Ministry of the Word to Nadiad, Vadodara, Anand, and Surat

Nadiad
This city was not in our original plan. But, a brother who is a possible translator for Gujarati was introduced to me. Thereafter, this city was inserted into the distribution plan. Later, I realized that there was a sister from this city who was gained while she was studying for her nursing course in Hyderabad. This sister and her family became the key contact for Nadiad. In fact, as we arrived in the city, she and her family had prepared a meeting with their neighbors. Though our plan was to stay in a hotel, we eventually had to cancel the hotel and stayed in the seeker's home as they requested. In fact, we were seven brothers, but still, out of their love toward the Lord and us, they made arrangements with all the facilities they had in their home.

As we began the meeting, we sang a Gujarati hymn, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine! Based on this hymn, I picked up the phrase "Born of His Spirit" and fellowshipped on the line of the need to be born again using the life of Nicodemus in John 3. Other brothers followed suit in sharing the truth on the same line with some testimony. We had a wonderful group meeting with the new ones in Nadiad. I do believe, the Lord will gain these families for the church life in Nadiad!

After the night halt, the next day, the family again prepared a sumptuous breakfast though we told them not to. Still, because of their love, they gave their best again. Then, a brother and I went to meet the Reverend Pastor of the Methodist church who also purchased the ministry books after introducing it to them. Then, a contact who was supposed to be a Gujarati translator but did not work out was met. After meeting him I realize that the Lord uses some people to give us direction, and some to open the door, and some to actually be the pillars for His testimony. He sovereignly moves in His wise ways.

Vadodara
The key contact in Nadiad, our sister, volunteered to join us in Vadodara as well and she wanted us to meet with her relatives. In fact, there too, they prepared lunch, dinner, night stay, and breakfast. They all loved the Lord and did their best for us. May the Lord richly reward them, especially the sister who took the initiative in making all the necessary arrangements.

In the night meeting with our host, we sang a hymn in Gujarati, What a Friend we Have in Jesus!. Based on this hymn, I ministered the word on the need to treasure the Lord's presence all the time in prayer and the word of God. I also released the burden of reading and eating the word of God using the Lord's words in John 6 along with my own testimony. My burden was to help the families who have young brothers and also the new brothers who coordinated with us in the ministry journey for the first time.

In Vadodara, the Lord also led me to meet the President of the Gujarat Tracts and Books Society. Although their bookstore and office were in Ahmedabad, we did not have time to visit them there. But here, the President who could make the decision placed the order for the ministry books and Bible for display in their bookroom. Therefore, the Lord led us to meet the right people at the right place and at the right time again! Besides, a Hebrew professor at a theological seminary who also knows Greek was met and he appreciated the Holy Bible Recovery Version and purchased a copy for himself.

Of course, a few other Pastors were met too along with the sister who actually helped in finalizing the Gujarati free booklets which were distributed in Gujarat on this trip. By the way, a group of brothers went to another city Anand.

Anand

In the city of Anand where AMUL, Anand Milk Union Limited, the famous Indian milk company is situated, the Lord has His remnant, a family open to the ministry. The sister there had been in Mumbai enjoying the church life and actively serving there.

Surat
The brothers were concerned that there was no accommodation arranged in this city. However, we met a Pastor in Vadodara, and he helped us in booking the CNI church guest house. This turned out to be a key venue in Surat for us to meet seekers and introduce the ministry literature. Initially, the meetings with seekers were not very encouraging, but as we left the city, we stopped by on the way to meet a Pastor. Our meeting with him turned out to be a big breakthrough for the distribution. As the brother was the son of the Pastor who ran the biggest independent Christian ministry in Surat and was also a part of the mainline churches. The door has been opened and the seed has been sown in Surat!

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Nadiad, Vadodara, Anand, and Surat!

