GEMS Visit

Gospel Echoing Missionary Society(GEMS) has been pioneering the gospel move in Bihar and other parts of North India and has been actively involved in uplifting the local people in the field of education, medicine, and many other social and rehabilitation work in addition to evangelism. I have heard about them and the founder Bro. Augustine Jebakumar for many years now. It was only in the past two weeks that we decided to come and pay a visit to him and the organization. 

Then, I started collecting information about GEMS through some known contacts, did some research online, and in fellowship with my fellow brothers, wrote an email to the brother and to their office for an appointment. To my surprise,  I got back an immediate reply from Bro. Jebakumar himself. Then, as he instructed I wrote to the concerned person for visit related to ministry literature, and finally decided to come to visit.

A few days later, I received a call from their office confirming our visit and was surprisingly asked to share a message on the Lord’s day. It was a little surprising as we never met yet, but assigned to minister in a congregation of his stature. The first time in my life, we were being assigned to speak not knowing each other. Then, I fellowshipped with the brothers coordinating with me, and we prayed together for the Lord's definite leading in this matter. Meanwhile, all other practical things of travel itinerary and books sending were done, and prayer burden released for the saints to pray.

The day before yesterday, we were picked up from Patna and arrived at GEMS Campus, Dehri On Sone. Yesterday, we had a series of meetings and fellowship with different brothers. In all the meetings, we experienced the Lord’s presence and enjoyed the fellowship.

Our first meeting was an orientation by a brother concerning the founder's life story and how the Lord led him and the society he started, decade by decade from 1972 till date. Then, we had a campus tour with a brother briefing us on the activities of the various departments. 

In the afternoon, we had an important meeting with the key leaders of the organization. We introduced the ministry books in Hindi and in English as well. They also clarified the soundness of the teaching the ministry books uphold and its acceptance among various Christian groups. On being asked about our basic "doctrinal" belief, I explained that we hold onto the sixty-six books of the Bible as God’s word without overstretching any point of truth nor undermining others. And explained further, the ministry books we introduced were all for the supply of life to all the children of God. Besides, I also clarified a few other questions related to the ministry of brothers Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. Then, the key brothers have peacefully agreed to accept the ministry books, and after further studies, they would place orders for their libraries, missionaries, and different local churches. Out of the deep burden that the ministry of the word must be tasted by as many children of God as possible, I have presented a set of Hindi and English books for their campus library. It indeed was a wonderful and important meeting the Lord led us through with key directors.

Then, we met with Bro. Augustine Jebakumar and presented him the Holy Bible, Recovery Version, along with some selected books by Bro. Watchman Nee and Witness Lee with a brief introduction of each. As brother enquired to know more about the impact of the ministry books in our lives, the lives of the saints, and how we serve the Lord in cities like Delhi and Gurugram, we gave testimonies as answers to all his queries. He also shared his precious experiences and burdens he has concerning the Lord’s move in North India. We all enjoyed the wonderful fellowship for about two hours. We then requested our brother for prayer and took a photo for remembrance together.

Today, on the Lord’s day, our brother introduced us to the church gathering of about a thousand believers present at the auditorium and it was also streamed live, perhaps, or recorded for other "satellite churches." The word we ministered was on the service of the Lord’s called ones, from the life of Moses, the three subjective signs of the Lord’s called ones with the cutting and matching in Exodus 4. To complete the sharing of the truth with subjective experience, I also shared my testimony of the Lord’s calling, by throwing my "staff" and picking it up by the tail, and using it for the Lord’s service. 

We then had another round of campus tours, enjoyed lunch together with two young brothers, and then left for Patna. It was like a fairy tour. The Lord had marvelously worked out everything in His own time and in His best way. All glory to Him! Amen!

The visit to GEMS was indeed a gem. May the Lord bless all the saints with the ministry of the word for the growth unto the building up of the Body of Christ.