HIMALAYA HARVEST MARCH - 2008

EDITORIAL

GOOD SHEPHERD

“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1)

The meekest animals in the world are the sheep. They do nothing of their own will, and just follow their shepherd where ever he takes them, with their heads bowed down. Whether the shepherd takes them through grassy plain s, hills, valleys or near flowing streams they will just follow without questioning. They have no fighting qualities or instincts; they cannot defend themselves against wild animals. They are totally dependent on their master.

The sheep offer no resistance, when their wool is sheared. They just stand still. Even when they are taken to be slaughtered for meat they stand quietly without resistance. They recognize their shepherd’s voice and just follow him; knowing very well that their life is in the hands of their master and that he will guide and protect them even by risking his own life. David protected his sheep from the wild beasts, so he knew the duties of the shepherd and his relationship with his sheep.

Oh really who on earth could have been more appropriately chosen to represent Christ than this meekest of all living creatures. Christ was consistently called “The Lamb” because of his meekness. David knew who his shepherd was, and so was bold enough to declare in Psalms 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want”.

Many people have come up like the sheep, in utter meekness, to serve the Lord, leaving behind their homes, jobs, every worldly possession, just believing that the shepherd will take care of them. Ask these people who have given up everything in this world, whether their shepherd has ever let them down?

Dear brothers and sisters, do we know who our shepherd is? Do we trust our lives in his hands? If we do let ourselves become like the sheep, and totally handover our lives and our problems into his hands, be sure he will not let us down.

Remember He is the GOOD SHEPHERD.

Dr. B Walters

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

HE LEADS ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS

Fifty Five Years with the Lord

This year is another milestone in my life when I will be completing 55 years since I left home and my job as a young man in obedience to the Lord’s call to serve Him full time. That was a critical time for my parents as they were struggling to meet the bare minimum needs of our large family of nine members including seven children. Being the eldest son of the family I was responsible to help them. They were only slowly recovering from a big financial break down which happened in the mid forties when we had to leave a fairly good house and our old property in which we all were born and brought up and then start life all over again in a small house in a corner of that property.

Just to help the family members who were living in tears, I took up a job as a school teacher in a small elementary school. My father was very happy when I brought home my first month’s salary of Rs. 8 plus Rs. 4 dearness allowance. In a short time I got promotion to the Middle school nearby and then to another school. One of my sisters also got a job as a nurse in a hospital. But soon she got married and left us. It was at that time the Lord asked me to come out to serve Him full time.

My regular practice right from the day I was saved in 1944 was to share the gospel with others, first to my classmates, and then with my students when I became a teacher. Many of them got saved and some of them became missionaries in India and outside. By God’s grace I continued my preaching since then all these 64 years, whether I am on a journey, in the street, or in a convention; whether I am in the villages, or in cities, plains or among the snowy mountains.

When the Lord asked me to resign my job and come out to serve Him full time, I did not have the courage to submit a resignation. So I took one year’s leave without salary so that if faith did not work, I could return to my job. I really thank God for His patience with this doubting Thomas, because of which I finally resigned my job the following year to serve Him full time.

The more I read the Bible the more I was convinced that to become an ideal servant of God you must follow the pattern of the apostles and the prophets. Depend upon God and Him alone for all your needs, and obey what He tells you. At that time I believed it was true. Today I experience it is true. I now look back over these 64 years as a believer, and the last 55 years as a full-time servant of God, and can testify to all that if the Lord is your Shepherd, you shall not lack any good thing. He did not say you would receive everything you desire, but that all your needs will be supplied.

This beautiful Psalm 23 came before me in a very striking way now as I was looking back to these last 55 years of my walk with the Lord. Perhaps this Psalm is your favorite too. The greatest beauty of this Psalm is that it lies between the crucifixion Psalm 22 and the kingly Psalm 24. Psalm 22 is a prophecy of the cross and Psalm 24 is a prophecy of the coming glory. In other words, from the time a person comes to the experience of the cross until he reaches the coming glory, in between lies Psalm 23 assuring of the seven promises of the Good Shepherd for a new-born believer. After experiencing the cross in Psalm 22, David in Psalm 23 starts with a personal testimony: “The Lord is my shepherd.” He then explains these seven new blessings.

