Where can we see the Resurrected Jesus?
Rev. Dr. Joe Michael Selvaraj
Paul met the resurrected Lord on the
road to Damascus. To deepen this
resurrection experience he was hibernating
quietly for fourteen years in the Arabian
desert (Gal 1:17;2:1). He made this
statement, “That I may know Him and the
power of His resurrection, and the
<
fellowship of His sufferings, being
conformed to His death, if by any means, I
may attain to the resurrection from the
dead” in his epistle to the
Philippians after many
years of service and growth “If Christ is not risen,
in the experience of the then our preaching
Resurrected Jesus, fol- is empty and your faith (Jn 1:46). The village of
lowing the desert years. As is also empty”
far as Paul was concerned
(1 Cor 15:14).
he had no doubt that the
deceased Christ was alive
(Rom 14:8,9). That’s why he boldly
asserts, “If Christ is not risen, then our
preaching is empty and your faith is also
empty” (1 Cor 15:14).
The faith confession that Jesus rose
again is another pillar to the tower of Job’s
profession, “My Redeemer lives” (Job
19:25). Yet, the resurrection of Jesus is a
hidden truth not so easy to understand.
The New Testament states that the
Resurrected Jesus had a glorified body (1
Cor 15:43-44). That is to say, there were
differences between the body of the man
Jesus and the body of the Risen Christ. As
a man, Jesus walked to villages and cities.
But in His glorified body He transcended
locked doors and made His appearance in
far off cities in split second. It was easy to
recognize the incarnated Jesus; but the
glorified Jesus was not easily recognized.
Where and how to encounter the Risen Lord
is a faith hunt. The purpose of this article is
to search for the seven imprints of Jesus in
the resurrection events as recorded in the
four gospels.
1. The Risen Jesus in Galilee
Many women went to the grave to anoint
the corpse of Jesus with balms. A wonderful
BLESSING/ March 2008
experience awaited them there. A young
man in white flowing garbs told them, “Do
not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth,
who was crucified. He is risen!... But go...
He is going before you into Galilee; there
you will see Him, as He said to you” (Mk
16:6-7).
The tomb that cradled the corpse of
Jesus, became an empty grave. We are
directed to go to Galilee if we desire to see
the Risen Lord. Nathaniel
queried, “Can anything
good come out of Nazareth?”
Nazareth is in the province
of Galilee. We know Pilate
murdered the Galileans and
mingled their blood with the
sacrifices (Lk 13:1). From this we
understand that Galilee was headache for
the rulers, being the den of rebels and
revolutionists. So to say, Galilee was the
place of problem-makers. To see the
Resurrected Jesus we also should go to
Galilee (ie. mission fields). In other words,
we must step into places of problems,
peacelessness and riots. It is here we can
encounter the Resurrected Jesus.
Is there a family, street, workspot,
mission institution without problem?
Instead of washing our hand off, if we
involve sincerely to unravel the knots and
bring peace, Jesus blesses us with His
presence there, He is there in the midst of
all our confusions. What does He expect
from us except our involvement with
commitment? It is in involvement that the
kingdom of God blossoms.
2. The Risen Jesus in the Gardener
We read about the appearance of the
Risen Lord to Mary Magdalene in John
20:11-18. While searching for Jesus, Mary
mistook Him for the gardener. She pleads
to Him, “Sir if you have carried Him away,
tell me where you have laid Him, and I will
take Him away.”
2
 Though she was close to the incarnated
Jesus, she could not recognize Him after His
resurrection. This incident teaches us to
keep our eyes open to see the Risen Jesus
in the poverty stricken, like gardeners,
common folk, labourers, coolies and those
less privileged than us. Today the Risen
Jesus reveals Himself to us only through
these. The queen of Sheba came to meet King
Solomon (I Ki 10:1-13). She would not
believe the bombastic reports about him.
But when she travelled from afar to see for
herself, she confesses, “Indeed the half was
not told me.” Of all the wise dealings of
Solomon, that which swept the queen off her
feet were, “the food on his table, the seating
of his servants, the service of his waiters and
their apparel, his cupbearers” (10:5).
Whether a man is good, gentle, reputable
<
or praiseworthy is judged by the way he
treats his subordinates. King Solomon’s
desire was that his servants should be
dressed well and fed sumptuously. His
Are you searching
for the Risen Lord
all over your town?
Open your eyes wide.
He is right where
we are living, in the person
of the poor,
like the gardener.
workers were well cared for. The labourers’
outfits, habits, commitment to work and
briskness reflect the master’s nature. How
are the workers in our household, offices,
schools, colleges, like the gardeners who are
less than us, dressed? Are they paid fairly?
Are they treated with humanitarian
concern? — are self-searching questions.
Are you searching for the Risen Lord all over
your town? Open your eyes wide. He is right
where we are living, in the person of the
poor, like the gardener.
3. The Risen Jesus in the Scars of
Wounds
The appearance of the Risen Jesus to the
Apostle Thomas is one loved by us Indians,
because Jesus made a special second
BLESSING/ March 2008
appearance to convince Thomas so that He
could send him to India with the Goodnews.
Here the Risen Lord exposes His hands to
reveal the scars of the wounds and says,
“Reach your finger here, and look at My
hands; and reach your hand here, and put
it into My side. Do not be unbelieving but
believing.”
If we had been in the shoes of Jesus, our
approach would have been entirely different.
We would have bitterly complained,
“Thomas, this is the one responsible for the
wound; this man pierced my side; he
injured me.” We would have made a list of
the offenders and ordered Thomas to take
revenge. But the Risen Jesus points to the
scars of His wounds and admonishes
Thomas to put his trust on Him. Wherever
we find scars that are quick to forgive, scars
that are symbols of sacrifice, scars that do
not rage to take revenge, there the Risen
Lord still lives. Do we exhibit the Risen Jesus
in our relationships, family friendships,
business dealings and mission field
activities through the wounds in our minds
and scars in our bodies?
