Read More - Green Pastures
Transcription
Read More - Green Pastures
1 2 INTRODUCTION B rother John Gollapalli was a beloved Bible teacher to thousands of people all over the world. His Bible teaching, which was deep, yet simple and powerful, was received by the listeners with great appreciation and obedience to the Word. Through the years, he has written many songs in Telugu which have since been translated into several other Indian languages. Some of them are: Anandamuga, Yehovah Nee; Yesu Prabhunu Stuthinchuta; Yehovah Na Bhalama, which are embraced and sung in many Indian homes and churches all over the world. Thus, being dead, yet he speaks. By God’s grace he was able to take God’s word to many thousands of people through his steadfast radio ministry of about 45 years. Brother Bakht Singh loved him and used him much in the ministry and dearly called him Radio John. The humble and hungry for God’s Word loved and sought his ministry and fellowship. He was sought, not because of any label that he carried, nor because he worked under any man’s name, but just because people saw the anointing of the Holy Spirit on him and the gift of teaching that was given to him. He was often called in USA, The Walking Bible, for he had an amazing memory of God’s Word and could quote a hundred references without even opening the Bible. Indeed, he was a gifted Bible Teacher! He served the Lord not seeking his own honor. When the righteous judge shall judge all our labors, he will have his reward (2 Timothy 4:8; Romans 14:10). Sister Mrs. Urmila John and some other believers are prayerfully taking steps to keep his messages on the air for some more years to come. They are also taking steps to organize the voluminous written materials which he left behind, so that they could be brought out in print for the benefit of believers and unbelievers. There are hundreds of tapes and CDs made during various meetings he held at different places and at different times. God willing, they will also be sorted and made available to those who desire to have them. All those who are involved in this task will appreciate the prayers of the readers. 3 Early days He was born on December 24, 1933 in a humble Christian home in rural South India. His parents were simple school teachers who were sincere in their Christian walk. He often highlighted in his messages the deep prayer life of his parents – Elias and Gnanamma - especially that of his dear mother. He never hesitated to acknowledge the impact of her prayers on his own life. From the early years of his Christian walk, his life was impacted by two persons: His mother, in the early years, and later Brother Bakht Singh of India, a man of God. Brother Bakht Singh, as many of his early associates knew, in the early days of his ministry, refused to create a national or an international organization to represent his ministry; for he knew that such a thing would eventually turn into a denomination and could even become an idol. It was only in the later years of his ministry that he had agreed to create a simple organization for the exclusive purpose of meeting the requirements of the government of India. He had no intention, whatsoever, to use it to represent his ministry or to use it as an instrument to control the ministry. He had a strong conviction that the ministry should be guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit – not by man or by his organizations. Brother John took the same path. Today, there is no organization to represent him or his ministry. When asked why he did not establish a national or an international institution to represent and operate his vast ministry, he smiled and confessed that he was not led by the Lord to do so, by quoting: As for God His way is perfect. The 1950 convocation became a turning point for Brother John. Upon his mother’s insistence, he went to the convocation that year. The loving God, in His eternal plan for Brother John, spoke to him in one of the meetings. The man who was fast running into the traps of the world encountered the grace of God and was saved. There, Brother John found his Savior whom he would follow and serve the rest of his life. After his graduation from the Andhra Christian College, Guntur, he went to New Delhi. The then newly growing assembly in that city called The House of Fellowship, became his first training school in his spiritual journey. It was there that he was baptized. His godly brother Samuel’s testimony and ministry was a great source of encouragement and blessing to him. Brother John often recalled his experiences in New Delhi and said that there the Lord taught him many precious truths. In Fellowship with the Assemblies In the year 1958, the Lord opened a door for him to work in All India Radio. During his years of service in Hyderabad for All India Radio, he was in fellowship with the believers at Elim and later at Hebron. While working there, he gained valuable experience in radio broadcasting which would eventually become a venue of his service for the Lord. Seeing that he had a gift in music, the servants of God in Hyderabad used him to play Harmonium in the meetings. It was in Elim, he composed the song: “Rajadhi Raja” which has since been translated into several other Indian languages. In the subsequent years he wrote several other songs in Telugu language. Under the prompting of the Lord, Brother Appaji, a senior official of the government of Nizam, Hyderabad, gave his property to Brother Bakht Singh for his ministry. This was converted into present day Hebron in 1960. During the years (195960) of construction work at Hebron, Brother John actively participated in the work of construction along with many other volunteers. Those were the days of preparation of this vessel for his master’s use. His marriage to Sister Urmila was the first marriage solemnized by Brother Bakht singh in the newly constructed Hebron Pendal (February Saved by Gr ace 8, 1960). Frequently, Brother John along with other For several years, since 1941, Brother Bakht Singh brothers was sent out by Hebron to minister in the held Holy Convocations at Jehovah Shammah, nearby assemblies. There were two other Johns Chennai (Madras). Christians from all over India in Hebron at that time. One day, while sending and even from overseas, attended those convocations. out Brother John for ministry, to distinguish Brother John had his college education at the Andhra Christian College, Guntur, India, where he earned a B.A. Once he knew that the Lord