1. UNDER ME GREEN GRASS. He makes me to lie down in green grass. Grass is the food of the sheep, but for us not necessarily physical food only, but it could be also compared with the word of God, the right promise and the right command at the right time. Just as a sheep can lie down on the green grass and chew the cud when it is fully satisfied, you can eat plentifully of the word, and then go, lie down and meditate on it in peace. In every time of need or crisis I can have the right word He once gave in my sunshine days.

2. BESIDE ME STILL WATERS. In Ez. 47:1-12, Is. 44:3, Jn. 7:37-39 and in many other places in the Bible, water refers to the Holy Spirit. Whether or not we believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit or a second work of grace, I am sure all will agree that there is much more than the initial work of salvation. Billy Graham says that the first decision is only five percent of Christian life and there is the rest of 95 percent for your spiritual maturity until we reach glory. Jesus asked his disciples to wait for the promise of the Father before they stepped out. Where the water is still, it is also deep. What a glorious experience when I continue to follow the shepherd He will lead me to the depth of Christian life.

3. WITH ME, MY SHEPHERD. For Thou art with me. That was His promise to His disciples when He was going up into heaven. “Behold I will be with you till the end of the world” (Mt. 28:20). “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice from behind you saying, this is the way; walk in it” (Is. 30:21). You do not need to know all your way through; just follow your shepherd in faith; He knows the way.

4. AROUND ME ENEMIES

5. BEFORE ME A TABLE SPREAD. These two things generally go together. The more enemies that are before you, the better will be the taste of the table, He spreads. Actually this comes from the ancient tradition of the kings who defeat another king. After the victory he will give a feast to his soldiers right in the field itself after tying the enemy soldiers to thousands of posts around them. I have tasted it several times in my life. In case the crucifixion also comes in our lives, remember there is a third day of resurrection. Remember we are not fighting for victory; rather we are fighting from victory. Satan is a defeated foe and victory is already won on Calvary. Do not waste your time in fighting a battle against your enemies. The battle belongs to the Lord.

6. BEHIND ME GOODNESS AND MERCY. A servant of God once said, “Once I was running after the world, and the world was running away from me. Today I am running away from the world, and the world is running after me.” You do not have to wait for money or clothes or house. They will follow you when you follow the shepherd. Try to avoid the temptation to be rich soon, or to be richer than your brother, or to show higher statistics. He said just seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and then all you need is His business.

7. ABOVE ME THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. I will dwell in the house of Lord for ever. The sheep knows it will have rest after the whole days’ toil and journey with the shepherd. Once the believer is sure of this one thing that Jesus has prepared mansions for his followers, he can boldly say with Paul, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17). When this short journey through the mountains and valleys with the Shepherd is over, there will be an eternal rest with that loving Shepherd.

As I have written in the beginning, I started my career with Rs. 12 a month. The Lord gave me much more than that. Today we support about 300 missionaries here without making any appeal for funds or going out for any fund raising. I also made a commitment with the Lord that I will not hold any personal property in my life. The longest distance I traveled when I was a school teacher was to Trivandrum, about 100 miles from home. In my ministry I traveled around the world to about 30 countries. I left one father and mother; He gave me thousands of fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters.

I left home with just a high school certificate; the Lord has given me several degrees, both secular and theological, and also several national and international awards. Forgive me, I write these details not to boast, but to encourage young missionary-minded people and to tell them that the God of first century is still living and that the days of miracles are not over. Our God is not a debtor to anybody. The more you sacrifice for the Lord the more you will see He is rewarding a hundred fold. Friends, you can trust this Shepherd, the One who gave His life for you. Yes, there were several times when I had to go without sufficient food and clothes. During those times I could think more about my Master and identify with His suffering as He walked through the dusts of Galilee and in that I boast.