4. The Risen Jesus in the Traveller
Luke’s Gospel 24:13-35 video tapes
Jesus meeting two disciples on the way to
Emmaus. Emmaus was about eleven
kilometers from Jerusalem. Jesus joins
them as a fellow traveller in their evening
travel towards the west. Though deep in
conversation with Him for about three
hours they failed to recognize Him. Even
today without our knowledge Jesus walks
with us along life’s way, in journeys as a
traveller. But like the disciples, it is we who
fail to recognize Jesus who walks along
with us.
While David was pursuing his enemies
he found a starving and dying man and
rejuvenated him with food, medicines and
care (1 Sam 30:11-15). He turned out to be
the guidepost to lead David and his army
to the enemies. If David had rushed ahead
without casting a glance at this forsaken
soul he might have lost the battle. We also
should be able to pinpoint Jesus in the
3
travellers who cut across our lives, our
journeys, our jobs. Life is relationships. Are
we silent travellers, eyes cast down with not
a glance or word for the neighbour in the
bus or train? Like Jesus, we can strike a
conversation about national events,
political upheavals or market rates which
can then help us share the Goodnews with
them. Because in them too the Resurrected
Jesus is embodied.
5. The Risen Jesus in the Word of God
We see the disciples to Emmaus
engrossed in discussion with Jesus who
came along as a traveller (Lk 24:4-45). The
<
crisis in the country was the topic of hot
exchange. Jesus steers the conversation
towards the Scriptures and at the climax
chides, “O foolish ones,
and slow of heart to
believe in all that the
prophets have spoken! Those pining to meet
with the Resurrected Jesus
Ought not the Christ to
day by day should,
have suffered these things without fail read,
and to enter into His meditate and obey the Word.
glory?” And beginning at Do we?
Moses and all the
Prophets, He expounded
to them in all the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself (24:25-27).
When He vanished from their sight the
disciples said to one another, “Did not our
hearts burn within us while He talked with
us on the road, and while He opened the
Scriptures to us?” (Lk 24:32). This drives
in the truth that the Resurrected Lord
lives in all the pages of the Bible. “When I
intercede, God hears my voice. When I read
the Scriptures I hear God’s voice” said St.
Augustine. How true is this statement! If we
long to see the Resurrected Lord we must
delve deep into the Scriptures and meditate
meaningfully till our hearts burn (2 Tim
3:16,17; Heb 4:12,13). The greatest gift God
has given to mankind is His holy Word.
Those pining to meet with the Resurrected
Jesus day by day should, without fail read,
meditate and obey the Word. Do we?
BLESSING/ March 2008
6. The Risen Jesus in the Breaking of
Bread
In Luke 24:30,31; 1 Corinthians 11:23
and Acts 2:42,46 we see how while
celebrating the breaking of bread the
disciples and early Christians experienced
the Risen Lord. There is no parallel to the
Word of God in melting our hearts. But the
Bible does not condone a spiritual life
standing only on the Word. The Word should
lead us to the Scriptural experiences that
entwine us to God. We read about the
religious revolution brought about by
Josiah in 2 Kings 22 and 23. When he set
out to restitute things in the light of the
Scriptures he called the people to celebrate
the passover. “Keep the Passover to the Lord
your God as it is written
in this Book of the
Covenant. Such a
Passover surely had
never been held since the
days of the judges who
judged Israel, nor in all
the days of the kings of
Israel and the kings of
Judah” (2 Ki 23:21,22).
Even in the Old Testament times the
Passover was a time of celebrating and
remembering the goodness of the Lord. It
was worship. New Testament worship
should lead us to the Breaking of bread. It
completes worship. That’s why the Breaking
of bread is considered the core and climax
of Christian worship. Those who adhere to
balanced Christian teaching and New
Testament Christians cannot ignore or
sideline the Breaking of bread in their
Sunday Worship Services. It was a daily
affair in the early church (Acts 2:46). The
sufferings, death and resurrection of the
Lord Jesus are remembered in the Breaking
of bread (1 Cor 11:26). Our eyes need to be
opened like those of the disciples to
Emmaus to see the Risen Jesus while
breaking bread. (Contd. page 7)
4
 Joy In Jharkhand!
Pushpa and Kusha, Missionaries
Work in the State of Jharkhand was started in
2002. We were stationed at Hazaribagh. Here is
a report of what happened during the past five
years.
Out of the 24 districts we could reach 12 and
establish good rapport among the leaders and
pastors of churches, organizations and institutions
through our literature. We could sell literature
worth Rs.1,64,000, enroll 203 subscribers and 19
Life subscribers.
We were invited to share the Word of God in
meetings, conventions, churches, cottage meet-
ings, marriages, Lenten gatherings and condolence
meetings through which 7531 people were revived.
Those who were not going to church started going
to church and actively involve in the activities of
the church.
Every week a Ladies Meeting was conducted
in which they were trained to share the Word of
God and testify. The church now uses them. We
also conducted meetings for families and partners.
Many broken families at the verge of divorce were
healed through counseling. Many childless couples
were blessed with children after 7, 9 or 10 years
of marriage.
All night fasting prayer meetings were
conducted with the student prayer cell members.
Suicidal problems were solved and those who ran
away from parents are now united with them.
During these five years 383 have accepted Christ
as their personal Saviour. Two Student Prayer cells
are now functioning with whom sometimes we
go for outreach. These youth were the ones who
took us to their home districts for distribution of
literature.