had established him in the ministry through Radio, he went to Hong Kong University and completed a two year program of special studies in Mass Communication (1968-70). Later in 1970-1972 he earned an M.S. degree in Educational Communication in the State University of New York at Oswego, USA. 4 him from other Johns, Brother Bakht Singh prayed: Lord, be with Brother RADIO JOHN as he goes for ministry next Sunday. From that time people began to call him Radio John. It was not something to be ignored, for it was prophetic. The Lord from the beginning had planned for Brother John to serve Him through radio broadcasting, which soon started unfolding before him. R adio Ministry Believing it was the Lord’s call, in 1964, he resigned his job in All India Radio and joined a Christian institution called Far East Broadcasting Corporation at Bangalore, as its director. That was the beginning of his ministry for the Lord through Radio which occupied the rest of his life. Perceiving the grace of God that the Lord had given to him, Brother Bakht Singh extended to Brother John the right hand of fellowship. The Lord used Brother John as His messenger in the All India Holy Convocation at Hebron, Hyderabad held in 1967. This was the first time he spoke in a convocation (Cassette available). The theme of this message was: The Joy of the Lord. Thereafter, the Lord used him in some other convocations in Europe, USA and India. Those were the days when Brother Bakht Singh was extremely cautious about giving the pulpit to any one, especially in an All India Holy Convocation. Brother John at that time was only 34; yet the Lord used him in that convocation; and his ministry proved to be fruitful for God’s glory. Surely, Brother Bakht Singh being a man of God saw the hand of the Lord resting on Brother John right from the early days of his ministry. and ministry of the local Assembly at Bangalore. During the days of Brother Amrit Raj, the local Shepherd, he served the Lord in close fellowship with him. After Brother Amrithraj went to be with the Lord, a group of believers started a separate assembly called Hermon, and Brother John became actively associated with that assembly in Bangalore. Open doors As Brother John continued to work through the radio and also through the assemblies, the Lord had different plans for him. Being a radio Bible teacher he had a large audience and the response was great, which in turn created a serious need for him to do a follow up work. Very soon the Lord made a way for him to meet this need and at the same time to reach out to greater numbers. The way the Lord made it possible was amazing: After Brother Bakht Singh became physically weak, some of the assemblies were closed for Brother John for reasons not explained to him by any one. When asked about the reason, his unhesitating reply was: “I don’t know; no one told me, why. If you come to know, please let me know”. But, this seemingly closure of doors became a great door opener for him in God’s master plan. From then on, he had greater liberty and multiplication of opportunities to preach the gospel to thousands of people gathered in meetings organized by different Christian denominations. It was like Apostle Paul and Barnabas turning to the Gentiles when the Jews rejected them at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:46). God’s ways are past finding out (Rom. 11:33) and higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). All such experiences made Brother John to quote again and again the scripture: As for God, His way is perfect (Psalm 18:30). Thus, amazingly, the Lord used this peculiar way to open increasing number of doors for him to reach out to the unsaved people, in thousands, among different denominations all over India and abroad. One day after hearing Brother John in a meeting, one Indian Christian coming from an assembly said to another Christian: We have lost Brother John. The other man quickly replied: Don’t worry, we have gained him. In 1975, Mr. Henry Pettkar, a missionary working for the Trans World Radio requested Brother Bakht Singh to give messages for regular weekly transmission. Brother said to him: “I will find a better person for you”. He then sent a cable to Brother John calling him to Hyderabad, and advised him to take up transmission of Bible lessons through Trans World Radio. This step further promoted the radio ministry of Brother John. During the period, 1973 – 1975, while he was at Bangalore, he continued his Radio Ministry through different broadcasting stations including Radio Sri Lanka. The More doors open in India titles of his programs were Daivopadeshalu, Bible Samayam; Araadhna Samayamulu. Thousands received God’s word though these broadcastings. From USA, brother John went to India for ministry in October 2005. That was designed by the Lord During the years 1975-1990, while continuing his to be his last visit to India for ministry. He was radio ministry he was actively involved in the life not physically well, but did not hesitate to travel 5 and minister at various places in India. There were many invitations, but he could accept only 12 of them. Many assemblies desired to have him at least for one day’s ministry. He traveled by trains, buses and cars, and visited remote places as well. At one place, noticing that he was not quite fit for such rugged travels and long hours of preaching, a doctor advised him not to travel and not to preach for a few days. By then he was already getting tired and breathing hard at times. But, he did not give regard to the advice of the doctors, as he had already made commitments to those places. He had a painful experience while traveling by train from Ananthapur. He said, he had almost collapsed in the bathroom because of weakness in the body. In that state he prayed, asking the Lord for his mercy and help to get to the place where a busy schedule of meetings was waiting for him. The Lord gave him grace and he had a fruitful ministry at that place. From then on, he went forward with his schedule. It appears that he had in mind the scripture (Matthew 10:39): He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. together in the company of Brother John. They had question and answer sessions too. He answered the questions asked by the group. Some of the questions were: What is Rapture? When will it take place? How will our transformed bodies look like? Brother John patiently answered all those questions. When one of the young men in the group asked him to describe