Ministry of the Word to Ahmedabad

 And Jehovah went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them on the way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might go by day and by night. Exodus 13:21

The first time we visited Gujarat was in 2014 from 11 to 12 Nov in Ahmedabad where we met a brother who loved Br. Watchman Nee’s writings and later through him and other translators, BXL 1,2,3 Rhema booklets were translated into Gujarati. In fact, two brothers who translated the ministry books into Gujarati died in the past few years. Later, a seeking sister came into contact with us and she helped in checking and finalizing the three Rhema booklets. After nine years, the ministry books in Gujarati were finally printed. These Gujarati booklets along with English and Hindi ministry books were used for introducing the ministry to the Christian leaders and seekers in some select cities of Gujarat. It was done so in coordination with the brothers in churches in Maharashtra from 18 to 23 September.

The churches in Maharashtra have picked up the burden to propagate in Gujarat. In fact, they have been regularly visiting a couple of cities. This time, in coordination with the literature service, we visited those cities again with a few other new cities, to introduce and distribute the ministry literature in Gujarati, Hindi, and English. We indeed enjoyed the Lord's timely speaking Jehovah went before us by day in a pillar of cloud to lead us on the way! (Exodus 13:21a)

Through the brothers serving in the free distribution, a contact in Ahmedabad became the beachhead for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature in the city. The District Superintendent of the Methodist church organized a session for the ministry books introduction which was attended by the Christian leaders of the mainline churches in Ahmedabad; Methodist, Church of North India, Salvation Army, and Christian and Missionary Alliance of Br. A.B. Simpson. A brother and I coordinated to introduce the ministry books. In introducing the Holy Bible Recovery Version, I specifically used Ephesians 1:5 on sonship versus adoption to highlight the accuracy of the translation, and Genesis 2:7 on "breath of life, Heb. neshamah"  to highlight the need for footnotes to help under the meaning of the phrase or word. In introducing the ministry books, I used "Seeking God's Will" from Message for Building Up New Believers to help readers understand the need for reading good ministry books. 

Translator and Distributor

Two other prayer burdens for our ministry journey to Gujarat were to find a proper Gujarati translator and a local distributor in Gujarat. The Lord answered our prayers and granted us both! As we were fellowshipping with a Pastor, he mentioned a couple of names who might be interested in meeting us. In fact, one brother who was the manager of an ISPCK in Ahmedabad came. As I personally fellowshipped with him about the ministry books, he, after consulting with his superior placed an order for the ministry books in Hindi and English.  This was a surprise to me because my concept was that the Christians in Gujarat mostly prefer Gujarati books which we do not have yet due to lack of translators. However, it turned out that there were a good number of Hindi and English speakers too. Therefore, the door was opened for the ministry to be made available in Ahmedabad!

Through this brother, as I enquired about a Gujarati translation work, another brother was introduced. Upon fellowshipping with him for a while, I had the peace within that he was the person to engage in Gujarati translation service,. Therefore, I called up my coordinating brother in Gurugram office and let him do the talk for translation service. After this, it was confirmed that he and his team would work on the ministry books translation. This was how the Lord answered our prayers.

In this city too, we met three families, a Malayali and two Gujarati. Both of them have opened their homes for our visit. One gave us dinner and the other lunch while we were there. We also spent time fellowshipping with them on the truth and a brother shared his testimony of how the Lord saved him and led him from Catholic to the church life.

I personally was so thankful to the Lord for His specific leading in this city. I even told the brothers that my burden was accomplished in the first city itself! Anyhow, we still had other cities to visit.

Lord, bless the translation service into Gujarati, the distribution of the ministry books in Gujarat, and the shepherding of the seeking family for Your testimony in Ahmedabad!