We visited non-Christian homes during
Christmas to greet them with carols. We could
reach 2210 people in the villages and distribute
600 gospel packets, 374 New Testaments and 10
Bibles. We shared the Goodnews to about 100
professionals, reputed people in the city. Through
hospital visitation many heard the Goodnews and
received the healing touch. By God’s grace we
BLESSING/ March 2008
could raise two Blessing Literature Distributors—
Mrs. John Allemby and Mr. Subhendu Mohanty
of Jameshedpur.
Following are some interesting events that
happened:
The Ojha family was troubled by evil spirits.
Suddenly things would catch fire inside the house
and start burning. The family lived under terror.
The news was telecast in the TV and published in
the newspapers. Nobody could help. A coworker
of Ojha in the government school and our
neighbour requested us to offer prayers for this
family. We visited them, shared the Word of God
and led them to Christ. They were absolutely
delivered.
Lalitha was unconscious in the hospital after
delivery and the doctors gave up hope. When we
prayed God healed her completely. A widow and
her son’s lives were threatened by her in-laws.
She was away from them for 19 years and came
to us for prayer. After counseling and prayer she
was reconciled to her in-laws and got her
husband’s property. Through this testimony many
visited us with their problems to hear the
Goodnews. Rajendra of Silvar was a mental patient
trying to kill his mother. After prayer he was
miraculously healed. He is now married and leads
a happy life.
We are now moving over to Orissa since I
(Kusha) have been entrusted with the res-
ponsibility of Regional Coordinator of Eastern
Region. Please pray that God may give us favour
of men. Pray for our two daughters to get
admission in good schools. Pray that the Lord may
raise new people to take care of the ministry in
this State. We need more Blessing Literature
Distributors to fill the State with Revival material.
Bihar is our neighboring State. Our burden is to
fill this State also with Blessing Books.
We are filled with joy when we look back at
the five years of labour in Jharkhand. We have
sown the seeds and trust the Lord to send showers.
To God be all the glory! U
5
 HALO EFFECT !
J.L. Febin Daya
What could be more decorative than
HALO 2008 for the Year of Youth? HALO
2008 started off with a bang on the 13th
of January. The first day’s programme
was crowned by the preparatory talk on
“Opportunities” by missionary Rose Allan
who drove home the truth that Oppor-
tunities never knock twice.
The second day started with prayer and
Dr. Jeyakumar in his usual style prepared
the hearts of the participants to salvation.
Mr. Kishan Singh shared his testimony as
to how an earlier HALO was an u-turner
in his life. The salvation message of Mr.
Lionel illustrating the ‘I belong to Jesus’
T-shirt of Footballer of the Year 2007,
Kaka of Brazil, emphasized the greatness
of belonging to Christ. Ninety percent of
the participants were new to HALO. The
majority in the crowd submitted their lives
to Jesus.
Lunch was served followed by rest and
singing. It was time for Mr. Needhidason
to occupy the dais explaining ‘Victorious
Christian Living’ with rich inputs from
his personal life.
Evening tea and singing paved way to
Mr. Ruso’s “The Secrets of Smart Living.”
The much awaited Question and Answer
session was ably chaired by Dr. R. Jeya-
kumar, Mr. Samuel Rethinasamy,
Mr. C. David Christian Kumar and Mr.
Sudahar. The participants gave ear
eagerly as these leaders uncovered the
truths from the Bible and cleared the
problems faced by the youth in this i-
generation.
Day three started with Mr. Peter
explaining about the Holy Spirit. More
than 70% of the participants received the
Holy Spirit for the first time. After
Breakfast and singing, Mr. A. Lionel came
up with another talk on The Importance
of Spirit filled life.
BLESSING/ March 2008
Mr. David Christian Kumar’s talk on
Water Baptism saw 180 participants
respond to the call for a covenant with
God. After tasty chicken biriyani, it was
time for Outreach covering the villages in
and around Sitheri. The sugarcane
supplied, brought smiles and made
everyone forget the tiring walk up and
down the hill.
Missionary talk and call given by
missionary Dr. G. Jebasingh was received
with pin drop silence. The life of C. T.
Studd was dramatized by the youth team
from Tiruvallur under the leadership of
Mr. Isaiah. 394 participants committed
their lives for the fulltime work of the
King.
The last day came too soon. Mr.
Benedict came up with a live and inspiring
message on Witnessing and Soul Winning.
Then it was time for Mr. Paulraj to
introduce the concept of formation of
prayer cells followed by Districtwise
gathering to form prayer cells. Mr.
Godwin gave an introduction to Blessing
Youth Mission. The closing talk was given
by Mr. C. M. Suresh emphasizing the
challenges after getting back home. The
final exhortation was given by Mr. Lionel.
The total participants of HALO
numbering more than 1800 returned home
with joy in their hearts and with a firm
decision to live for Christ and Christ alone.
Food arrangement was superbly coordi-
nated by Mr. Johnson and his team. Stay
arrangement was effectively done by the
missionaries of Sitheri Hills. We have
heard it said that, “Youth is the hope of
India and Christ is the hope of youth.”
HALO 2008 has assured us that Christ has
become the hope of all the participants and
they in turn who are the hope of India will
surely take Christ to India. All Glory to
God alone! 3
6
 What Halo did to me!
™ I was a spoilt boy due to bad friendship. The
teachings given and the songs transformed me. I
was saved and baptized.
™ I was saved from a Hindu family. But I
backslided. I lost my first love, anointing and the
joy of salvation. Here in Halo 2008, God gave me
back the joy I lost. I have committed myself to
serve the Lord.
™ I am a government servant. Halo fed me with
a thirst to win souls. I have decided to serve the
Lord fulltime.