the Mansions in heaven that Jesus told He was going to prepare for His people, he replied with a laugh: “I have not yet seen them; I will go there and come back and tell you”. He then added: “I will not come back after seeing them”. Most of the time, those days, he kept talking about subjects like: End time events, Resurrection of saints. From his experience, he gave many valuable suggestions about having meaningful personal Bible studies. He also taught a song that he had written, not long ago. The theme of the song is: The Lord Jesus Christ broke the sting of death and rose again from death. By his power of resurrection, I will rise again, even if I die. The four days of meetings in Kurnool were very greatly blessed by the Lord. Over two thousand people from both the assemblies in Karnool and from various denominations attended the meetings to hear God’s Word. Large size TV screens were erected at different points so that people could see and hear him. During his earlier visits, only one of the assemblies in that area used to organize the meetings; this time all the assemblies in that area came together and arranged the meetings. Brother Arvindam, the man of God who served the Lord at Karnool and other places for many years, also attended the meetings in spite of his physical sickness and old age infirmities. In fact, he was advised by his doctor not to attend the meetings for health reasons, but he did not want to miss those meetings and by God’s grace rejoiced attending those meetings. At Kammam, Brother solomon had arranged meetings both in their main assembly in the town and also in a rural area assembly. On January 3, 2007 he was at Mangalagiri, near Vijayawada for three days of meetings. That day the meetings were arranged on the open grounds and he preached both in the morning and in the evening. In the evening meeting, he preached for more than one hour on the subject: The Power of the Cross ( I Cor. 1:18). After the evening meeting and dinner, he went to his room. Brothers Hanok, his nephew and another brother Prasad stayed in the next room. Brother Hanok wanted to leave Mangalagiri that night itself and had Brother John pray for his travel. He prayed and went to sleep. After walking out of the house, Brother Hanok returned and stayed back that night for reasons not clear to him at that time. That night Brother John could not sleep. He experienced some uneasiness in the chest and stomach, and could not lie down, and so remained standing against a wall. He was all by himself in the room. At about 3.00 AM on January 4, Brother Hanok woke up- he cannot say why he woke up at that time – and saw Brother John standing at the bathroom door breathing hard. Brother Hanok went near and asked him how he was. He gently replied: I am not well. Then, Hanok knew that something was seriously wrong with him. Immediately he called for help and rushed him to the nearby hospital which was about 7 kms away. After receiving some preliminary treatment there, he was taken to a special clinic in Vijayawada. The problem was heart related and was serious. Brother John’s After the marriage of his sister’s son Elia, on November 28, 2005, in which he preached the Word, he joined a family gathering arranged at a resort near Vishakhapatnam beach for three days. Many from the families of Brother George - his brother, Sister Mrs. Timothy - his sister, and Brother J.C. Rao - his brother in law, and some others were there. Many of them have reported that they had a blessed time Time of Departure dr aws near 6 nephews: Ebenezar, Hanok, and a few other brothers remained in the clinic to look after him. Dr. Obed, another nephew, daily commuted to Vijayawada from Rajahmundry to oversee the medical needs of his uncle. The believers of the local assemblies and many others soon rushed to the clinic offering help. In a few minutes, the news of his sickness reached the ears of the relatives and fellow believers all over the world. Sister Mrs. John and their son Asheel flew from Chicago, USA to Vijayawada. In few days, Brother John gained some strength and was anxious to get out of the clinic as soon as possible. He did not like the restricted diet and the atmosphere there. One day, when his nephew Ebenezer brought Idlis for his breakfast, he looked at the container and said: The look of the container is better than the idlis. He din’t like Idlis. Thus, though he sometimes looked disturbed, he used to make people laugh. After leaving Vijayawada he often recalled his experience in the clinic and said that he could never forget the love and untiring service that he had received from relatives and fellow believers, especially that of his nephews: Ebenezar, Hanok, and Dr. Obed. From there he went to Rajahmindry and after taking rest for about a week, he went to Bangalore along with his wife and son. Towards the end of March along with his wife he returned to Rajahmundry for further medical check up arranged by Dr. Obed. From there he visited Kakinada by road and preached in a meeting, as the believers there were very eager to have him in their midst at least for a day. After a few days, along with his wife, he went by train to Bangalore where he received further treatment at a clinic. During the months that he was in India, though still sick and weak, he had a blessed time of ministering to individuals who would come to him for individual Bible studies at home. Also, those days, he was able to spend long hours of prayer together with his wife. But, Chicago was always in his mind. He had two concerns for Chicago: one was the Chicago Bible Fellowship and the other, his youngest son Asheel, a student at Chicago. Though he was advised to take some more rest in India, he decided to return to Chicago. and picnics of groups of believers. He remained true to his commitment he had made to the Lord in 1964: Oh Lord why should I waste my youth… why should I waste my time. Lord, I give my all to you. These words were continued to be true in his life even during the last months and days of his life. Brother Jabez and his wife Jamima, a family dear to Brother John invited him to dedicate their newly purchased house in East Lansing which is about 275 miles from Chicago. Though he was not physically fit to travel that distance, he said to them: I will come. He came to East Lansing on December 29 night along with Brother Mathew and family of Chicago. That night, they stayed in the home of his brother G.P. Rao and family. The next day – December 30 – he spoke in