Perhaps one of the main secrets of my blessing was my wife Christy who stood with me all these years of ups and downs and for that I had to wait till my age of 32. Today I know of sure she is God’s chosen person prepared for me. She stood faithfully and firm with me from our life in that tiny mud hut in Kashmir, in the midst of several financial problems and my two heart attacks and also prepared our two children to serve the Lord. Today both of them with their families also are serving the Lord together with us, one in the Eastern corner and the other in the Western corner of the Himalayas.

Friends, continue your walk with this good Shepherd and He will provide everything you need to reach your eternal home. From there you will look back and say it was all worth leaving all those earthly and perishing things. As Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” And as that blind girl, Fanny Crosby, composed that beautiful song in which she said, “All the way my Saviour leads me …. This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way”. I know you will find the Shepherd as faithful as I have found Him.

Your brother in the Lord,

P.M. Thomas

NORTH WEST REGION

Christmas Celebrations

Ministry in the last three months starting with Christmas and new year was most exciting. We had a wonderful choir of 28 students from The Trinity Bible College in Nagaland. 

Schools

We conducted programs in six high schools where we sang Christmas carols both in English and Hindi and later the Christmas mess age was given on why Jesus came to the earth, and later all the 5500 students were given each a copy of the New Testament and literature portions.

Colleges

Four Government colleges were also reached with the Christmas message and carols. A total of nearly 4000 students both boys and girls clearly heard the Gospel message and received a copy of the New Testament in their own languages. Some of the Principals of these colleges have requested Pastor Santosh Thomas to come and take some special classes for the students.

 Jails

This year again we had programs in 2 of the major jails of the State and a total of 1050 jail inmates heard the Gospel message with great attention. You should have seen how well disciplined and attentive they were as each of the program lasted for an hour and a half each. Pastor Santosh spoke very boldly and moved many of them. He later prayed for all of them and all the 1050 inmates were given a copy of the New Testament.

Army Camps

Our Indian troops are stationed in most difficult places and in adverse climatic conditions especially in the snow bound areas of Kashmir. Most of them are alone and away from their families and their loved ones. (Pr. Santosh was able to go to two army camps and share the gospel message before.) He praised the services of the armed forces and congratulated them for being faithful in their work. A total of nearly 7500 troops were witnessed to and later when the New Testaments were being distributed many of them could not wait patiently and were literally pushing and grabbing for the same.

Government officials

Pr. Santosh and team were invited by the State Government officials to do a program for them where most of the officials were from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds. Pr. Santosh made it very clear that Jesus did not come to the earth for Christians or to create a religion but that He came for all mankind irrespective of caste, creed or religion and that He came for a transformation of the heart. The next day all the leading news channels and news papers carried this message throughout the State.

On the 24^th night we had a grand program in the church ground where nearly 2500 people had gathered for the program. Our school children and the Sunday school children did various programs through dance and skits, the Naga choir sang beautiful Christmas carols and the Hindi choir from our home Church sang in Hindi. Finally Pr. Santosh spoke to the people that Christ was born on this Earth not for Christians but for all mankind. The night’s program was held out in the open ground and even though it was very cold still all the people sat in their places and heard the word of God. On the 25^th morning there were nearly 800 people present for the worship service.

Story of “Kaka Ram”

Born and brought up in a Ramdasi Hindu family, Kaka used to go to school studying in the 9^th grade. He was a very brilliant boy. Since his parents could not afford their children’s studies as being jobless, Kaka had to work as a labourer in some one’s field. Being a very brilliant boy and topping up in the class in all subject s some neighbours were envious and did some witchcraft over this young boy by which he one day all of a sudden stopped going to school and became completely dumb. Someone in the neighbourhood told them to take the boy to the Church. They came to the Church regularly for three weeks and our Pastors consistently prayed for them. By the end of the 4^th week the boy Kaka was totally healed and he started talking normally. As a result of this the whole family has given their life to the Lord and now attends Sunday Worship service regularly. Because of their decision their neighbours have disassociated from them. Today Kaka’s dad who had no job has got a good job and earns money for the house; Kaka has rejoined the school and is doing well.

Family News

Pr. Santosh, Shimona, Christina and Andrew would like to thank each one of you for your valuable prayers and supports you have given them and for having stood by them so faithfully during the last year. Coming back to home from the US trip was not a time for rest. Right from the 17^th to the 27^th they were packed with four to five programs everyday. Thank you so much once again for everything. Wishing you all once again a Very Happy New Year!