™ After seeing the sacrificial life of missionaries
I decided to help missions from my income as
much as possible.
™ I repented of my sins and received the Holy
Spirit. I was baptized in water too. I have decided
to serve God in my school.
™ I am 20. I was in Jail for a year for a crime I
did not commit. After I was released I had lots of
bad habits. Halo transformed me. I am a new
creation and a child of Jesus.
™ I have decided to start a prayer cell in my
school.
™ I kicked the bad habit of chewing tobacco and
committed myself to serve my Lord fulltime.
™ I am a Hindu. This is my first experience in a
Christian meeting. I was saved and baptized.
™ Field visit filled me with burden. The
missionary message and the drama about the life
of C.T. Studd broke me.
™ I came here as a Moslem. I accepted Jesus
Christ as my personal Savior, was baptized and
was anointed by the Holy Spirit in this Sitheri Hills.
™ I was delivered from evil friendship, drinks and
cigarettes.
™ An answer during the Question Answer session
turned my life around.
BLESSING/ March 2008
™ Counseling was excellent.
™ I have decided to be a Tent-making missionary
in the North.
™ I want to die a martyr for Christ.
™ At the age of 17, I was a smoker, homosexual
and an internet browsing addict. God totally
delivered me from my sins and saved me. U
(Contn. page 4)
7. The Risen Jesus in Get-togethers
The disciples who went to Emmaus from
Jerusalem witnessed the Resurrected Lord
Jesus in the travellers, Word of God and the
Breaking of bread. Then they could not be
locked to themselves. So the same night
when they experienced Jesus, “They rose
up that very hour and returned to
Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those
who were with them gathered together” (Lk
24:33).
The Risen Jesus appeared in their midst.
Whenever the disciples came together with
oneness of mind, we read in many places of
the New Testament, the Resurrected Jesus,
was among them (See Matthew 18:19-20;
Acts 2:42; 15:25).
The last appeal of Jesus was that His
disciples should be one like His Father and
Himself (Jn 17:21). It is not an exaggeration
if we call it the heartbeat of Jesus. Psalm
133:1-3 stresses the importance of unity
among brothers and sisters. Wherever there
is unity, relationship, love, forgiveness,
understanding and tolerance there is the
presence of the Resurrected Lord. Is there
unity in our families? Is oneness the jewel
of our schools? Are we messengers of peace
in our workspots? Or are we trouble
makers? Have we poured ourselves to be
instruments to heal apartheids? The
Resurrected Jesus still lives in those who
strive for peace. U
(The author is a Roman Catholic Priest, the
Director of St. Paul’s Bible Institute, Chennai
and a long term friend of BYM. < joemics@
yahoo.com>)
7
 FEED ORISSA
A report by Dr. Christina Joseph, Tanjore
The Surgery Camp in Bargarh was a great
blessing to us, participants. Dr. Manoharan, one
of the surgeons in the team rightly said, “It doesn’t
seem to be a surgical camp. People flock like flies
on a sweet meat.” When we expected that 50
patients would get operated in five days (January
21 to 25), the number swelled to 94! There was
much to be anxious about, because we did not
want to send back the poor and deserving people
disappointed. Most of them had been living for
years (some as long as 20 years) knowing that
they needed a surgery but could not afford one.
Some of them had already spent all they could
with no avail and waited for some miracle to
happen. This surgical camp turned out to be a
miracle for such people.
Sanjay, 11 had a congenital problem that his
right leg was full of wart like thing that would bleed.
He is a student of our slum tuition centre for
whose healing we had been praying. We thought
of taking Sanjay to Tamilnadu for surgery. But it
was God’s plan that Sanjay would be operated
here in Orissa. It was warm to see the kid smiling
all the way to the theatre knowing that his suffering
for the past 11 years would soon come to an end.
Sanjay got operated and is in great spirits now.
Poor parents of a 10 year old girl said with
tears that they were asked to pay Rs. 1 lakh for a
complicated surgery of their daughter in a famous
medical college Hospital. She was passing urine
and motion through the same passage. But it so
happened that the child got operated freely. The
relief on the parents’ face made us think, how
caring God is!
BLESSING/ March 2008
Health Workers had gone to the surrounding
villages to select and mobilize cases for surgery.
The team on the floor took over— Dr.Gnanamani
an expert Anaesthetist did the job of four people,
calm, in control, monitoring three tables at a time,
giving G.A., spinals and caudal blocks.
The young theater nurses—Sheeba, Shyla,
Suja and Amudha, deeply committed to Missions,
were never tired, but cheerful, enthusiastic,
efficient, assisting all cases expertly. The Surgical
team headed by Dr. Manohar, Dr. Selvadoss, Dr.
Joseph Victor and Dr. Prabakar tackled the
enormous number of cases, operating almost non-
stop — a real Surgery Blitz, from 9:30 am to 11
pm, taking breaks in between, in turn, for snacks,
endless cups of tea and tasty meals.
All patients were operated on —Hysterec-
tomies, Thyroidectomies, Mastectomy, Hernio-
raphy, Anorectal anomaly, Hypospadius, Skin graft
for burns contracture, cleft lip and Elephantiasis.
Orissa appeared endemic for Hydrocele — large,
bilateral, all expertly operated by Dr. Manohar. I
think he set a record. A whooping 94 cases were
operated in 5 days.
Mr. Mahesh from Tanjore was the young
Theater Assistant. He was indispensable, found
anywhere and everywhere at the same time,
responding to any and every call for help. He is a
non-Christian, but so challenged by his first
exposure to a Surgical Camp, has begged to be
included in all subsequent Camps. I was also able
to do my part—doing a few Spinals, monitoring
patients, screening a few cases by Ultrasound,
making myself useful in several ways.