the house of Jabez and family. There were many from the Little Flock assembly and from other places – both Indians and Americans. Brother John spoke on the subject of Bethany. He explained that the house in Bethany tells us about three important truths concerning a Christian home: First, it is a Willing Workers’ Home (service oriented). Second, is a Worshipping Home. The third, it is a Witnessing Home. He further explained as to how all these truths are represented by Martha, Mary and Lazarus in the same order. A video covering this meeting is available. The same night after dinner, Brother Mathew took him to Chicago. The following day being the Lord’s Day, he was ready on time and attended the worship service at Chicago Bible Fellowship and ministered God’s Word. The text was drawn from the book of Song of Solomon. In the eternal plan of God, January 7, 2007 was the last Lord’s Day for Brother John could spend with the fellow believers at Chicago Bible Fellowship. The scripture on which he preached that day was: My beloved is mine, and I am his – S.S. 2:16. In God’s plan his fervent message given on that day was video taped and is available for those who desire to look at it. At the time of Breaking of Bread that day, he read to the surprise of others, I Thess. 4:1618. After the meeting that day, some believers began to wonder why he read that particular portion from Brother John and his wife returned to USA on the Bible at the Table of the Lord. Later, when He June 9, 2006. From the very next week he began went to be with the Lord, it became clear that the to minister in the meetings at the Chicago Bible Holy Spirit was showing him about his home call. Fellowship and also in various cottage meetings. Every Sunday he ministered; every Friday he January 10, 2007, he had dinner with his son Asheel, conducted a Bible study. He participated in birthday but could not go to bed. He stayed up – shaved and celebrations, wedding anniversaries, funeral services, washed his face – dressed up and sat on the couch. 7 When his son asked him why he was dressed up, though there was no meeting that night, his reply was a simple smile and quietness on the face. In the early hours of January 11, noticing that his Dad was breathing hard while still on the couch, Asheel called 911- the emergency medical service. In a few minutes they came and attended to him and took him to the hospital along with his son. Soon his daughter Shailu also arrived there. That time, Mrs. John was on a short visit to India in order to attend to some important matters at their Bangalore home, and was in fact, getting ready to return to Chicago in a few days time. But, God had His plans! In the early hours of that day, Brother John went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ who loved him, saved him, and called him into his service which, by His grace, lasted for about 45 years on this earth. Mrs. John arrived within two days of her husband’s home call. All the events mentioned above, make it very clear to us that Brother John, the servant of God, was ready to go to be with his Lord. He knew that his time had come and so was ready. It was a blessed departure, for it was peaceful and free from prolonged suffering. More importantly, he served his master to the end. There are many mysteries relating to the life in eternity. Apostle John says: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is – I John 3:2. As per the scripture in II Tim. 4:8, we know the truth that, when a believer in Christ gets into the presence of the Lord, there is laid up for him/her a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to all who love his appearing. As such, the departure of Brother John is a great gain for him, but certainly a loss for us. But, as for God His ways is perfect. Praise the Lord! The last journey Hearing about the home call of Brother John, many relatives and believers in India began to express their earnest desire to be given an opportunity to see the face of their departed brother and teacher for the last time, and also to attend the funeral service. After much prayer and consideration, the family decided to take the body to Bangalore, India. However, before flying the body to India, a funeral service was held in Chicago on January 20, 2007. Many Christians from several parts of USA attended the service. One of the brothers said, that he prayed asking the Lord to give him one sign to confirm that He has accepted the ministry of His servant Brother John. It so happened, being winter time, in those days there was a heavy snow fall in Chicago. But to the delight of all, on the day of the funeral service, Chicago was clear of snow and was bright with sunshine. Also, the temperature which was at below freezing rose up high that day. That was a blessing as many could attend the service. But on the following day again it snowed heavily. This made many believers to strongly believe that the Lord honored His servant by clearing the weather on the day of his funeral service. Brother John frequently quoted in his prayers: He hath done all things well – Mark 7:36. The hand of the Lord could be clearly seen on that day also. Praise the Lord! The final burial service took place at The Campus Crusade building at Bangalore on January 27, 2007. The immediate family of Brother John, his brothers and sister, many of his relatives, and a large number of fellow believers attended the service. There were at least two thousand people. To make it possible for them all to see the service and hear the messages, large size TV screens were arranged on the lawns of the Campus Crusade. Following that, a Thanksgiving Meeting was held at Hyderabad in a large hall. Believers from many of the assemblies and many from the denominational churches were present in the meeting. It was estimated that about 1,500 people had attended that service. TESTIMONY OF BRO. JOHN GOLLAPALLI Given below is a short testimony of Brother John as shared by him with a Christian congregation at Oswego, New York, in 1973 (Information about his conversion, as given by him on other occasions also is added) It is amazing how the Lord brought me and made me stand before you today. It is only his wonderful grace that saved me, brought me to this place, and given me this privilege to share with you what the Lord has done in my life. In the early days, I did not know what it meant to be a Christian or what missionaries came for. My life was like that of blind Bartimaeus who lived in Jericho as described