Gospel in the South for the North

No matter what the enemy tries to do, he was, and is, and will always be the defeated foe. Christ has defeated him at the cross and today, we, who are His Body, are one with Him in His victory. The door of the gospel can never be shut for the gates of hades will not prevail against what the Lord is doing on earth in His heavenly ministry (Matt. 16:18). 

As I was in the ministry literature journey in the South, we met a brother who has been serving among the North Indians who are settled in South India for business. On meeting him, he invited us to visit some of these North Indians whom he has been shepherding. Therefore, we went to visit a family in whose house some other relatives also gathered together. It was indeed a sight to behold the North Indian faces beeming with curiosity and delight. 

After a word of introduction, I felt led by the Spirit to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all present at the temporary hut built on a small colony for the businessmen from the North. O what a release!

I exercised my Hindi to announce to them Jesus as the Gospel. Beginning from the creation of man to the fall of man. Continuing with the fall of man to the redemption accomplished by God through the Lord Jesus Christ in His crucifixion and resurrection. And that all those who believe into Jesus would not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

I also showed them the way to believe into Jesus, which is by faith. And the way to exercise faith by prayer. I gave them the choice, only if they choose to experience the salvation of God, they could pray with me. But I made it very clear that it is there free will to believe or to call. My responsibility was to only let them know the truth about the living God and to show them the way to believe and receive the living God, Jesus Christ. Therefore, I prayed and whoever were willing to pray after me prayed after me. I did not know how many prayed with me but I did know that a good number of them prayed with me as I heard the voices of prayer while my eyes were closed in prayer. Only the Lord knows how many actually believed and received that day. I simply carried out my responsibility as invited by the local brother.

O what a joy indeed to preach the gospel in full freedom! O what a joy to those who received the gospel of Jesus Christ! God’s desire is that all men be saved and come to the full knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4)

Lord, save Your chosen ones. What a gospel in the South for the North! Hallelujah!

Ministry of the Word in Nanjangod, Chamarajanagar, and Kodagu

Nanjangod

As soon as we introduced the Recovery Version, the President and Secretary’s faces were beaming with joy! They spontaneously praised God for finally making such a study Bible available in Kannada, even offered prayer of thanksgiving to God, and also prayed for us. 

In fact, in order to make the Recovery Version known to other Pastors and believers, the “spokesperson” for the entire Christian community in the town made a video recording of the introduction of the Recovery Version in Kannada encouraging all the members to purchase a copy each, and sent the recording in their WhatsApp group. They placed a bulk order and took the initiative to introduce and distribute the Recovery Version by themselves.

They also requested the Old Testament Recovery Version in Kannada. They even confessed that though many new ones were brought to salvation through their evangelical ministry, there is a dearth of the healthy teaching available in Kannada. They testified that they have been praying for spiritual materials for the believers’ growth in life and that what we just introduced, the Kannada Recovery Version, is the answer to their prayers!

Chamarajanagar - Siddainpur and Chandakvadi

As we introduced the Recovery Version to the President of the Pastor’s Association, he himself picked up the burden and took us to meet the key Pastors in the locality. Everyone to whom we introduced the Recovery Version purchased it.

This main Pastor was introduced to us by another Pastor we met in the last distribution trip in January 2025, who was introduced to the ministry by another Pastor who received the ministry books in a public Christian meeting a few years ago in Maharastra. The taste of the ministry brought forth well-speaking of the ministry from Pastors to Pastors and to believers. 

Though this main Pastor heard about the ministry from another Pastor, he was not sure what kind of ministry we minister or what kind of men we were, as we met for the first time. So, he gave us the opportunity to minister the word of God in a home meeting attended by some twenty believers. As we ministered the word, he cross-checked every Bible verse we quoted and carefully noted the burden we released. After hearing us out, he became very positive and made all the necessary arrangements to meet with other Pastors in town. He became our “co-worker,” at least, for the spread of the ministry in his locality.  

Kodagu - Suntikoppa and Virajpet

The main Pastor, upon learning the usefulness of the Recovery Version, invited us to introduce it in a Youth Meeting where some 500 young people gathered together. Besides, the two Pastors themselves took a few boxes of the Recovery Version for promoting it to the believers in their congregations.

City by city, town by town, Christian group to Christian group, the Lord led us; one step at a time, and these were all new places and new people we met for the first time. 

Wherever we went, the Lord’s presence was with us, and He gave us open doors for the spread of the ministry, especially in Karnataka. 