Ravi Kumar

  CENTRAL REGION

Family News

After the Ayurvedic treatment for back pain, Dr. Thomas feels much better by God’s grace. But the new disease started by this time, spondylitis affects his ministry. Yet he is working at least ten hours per day. Sister Christy’s health is also going down day by day due to several diseases. However she is taking care of the prayer ministry. Kindly uphold these warriors in your faithful prayers.

Kerala Visit

Dr. P. M Thomas had been in Kerala in the month of November for some meetings and also for treatment of his low back pain. He spoke in about a dozen meetings mostly in Bible seminaries. Altogether a little over 1000 young people stood up at the time of the alter call committing their lives for ministry. He hopes soon at least some of them will march to North India for ministry among the unreached.

Bhopal Visit

In the third week of January Dr. Thomas was invited to speak in a Mission’s Conference of Susamachar Theological College and Seminary founded by Rev. Samuel Mathai in Bhopal in central India. Most of the students and some faculty expressed their decisions to move to the unreached and untold areas of N. India for ministry.

Christmas Celebration

 This time the Christmas programs were quite unique as far as response from the non Christians are concerned. First we had our usual house to house carol singing, visiting our believers and some non Christian families. On the 24^th there was a common carol service in the church and on the 25^th we had our Christmas service.

The next day we invited the children from the neighborhood to celebrate Christmas with us. About 70 non Christian children came in that very cold weather, most of them from very poor background. It was such a joy to minister to them and see the excitement and the enthusiasm in their eyes. On the 27^th we had another special program for 42 non-Christian families living in our neighbourhood.We projected the Billy Graham film, “My hope India”. Towards the end of the message, almost all people stood up expressing their desire to follow Jesus. All of them were given refreshments and a new blanket each as gift. You must have heard many people die each year in N. India without proper warm clothes and it has been a great challenge for us each winter. Some of them with their children are now attending our meetings.

Jail Ministry

Immediately after the worship on the 25^th, a team of 24 people went to the Gorakhpur jail where we had one of the most blessed meetings we ever had in that jail. The authorities permitted about 800 of the inmates to attend. The jailor in his welcome speech said, “Today we are celebrating the birth of Jesus who has changed history with his message of love”. Following that, Kevin gave a thrilling testimony saying, “Four years back I was sitting in that corner like any one of you. Today here am I on the stage just because of a program like this in 2003. Now God has blessed me with a good wife and 2 children. Your life also can change today”.

Following that our team staged the nativity play and then towards the end of Pr. Thomas’ message about 500 of the inmates raised their hands, to receive Jesus into their lives. We also gave them a packet containing a New Testament, and few other small gifts. Bro Ivan Joseph gave his personal Bible to the jailor. Please continue to uphold these dear ones in your prayer that they may know the truth and follow the Saviour.

Republic Day 26th January 2008

The Republic Day was celebrated in the HEM Gorakhpur campus. Flag hoisting ceremony was performed by Dr. P. M Thomas, followed by prayer for the nation and thanks giving. Sweets were distributed at the end of the ceremony.

Outreach Ministry at Triveni

A team of five members from HEM Bros. Sanjay, Joy, Antonio, Sugesh and Samuel started their journey early in the morning on the 06^th of Feb and reached Triveni on the same evening at about 5.00 pm. Triveni is a historic pilgrimage place for Hindu devotees who come every year in multitudes for their religious bathing in the river Gandak.

On the way to Triveni the team conducted outreach programs in two villages, Kaptanganj and Nibua. About 150 people came to the vehicle and many of them bought literatures. The team spent the night of 6^th and 7^th huddled together in the van.

The multitudes arrive in Triveni a day in advance to the event. The team had to reach a bit earlier to position the vehicle in a strategic place so that people could be visible and people could hear them. About one hundred thousand people attended the Triveni Mela and they had a wonderful opportunity to distribute tracts. Announcements were made through the loud speaker and a crowd of about 3500 people came to the van to buy books, CDs and especially the beautiful calendars with Bible verses. Some people from Nepal also came and bought Nepali New Testament.