in Mark 10:46-52: 8 And they came to Jericho, ……. a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging … He casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus … And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. I was blind: The blind man represents you and me before we met the Lord, and Jericho represents all the nations of the world. Like Bartimaeus, I was blind and lived in Jericho – The sinful world. I had physical eyes but could not see the things of God; I had ears, but could not hear the voice of God. Many are like that: when they read the Bible, they don’t understand. When they hear the Word of Truth, they don’t accept it as God’s Truth. When the Lord says: I am the Savior, because of blindness people don’t receive Him. I had filthy garments: The blind man was a beggar. Beggars use their garments for receiving alms like money, food, and other things from people. You can understand that better if you see beggars in India. People throw the leftovers of their food in beggar’s garment which he/she holds up. The garment becomes dirty and stinking, but the beggar does not care for it. I too had a stinking garment. My garment was steeling money from my parents and going to movies and living a worldly life. But, I loved my garment and never wanted to throw it away. Psalm 30:5; Jonah 4:2). God’s love was abundant towards me, even during the years when I was away from Him. I could practically see and experience the great love of God at various times in my life: When I was about six years old, I was struck with some kind of deadly sickness. I had high fever and was unconscious. I did not move all day. In order to determine if I was alive or dead, one of the family friends took a hot iron rod and touched my skin at two or three spots. Observing that I did not move even for those burns, they pronounced me dead. My parents began to cry. My mother being a believer in Christ wanted to bury me in a Christian way. She told my elder brother to go to the nearby town and call for the pastor to do the funeral service. The funeral was arranged for the next day. Though these arrangements were being made, my mother believed that Lord Jesus Christ is a living Savior, and began to cry before the Lord all night that day. At about 5 AM, she saw me moving my body. From then on I slowly recovered. Later my mother told me that I was dead, but God saved me and gave me life. One day during my high school days, I was walking with my friends in the open fields near my village. It was dark – about 9PM. Suddenly I put my foot on a moving cobra snake. It struck my leg, and I jumped aside. I knew that anyone bitten by a cobra snake I lived a worldly life: The blind man Bartimaeus was will not live for more that a couple of hours. I was of Jericho. Jericho speaks of the world. We read about afraid thinking that I may not be able to reach my Jericho in Joshua chapter six. Joshua 6:17 says: the city home. Somehow, nothing happened to me. God shall be accursed. Achan brought further judgment saved me from the poison of that deadly snake. of God on himself and on his people by disobeying God’s word which clearly said that they should keep In India there are snake charmers. One day one themselves from the accursed things in the city (v.18). snake charmer came to our village and started According to Leviticus 26:15,16, and Deut. 28, there playing with his deadly snake. He said, if any one is is a judgment and curse from God on all people bold, come and hold the tail of the snake and rotate who have not hearkened unto the voice of God. The it, not allowing it to touch the ground; that way curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked it won’t harm you. No one was ready to touch the (Prov. 3:33). Because of sin, the Lord cursed even the snake. I wanted to show that I was not afraid. I took ground (Gen.3:17). I was also of Jericho - under the the snake by its tail, and as I started rotating it, it curse and condemnation of God - and like Achan, jumped on me and bitten me hard. Both the snake I coveted the things that were displeasing to God. charmer and others thought that I would die. I shouted, What should I do now? The man said that I should drink muddy water. For fear of death, I drank The Lord loved me and saved me a glass of dirty and muddy water. Later, my mother Often I asked myself, why did God spare me? I came to know about it and prayed for me. The Lord deserved to be destroyed long time ago when I was wonderfully saved me from death that day also. blind and disobedient to Him. The answer that I have found is: God loves me (John 3:16; Jer. 31:3). God One day I was traveling by train. It was crowded. is ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to People behind me pushed me and I fell off anger, and of great kindness (Neh. 9:17; Psalm 103:8; the running train. I was badly wounded. The 9 train stopped and the people carried me to a nearby water fountain and washed my wounds. There was no medical aid available. On that day also, my loving God saved me from death. for the first four days, I did not attend any meeting. I used to slip out of that place and wander all day, like a dog, in the city of Madras. I used to go out in the morning and come back in the night. My mother used to search for me all over the compound where During rainy season the river near our village used the meetings were held. One day, she went to the to flood. I used to swim very well those days. One main gate and requested the watchman to let her day I asked my friends to join me to swim across know when her son would come back. That night, at the river as that would make us heroes at that place. about 10:45 PM, I came back and went to the room My friends, seeing the swift water currents of the where my mother stayed. Seeing me my mother river backed out. I said, I am not afraid like you, and wept and said: I was looking for you all day, and jumped into the river. After swimming about 200 could not find you. Not only that, I have not seen yards, the water currents started pulling me down the you even in one meeting. Then, she asked me where stream. I was terribly afraid, but no one could help I had been. I replied her that I was with a group of me. I do not know how, but God enabled me to reach men and had a wonderful time of prayer. I knew that the other shore alive. That was a deadly experience. my mother would like to hear the word Prayer. But Again the loving God saved me from death. that was a lie. However, that made