The Lord has answered the prayers of the Body. All glory to Him!

Because out from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36

Leading Star in Mysuru

In Mysuru, the brothers took me to attend a home meeting of a new one's family on the outskirts of the city. I hardly knew who this family was. Though the brothers briefed me a little bit, I had no idea what they needed and what they have been going through. But as we visited them, and as the custom is, they served whatever they could offer: a glass of milk, some pieces of biscuits, and a bunch of bananas. 

As we finished the introductory formality, the brothers asked me to share something at the spur of the moment. I had no idea then. But as I enquired what they had been pursuing in the past, they mentioned that they started reading the Gospel of Matthew with the footnotes in the Recovery Version and that they completed Chapter 1. Then, I proposed that we pursue Chapter 2. So, we read in turns, verse by verse, the entire chapter.

As we were reading the verses, the Lord gave me the word to minister, "Leading Star." 

Mt 2:2Saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star at its rising and have come to worship Him.

Then for about an hour, I flowed out whatever the Lord burdened me to. The burden was on how we as Christians need to seek the leading of the Lord in everything and follow the Lord Jesus as the "leading Star" that would lead us to His heart's desire. As we follow the Lord, we must avoid our human concepts and opinions. In fact, deny our soul life totally and follow the living vision the Lord gave us through Him, the leading Star. 

At times, we may be in difficult situations, but the Lord is living and He will lead us through, provided we faithfully follow Him as the Magi from the East did.  Often we did make mistakes, which may lead to the 'killing" of innocent children, or the loss of something due to our unfaithfulness, still we must turn back to the Lord and drop our concepts. The Lord knows exactly what we have been going through and how to deliver us from the situations we are in, but we must be faithful to follow His leading star, seeking His will in the spirit in every minute detail. Even in the mistakes the Magi committed, the Lord still fulfilled the prophecy of the Prophets of old. Even in the gifts offered to the man-child Jesus, there was a prophecy of what kind of life Jesus would live on the earth and accomplish God the Father's plan. And how these gifts were also useful for the Lord and His earthly parent to travel from Judea to Egypt and from Egypt to Nazareth so that He who was born in Bethlehem would grow up in Nazareth as Jesus, the Nazarene. Again, a prophecy fulfilled. In all the details, God was involved. In like manner, in all the details of our human life, God is involved as we are His children. So, we must diligently seek and follow Him as the "leading Star."

Then, I shared my testimony of how the Lord, as the leading Star, led me in my college life and how He ultimately called me to serve Him full-time, and how He has been leading me day by day. The saints were so supplied, and I also enjoyed the supply of the Lord very much. The anointing was so sweet as the Lord flowed through me as the living water to all of us. 

Finally, as we prayed one by one, the family that we visited, the wife and the husband, prayed with tears of joy, weeping as they prayed, for the Lord spoke to them the living word that they desperately needed at the moment. Though they prayed in Kannada, I could sense their spirit and the burden they poured out as a brother translated their prayers for me. They prayed with joy yet with tears as the living Lord spoke to them and the leading Star now led them concerning how to go through the hard times that have been going through. Then, we were all full of joy. The couple's expression was full of light through the fellowship. 

Just before we left, the Lord burdened me to offer the offering I received in my ministry journey to them, and I did in obedience to the Lord's leading. I handed over all the offerings I received to the brother. I must listen to the leading Star, so I must obey the leading Star within me. I believe the offering I received was for them, and I offered it with joy. Later, as we left the house, the brother called to testify that this was the best meeting they had ever had in their Christian life. Praise the Lord!

May the Lord continually lead them by His Star and fully recover them for His testimony in Mysuru.

Ministry of the Word in Hunsur

While we were on the way to our first appointment in Mysuru for the distribution, I asked the local brother to make a call to one of the Christian leaders who was introduced to us in the last distribution trip in January 2025. Later, we received a call informing us of the meeting going on in Husnur. Therefore, as soon as we wrapped up the first meeting, we took four boxes of Kannasda New Testament Recovery Version and rushed to Hunsur, to their meeting place.

Once we were given the time for introduction, just about five minutes, as it was an impromptu insertion into their ongoing schedule, I exercised my spirit and introduced the Recovery Version to all the Chrstian leaders in the meeting, just touching the key points on accuracy of translation and useful study notes with the principle of the Bible interpreting the Bible. 