8
 Dr. Selvadoss a known cardiac patient was
actively operating cases from 9 am to 11 pm. Dr.
Manohar was a challenge to us—who at the age
of 68 with medical problems of his own—he has
undergone bypass surgery twice—had the stamina
of a 30 year old, operating almost non stop,
motivating the rest of us. His wife Patricia with
her medical problems—knee replacement—was
helping with registration of patients. They have
already signed up for the next Camp at Orissa in
Nov 2008, promising to come with two more
surgeons, their son an Opthalmologist and DGO
daughter-in-law and three nurses. Now that’s what
I call commitment.
We also appreciate the ceaseless efforts of
Dr. Sashya Jayaharan, Mr. Pushparaj and
Medivision people in the Missionary Medical
Ministry. The kind cooperation of the sisters at
Catholic Mission Hospital, Bargarh is
commendable.
After this camp, we find tremendous response
in the field. Our evangelists are welcomed, and
children come in hundreds to the slum tuition
centers. Many who were benefited are poor
believers. We also heard people talking among
themselves that only Christian people who love
Christ could do freely those operations that would
cost thousands of rupees. Praise the Lord!
The patients were so very grateful. But when
we left, I was not happy. Of course we had done
a Marathon number of cases. But it was a small
Before surgery
BLESSING/ March 2008
drop in the vast ocean of medical need at Orissa.
I am told that if we operate only Hydroceles for
an entire month, there will still be plenty more left.
I thought of the hundreds of Christian Doctors
in the Southern States of India, working in well
developed cities, towns, and even villages where
there are even 10 doctors on every street, giving
good Medical care to patients who have the money
power also to choose a doctor. Why this disparity
in our country?
The need is enormous. Surgeons who are
interested in taking part in Surgical camps at
Mission fields, please contact Mr. Pushparaj of
Medivision (Mobile: 09443558858).
Address for Correspondence and
Contributions:
BLESSING YOUTH MISSION
Church Colony
Vellore 632 006, India.
Tel: 0416-2242943, 2248943
<bym@sancharnet.in>
Money Orders, Cheques, Bank Drafts to be
sent in favour of BLESSING YOUTH MISSION,
VELLORE.
Any relief material may be sent by TCI Lorry
service to BARGARH, Orissa and the waybill to—
Mr. P. Thomas Livingstone, Asish Sebasadan,
DAM Colony, Bargarh 768028. Mobile: 093373-
11560. <feed_orissa@yahoo.com> U
After surgery
9
 Cheer in Chitling Valley!
V. Simon Peter
In the beginning of the year 2007, when we Fourteen members of the Troop For Christ
prayed, “Lord, make it a fruitful year” we never ministries from Vellore visited the station and
thought we will gather so much fruit last year. communicated the Goodnews to the people
There are six stations in Chitling valley and through dance, drama, songs and film show. Over
herebelow we give you the details of the past 1800 received tracts. About 1500 heard the
year’s ministry for you to praise God, rejoice and Goodnews in 4 places through the film show.
pray. 59 widows attended the Widows’ Camp at
Kottappatti. 225 people from Chitling area
770 believers attend worship services in our attended the Festival of Joy conducted in Sitheri.
six centres: Chitling, Kottappatti, Avalur, Velanur, Jesus Film was shown in Kottapatti, Melakkal,
Selur and S. Thathampatti. About 40 to 80 people Avalur, Chitling, Suranatham, Kombai, Moolai
in all attend the fasting prayers in these centres. Chitling, Naikuthi, Namangadu, S. Thathampatti,
869 persons were personally contacted and the Velanur, Shanmugapuram, Ammapalayam,
Goodnews shared. 31 persons obeyed the Lord Malaithangi and Annanagar through which 1545
and joined the church. Special prayers were made people heard the Goodnews.
for the backsliders. They were often met and Soulwinners Training Camp was conducted
exhorted, the result of which 12 backsliders have in Velanur church
started to attend the church services regularly. and 45 believers
were trained. 26
Eight believers from Chitling attended the participated in the
Soulwinners Training Camp at Sitheri. Night Bible Camp conduc-
meetings were conducted in Malaithangi, ted in Selur church.
Mangadai, Pudukotaikadu, Kadakadu, Porasakal,
Namangadu, Kaliankottai, Palkuttai, Amma- Christmas
palayam, Thathukanalli, Irattaikuttai, Theka- programme was
nampatti, Puduvalavu, S. Thathampatti and 1105 conducted in eight
villages and the
people heard the Goodnews in these meetings.
gospel preached to
570 children were ministered to thrice in special 1150 people through
meetings for children in Chitling, Velanur, dance, drama and
Namangadu, Valathampatti, Unnangadu and message. Christmas
Kottappatti. services were
attended by 1625
76 youth from Chitling area attended the people in our six
Tribal Youth Camp at Sitheri. Eight believers Centres. Mr. & Mrs.
underwent a training to teach in the Vacation Bible Mathansingh joined
School. House prayers were newly started in us in the Christmas
Mullainagar, Kanathampatti, Thathanalli, Services at Selur,
Mangadai, wherein 140 participate. VBS was Chitling and Kotta-
conducted in Velanur, Selur, Ammapalayam, patti and shared the
S.Thathampatti, Avalur, Chitling and Kottappatti Word of God and
encouraged us.
and 778 children were taught about Jesus.
God be praised
Arul and Nishanthi, believers, were married in for all the wonderful
our church. In the beginning of our ministry it was things that happened
hard to find a believer partner for a member of in this Station in
our congregation. Now God is making it possible. 2007. U
BLESSING/ March 2008 10
 NEWS FROM THE FIELDS
The Blessing Youth Mission has stationed
323 missionaries in 15 States of India, namely
Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi,
Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan,
Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, for
reviving Churches and missionary evangelism
leading to church plantation in churchless places.