her very happy, and she asked me to go to the family prayer that had In spite of all these experiences I was still walking just started. Just to please my mother I went there. away from the Lord. I brought a lot of pain to my parents by my ungodly behavior along with bad A large number of people were there and the meeting friends. I used to steal money from my home and continued till midnight. It appeared that people tell lies to my parents. My father used to keep money were hungry for something that was lacking in on the table or in the closet or in his shirt pocket. I their lives. The man of God started preaching. That used to steal his money and go for gambling or to was the first time in my life that I heard a gospel see movies. The next day, when my father would message. The subject was: The Love of God. The start searching for his money, I used to say: You are message touched the truth that though we are born careless; you should keep your money carefully. He sinners, yet God loves us. Though we are filthy, yet used to say: Yes, I should do that. Thus, I used to steal, God loves us. Then the man of God said, that such a gamble, lose money and then blame my innocent loving God is asking you to give your heart to Him. parents. I was with worldly boys and used to get into At that point, I was really convicted as the Spirit of trouble. In order to be good in wrestling, I used to God was moving on me. I was ready to stand up do exercise and body building. Those days, in our and say: Oh God, here I am; please forgive me and native place, people used to speak about evil spirits. I receive me. Then again I thought, why should I was not afraid of them. During some Hindu festivals, become a Christian? The devil started telling me: If along with one or two of my friends, I used to go at you become a Christian, how can you get money, as night to Hindu temples and take away the coconut you then cannot steal; and without money how can fruits broken in their rituals and left before idols. you go to movies? After you have enjoyed the world, then you can become a Christian; don’t be hasty. While my life continued to be so, there came a time That thought sounded perfect for me. Then, I said during my senior year in high School (1950) when to myself that I should not make a hasty decision, Brother Bakht Singh and his coworkers had arranged and decided to leave the meeting. But, I could not for a Holy Convocation at Madras (Chennai), India, leave the place as on all sides people were kneeling which was to last for eight days. Along with few and praying. Another thought that came to me was others, my mother went to those meetings. My that if I left in the middle, people will think that mother insisted that I should accompany them. I I went to the Convocation just for free food and went with them, not because I had any interest in room. So, I too knelt down. After a few minutes I those meetings, but I wanted to see the big city looked up and found that people were still on their Madras. In South India, that was the largest city. Free knees. I knelt down again. After a few minutes accommodation and food was provided to all those again I looked up and found that people were who went to those meetings. There were several still on their knees. I repeated this several times. thousands of people who were very much interested One Brother who observed me doing that, quietly in hearing the man of God Brother Bakht Singh. But, came to me and asked me if I was born again. I 10 did not like him or his question. He continued and said: You should be born-again and explained quietly how I could be born-again. Then He asked me to pray. I replied, I never prayed before. Then he asked me to pray, repeating after him. Like a parrot I repeated what he said and he went away. The meeting continued. As I knelt down I went into sleep or into a vision; only the Lord knows. At about 3:45AM., the Lord shook me with a dream or a vision. I saw heavens open – I saw angels coming down blowing trumpets. In the front was the man who spoke to me earlier, holding a big sign board with the words: THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS IS COMING. I was gazing at that wonderful sight and after some time it disappeared. I woke up and found that many were still on their knees in prayer. Then the Lord began to speak to me: Son, you were about to die very early in your life with sickness, and I saved your life. I still love you. Son, on such and such a day, you were about to die of cobra snake bite; but I saved your life. Son, again on another day, you were bitten by a snake and you had no hope of living; but I saved your life. Son, on that day when you fell down from a running train you were about to die; but I saved your life. Son, on that day as you tried to swim across the flooded river, you were about to die; but I saved your life. A New Person The Lord began to speak to me with amazing love. I realized that, without the loving care of God, I would have died long time ago. The Spirit of God spoke to me saying: God saved you from death, because He loved you; and that He has an eternal plan and purpose for you. In the sight of God you are precious and that is the reason why you are here now. Then, I was broken at heart and said: God so many times you saved my life; death touched me at many points. Had I died earlier, I would have gone to hell because of my wretched and rotten life. Lord, from now on, I will no more tell lies – I will no more deceive my parents – I will no more play with the filth of this world. Lord, I give my heart to you, now. Thus, with tears I confessed my sins and put my life at the feet of Christ. me. As we returned from Madras, I began to share my testimony with others. That work started right at the railway station of Madras. Some of my friends in our native place turned to the Lord and we started praying together, sometimes in the agricultural fields around our village. During those days, one of my friends was saved and later became a fulltime evangelist and a pastor in one of the assemblies. In the following year, I went to Andhra Christian College, Guntur for a four year degree program. Those were years which brought leanness in my spiritual life, primarily for lack of effective Christian fellowship. I was once again involved in worldly friendships and movies. After graduating from the college, the Lord led me to New Delhi where I stayed with my elder brother G. Samuel and his family for four years (1955-1958). He was