Later, after the meeting, the main leader invited me for a lunch fellowship with the other two main leaders. Then, the main leader and I had over an hour-long fellowship, one-on-one, where he testified of what the Lord has been doing in his life and how the Lord led him thus far despite all the opposition and attack from certain religious fanatics. In spite of all the opposition, the Lord has saved thousands of believers, and he has over a hundred serving ones serving with him.

Meanwhile, the other brothers were distributing (selling) the Kannada Recovery Version to whoever was interested in purchasing. AS I finished my fellowship with the main Pastor, he also placed an order for two boxes of the Bible and the Holy Bible Recovery version in English for himself. His co-worker and his Tamil translator also purchased another copy for himself. In this way, the two main leaders have the ministry books with them. 

Though the group is big and has over seven thousand in fellowship, this open door to the key leaders was very significant and timely. Though they called themselves by some big name, their hearts seemed to be keenly seeking the word of God. Now that they have the properly translated and interpreted word, I believe, the Lord will open up the Scriptures to them and show them his heart's desire. Perhaps, one day, the Lord will recover them for His testimony in Hunsur.

This visit to Hunsur was a big breakthrough in the distribution and also, I believe, in the propagation of the truth. We were all very excited and praised the Lord for such an opening in Karantaka among the local believers.

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Hunsur!

Ministry of the Word in Mysuru

This visit to Mysuru was my third time. First, for propagation, many years ago, perhaps a decade. Then, for a city tour last year with saints from abroad, and this time, for the introduction and distribution of the Kannada New Testament. Though the local brothers made a plan, the Lord's leading was very definite. Through the plan of the brothers, we visited a group of Pastors. There, I did the introduction as the local brothers were with me to observe and learn how the introduction of the ministry literature was done to Christian leaders. The main goal for me was to show our brothers the way and the pattern. Therefore, I purposefully took all the time I needed to carefully, slowly, and clearly introduce the ministry books using relevant Bible verses and ministering the truth, point by point.

Later in the evening, we were invited to a Bible Study group by a Pastor.  There, we were requested to minister the word. Therefore, I felt the Lord's leading and ministered the word on the need to growh in the Chrisian life by breathing, drinking, and eating the Lord after explaining with Bible verses that as genuine believers born of God, we need to growth in life to be the same as God in life and in nature but not in the Godhead. The key Bible verses we quoted were John 1:12, 13; 3:3,5; 1 John 3:1-2; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 1 Thes. 5:17; 1 Tim. 3:16; John 4:14; 7:37-39; 6:32-63. The believers and the Pastor himself were so supplied with the ministry of the word, and they themselves took one full box of Kannada Recovery Version for distribution among the believers.

The next day, we went to visit a few more Christian Pastors at their places. In fact, all the Christian leaders and believers we met in Mysuru for the introduction of the Recovery Version came to know about it for the first time. But as they listened to our introduction, they were convinced that this Recovery Version Bible in Kannada is the need of the Kannada-speaking Christians at the present time, as there is a scarcity of the word and good Christian Bible and books in Kannada. The key Pastors themselves took the initiative to introduce and “sell” the Recovery Version to the believers meeting with them.

The Secretary of the Pastors’ Association, Missionaries serving among the Kannadigas, and a group of Pastors expressed their gratitude to the Lord and us for introducing the Recovery Version in Kannada to them. Since this was a new thing to them, they promised to go through the Recovery Version first and then introduce it to the believers meeting with them.

We also spent a couple of hours visiting Mysuru University and the lake nearby, spending time together, blending and fellowshipping with the local brothers. In this way, along with the distribution burden, the shepherding of the local burden was also carried out. The burden was the raising up of the church in Mysuru one day and having some solid local saints to bear the Lord's testimony, and to gain many campus students.

We also visited the largest Bible college in Mysuru. A Bible scholar initially expressed his skeptical opinion about the “new translation” in Kannada and did a bit of critical analysis in our presence. But as we faithfully introduced the Recovery Version using some crucial Bible verses and footnotes in comparison to other versions both in English and in Kannada, he changed his mind, requested a copy for himself, and even prayed for God’s blessing to be bestowed upon us as we distribute the Recovery Version.   

Lord, may You recover Your testimony in Mysuru soon!

Ministry of the Word in Chittore, Kuppam, and Peranambat

Chittore

In Chittore, we visited two Christian groups. As usual, the brothers arranged for the ministering of the word, and then we introduced the Telugu New Testament Recovery Version. 

These groups were introduced to us by a seeking Pastor whom we met in the last distribution trip in January 2025. Since then, he has been in fellowship with the local brothers and has been introducing the ministry to other Christian groups. Through this brother, this time we were able to meet and introduce the Recovery Version to three other Christian groups in three different localities. 