The news of various fields is compiled here for
PRAISE and PRAYER.
ANDHRA PRADESH
¨ Halo 2008
This is the first Halo in Andhra Pradesh. We
chose to have it in Warangal because of its strategic
location. The Theme was, Like Jesus. When news
went out in Deevana Magazine which reaches
4800 readers, the response was unusual. Many
made prior registration through snail mail and e-
mail! Guest speakers were our missionaries Mrs.
and Mr. Elisha from Chattisgarh and Mr. Rose
Allen from Rajasthan. Pastor Ramesh Paul and
Mr. Moses Christopher translated their inspiring
messages.
300 delegates from Warangal, Visakhapatnam,
Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Vijayawada, Guntur,
Gudivada, Adilabad, Hyderabad, Secunderabad
and Karimnagar enthusiastically participated. 185
responded to the altar call. 80 received the
anointing of the Holy Spirit and 32 committed their
lives to serve the Lord fulltime.
We thank pastor Ravikumar for giving us the
Manna Church premises for the Camp. The
Centenary Baptist Church, Hanamkonda,
accommodated the guest speakers. Mr. K.V.
Kennedy, City Coordinator gave his car for
transport. A believer cook served delicious meals.
The Manna Church Choir, Centenary Baptist
Church Choir and Youth Alive Ministries Choir
led the worship and singing sessions. 75% of the
expenses were raised locally. Mr. Konningston was
a pillar of support to us. We give all the glory to
God.
¨ Praise God for the SVG Church at
Secunderabad that has come forward to sponsor
a missionary of Blessing Youth Mission from
January 2008.
BLESSING/ March 2008
¨ Pray for Pramila (Anaemia), Sridevi & Jessia
(Barreness), Jonathan & Joshua (Suitable life
partners).
¨ Pray for Sanyasi Naidu, a totally Crippled Youth
of Madhnapuram who has accepted the Lord
Jesus and is actively involved in introducing his
Saviour to others.
¨ Pray for Mrs. Hema David who recently has
lost her baby.
¨ Mr. Solbrekken, S/o our retired missionary, Mr.
P. Selvam was united with Ruth Divya on the 1st
of February in Madurai.
¨ Our well-wisher at Vizianagaram, Mrs.
Swarnalatha Maharana had her homecall recently
leaving behind her daughter Sheeba and son Victor,
our SFJ members.
GUJARAT
¨ Cottage prayer meetings are regularly
conducted in Divya Jyot Society. Praise God for
a Hindu lady, Mrs. Asha who accepted Jesus
Christ through the cottage prayer meeting.
¨ 2000 gospel tracts were distributed to non-
Christian friends in Nadiad on the occasion of the
eve of Christmas. Praise God for the good
response.
¨ Praise God for the All Night Prayer held at
Nadiad. 16 prayer warriors prayed earnestly for
the salvation of India.
¨ All the Gujarat missionaries and prayer
partners fixed targets for 2008 and prayed with
fasting from January 4 to 6, at Aliance Conference
Centre, Mehamedabad. It was an unforgettable
experience for the 35 participants. Missionary
S. Mohan Deenadayalan preached the Word of
God powerfully.
¨ Nadiad Blessing Centre ground breaking
ceremony was conducted on January 7th. Rev.
Jerald Christian, CNI Church Pastor, Nadiad, led
the prayer. Pastors of Methodist Church, Salvation
Army Church and prayer supporters graced the
occasion. Appoximate estimate for the construction
is Rs. 6,50,000/-. Kindly pray and send cheerful
offerings for the good cause.
11
¨ The Deborah Team visited Palana, Harera,
Vansol and Mareda villages and distributed gospel
tracts to more than 100 people and shared the
love of Jesus to many. Praise God for their united
efforts.
¨ We visited some houses in Ahmedabad and
the response was good. Mrs. Sumeeta Hemansu’s
husband is living separately. Pray for the unity of
the family. Pray for Mary to get a good life partner.
Her mother and brother are saved; her father and
three brothers are still Hindus.
¨ Our Native missionary Mr. Bekabhai lost his
one month old son. Pray for God’s comfort.
RAJASTHAN
¨ Ms. Usha was healed of skin allergy when we
prayed. Many have found the Lord through her.
¨ 26 persons have accepted Christ as their
Saviour in Neem-Ka-Thana. 180 persons are our
regular contacts. God has given us some elders to
help in the ministry.
¨ God gave us open doors in Mangliya,
Chithaura, Amlipara and Leenvani villages. Night
meetings were conducted in Dariabad, Amlipara,
Jhunki, Leenvani, Ghatiya, Vheengarh, Patiya and
Mangleshwar villages. 800 people heard the
Goodnews.
¨ Mohanlal Patel and his wife, Sohan, Ithri,
Madiyarana, Shanthial and Mrs. Koduwi are the
new contacts. Lady Koduvi from Hameerpur was
demon possessed and her hands were tied with
ropes. Missionaries shared the Goodnews and
prayed and God delivered her wonderfully.
¨ God used Mrs. Urmila and Mrs. Asha to
deliver the Word of God in Ghatiya village in
the combined worship service. 11 persons took
water baptism on the same day. Also our native
workers Mr. Maganlal and Mr. Balveer were
invited by other churches to deliver God’s Word.
¨ God enabled our missionary, Mrs. Grace Vyas
to share the Word of God in the special outreach
gathering organized by CNI Women’s Fellowship
in the Jeevakhunta village where ladies (around
400) from different districts of Rajasthan gathered.