a very godly man and a gifted Bible teacher. With a prayerful encouragement from Brother Bakht Singh, in January 1956 my brother, along with Brother Isaac and a few others, started an Assembly named: House of Fellowship. This young assembly became my spiritual school. Though I was saved in 1950, I was not baptized till then. While in fellowship with the believers at New Delhi, I became obedient to the command of the Lord as given in the Scriptures and was baptized in the summer of 1956, along with Brother John Surgeon who is now in Hyderabad serving the Lord. Our baptism tank was: River Jamuna, a popular river on the outskirts of New Delhi. Following the baptisms, the elders laid hands on us and prayed. But, those days were days of trial in different ways, as I had no job at that time. Through all those experiences, the Lord was teaching me precious lessons. In answer to the prayers of the saints at New Delhi, the Lord gave me a job in the All India Radio. I was posted to Dharwar, Karnataka, as a Program Assistant which took me from New Delhi in 1958. By the end of the same year I was promoted as the Program Director and was sent to Hyderabad. Here began a new phase in my life. MY brother Samuel introduced me to Brother Bakht Singh and I began to worship the Lord at Elim, Hyderabad. Often, along with other young men, I began to go for open air ministry and also to the nearby assemblies for Sunday ministry. Thus the Lord touched my life and prepared me for further ministry that He That morning the Lord changed my heart. Love that had in mind for me. That’s where I got my name I had earlier for movies and other fleshly deeds was Radio John – called so, by Brother Bakht Singh. gone. From that day, at Madras, I stopped going out to wander in the city. I stayed in the meetings. I started In God’s plan I married Sister Urmila at reading the Bible. God’s Word became precious to Hyderabad on February 8, 1960. We are 11 blessed with two sons - Samuel and Asheel had sent a car for us, and we had no idea about that and a daughter - Shailu. Please pray for us. plan. Thus the Lord fulfilled his promises wherever we went during our ministry. All these things prove Call for a full-time ministry that God has a purpose for our lives and has given us a ministry. I never attended any seminary. I read One day I was reading Job 7:1: Is there not an the Bible believing it is the Word of God. I kneel appointed time to man upon earth? are not his down and pray: God, please speak to me. I enjoy days also like the days of an hireling? I began to say God’s Word. Please pray for us. Praise the Lord. to myself: A man goes to work in the morning and Joy of the Lord comes back in the evening; the next day again he goes in the morning and comes back in the evening; his life is spent that way. Is it all for life? We have An extract of the message given by a limited life time on earth. We don’t know how far Brother G. John in the All India Holy we will go. We all may see 72; we can’t guarantee Convocation, Hebron, Hyderabad, 1967 anything further. Job 14:1 says: Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. The subject of joy is the joyous subject in the Psalm 39:5 says: Behold, thou hast made my days Bible. Why did the Lord give us this theme for our an handbreadth; and mine age is nothing before convocation this year? One reason may be because thee: verily, every man at his best state is altogether many of us do not have real joy. We are in the end vanity. One may become a multimillionaire, but days; the Lord is coming soon. We need to examine according to God’s word, it is altogether vanity. As ourselves and see if we have the joy of the Lord in all these scriptures came to my heart, I said: Oh Lord our selves, in our homes, and in our assemblies. why should I waste my youth… why should I waste After this meeting, when you go home, look at your my time .. Lord, I give my all to you. After spending face in a mirror and see for yourself, if there is joy on much time in prayer alone and with my family, and your face. In the world there is no joy. The devil does with some fellow believers, I resigned my job. My not want anyone to enjoy the joy of the Lord. Man wife was a teacher in a school at that time; she too is acquiring many things and doing many things resigned her job. At that time, we had no assurance to make himself joyful; but he has no real joy. You of financial support from any one or any church. know the story of the prodigal son: he went away I said, since God is alive, we will also be alive. from his father’s house to enjoy life with the wealth he had, but could not find real joy; instead, he ended Since then the Lord gave me a wonderful ministry up living with pigs and eating the husk the pigs in India and in many other parts of the world. The ate. We cannot get real joy by having freedom the Lord gave me opportunities to acquire further prodigal son had, or by wearing beautiful clothes education that became helpful in my radio ministry, and through entertainments. I have seen many rich both in Hong Kong and in USA. I can say, in all people; many have honestly confessed that they these years we have seen the wonderful faithfulness had no real joy. Many in this meeting may not be of God. Once we were about to take a trip to USA. having real joy. Please do not leave this place without We had our tickets and we were about to leave; then receiving the joy of the Lord. The Lord said to the my son developed high fever. My wife went to get disciples (John 15:11): These things have I spoken some medicine for him. Then, I knelt down and unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that prayed saying: Oh Lord, thou art on the throne; your joy might be full. This verse can be seen in three you’re the same unchanging God; you can save my parts. First, I have spoken unto you these words. son from this fever. Lord, you have said, I am the What are the words the Lord had already spoken? Lord that healeth thee (Ex. 15:26). The Lord touched If we ask the disciples: What did the Lord tell you? my son and healed him, and we could proceed with They will refer to what the Lord had spoken earlier, our journey. Once we had to fly from Los Angelis as recorded in the preceding verses of this chapter. to Philadelphia, and from there to New Jersey. We We note that the Lord spoke about Him being the got down at Philadelphia and did not know how True Vine. In the Bible, names of several trees and to go to New Jersey by road. Soon, a man