October | November | December 2008 Ministry Report

The Church of South India was formed 61 years back bringing some major denominations together. The Church in Theni, a city in South India celebrated the event along with the formation of the local church 46 years ago. I was invited as the speaker of the revival meetings related to the celebrations. I gave three messages on the 'marks of a church' emphasising it's distinct Christ like identity, Biblical authority, unity in diversity and responsibility to the world.

There was great rejoicing when many responded to the call to re-gain their Christian Identity. Praise God for such openings to minister to the local churches.

I was invited to preach at the revival meetings related to the 172nd anniversary of the Church God's Glory. We had an average attendance of more than a thousand people every night for three days. There was great rejoicing when a 50 voice choir lead the singing and many people responded to the altar call to give their hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Chennai I spent a week involved in the leadership training of Emmanuel Methodist Church on “personal and mass evangelism”, gave two devotionals at the RZIM LFS academy on Apologetics with a touch, and led a devotion for the headquarters staff on “in Christ” experience from Ephesians.

I was invited to be the speaker of the evangelistic campaign arranged by the Pastors fellowship of Ahmedabad. Couple of thousands of people attended the evening meetings. Night after night we saw the hand of the Lord drawing many to Himself. There were trained counselors to take care of the seekers and the follow up with the leadership of Rev. Smitha.

“This is DP. I had attended your preaching at Ahmedabad recently. I just want to thank you for the message on the verse from Psalm 139 : 23-24 that has made a strong impact in me and I really hope and pray God to change me and mould me as you were mentioning in the sermon.

I also want to dedicate myself to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but to be honest I am lacking the right direction to do that. If you don’t mind, I would like to know, how you proceeded further through your Christian life. I would also like to know which Theology College you had attended.

Currently, I am waiting for my internship in medicine. I thought of gathering more information on Theology, so that I can study it simultaneously with my internship”.

During our vacation after founders we spent few days in Washington DC. A friend of ours called for a fellowship meeting for few friends. Out of few friends who gathered, four of them testified that they came to the saving knowledge of Lord Jesus Christ while listening to me preaching the Gospel in India.

One was an evangelist from Bangalore living in Seattle, another brother is from Bangalore working with Food and Drug control department of DC. A sister from Bangalore working in a social organization in DC, and a brother from Chennai working as a chaplain of the Dallas airport.

Their testimonies brought tears in my eyes. This was an unexpected thing that happened to motivate us to do more evangelism as we return to India.

The Spirit of the Lord spoke to me through the messages by Dr. Prakash Yesudian during his time here in Maryland.

On November 8, 2008 Dr. Prakash Yesudian spoke on Zechariah, Chapter 4.

Revival as restoration with God and with one another. I was personally touched as I have been praying for a revival in my family and the Lord spoke to me about having a relationship with Him first and with one another.

Vision - He said we need a clear vision from the Lord and to wait on the Lord and get clarity of vision. I am waiting upon the Lord for something and this really spoke to me. He also encouraged us to write down the vision. He also said whatever we are going through in life the Lord will make it level ground. The Lord again spoke to me while Dr. Yesudian prayed at the end of the meeting saying that there is someone here who needs victory in their life. The Lord certainly spoke to me through his Word. I went home confident and trusting the Lord to do His will in my life. This is what Dr. Yesudian told me :

Trust God,

Entrust your life to Him

And rest in His promises.

In His own time He will make all things beautiful.

On Sunday November 9, Dr. Prakash Yesudian spoke on - Our Priorities. He talked about Mary and Martha in Luke 10. He talked about the one thing in the Bible Luke 10:42. Mary chose the one thing to sit at the feet of Jesus. Are we prepared to sit at the feet of Jesus? He asked us to listen to His Word and to say yes, Lord you speak to me I will listen to your word and be obedient. If we follow Jesus we are fishers of men. He asked us to study the Word of God prayerfully, systematically and carefully and to hide it in our hearts and to memorize the verses. The ultimate test of discipleship is how much we love Him. That morning the Lord spoke to me about what the one thing I lack in my life and that the Lord is willing to forgive me.

Dr. Prakash Yesudian and Mrs. Ranie Yesudian are very loving, affectionate and down to earth. They did not just preach and leave but were very personal and related to all of us. They took time to listen to our problems and pray with us and visit our homes. They have left behind very special memories. I (we) certainly miss them.

We give all the glory to the one who has drawn these friends to Himself.

Several friends came to know about our stay in Washington DC and invited us for a meal. We had many a meal, many a laugh, and many a profound conversation at the table.

They made our vacation relaxed, and meaningful one. The Lord fulfilled His purpose in the lives of His people there.

We thank God for such friends.

As we are at the threshold of another season of Christmas, we are thankful to God for His faithfulness in our lives, families and ministries. We thank God for friends who prayer for us. We know a sister who used to say “O-oper Wala” (the man in the upstairs) for everything. If I ask “how do you face such problems?” She will say, “What problem? ”, “O-oper Wala will take care of it”. We were amazed at her confidence in God up there. Christmas gives us the confidence that this “O-oper Wala” has come down to be with us. His name is Emmanuel that means God with us (Mathew 1 : 23). The promise of the risen Lord is “I will be with you always” (Mathew 28 : 21). As the song writer penned,

“Many things about tomorrow,

I don’t seem to understand,

But I know who holds tomorrow,

and I know who holds my hand”

With the assurance that the O-oper Wala is with us, let us step into another year.

I express my appreciation to Mrs. Hebseeba Solomon for assisting me in my office for the past 6 months. Let us continue to pray that God will fulfill His greater purposes in her life.

Shini and Robin are with us for holidays. We will all join Billy, Beth and Micah in Kodaikanal for New Year. We appreciate your prayers for all of us and our ministries.

Ranie and Prakash Yesudian