North India Seekers Conference and Blending

God has blended the body together… 1 Cor. 12:24b
For thus says the Lord Jehovah, I Myself, even I, will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day when he is among his sheep which are scattered, so I will seek out My sheep; and I will deliver them from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them into their own land, and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the streams and in all the inhabited places of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and their dwelling place will be upon the mountains of the heights of Israel; there they will lie down in a good dwelling place, and on rich pasture they will feed upon the mountains of Israel. I Myself will shepherd My flock, and I will cause them to lie down, declares the Lord Jehovah. I will seek the lost one and bring back the one that was driven away and bind up the broken one and strengthen the sick one. Ezekiel 34:11-16a

In the past fellowships, as I reported concerning the Lord opening the doors in different parts of North India, the brothers suggested inviting some of these promising ones selectively for a seekers' conference and blending. Based on such a fellowship, a proposal was made, and with much prayer, I started inviting them one by one individually. As the Lord operated in them through His words from what they had heard from us and read from the ministry books we distributed to them, most of them agreed to come, except in three states where the seekers already had prior appointments.

 

Thirty-three key selected seekers from seven states of North India who were met through the Hindi ministry literature distribution over the past few years and who have been in contact were invited for a weekend conference and blending in Delhi and Gurugram from 15 to 17 September. This meeting was like a harvest of the seed of the ministry sown through the distribution and a gradual transfer of these seekers to the churches and the work for follow-up shepherding. 
 
The book The Application of the Interpretation of the New Jerusalem to the Seeking Believers was used for this conference with young brothers ministering the word directly in Hindi during the morning sessions. This was followed by reading the ministry portion in groups and then sharing by the seekers. Later in the evening, they participated in the church life in the place of their hospitality. In one session, the burden of gospel preaching and bearing remaining fruits based on John 15:16 was released, after which they went out in groups for gospel preaching. It was indeed a new experience for all the new ones taking the new way!

The burdens as I understood for this meeting were:

• Teach the High Peak Truth
• Show the Vision of the New Jerusalem and its Application
• Gospel Preaching
• Hospitality in the Saints’ Homes to Experience and Enjoy the
• Corporate Living
• Foretaste of the Church Life
• Participating in the Lord’s Table Meeting
• Blending to Usher the Seekers into the Reality of the Body of Christ
• Preparing the Seekers for the Practical Church Life in their Respective Localities

Most of the seekers testified that for the first time, they realized the New Jerusalem is not a physical city but an organic constitution of the processed Triune God mingled with His regenerated believers! Some requested that such meetings be conducted regularly. A brother being so touched by the meetings requested if he could support all the financial needs for such upcoming meetings.

Though my schedule became very tight due to my traveling for distribution before and after this conference and beginning, I still made sure to pray desperately every night when all my work for the way was done. Even though it was late, still I went to the nearby park and prayed for the Lord's presence and blessing upon all. Physically, I felt like I was overburdened, but in the Lord, I was in perfect peace, trusting in the wise and sovereign hand of the Lord. All the brothers in coordination did their part quite well. It was a wonderful time blending with the seekers, and also with and for the saints in the church in Gurugram. 

Pray for the Lord’s continual move in North India. Especially for those who received the ministry books, who have attended the conference and blending, that the Lord may enlighten all that they may see what the economy of the mystery is (Ephesians 3:9a), and gain them fully, even unto the raising of His testimony in their respective localities.

Ministry of the Word to Baragodha, Kalanaur and Jhajjar

Baragodha 
A brother in a village on the border of Haryana and Punjabi had received a free copy of BXL 1. Once we contacted him he was so eager to meet with us. In fact, when we actually met him, he literally forced us to stay overnight so that we could fellowship with his family. Though we had to meet and stay in another village, we canceled that and chose to stay with this brother based on his request. The family did their best to give traditional Punjabi hospitality with the best Punjabi dish and the best room in their newly built house. After dinner, we fellowshipped with the family on the practice of calling upon the Lord's name and led the entire family to call upon the Lord's name. We also encouraged them to call upon the Lord's name regularly, spend time reading the word of God, and pray daily.  Since they were already believers, our burden was to strengthen their faith and their enjoyment of the Lord in a very practical way. He also introduced his brother who just moved to Gurugram for a job. With this family, our burden for the literature journey to Haryana was completed. As we were heading back to Gurugram the next day, the Lord gave me a burden to stop by two more cities, as we were passing through it anyway. Therefore, I made the necessary calls and made appointments with the brothers in two cities whom we met on a previous trip to Haryana in April this year.

