Tamil Nadu—I arrived in Tamil Nadu, India’s southern most state, at 4:00 a.m. in the morning. I was greeted by a smiling Pastor V.K. Thomas, who came to pick me up on his motor bike. For one week, I’d be ministering to, praying for, and encouraging the PTL field pastors in the Coimbature area.
After arriving at the home of Pastor Thomas at 4:30 he informed me that I would be preaching at another Pastor’s church at 9:00 a.m. and that he would be taking me there at 8:00. So much for sleep! I collapsed into the bed, passed out, and all too quickly was woken up to begin my first day in Coimbature.
Speaking in public is easy for me to do. I enjoy it and people tell me I’m good at it. However, preaching a full sermon on just three hours sleep with no prior preparation adds a whole new element to the term ‘thinking on your feet’. I called upon the Holy Spirit to give me a topic, and not surprisingly He did. I preached for one hour from Ephesians 6 and encouraged the congregation to daily put on their armor and fight against the Satan’s occupation in their area—little did I know it would be like music to their ears.
After preaching, Pastor Amos congratulated me on such a well prepared sermon. When I told him that I arrived having not prepared, he was amazed. I wasn’t aware that Tamil Nadu is an extremely volatile area toward Christians, and that it’s extremely difficult for believers there to stay encouraged in the face of such opposition. Pastors regularly encounter staunch opposition from the Hindu believers and often are shut out of entire towns.
On Thursday I met with Pastor Michael, one of the victims of the Hindu opposition. Pastor
Michael’s church meets in a small, 10x10 foot bamboo and grass church in the middle of a coconut plantation, about five kilometers from the nearest store. Three years ago Michael was beaten in front of one of the PTL churches. He has also been the victim of verbal abuse and threats over the course of his ministry.
In spite of it all, however, he remains committed to the vision. “I do it for God,” he explained. “The bible tells that we will endure sufferings for him and his ministry. I’m just a part of it.” According to Pastor Michael, often times believers don’t come to church, in fear of what the neighbors may do to them. Throughout the day Michael and I prayed together for a revival in the area, and for the release of Satan’s strongholds. Please pray with us!
Thursday evening I was able to meet with two of Pastor Michael’s believers, a widowed mother and her daughter. The two live in a small, one room apartment adjacent to the small fabric making mill they operate together. The mother, a strong believer for nearly three years, is a walking miracle. “Two years ago, this woman was very mentally ill,” explained Michael. “She wasn’t well. The doctors told her that she wouldn’t recover. She wasn’t able to function correctly. But, since she began believing in Jesus she’s completely healed,” he said. The woman, who only two years ago wasn’t even able to bathe alone, was healed by the touch of Jesus!
My time in Tamil Nadu was all too short. I met with six pastors, all of whom I hope went away more encouraged by my prayers and our fellowship. All too often people fail to call on the power of God to help them through their hardships. However, these pastors have learned that the only way to get through such adversity is to call on the power of Jesus. I went to encourage them, and walked away with encouragement myself. What a mighty God we serve.
After arriving at the home of Pastor Thomas at 4:30 he informed me that I would be preaching at another Pastor’s church at 9:00 a.m. and that he would be taking me there at 8:00. So much for sleep! I collapsed into the bed, passed out, and all too quickly was woken up to begin my first day in Coimbature.
Speaking in public is easy for me to do. I enjoy it and people tell me I’m good at it. However, preaching a full sermon on just three hours sleep with no prior preparation adds a whole new element to the term ‘thinking on your feet’. I called upon the Holy Spirit to give me a topic, and not surprisingly He did. I preached for one hour from Ephesians 6 and encouraged the congregation to daily put on their armor and fight against the Satan’s occupation in their area—little did I know it would be like music to their ears.
After preaching, Pastor Amos congratulated me on such a well prepared sermon. When I told him that I arrived having not prepared, he was amazed. I wasn’t aware that Tamil Nadu is an extremely volatile area toward Christians, and that it’s extremely difficult for believers there to stay encouraged in the face of such opposition. Pastors regularly encounter staunch opposition from the Hindu believers and often are shut out of entire towns.
On Thursday I met with Pastor Michael, one of the victims of the Hindu opposition. Pastor
Michael’s church meets in a small, 10x10 foot bamboo and grass church in the middle of a coconut plantation, about five kilometers from the nearest store. Three years ago Michael was beaten in front of one of the PTL churches. He has also been the victim of verbal abuse and threats over the course of his ministry.
In spite of it all, however, he remains committed to the vision. “I do it for God,” he explained. “The bible tells that we will endure sufferings for him and his ministry. I’m just a part of it.” According to Pastor Michael, often times believers don’t come to church, in fear of what the neighbors may do to them. Throughout the day Michael and I prayed together for a revival in the area, and for the release of Satan’s strongholds. Please pray with us!
Thursday evening I was able to meet with two of Pastor Michael’s believers, a widowed mother and her daughter. The two live in a small, one room apartment adjacent to the small fabric making mill they operate together. The mother, a strong believer for nearly three years, is a walking miracle. “Two years ago, this woman was very mentally ill,” explained Michael. “She wasn’t well. The doctors told her that she wouldn’t recover. She wasn’t able to function correctly. But, since she began believing in Jesus she’s completely healed,” he said. The woman, who only two years ago wasn’t even able to bathe alone, was healed by the touch of Jesus!My time in Tamil Nadu was all too short. I met with six pastors, all of whom I hope went away more encouraged by my prayers and our fellowship. All too often people fail to call on the power of God to help them through their hardships. However, these pastors have learned that the only way to get through such adversity is to call on the power of Jesus. I went to encourage them, and walked away with encouragement myself. What a mighty God we serve.
No comments:
Post a Comment