whom I fruits are mentioned. For example: the apple; it had never met before, came to me and said: Are you speaks of love. Grapes speak of the joy of the Lord. John? I replied, Yes. He said, There is a car waiting Pomegranate fruit speaks about the peace of the for you. One brother who had heard about our travel Lord. In John chapter 15, we see not only grapes but 12 also of the vine that bears grapes. The vine that bears grapes stands for the source of joy, fruitfulness and richness of life. The Lord is saying: Look at me. I am the vine, and you are the branches; I am the source of your joy; I give unto you all that is in me. In Him is the fullness of joy. No man can measure the joy that is in the Lord with a human scale. The Bible tells us in Deut. 33:27 “His name is Eternal God”. In Rev. 1:8, we read that He is Alpha and Omega, and the beginning and the ending. The joy that He gives us also is eternal. The words, “I am the True Vine” tell us that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of True Joy. We read in I Kings 4:25, that during the reign of King Solomon, the children of Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine tree. This picture tells us that everyone with his family lived safely and in the Joy of the Lord. In Gen 49:11, we read that when Jacob was old, he called his 12 sons and pronounced blessings upon them. He said some wonderful things about Judah when he blessed him. He said, Judah shall bind his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine. He washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. His eyes shall be red with wine. Again, we see here the Vine. Firstly, the ass here speaks about our daily labors and activities. The vine is the Lord Himself. Through this the Lord is telling us that when we strongly relate our domestic and personal affairs to the Lord, we shall have the Joy of the Lord. If the colt is not tied, it can wander away from its house. When we are not tied to the Lord, we too wander away from the Lord and from our house - The House of the Lord. Look at yourself and see where you are going. Many are going in their own ways not knowing where they are going to end up. A man wanted to go to Amritsar and went to the railway station and bought a ticket. When the train arrived at the station, he left his luggage on the platform and ran to the bathroom saying to some one, I will be back soon. In the mean time the Amritsar bound train left and another train bound for Bombay came. The man came back from the bathroom and got into the train thinking that it was the same train bound for Amritsar. When the train was going, the man asked another passenger: Where are you going, Sir. The man replied: To Bombay. Hearing this, the man said: Great; what a development of science – the upper birth goes to Amritsar and the lower birth goes to Bombay. In fact, Amritsar and Bombay are in the opposite directions. In the same way, there are many people wandering in the world aimlessly and ignorantly. That is why the Lord has given us the example that the colt should be tied to the vine. We need to be a branch of the vine – The Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly, Jacob said, Judah shall wash his clothes in wine. Clothes speak of our outward life and habits. Wine comes from the vine tree. It speaks of the blood of Christ. So, from this we learn that when our lives are washed in the blood of Christ and when we are tied to the Lord Jesus Christ, our joy becomes full. Many people who live with evil habits like drinking and smoking and so on, are not tied to the vine – the Lord Jesus Christ. Thirdly, Jacob further said, that Judah’s eyes will be red with wine. Eyes of a person can tell us if the person is happy or sad. In the world, the eyes of those who drink a lot of wine become red in color. The same way, Christ in us will make our eyes to reflect Him and his joy in our lives. With Christ in us, we can radiate The Joy of the Lord in and through our lives. We, who are utterly weak, when filled with Christ, can be filled with His joy. The Lord emphasized the words: I am the True Vine, because there are many false vines in the world which appear to be sources of our joy. No one can give us the real joy to us; not even our wives or husbands; not even ourselves; nothing in the world, except the Lord Jesus can give us the real joy. Then, if I have to have that joy, I must become a branch of the True Vine - The Lord Jesus Christ. When we say we are his branches, we have to have spiritual fruit. There are four groups of people. First group are those who bear no fruit. The second group consists of those who have some fruit. The third group are those who bear more fruit. The fourth group are those who bear much fruit (John 15:5,8). The Lord says in John 15:8: Here is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit. So, when we bear much fruit we bring glory to the Lord. When I bear much fruit unto the Lord, it shows that the joy of the Lord is filling me. If my joy is not full, it means I am not bearing much fruit. As we bear fruit and rejoice in the Lord, He too rejoices. The Lord as a person rejoices. Luke 15:7 tells us that he rejoices when he finds a lost sheep. Luke 15:10 tells us that when a sinner repents there is joy in heaven in the presence of the Lord. The Lord desires fruit in our lives. In Matt. 3:8 and in Luke 3:8, we are told to bring forth fruit meet for repentance. There are three kinds of fruits: Souls are fruits – Romans 1:13. The fruit of the spirit- Gal 5:22. Then the fruit of righteousness – II Cor. 9:10. Now the question is how can we bear fruit? There are three truths in this respect that we see in John chapter 15. Verse 3 says: 13 Now you are clean. It tells us that we should be clean – washed in the blood of Christ. Secondly, Verse 5 says: He that abideth in me and I in him. Here we see the need for us to abide in Christ in order to bear fruit. Thirdly, we read in verse 10: Keep my commandments. Here we see the Lord’s desire that we should be obedient to His word. As we follow the Lord in this three fold manner we shall bear much fruit and glorify the Lord, and thus we can be filled with the Joy of the Lord. The Lord has called us with a holy calling, that we may bring forth much fruit unto Him. The Lord lived a sinless life - He was holy. If we are in Him we shall have His holiness. When we repent and come to him, he will cleanse us in His own blood and He will abide in us. It is then that we can be filled with joy.