Kalanaur
Last April we met a Pastor who was very much impressed by the Holy Bible Recovery Version. This time as we met him again, he testified to us of the new lights and revelations he received through studying this Bible. Since he was open to us, I expounded the truth concerning the church in her local and universal aspect, the church as the Body of Christ and the one new man. Upon hearing the truth, he immediately enquired if we could conduct training for him and his coworkers across a few states of North India.  Since this matter had to be brought into the fellowship of the brothers, I did not feel good to go ahead with this proposal. This matter is to be considered carefully in coordination with the work and the churches that can do the follow-up. After the fellowship over lunch, we prayed and left for the next city Jhahjjar.

Jhajjar
A brother in this city is the one who got saved while he was in Gurugram many years ago. This time the burden was to visit him and console him as he recently lost his father. As we met him, I could only listen to all his pains and struggles in the fight for his father's health. I could only comfort him with the comfort of Christ by helping him call upon the name of the Lord out loud in his office and praying together with him. I also helped him to read a message in Hindi on Christ is the Meaning of Human Life. The ministry spoke by itself, and he got the message. May the Lord fully recover him for His testimony.

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Baragodha, Kalanaur, and Jhajjar!

Ministry of the Word to Kaithal, Hansi, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa

Kaithal
A Pastor who had received the free ministry books online was willing to meet with us on being called. Since he was a working one he initially introduced us first to another Pastor in whose meeting hall we met. The venue was quite suitable for fellowship and a perfect spot for the introduction of the ministry literature. When about four brothers came together, we introduced the ministry to them. They were so eager to read the ministry books in Hindi after we introduced them. They were so glad that the truth had finally been brought to them as they had acknowledged that apart from the Bible they do not have good Christian literature in Hindi.

As the fellowship continued on and on, it was getting late. One of the Pastors invited us to stay overnight so that we could have more time for fellowship. We obliged and prolonged our fellowship. As we stayed overnight, the Pastors' family gave was warm hospitality, the wife serving us Bihari fish curry for dinner. The next day, as we were about to depart for our next destination, they testified that through our visitation God had visited his family as He visited Abraham with three men in Genesis 18:2.

Hansi
The Lord faithfully led us step by step again to meet with seeking Christian workers who once requested free online ministry books distributed by Rhema. It was on the Lord's Day morning, the 10th of September, that we arrived at his residence which had an adjacent room for a meeting hall. When we entered the meeting hall, the Pastor's mother immediately declared to the entire congregation that the Lord had fulfilled the vision she saw a few days ago. Therefore, even before we introduced ourselves or the ministry, they blindly invited us to minister the word in their congregation at the Lord’s Day meeting. The Lord gave us the timely word as we showed them the way and helped them to breathe, drink, and eat the Lord! Actually, the Pastor’s mother had seen a vision on 7th September during her prayer time that three men in white dresses would visit them and when she saw us she was so joyful. After the meeting, we had a time of fellowship over lunch and introduced the ministry to them using the ministry books. The entire family has the burden to serve the Lord, especially for gospel preaching among the local people. The father of the family is a vegetable and fruit seller; wherever he went to sell, he would also preach the gospel to his customers.