Our missionary, Debdas Mandi, from Harnatand of Bihar and some believers also joined the team to help in the literature distribution and to guide them in their journey through the jungles. The team visited the Harnatand mission station and encouraged the believers. On the way back to Gorakhpur the team stopped in many villages and distributed the free calendars and gospel tracts. They started from Triveni on the 08^th morning and reached the HEM campus at about 10.30 in the night.

Let us pray to the Lord that the effort of these dear brothers may not go in vain, and that the seeds that have been sown may bring forth harvest for eternity.

102 People baptized

According to reports received in the last three months our missionaries have visited 15888 houses and contacted 74309 people. Out of them 3965 made decisions to accept Christ and 102 people were baptized and added to our various churches in our mission stations. Praise the Lord for what He is doing and also thank you for your prayers.

Dr. B Walters

NORTH EAST REGION

Our long awaited Yesu Puja 2007

Once again this time Yesu Puja (this is the name of our annual convention) was conducted from Dec 18 – 22. The conference was inaugurated by Rev. Dr. Johnson George and the main speaker was Rev KS Abraham, the Principal of Ebenezer Bible College, Kerala. We also had another speaker Bro. J Wilson with his team of singers from the Love Army Crusade.

The Crown Centre Naga Choir consisting of 20 boys and girls literally shook the whole convention stage and premises with their breakthrough songs especially “Haire Haira” (a Hindi folk song). Besides this, we also had our own HTC Choir who led the whole crowd into worship with dancing and singing.

On Dec. 18^th morning our Child Development Centre consisting of 116 poor children, conducted a special program for their parents and the public where Mother superior Philomina was invited as the chief guest. On this occasion 116 jackets and blankets were distributed followed by lunch for all who came. On 20^th forenoon we had a conference for all the local pastors of different missions and organizations in and around Binnaguri followed by the graduation of 13 students of our Himalaya Theological Seminary.

On 21^st evening we had a Christmas Program for the public. The response stunned us as we could not even accommodate the people and so many were standing and enjoying the program. This time a good number of people came from the army also. During this program we also had the opening of the “Bethesda Community Health Care Centre” by Brig. SV Kumar the Depty. GOC of Binnaguri Cantonment.

There was also the opening of another project “Habitat for Humanity” done by Mr. Kirtan Chettri, the Principal of Sunshine Higher Secondary School Birpara, where he distributed the keys of 5 houses to those poor people whose huts were destroyed by wild elephants. Following that, certificates were distributed to 12 unemployed women who completed their tailoring course from our “Tabitha Tailoring Institute”.

Corner Christmas

On the 22^nd of Dec we had the Street Corner Christmas program in which about 60 of us went and conducted open air meetings at different junctions and streets sharing the word of God.

Wedding Bells

The sound of wedding bells were heard on Jan 3^rd 2008 when one of our staff Dr. Lawrence P. Bose got married with Blessy the daughter of one of our own missionaries from Nepal, Pastor Joseph Babu whose special report had come in the last issue of Himalaya Harvest.

Mrs. Grace Johnson

Bethesda Community Health Care Centre

By God’s grace our BCHC clinic is running smoothly. On 21^st of Dec 2007, it was officially inaugurated by honorable Brig. SV Kumar. The main aim of BCHC is to reach the poor and needy people with basic medical facilities including checkups, health awareness programs etc. and also to express the agape love of Christ.

I also praise and thank God for his mercy and blessing on me as he gifted me a beautiful life partner (Blessy) on the 3^rd of Jan 2008. Please do pray for us.

Dr. Lawrence P. Bose

 Himalaya Theological College- Graduation

Our Graduation Ceremony was held on 18^th Dec.Thiteen students consisting of 7 boys and six girls received their graduation certificates. A large crowd of missionaries, pastors, believers, well wishers and relatives of the students were gathered to watch this auspicious occasion.

Rev KS Abraham shared an encouraging message to the graduates and Rev Dr Johnson George; the Principal of HTC conferred the certificates on the graduates. The most moving part of the ceremony was the final farewell by the staff and the students when the whole crowd burst into tears.