BLESSING/ March 2008
¨ A get-together was arranged for our prayer
cell students in Ajmer. 13 students participated
and enjoyed the rich spiritual fellowship.
Missionary Rose Allen encouraged the students
through the Word of God.
¨ Our Lord enabled missionary Anantharaj to
teach the Word of God to the Junior Evangelical
Trust of GEMS in Dehri-on-zone. He taught on
the inspiration of the Bible, The Bible and The
Quiet Time.
¨ Missionary Jancy Anantharaj preached the
Word of God in the Centenary Methodist Church,
Ajmer on the occasion of White Gift Sunday.
¨ Target for 2008: 300 Souls, 80 Baptisms,
Raising 12 elders, Rs. 2400/- to be raised towards
the monthly support of a voluntary worker.
¨ In Singhana we have purchased a land to build
a Church cum quarters. Pray that God may give
us favour in the eyes of officers so that all the
paper work could be done as early as possible.
TAMILNADU
¨ In Sitheri Hills, Christmas was celebrated in
10 villages and around 800 participated in the
functions.
¨ One-day Special camp was conducted for
children in Pereri Pudur and 69 children were
blessed in the programme.
¨ A Bible Exam was conducted for the children
in Thekkalpatti church. 19 children wrote the
exam.
¨ Our Church believers conducted the Christmas
Programme in Neimalai and preached the
Goodnews through songs, dance, Kummi,
Kolattam and skits. 200 people enthusiastically
watched the programme.
¨ Free Medical Camp was conducted in
Pungamaduvu. Dr. Austin from Vellore treated
90 patients.
¨ An evangelistic team under the leadership of
Mr. Balasundaram from Erode ministered in 10
villages around Aladipatti. Gospel Meetings were
conducted in Kankatti Ala and Keeraipatti.
12
¨ Our missionary Mr. Sam Madasamy married
our Blessing School teacher Sudha and Selwyn
married Therasa.
¨ Believer Nalli’s House debt was cancelled by
the government. Glory to God!
¨ After two years of labour in Mottupatti village
we reaped the firstfruits: Sivakumar and Shobana,
husband and wife obeyed the Lord and joined the
church. They are a support to our ministry now.
¨ Thangavel (Ulcer foot since 7 months); Kamala
(Arthritis); Jeya (Giddiness); Ida-Siva (For a
child); Jeyaseelan, Nagadevan, Yelumalai, Sankar,
Ramamurthi (Deliverance from drinks); Unnamalai
(Issue of blood); Angamuthu (Swelling of body);
Baby Nithia (Boils all over body); Thirupathi
(Stomach ache).
¨ Venkatachalam, Vedi, Selvaraj, Sivalingam are
believers who have gone back to drink and liquor
business.
¨ Believer Kalpana is childless even after 15
years of marriage.
¨ Suitable believing life partners for believers
Vedaraj, Maili, Krishnan, Ambika and Mylappu.
WEST BENGAL
¨ Youth Retreat in Kharagpur!
The Lord burdened Bro. Pradeep Kumar Nath,
Our Kharagpur City Coordinator to revive the youth
of Kharagpur city and to reach Kharagpur with
the Gospel. He shared his burden with all the
Pastors and Elders of the Churches of Kharagpur.
All the Pastors agreed for this proposal and
approached BYM to help their dream come true.
The outcome was the Youth Retreat, 12-14
January.
Dr. Chacko Jacob and Dr. Retna Raj, staff of
IIT, Kharagpur, shared the messages on Salvation
and the importance of the Holy Spirit with practical
tips from their own lives. About 100 youth
attended from 13 different churches. Prof.
Robinson from BITS, Bhilai shared on Witnessing
Life and Life Career with practical examples from
the young Heroes of the Bible. 36 delegates
committed their lives for holy living. They were
BLESSING/ March 2008
challenged to join the minority of God to stand
against the majority of satan.
This is the first Youth Retreat held in West
Bengal by us. About Rs. 5500/- worth of Blessing
books related to youth were sold during this
retreat. We have decided to hold a Disciples
Training Camp to follow up the participants. To
equip them through the Word of God we have
planned to hold a contest on the book “Apples of
Gold!”
Our labor in the Lord is not in Vain (1 Cor
15:58b).
GENERAL
¨ Our partner Mrs. Rani Edwin’s father expired
in January. Pray for the bereaved family.
¨ Dr. Muthiah Pandian—non healing ulcer, foot.
¨ Missionary Jesu Ragavan had to be operated
for a clot in the brain. He is a severe diabatic.
Praise God for his brother Mr. Srinivasan who
bore all the expenses.
¨ Mrs. Prema Hastings, our key person in Tiruchy
is in poor health.
¨ Our retired missionary Mr. Ponraj Isaac
underwent bypass surgery. Praise God for his
daughter Jemima who paid all the bills.
¨ Missionaries Somasundaram and Saritha are
blessed with a baby boy.
¨ Missionary Snehalatha’s brother expired in
Navrangpur (Orissa) in February. Pray for the
bereaved family.
¨ Mrs. Paul Thangam has had a stroke resulting
in the paralysis of her right side. U
13
 Missionary Kids Mela!
Vasanthi Regunathan and Pearl John
The MKs’ Mela was from 12 to 14 January,
in the Scripture Union Camp Centre, located along
the beach of Mahabalipuram. 86 MKs above the
age of 14 years from different States of India
gathered together with enthusiasm and excitement
to enjoy a time of Festivity, Fellowship, Fervor,
Frolic and Fun. The programme, organised by the
Child Sposorship Department of BYM after a span
of 14 years was long awaited and timely.