Hisar

In this city, the Lord led us to a brother who is an administrative officer in a hospital in Hisar. As we met him in his office, he shared the burden he had for the gospel and that he would not want to burden anyone with his financial needs. Therefore, he took up a job and served the Lord during his free time. He does this mostly through online meetings. When he learned that we had no prior arrangements for the night stay, he invited us to his one-room accommodation with only one single bed. But his was was large enough not to consider the inconveniences we caused to him. We also readily accepted his hospitality with the view of spending time with him more fellowship, though we could comfortably stay in a hotel room.  There, we had a time of prayer and fellowship with him and slept on the floor for the night. The next day we left early morning to meet a few other Christian leaders for the ministry books introduction.  In this way, the Lord led us to the people whom He wanted us to meet. The Lord also sent a brother to lead us to meet other Pastors in Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa. 

Fatehabad

In this city, we could not do much as we were able to meet only one key Christian leader who runs a Christian book shop. Since he chose a hotel for fellowship over lunch, we did not feel good for him to treat us, instead, we treated him. In fact, this was the only time we ate at a hotel during our entire trip. For everywhere we went, at lunchtime or dinner or breakfast, whoever we met at those times, provided in love, a brotherly meal.

Sirsa

In the meeting hall of the senior Pastor, we displayed the ministry books and introduced them to the contacts we had in Sirsa. Since this Pastor and his meeting hall were well known in the city, many other contacts came to meet us right there. Though we could not fellowship in-depth on the truth to any of the Pastors we met, still we thank the Lord that the ministry books have been widely distributed. Only after the seekers read the ministry books and the Lord manifests His remnants, then we can visit the city again for follow-up.

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Kaithal, Hansi, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa!

Ministry of the Word to Narwana, Santosh Majra, and Rajound

Narwana

In Narwana, a brother and his family gave us hospitality in their home. In fact, he happened to be the President of the Pastors’ Association and had invited a group of key Christian leaders with their spouses to hear us out. As they were gathered together, the Lord led us to minister on one of the high-peak truths, God becoming man to make man God in life and nature but not in the Godhead. They all marveled at this simple yet basic truth in the Bible and wondered how it had been hidden from them for so many years. They were so nourished with the truth that they received the free ministry books and also purchased the title books. They even requested us to visit them again as they wanted more Christian leaders and believers to hear what they had just heard. 

The next day morning, we were invited for a fellowship over breakfast at a Pastor's home. This Pastor was so impressed by the ministry books that he purchased the entire set of Hindi books. Though he could hardly read and understand English, after listening to our introduction of the Holy Bible Recovery Version, he still purchased it as he could not wait for the Hindi New Testament Recovery Version. Likewise, almost all the Hindi seekers we met, requested the Hindi Recovery Version. 

By the way, this couple has been barren for many years, and from their sharing, we could easily make out that they were very desperate for a child. To them, I shared that bearing children is all up to the Lord and I shared my testimony of how the Lord blessed me with three children when I expected none. We then prayed for them and left for another Pastor's home.

This other Pastor invited us to at least pray for this family and the ministry he has been carrying out. Except for prayer, I literally had nothing else to say as I sensed that he seemed to be more inclined towards receiving financial help rather than a genuine brotherly fellowship. In fact, I do not entertain Christian workers narrating to me about their plans and needs to meet their goals. To me, things are very straightforward. If the Lord leads you for a thing, He will also provide the means to accomplish that thing. Otherwise, it is best to reconsider, as it might be man's own plan.

 
Then we met another believer's family who requested prayer for their family's well-being, for which we obliged too. But I let the brothers with me do the prayers in Hindi and I simply stood by them amening their prayers.

Santosh Majra
This village is special in that it has the majority of the villagers as Christian at least in names, due to the British stationed in this village before they left India. Yet, there is a spiritual drought among the Christians. A Pastor's family welcomed us and prepared a sumptuous lunch for us. But we wasted no time and introduced the ministry books directly. Even before we met them, through word of mouth from their relatives, they heard about us and had already decided to purchase the entire set of ministry books in Hindi. After the lunch fellowship, we went further to meet another seeker in Rajound, a few kilometers away from the village.