The ministry has been spreading through word-of-mouth by the seekers themselves!

Kuppam 

In Kuppam too, we visited two Christian groups. One Christian leader testified that he was in fear before he met us, doubting if we were a “cult” group. But after he heard us out, he solemnly testified that he now reverentially fears God, who is righteous and holy. He was so impressed by the ministry that he purchased the Recovery Version in English and Telugu for himself and his coworkers. He also followed us in other meeting in the same city and expressed his desire to be in fellowship with us.

Peranambat

In Peranambat, we had a day Christian Pastors' Conference. This conference for the ministry books introduction and distribution was held through a seeking brother whom we met in our last distribution trip in January 2025. In fact, this was the second such meeting arranged in this city. This was a gathering conducted in coordination of Amana, Rhema, and the church in Vellore. These group of Pastors have been very appreciative of the ministry as they have received and are reading the free Rhema books, title books, and the Recovery Version.

After the meeting, one sister who has been under the shepherding of the church nearby invited us to visit her family. Therefore, we visited her and spent an hour of fellowship with her.  Initially, we let her flow out whatever she had to say. Then, she joyfully testified how the ministry has saved her from taking extreme step in her life due to the depression she had been going through. She testified of her experience and enjoyment of the Lord the ministry has brought to her personally. She even expressed her desire to learn the truth more, and perhaps, to be trained. 

After her testimony, I shared from the book of Galatians, chapter by chapter, showing the Christian experience in each chapter; 

Galatians 1: The Revelation of Christ is from God the Father seen in the spirit issuing in regeneration of the Spirit making us the children of God.

To reveal His Son in me that I might announce Him as the gospel among the Gentiles, immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood, (Galatians 1:16, RecVer)

And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in the heavens. (Matthew 16:16-17, RecVer)

I was in spirit on the Lord’s Day and heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, (Revelation of John 1:10, RecVer)

Galatians 2: The Living of Christ for our Christian life after the revelation of the Son of God. The Christian life is the life of living Christ daily.

I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20, RecVer)

Galatians 3: Becoming the Sons of God through the growth in life from being children of God.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26, RecVer)

Galatians 4: The Formation of the Son of God through transformation. 

My children, with whom I travail again in birth until Christ is formed in you, (Galatians 4:19, RecVer)

This formation of Christ in the believers is the daily transformation a believer needs to go through. This is also in line with God working all things together for good to conform His children into the image of the Firstborn Son of God. 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers; (Romans 8:28-29, RecVer)

But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18, RecVer)

Galatians 5: What goes along with this growing in life is the living and walking by the Spirit. This is also the practical way to experience and enjoy the growth in life.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not be entangled with a yoke of slavery again. (Galatians 5:1, RecVer)

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25, RecVer)

Galatians 6: Finally, for such a Christian life, living and walking by the Spirit, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is required.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. (Galatians 6:18, RecVer)

The sister was so touched by the Lord that she took notes of whatever I ministered. She was so supplied and expressed her deep desire to learn the truth more. Since she has been under shepherding, I trust the Lord that she will be fully recovered to be a useful vessel to the Lord. May the Lord gain her fully for His testimony.

Ministry of the Word in Pulivendula

The church has already been raised up, and the saints are going on in the Lord. The visit to this locality was for a special fellowship with two leading brothers' families.

Initially, I had no idea why we were here, as there was no need for distribution here. In fact, we did it twice in the past already. But the Lord made a special arrangement. One morning and one night, I spent time with the husband and wife of the key brothers there.

I had no idea what the families went through and what their situations have been. But I opened myself to the Lord and listened to what they had to say first. Based on their own confession of their real situations, I used relevant Bible verses to help them go on in their Christian life and marriage life for the church life. In this regard, may the Lord cover me to testify of what He has been doing in my own marriage life. 

My fellowship was full of testimony of my own marriage life and the word of God to support the testimonies. The conclusion of the fellowships was clear. Love the Lord and love one another, be one with the Lord, and also be one with one another. Pray together as a family daily and exercise to practise the oneness in every matter. Learn this secret by trusting the Lord. The issue will be, God’s blessing for God’s purpose to fulfill.

After the fellowship, in both cases, we prayed together, and the result was joy and peace. The two families expressed their thankfulness to the Lord for His sovereign arrangement during the time of their urgent need.

Lord, bless the two leading brothers' families for the sake of Your testimony!