Read More - Green Pastures

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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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:
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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
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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
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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
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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:
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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.