Ministry of the Word in Vizag

The brothers in the church in Vizag arranged a combined Lord’s Table Meeting foe all the saints in the two district and requested me to.minister the word of God as the Loed leads. I looked to the Lord for His word as we travelled by train from Kakinada to Vizag. The Lord gave me the burden to minister in three burdens.

First, on the need to be brought into the full knowledge of the truth, I encouraged all the saints to read the Bible daily especially, the Recovery Version with study notes.

“Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, RecVer)

Second, I released the burden on the need to first of all pray for anything and everything and never to be presumptuous. I also gave my own testimony of the Lord’s leading in my life through first of all praying for my family's salvation, classmates' salavation, and also for my service in the literature service and the church life the Lord has placed me in.

“I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men;” (1 Timothy 2:1, RecVer)

Then, I released the burden on following the pattern of the apostles in living a proper Christian life for the church life using 1 Thessalonians 2. Verse by verse, I just read and emphasized the key words in each verse and simply repeated what the word of God says. The word itself is the ministry, the Lord’s speaking to meet the timely need of His church.

“For you yourselves know, brothers, our entrance toward you, that it has not been in vain. But having suffered previously and having been outrageously treated, even as you know, in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much struggle. For our exhortation is not out of deception nor out of uncleanness nor in guile; But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proves our hearts. For neither were we found at any time with flattering speech, even as you know, nor with a pretext for covetousness; God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, neither from you nor from others, though we could have stood on our authority as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle in your midst, as a nursing mother would cherish her own children. Yearning in this way over you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail: While working night and day so as not to be burdensome to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, as well as God, how in a holy and righteous and blameless manner we conducted ourselves toward you who believe, Just as you know how we were to each one of you, as a father to his own children, exhorting you and consoling you and testifying, So that you might walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, RecVer)

In the afternoon, we met all the key Christian leaders living in the vicinity of the meeting hall of the church in Vizag. All of these Pastors appreciated the truth contained in the Holy Bible Recovery Version so much. Most of them placed order for the Bible and paid the money immediately though we did not have the stock to give to them. They all have requested us to make this Bible known publicly in big meetings and prayed for us for the spread of this Recovery Version especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 

The next day, we went to meet a few more Pastors and all our time were spent with two main Christian leaders in the city. The first one is a lover of the ministry of Watchman Nee so much. As we introduced the Recovery Version Bible, he immediately suggested that we present this Bible to the upcoming Pastors and Elders meeting in the city where he himself is the main coordinator. As we fellowshipped, he invited us for lunch and we further enjoyed more time fellowshipping. He prayed for us and blessed us for the further spreading of the ministry of the word to many seeking Christians. He also purchased the Holy Bible Recovery Version for himself and invited us again to present the ministry books to Christian leaders.

After a wholesome lovefeast and a brotherly fellowship, the Lord brought us to meet with a Pastor who later revelead himself as a one who had his reservation on the teaching of Witness Lee and the Holy Bible Recovery Version as he had heard some rumors negatively spreading among certain Christian groups. He opened up only after I introduced the Recovery Version Bible and answered all his questions on his doubts about the Bible translation itself, the footnotes, the books by Witness Lee,  and the pattern of the church practiced by the local churches. Since this questions were raised in front of me, I deemed it best to fellowship as Christian brothers and clarify whatever questions and doubts he raised. Inwardly, I was praying to the Lord for the proper utterance and the Lord to open our brother's spiritual eyes to see the truth. The fellowship went on and on for over two hours. It was a good time together to meet with "opposers" face to face and use the Bible to address their concerns, point by point. Immediately, I also texted him all the important links concerning our statement of faith, an open letter, defense and confirmation of the truth, the teaching on the divine Trinity, and the practice of prophesying one by one, the need for the oneness of the believers for the building up of the Body of Christ, and CRI research and findings on the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee and the local churches. After all these, he was very open and his understanding of the ministry has much been better. I established a good relationship with him and promised to send him some ministry books on his request and opened myself to him for any feedback, comment, or clarifications. Then, we requested him to pray which he did and we amened his prayer for light and truth. May the Lord grant him the grace to see the truth and be cleared of all doubts, rumors, and negative speaking. Lord, gain our brother!

The local brothers who coordinated with were so excited that they could have a first hand experience of meeting with "opposers" and defend and confirm the truth boldly face to face with a spirit of meekness and long-suffering. As they drove me to the airport, we all prayed together and thanked the Lord for His leading and blessing this ministry literature journey. 

The local brothers even testified that this new year 2024 the Lord is doing many new things for His testimony in Vizag! 

Lord, bless Your move and Your testimony in Vizag!