Mr. J. D. Sapphire, the Chairman of BYM,
delivered the introductory talk and mingled with
the MKs joyfully in the ice breaking session. Our
Guest Speaker Dr. Rajesh Duthie from GEMS
Ministry, Bihar, encouraged the children with two
edifying messages.
Mrs. Rhoda who came all the way from Pune
to counsel the children, made her time available
even till midnights for the Kids to interact. The
career counselling given by Mr. Dinesh David
from Chennai was an eye opener to our children
to look and think beyond with confidence. The
Special sessions taken by our own MKs —
Angeline Stephen on Communication, Swarnaraj
Thomas on investing the Talents for God were
relevant. Hopeland Ponnaiah took us to the snake
world with his history and tales of ‘Snakes and
Reptiles.’ The evening walk to Mahabalipuram
BLESSING/ March 2008
with sugar canes for trekking the smooth
enchanting rock marvel and the pleasant morning
prayer walk in the beach were simply superb! The
MKs lit the Campfire which was followed by
dancing, singing, skits, playing and a lot of fun-
filled events. We beat off the heat in the cool of
the swimming pool during the break.
The Baptism Service on the seashore was
solemn in which eight children obeyed God’s
command and counsel. Senior MKs — Selina
Dawson, Swarnu Thomas, Pearl John, Prince
Jeyaraj, Evelyn Kumar, Sophia Sadamal and
Gilead Pani testified: “Our parents dared to be
different—the values they stood for and the choices
they helped us to make have shaped our destinies
and crafted our lives to achieve the prominence
and stature we enjoy today.”
The parental care provided by Mathansingh
uncle and Lalitha aunty brought a perfect bonding.
The Souvenir—a colourful T-shirt gifted to our
children was meaningfully inscribed with the
Theme—“Celebrate His Faithfulness.” Mr. E.L.
Mathansingh the Executive Coordinator gave the
final exhortation on “God’s Faithfulness in our
lives.” All our hearts were rejoicing as we left the
venue holding on to the hope that God willing, we
will gather again in the year 2011. U
14
 My Heart Burn!
D. Jason, Missionary, Orissa
French Philosopher, Blaise Pascal once said,
“Why don’t people worry about what life is all
about?” Yes we don’t think much about this life.
The Psalmist prayed, “Teach us to number our
days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”
(Psa 90:12), To think about life is wisdom. Thinking
late will be too late. We think about our education,
career, life partner, a good job, a house, a car and
so on. But we need to think about the more
important things in life as Christians. Yes my friend,
take time to think. As you read on, I just want to
dwell on Christian values in which this generation
has failed.
Priority comes first. The meaning of priority
can be best understood by a simple but profound
question, “Is God the centre of our lives?” By
‘Centre’ I mean the axle of life without which
you cannot operate. Is your life in a plane where
you are able to say, “I cannot live without God?”
We live without praying. We live without
meditating. We live without giving. We live without
ministering. Ah! In fact we have learnt to live
without God. With our lips we glorify Him, but in
our hearts we deny Him. Most of us treat God as
a purse or an ATM. We need Him only in times of
our needs. We go to worship service because it
feels good. We rely too much on the “feel-good
factor.” We are living in a time of “self-
satisfaction.” We live in a nation where prosperity
and poverty go hand in hand. We see even
preachers travelling in Benz cars when we have
30 crore people struggling to have one meal a day.
The sad part of the story is that the Indian
Christendom too has fallen prey to this snare. We
have failed to prioritize. We have failed to keep
God as the centre of our lives. We opt for luxury
rather than risk. What surprises me is that
Christians fail to understand that a “Christ-centered
life” is the one which brings long term benefits
and rewards. Why do we fail to understand that
the span that we spend here on earth is
incomparably shorter than eternity? 40 or 50 or
80 cannot be compared to 1000s and 1000s of
years and the endless life that we are going to
spend in eternity. Why don’t we believe that
investing here our life, time, money, talents will
earn rich dividends in Eternity?
BLESSING/ March 2008
I am a missionary in North India for the past
seven years. I became a missionary at the age of
21 as soon as my Engineering graduation was over,
to the surprise of many. That “surprise” is what
surprises me. Have I not made the wisest decision
of my life? Have I not given my life for the building
of His Kingdom? Will I not be richly rewarded for
that? Is it not a great honour to serve the King of
kings? Yes indeed. Why then is the question. “How
much will I get?” When money becomes the
centre of our lives and when the life standard
becomes a tool to associate and gauge people and
when luxury becomes an indispensable need, then
I doubt whether the person might be able to fulfil
God’s call in his or her life.
During the sixties and the seventies of the
previous century many organizations came into
existence because of the life and commitment of
many young people. Now is the time for the next
generation to take up the mantle. But to our dismay
we find a poverty of committed people. There
were Davids and Moseses in the earlier generation.
But where are Joshuas to lead us into victories?
Where are the Daniels who can stand in front of
kings? Where are the Nehemiahs to rebuild the
walls? Where are the Deborahs to shame the
enemy? Where are the Esthers to plead for the
people? Where are the Josephs in the era of SMS?
Young friend, God looks for people who are
available. You are the one. Don’t doubt. Arise to
meet the challenge. You may be a graduate,
professional or may be aspiring to become one.
Do the best course available and possible for you
and serve the King of kings with the best you have.
There are not many Christian institutions in North
India. Even many mission hospitals are in the verge
of collapse because of lack of professionals. Many
organizations are in need of management
professionals to lead and help in administration.
We are not going to sacrifice much when
compared to the previous generation who started
from the scratch. Let not dollars attract you. Be
privileged to serve God in the most needy part of
the world. Remember there are still around 98
crore people without Christ in this great nation of
India, and that is why my heart burns! U
15