering from chest pain and stomachache. Pr. Lakhan Mahali from Gandrapara reports that one new family is attending their church. He has requested prayers for Bablu Mahali who is suffering from brain tumor.

Bro. Johon Baskey working in Khori Bari has started worship service in two new villages, Batasi among Santali tribe and Chota Lohashing among Munda tribe. Two people have received baptism. One man Viswanath admitted in hospital due to vomiting and bleeding called bro. John for prayer. He was healed in the same day. Mr. Jeran Oraon was undergoing treatments for Jaundice and high fever. Finally through prayer he was cured. Bro. Rajen Maktan working in Salbari conducted open air preaching thrice. He prayed for a paralytic man and he was healed.

Pr. Silas Pradhan of Murti Tea Garden shares that six people have committed their lives to Christ and two of them desire to take water baptism. His wife has undergone an eye operation. Now she is well. Pr. Sunil Chhetri of Sumri Pani shares that five people committed their lives to the Lord. They prayed with fasting for one brother Budhraj Rai who could not move his hand due to pain and was healed. He attended a seminar in Silliguri and there he prayed for sister Saru Seva who was bound by evil spirit and she was delivered. Pr. Yabbesh Rai from Tori Bari shares that one old man was healed from breathing trouble and his family is regularly attending the worship. Two people accepted Christ and another four are ready for baptism.

FIELD FOCUS

Pr. Binaya Kumar Sipka

My name is Binaya Kumar Sipka. I was brought up in a nominal Catholic family, in a village called Golumunda, situated in the district of Kalahandi Orissa. On and off going to the church and attending the rituals was the very essence of my Christian life. I attended Sunday school and other youth meetings, but just as a matter of formality. In my teens having no spiritual foundation, I sank deeper and deeper into the ways of the world, and landed up in bad company, eating, drinking and gambling. Gradually my health deteriorated and I became weak and sickly.. My pastor often counseled me but I just could not leave my sinful ways.

NEW LIFE

Thank God one day in January 1990 a life saving event took place. A convention was held in my village from 1st to 6th January 1990. I attended the convention just out of curiosity. However this convention became the turning point in my spiritually dead life. Pastor Upendra Parichhan spoke about heaven, hell and salvation. The word of God pierced my heart, and I realized for the first time the gravity of the sinful life I was leading. I confessed my sins with tears and begged forgiveness. On 5th January 1990 I took water baptism and left all my sinful ways and I decided to follow Jesus.

VINEYARD

I started working independently with local evangelists in villages distributing tracts and spreading the Word. Realizing that proper missionary training was necessary I applied to HEM (formerly KEF- Jammu & Kashmir).On 08/11/1993 I was accepted into HEM and underwent HMI training. From that day onward up till now I am working as a local pastor of HEM at village Daspur district Kalahandi, in the state of Orissa. God blessed me with a wonderful godly wife, Santara daughter of Mr. Duliya Senapati of Naktikani on 25/04/2001. My wife assists me in my day to day ministry. God has also blessed us with two beautiful children, daughter Blessy aged six years studying in UKG and son Blessed aged two years.

HARVEST

Since the time I joined HEM in 1994 till now I have baptized 107 people, and at present 112 members attend HEM church at Daspur regularly. We have opened branch churches in three more villages Amatha, Bagmunda and Chechia where people in small groups are gathering for spiritual meetings.

OPPOSITION

We are facing opposition from various Hindu fundamentalist groups, but the Lord has kept my family and myself and our believers safe. Please pray that the work of the Lord may spread far and wide and the unreached may be reached and the untold may be told.