Now the admissions for the new year has started. Do pray that we may once again get a committed batch for the new year. Praise the Lord.

Harrison Moses (Academic Dean)

ORISSA PERSECUTION

Flash from Compass Direct News

News from the Frontlines of Persecution- Summary:

NEW DELHI, January 9 (Compass Direct News) - With more than 800 attacks around Christmas time in Orissa state, the number of attacks on Christians in 2007 crossed 1,000 for the first time since India’s Independence in 1947. At least 200 incidents of anti-Christian attacks, including four murders, had been recorded before violence erupted in Orissa’s Kandhamal district that killed at least four Christians and burned 730 houses and 95 churches, according to a report of a fact-finding team released by Christian leaders yesterday (January 8). The report, released by the All India Christian Council in conjunction with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and the Christian Legal Association, says that while four Christians were confirmed dead, at least six were seriously injured and numerous others are missing who are presumed killed by Hindu extremists in the rampage that began in Kandhamal on Christmas Eve. “It is a matter of serious concern to the country that violence has been widespread in different parts of the country in general and against the Christians in particular,” said Dr. Babu Joseph, the CBCI spokesperson.

TESTIMONY

Samuel Johnson

I was working with a good company in Chennai with its Human Resource process. I was extremely happy with my job and in fact I told my wife this is the type of job I longed for and I will continue to spend my entire life working here. It was at this time the Lord called me for ministry and I decided to obey His call. After some months my wife who was working as a school teacher and as a school counselor, too committed her life for full time ministry.

Actually we didn’t know how we should proceed. As we were praying, we got some opportunity to work among children in Chennai.We started a Vacation Bible School program in a suburb near Thambaram. The Lord blessed that VBS and about 45 children turned up. Finally when we left Chennai we had children’s program in 3 places. The Lord laid a burden in my heart from the beginning that we will have to move to North India. I was praying and I got an opportunity to visit some North Indian mission fields. We went as a team and ministered in few places. I prayed for guidance and the Lord showed me that I should go to Gorakhpur, a city in North India where my father worked as an officer in the Indian Air Force. I was still asking the Lord to confirm the place. I was eager to find out missions working in this area and as I searched on the net I found some information on the website of Trinity Presbyterian mentioning the names of Pastor P. M Thomas and Mrs. Christy Thomas and they emailed me the contact details of HEM.

One day as I was visiting the ATM centre at Thambaram for some transactions I met a person standing behind me. The Lord spoke to me to ask this man whether he was from Gorakhpur. It appeared strange. How I should ask this man about Gorakhpur 2300 Kms away whether he belongs to Gorakhpur or not. However taking courage I asked him where he was from. His reply shocked me when he said I belong to Gorakhpur and I have come here for studies. I was convinced that this is the will of the Lord and along with my wife and two small daughters left for Gorakhpur on 19^th December 2007 and reached on 21^st. Pr. P. M Thomas of HEM gave us good accommodation in the campus and we started our work there.

Here in HEM we are working with about 70 children of the neighbourhood who are being blessed through the children ministry that takes place on Saturdays. There is a big library also in the campus and we are looking after it besides doing other outreach works in the Lord’s vineyard. We

pray that the Lord will use us mightily for His divine purpose.

THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY

(I Corinthian. 15:20-22)

By Bob Binkley

Introduction

Death is our greatest enemy

No man is wise enough to outwit death

Death applies not only to people, but to all things

If death is to be conquered, it must be conquered by God

According to the scripture above, we as Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead and overpowered death.

Following are at least six reasons why we believe this

I The Old Testament predicts the Resurrection

A. Gen 3:15 The seed of the woman will crush Satan’s head

B. Job 19:25-26 Job prophesies that even after his death, he will see God from his flesh.

C. Ps 16:9-10 “Therefore my heart is glad….For thou will not abandon my soul to sheol….”

II Jesus himself predicted it

A. Mat.16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that He

must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things… and be killed, and be raised

on the third day.

B. John 10:17-18 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down

my life that I may take it up again.