Rajound
A Pastor and his wife came to meet us in one of the believer's home. As we fellowship with him, he also seemed to be distracted in his own plan in the name of serving the Lord. Though his reasons were sound, I hope that they follow the Lord's leading in every step of their lives. May the ministry books they received be a rescue to them from all forms of distraction.

Lord, gain Your testimony in these localities!

Ministry of the Word to Dadri, Julana, and Jind

For the month of September, the plan was to go to Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, and all preparations including ticket booking were done for the ministry of the word literature journey. However, a few days before we set out, the key brother in Aligarh called to inform me that his daughter had a complication in her childbirth and that he needed to take care of her urgently. Therefore, the plan was abruptly canceled. I just took that as from the Lord and also fellowshipped with my coordinating brother. 

This sudden change of plan was rather shocking to me and I considered before the Lord carefully what the Lord wanted to do this time. Later, the Lord gave me a feeling to call a brother in Haryana whom we met last April. The moment I called him and enquired about the possibility of visiting him and his locality for the ministry books distribution, he was very positive and requested that we visit him but that he would also confirm with other brothers. When I called him he was about to leave for a meeting and promptly replied that he would discuss the matter with his coworkers as well. The following day, he called and confirmed and asked me to come. His call was like a "Macedonian Call." Therefore, I updated the brothers saying,"Our initial plan was to go to Uttar Pradesh. But at the last minute, we had to change the plan and go to Haryana instead. Then, we realized it was the Lord's specific leading at this time for this state."

And when they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, 

yet the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. And bypassing Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: A certain man, a Macedonian, was standing and entreating him and saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And when he had seen the vision, we immediately endeavored to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to announce the gospel to them. Acts 16:7-10

The Lord’s Specific Leading

From 8th to 12th September, city by city, locality by locality, we witnessed and enjoyed the Lord’s leading again. He prepared the right people at the right place and at the right time to whom we could introduce and distribute the ministry literature and also minister the timely word of God. Though we set out to visit only six cities, the Lord led us to fourteen localities! This was the fulfillment of the "Macedonian(Haryanvi-Punjabi) Call" in Acts 16:7-10 we received on 8th Sept before we set out for this ministry of the word literature journey.

Dadri

The key Pastor whom we met in April 2023 and who also purchased the entire set of ministry books in Hindi had gathered together the key Christian leaders in Dadri. Since he appreciated the truth so much, he himself promoted the ministry books to other Christian leaders. We conducted a mini-conference for all these leaders and presented the truth using the ministry books we introduced and distributed. I ministered the present speaking of the Lord to me from my Bible reading portion that morning on faith growing, love growing, and the facing of persecution and afflictions which made us worthy of the kingdom of God. 

We ought to thank God always concerning you, brothers, even as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly and the love of each one of you all to one another is increasing, So that we ourselves boast in you among the churches of God concerning your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions which you bear, A plain indication of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be accounted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer; 2 Thessalonians 1:2-5

The key Pastor himself made arrangements for such a meeting in a few other districts of Haryana, leading to more doors being opened for the spread of the ministry!

Julana

As directed by the Pastor in Dadri, we went to Julana and shared the word of God with a group of believers, mostly sisters, on eating, drinking, and breathing the Lord with an emphasis on calling upon the Lord's Name, which we also all called together out loud. Then, we introduced the ministry books to all the believers. Later, another group of pastors came and to them too we introduced the ministry books. These brothers had wanted to know our belief concerning the Trinity, therefore, I spent some time explaining to them the truth concerning the Triune God.

Jind

On our way to the night halt at Narwana, we passed by Jind and met with a Pastor. Though he was not very interested in the ministry books we presented, he was very interested in us and requested that we conduct one training for all his Bible school students whom he gathered from different parts of the state, and many of those were not very educated. We only told him that if such a plan is there we can consider it based on the time and our availability.  We leave the matter to the Lord if He so leads.

Lord, gain Dadri, Julana, and Jind for Your testimony!