The Indian Story - 2 Decades
Monday, September 01, 2008

The last week was a great week in India for all of us because we were able to reflect on what God has done in the past two decades in India. Last Sunday (24th August 2008), Bangalore Church celebrated their 20th anniversary [http://www.blreastregion.blogspot.com]. So we thought of penning down few of the great milestones in Indian movement.

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20th Anniversary
Monday, September 01, 2008

It was a day which Bangalore church would remember for many more years to come. God worked powerfully through the 20th Anniversary celebrations of Indian church of christ, Bangalore. On August 24,2008 seven members of the original 15 mission team from London came back and witnessed what God had done through their sacrifice made 2 decades ago. They had to stay in places infested with cockraoches, learn new languages, appreciate the Indian culture, face death threats, be in police custody, get yelled at by angry people, learn to eat hot Indian spicy curries, survive many diarrhoea bouts, and evangelize in the hot sun! One of the mission team members[Ian] shared that God used him in 7 weeks to meet 7 people who became disciples of Jesus.

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Freedom From Sin
Friday, August 22, 2008

Rajiv and Shashi, as a couple came for an interview to work in Moradabad. They lived in Patna which is 850 kms from Moradabad. They decided to work leaving Patna and got settled in Moradabad. Though they are married for ten years they are yet to have a child. Due to this they had given up their faith in gods and for last 6 years did not worship any god. Samsher and Nasheem (disciples in Moradabad) invited them to their Bible discussions and studied the Bible with them. The word of our living God gave a new perspective to Rajiv and Shashi's life. Rajiv, being a lawyer had many questions and doubts during the studies, but knowing that his sins needed to be forgiven, he decided to accept Jesus as Lord. Shashi also had many challenges as she hails from a very religious family. She gave all those traditions to follow Jesus. On 15th August, when India celebrated their 61st Independence Day, they confessed Jesus is Lord and celebrated their freedom from sin.

 

Persevering Mother
Friday, August 22, 2008

It is encouraging to see the children of disciples getting baptized. Their conversion stories are faith building. Recently Sonia got baptized in the month of July 2008. She is the daughter of Parvati who became a disciple in 1999 in New Delhi. Her baptism was a very special moment for many disciples of the Delhi Church. In all the sharings what stood out was Parvati's example as a Christian. It is not easy to be a single married in the Church, especially when there is no encouragement from the family. Parvati is a sister in our church who has not got an opportunity to be formally educated. She works as a maid for a police officer. After she became a disciple her mother joined the faith. Her son too was brought to faith. Slowly her husband studied the Bible and followed the suit. After few years due to pressures of the job and other issues in life, her mother, son and husband left the Lord one by one. But Parvati persevered. She would sometimes come alone on a cycle during peak hours to the midweek meetings. With negativity growing in the family towards the Church due to her commitment, her daughter Sonia decided to stay away from studying the Bible. Parvati kept on praying to God. She kept requesting other sisters to visit her house and reach out to her daughter. Slowly Sonia started seeing her mother's love for her. Sonia took courage to stand up against her other family members. Sonia is now a campus disciple and she is excited of her new found purpose in life.

 

Destination Dindigul
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Independence Day is special for more reasons than one. Every year, for the past several years, all Family Group Leaders have been heading out to a “solitary” place to refresh and renew during the Independence Day holidays. This year it was destination DINDIGUL. more...

Mother's Life Impacts Son
Thursday, August 14, 2008

Though his mother is a disciple named Sheela, Mallikarjun lived a very worldly life. He saw his mother's conviction against idol worship and being an example at home. He also saw God answering many of her prayers. He soon developed his faith from his mother's life. One of his prayers was to heal his father of his depression that drove him to attempt suicide many times. Mallikarjun saw his father return home one day to narrate how he had experienced God when someone unknown had stopped him from committing suicide again. Hearing this Mallikarjun decided to study the Bible and become a disciple. He decided to keep him away from worldly friends and focus on things above.

 

Living Example
Thursday, August 14, 2008

Though Seema was very close to getting baptized six months back, she did not make it. But Seema saw her sister Sukeshani's life changed since she became a disciple in the Church. In the meanwhile, Seema experienced the selfishness of her own friends in the world, but she could always feel the love and care of the disciples. She again started coming regularly to Church and this time decided to be a disciple. She realized that she needs to give up this sinful life and live for Christ. Now Seema is excited to live as a disciple. God can use our lives if our life is an example as a disciple.

 

Fruitful Prayers
Thursday, August 14, 2008

In the month of January 2008, the brothers had an all night prayer where they prayed to God to give them a person who can play a musical instrument. They also prayed for a sister who was doing weak in her faith to turn around. But amazingly this sister called up saying that her son whose name was Bobby wanted to study the Bible. The Bible helped him to be sober and change him from being a spoilt brat to repentant young man. Bobby's mother, who was the sister they prayed for, started doing better. They started a Bible talk in their house. This sister is now doing great and her son serves the Church by playing the Congos in the service. It is amazing to see how God can answer two prayers through one situation.