C. John 16:16 A little while, and you will no longer behold me; and again

a little while, and you will see me.

In these and other scriptures, Jesus spoke clearly about his coming death

and resurrection.

III The Empty Tomb

A. This was seen by the soldiers who were to protect the body

B. This was seen by his disciples

C. The tomb of Jesus remains empty to this day, and this is in spite of many

authorities trying to locate the body of Jesus.

IV The Appearances of Christ

In addition to the empty tomb, many people saw the resurrected Lord

Jesus!

These appearances in the Bible were probably in the following order.

1. John 20:11-17 Mary Magdalene, near the tomb

2. Matt. 28:9 The other women who came to the tomb

3. Luke 24:34 Peter

4. Luke 24:13-35 Two disciples on the road to Emmaus

5. Luke 24: 36-43 Ten of Jesus’ disciples(Thomas not there)

in Jerusalem

6. John 20:24-29 All eleven disciples in Jerusalem

7. John 21:1-23 The disciples by the Sea of Tiberius

8. I Cori. 15:6 To 500 of His followers at one time

9. I Cori. 15:7 To James his half brother

10. Acts 1:6-11 To those present at His ascension

11. Acts 9:3-6 To Saul on the Damascus road

12. Rev 1: 9-20 To John on the island called Patmos

These appearances show many sightings, in many different places,

With a number of proofs (like touching him and eating with him)

V. The witness of the apostles and disciples

¬ Changed from sad disciples into bold apostles

¬ It cost them the loss of their possessions

¬ It cost them great persecution

¬ Finally, it cost them their lives

This many people only die for what they believe to be the truth!

VI. The preaching of the apostles

¬ It is mentioned in every Gospel and the book of Acts

¬ Paul uses this fact as a main teaching in his letters

¬ The whole book of Revelation is full of a risen Lord Jesus watching over his church.

Pastor Qadar Masih

A Tribute

Born and brought up in a Muslim family up in the mountains of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Qadar was a staunch and a devout Muslim who served in the Indian Army for nearly 30 years. While in the Army he heard the message of Jesus, the Saviour of the world and he gave his life to Jesus in the year 1952. It was a very bold step for him to make at that time. When this news reached his father he was thrown out of the family. But he remained strong in his faith.

In 1970 he retired from the Indian Army and for nearly 4 years he was in prayer seeking God’s plan for his future ministry. In 1975 the Lord called him to step out for full time ministry and in complete faith looking to the Lord he started his ministry in with KEF (Kashmir Evangelical Fellowship). He would walk among those mountains and valleys miles after miles taking the gospel to those fellow Muslims in different villages and wherever he would meet people on the way. He could keep the attention of the crowd for hours together and at the same time carry the gospel into their hearts.

In 28 years of Pastor Qadar Masih’s ministry from 1975 to 2007nearly 525 people gave their lives to the Lord and he was able to establish 4 cell churches among those mountains. By 2003 he was quite old and weak and so he was brought down to Udhampur while his son Yaqoob took over the ministry of the mountains. Pastor Qadar started to assist at the Udhampur base church by going around and praying for the members of the church and also teaching the new believers.

As usual, after spending a night up in the mountains he returned to his home on the 22^nd of November 2007. After having breakfast with his wife Begum he started narrating to her the dream he had seen on 21^st night. He saw Moses and Paul talking to him and smiling at him. After that he decided to walk down to a shop on the roadside. As he stepped out of his house he fell down and became unconscious. Immediately he was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Little did he know that Moses and Paul in his dream were waiting at heaven’s gate to receive him.

Pastor Qadar who was a solider, missiona ry, Pastor, husband, father, grand father a great grand father, a good singer, a man full of humor and a man loved by all went to be with the Lord on 22^nd of November 2007 at 11:30 in the morning. Pastor Qadar is survived by his wife Begum, 3 sons, 3 daughters, 3 daughters-in-law, 3 sons-in-law, 18 grand children and 2 great grand children. All of them love the Lord and are walking with the Lord. He served the Lord joyfully and took care of the family well and then went to be with the Lord to receive his reward. What a glorious home call! Pastor Qadar’s life and ministry could be summed up as Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing”