IN HIS HAND

Shepherded 77 years

77th Anniversary Report Book

PREFACE

The unerring hand of God has led us these 77 years.
 The Psalmist says, “Thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds.” (Psalm 36:5) These words must sink into our hearts. We must never think that we are wiser than God, nor that we are building some great work. The Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I will build my church,” is the Builder. He knows what is best for us.
Today men are so blind and try to convince themselves that everything including goodness emanates from man himself. Really even a little enlightenment teaches us that what seems like a tiny discoloured pimple can turn out to be a malignant growth which has the potential to claim one’s life. On the one hand many feel that with our research and modern expertise, we can handle almost any issue. Then others live in fear that almost any indisposition or pain can prove fatal. One can see that both these positions are equally erroneous.
A message turned up on my wife’s cell phone, “Do not delay to consult this reliable astrologer.” Of course, we pay no attention to such irrelevant communications. All advance in many people’s lives is simply scuttled by the paralysing fear of one’s own fate. We see this strongly emphasized and doctrinally enforced in several religions (Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism) but in Christ we are lifted to an entirely different plane. We are taught by faith in God’s Word to arrive at the strong confidence to be able to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13)  We are moving thus from zero to infinity. Being thus undergirded, surely we should have the sense to ascribe all dominion and power, majesty and grace to Christ our Redeemer, Shepherd and Guide.
Yes, we must show forth His praise and thank Him for His great faithfulness and join our voice to the Psalmist’s when he says, “With my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 89: 1)
One thing however greatly saddens me, that I reflect so little of my Saviour’s matchless beauty and love; also that collectively we represent Jesus so poorly and in reality come very close to caricaturing our Immaculate and Perfect Saviour.
One of the songs which my father—who always called himself an out-of-tune singer—made us sing in the early days prior to and following revival outpourings was,
                               O Jesus, I have promised
                               To serve Thee to the end;
                               Be Thou for ever near me,
                               My Master and my Friend;
                               I shall not fear the battle
                               If Thou art by my side,
                               Nor wander from the pathway,
                               If Thou wilt be my Guide.
We sang the four verses of this beautiful hymn with all our hearts and we meant it. The love of the Cross just made it the most logical and appropriate thing to put our ALL upon the altar. Now this was not the result of some moving appeal made by an eloquent speaker. It just followed most normally and naturally that we gave all our love and the strength of our young hearts to Jesus.  Although in most cases there were no vows made as such, we did pledge our fealty and loyalty to Jesus.
Now I know that some people do vow to God as Samuel’s mother, Hannah, did. “O Lord of Hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid ..., but wilt give your handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life …” (I Sam. 1:11) Now if you have made some vows to God, this would be an appropriate time for you to check honestly, whether you have kept your vows. What does the Scripture say? “When thou vow

est a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.” (Eccl. 5:4)
Religion today is a worthless hotchpotch of broken vows, deception, make-believe, commercialism and even vanity. True Christianity knows nothing of such religion.
During all these 77 years, we have trusted God to move and work in the hearts of men in His own sovereign manner. We have never used gimmicks, tricks, handouts, or other means to gather adherents. There were never any membership drives amongst us or any attempt to advertise ourselves. We have made it our practice to be low profile.  We began with twos and threes and claimed the promise, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20) We counted on God to change hearts, transform lives and build His own work.
Now we have become a large body and are widely scattered across many nations. It is imperative that we should see our grave need of a new humbling at the Cross and experience in a deeper measure, than ever before, of being “wholly sanctified by the Truth of God’s Word.” There should be in us an honest accounting of how we have used the gifts and graces of God. Have we used them for self-gain or self-aggrandizement? I say this because I see this dreadful danger creeping into some of our shallow preachers and centres.  As for myself, I constantly humble myself both in private and in public.
As we enter this 78th year of service, let us cleanse ourselves of all “filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit” and let our celebration consist of “sackcloth and ashes.” The world around us is literally dying and we are doing so little. They know not Christ, because we have not lifted up our Saviour.  We should give no room to the sin of self-satisfaction and self-praise amongst us. True humbling is always the precursor to  revival.                            --Joshua Daniel




     NEW CENTRES AND ADVANCES



Moreh, Manipur—Border-Town to Myanmar

Our original place of worship was too close to the border and when the government required the land for the security needs of the country, we were forced to move to another location, where a small upstairs meeting place served us adequately, for the last three years.
After addressing a meeting in this place, I felt the need for a wider place where further development would be possible. Thus it was imperative to move our meeting place to a wider land where more people could be brought in. When the Lord gave us a piece of land which stands in a lovely location on a hillside, we commenced building a hall which is nearing completion and will be ready, God willing, for Bro. Joe to dedicate it to the Lord on the  24th of June.
The inhabitants of Myanmar can easily cross the border and join us at some of the special meetings or campaigns.
The Lord helps us to teach the people here love for all men. Now this is a particularly hard lesson for them to learn, seeing that down the years only the gun, extortion, hostage-taking, killing and smuggling have held sway in this region. Let us pray that God will give us precious souls from many tribes, the underground outfits and criminal gangs.
Guwahati, Capital of Assam

With very small and humble beginnings, addressing a few veterinary students and others, this humble work began in the capital of this important state of Assam, known for its tea gardens, oil reserves and its numerous insurgent groups. Kidnappings and killings are very common in Assam. However because of its strategic importance, being so close to the border regions, Assam is a name that is well-known internationally.
We have seen the enemy of souls resisting us strongly and thwarting our attempts to find a commodious place. The prices of lands have kept soaring to stupendous highs, which are way beyond our reach. Owners of land too are in a hurry to sell and want part of the payment in ‘black’ money. They do not generally accede to our terms and hardly understand us when we speak of righteousness in business dealings and our life of faith.
Many in our meetings today do not realize that we operate on the principle of the “five loaves and two fishes” which Jesus multiplied to the multitudes. Bro. Joe says that he constantly asks the Lord to increase his faith.
At last, however, the Lord prepared the owner of a central ground to accept our ‘white’ money and wait for us to pay the whole sum.
We are looking now to the Lord to enable us to build a suitable place of worship in this place.
Itanagar, Capital of Arunchal Pradesh

This border state, where a great deal of land is being claimed by China, has been a region where the Gospel was kept out for centuries, by the connivance and hostility of the rulers and officials, who presumed the right to contravene the Constitution of India, which plainly declares that this is a secular democracy, which guarantees the freedom of religion to all its citizens. Bullies and ruthless autocrats can still rule the roost in several parts of India.
We do trust some of you are aware of our good bookstall in Itanagar. Good books and Bibles are continually going out from this northernmost bookstall of ours. There is also a steadily growing work both among the university students and the people of the outlying areas.
Some of the distant villages have no roads and absolutely no modern conveniences. The whole area is so mountainous and precipitous, that to secure a place which can be easily reached is very hard indeed. Itanagar itself has very few large modern buildings.
Now the Lord in His mercy has given us a piece of land on a steeply inclined mountainside.  There a prayer hall has to be built. While it is true to say that it will be something of an engineering feat, trusting in the Lord,  we affirm, “By faith, it shall be done!”
Shillong, Capital of Meghalaya

We have been making do with a small rented hall for these past few years. The Lord in His mercy has continued to touch lives and this little hall is proving to be wholly inadequate.
The building of a commodious hall on the mountainside, which the Lord has given us, is about to begin.
What we have got to bear well in mind is that it is not buildings that will do missionary work, but it is Gospel feet, calloused knees and broken, tearful hearts that really build God’s kingdom and bring His righteousness into hearts and areas, where right and wrong have been the same for ages. So let us make sure that we have the right heart condition, lest we build mere tombs.
Aizawl, Capital of Mizoram

The meetings in Aizawl were well attended. It rejoiced the heart of Bro. Joe to hear the hearty singing of several choir groups present at the meetings. These groups sang very well and the Salvation Army band, with its various instruments, always brings a certain measure of regal charm, when we praise the Lord. Yes, we want music fit for the King of kings. But the beautiful thing of it all is that unlike many musical groups who only wish to perform, these groups heard God’s Word with deep attention and much reverence. Even the busy Chief Minister of Mizoram came and sat through part of the meeting on the second night.
The Mizos have a very conservative approach to Christian work. They have managed to keep much of their beautiful and mountainous state free from idolatrous temples. Great things can come out of Mizoram and we must rejoice that our telecast is being heard by many here.
The meeting which Bro. Joe addressed at the Army Chapel of the Assam Rifles was a time of blessing, when the Word of God went forth with power. The Commandant of the unit and his officers were very cordial and heard the Word of God diligently along with their wives, as Bro. Joe unburdened his soul in the message. They even presented him with a memento which bore the coat of arms of the unit.
The chapel itself was situated in a level place which was many metres below the road, and could only be approached by a steep flight of uneven stone-steps. Sister Lily was quite concerned that after an exhausting and forthright message, which was delivered with all his strength, Bro. Joe had to climb that steep flight of steps, to the road high above. Now it is the good Lord who keeps His busy servant amidst all these extra exertions which tax his weak heart considerably. He himself never complains.
Our preacher here, Bro. Immanuel, has been appointed as the Chaplain of this elite unit, which is entrusted with guarding a border infested by several underground insurgent outfits.
Our magazine, CHRIST IS VICTOR, in Burmese is also produced and distributed in Burma from here.
Vizag, Andhra Pradesh

This very important port city and naval base, 800 km to the north of Madras, is soon to have one of our big halls. That the dear Lord is drawing souls in this city, much given to vanity down the years, is a miracle to us.
When revival broke out after protracted meetings held by Bro. Daniel (senior) and Mrs. Daniel (senior)  in the central Baptist Church here, it became a dour struggle to keep the flame of revival alive. Apart from the early converts of the revival, most other Christian circles evinced a profoundly indifferent attitude, which we found hard to crack.
After the lapse of many years and long after Bro. Daniel (senior) died, when revival meetings were held in public places by Bro. Joe, God in His mercy touched several souls and now accommodating the people who come with hunger for the Word, from distant locations in and out of this city, has become a serious problem.
Hence the new construction which is going up, should be able to accommodate a very large number of people, at our services. But we do not rejoice in numbers, neither do we glory in buildings. What we need is depth and integrity, even in the peripheral people.
New Clinic at Diamond, George Town, Guyana, South America

Diamond is a new housing colony about 12 km from the centre of George Town. We now have a Sunday evening service and a Sunday School for children in Diamond.
Our rented premises lie close to the entrance of this huge residential township. Dr. Danny has installed certain machines which a Diagnostic Centre requires and has commenced practicing in this new location.
The large hall in this place was well-filled for the revival meetings here.
New Auditorium in our Mettupalayam High School

Bro. Joe was quite surprised to be received by the uniformed school band playing brass instruments. There was a large gathering of parents in the beautiful quadrangle in front of our school. The principal item in the whole programme, however, was the preaching of the Word of God and hundreds of  non-Christian parents heard the Word of God with rapt attention.
News has just come that all 24 of our students, whom we sent up to the School Leaving Examination held by the government, passed in first class. This is of course very noteworthy and speaks of the faithful and hard work of the teachers and the Principal of this school of 1400 pupils.
The continual demand for more classrooms, auditoriums and labs at our schools requires a great deal of faith, to pay for the huge expenditure involved. In the midst of our many evangelistic campaigns and missionary labours, the expanding needs of our several schools occupy a definite place of importance in Bro. Joe’s thought and work. We must pray that God will call forth many children who passed through our schools and cause them to be missionaries eventually.
Our building teams and construction crews are hardly able to keep pace with the bigger demands and larger constructions, which are now required on many hands.
While we create room for more pupils in our schools and for more souls in our halls, our depth in prayer and faith must increase, so that we produce the right kind of disciples.
Book Fairs in Widely Scattered Places

The Indian sub-continent is a huge place. To follow the two teams of our brothers who had set forth with several tons of valuable Christian books and Bibles, to conduct book fairs in 68 different places in several states, one has to study the map very carefully.
Some of these areas could only be reached by traversing very bad and dangerous roads. In many of these places, people spoke strange languages with which our teams were not conversant. Bro. Joe said that he was ashamed that he did not even know that some of these large towns or cities existed, until his attention was drawn to the itinerary of our teams.
In some places, when the people saw the display of a wide variety of good Christian books and Bibles set before them, they expressed disbelief that anyone would care to bring such an array of valuable literature to them, who live in such neglected and out-of-the-way places.
In all the 68 places, which were thus reached, scattered groups of Christians rallied round and purchased what books they could. Of course, anyone can see that our books are well produced and are priced so moderately that they are within the reach of ordinary people. Even at places of Hindu pilgrimage, good Christian books and Bibles went out. The voluntary service of so many of our boys makes this book-fair ministry possible.
The team that went into Bangladesh reached many interested people and others in Chittagong, the commercial capital and Dhaka, the political capital of Bangladesh. We should pray that these books and Bibles will speak to those who purchased them and cause many mighty preachers of the Gospel to arise.
Bangladesh is an Islamic country and the reading of the New Testament is looked upon as a very great threat to Islam. Have not some of these countries that feel so threatened by the Bible and its profound truth, signed the UN charter which includes freedom of religion and of assembly? We live in a world of great hypocrisy. A number of countries who sit in that august assembly year after year deny their people these treasured freedoms and conduct pogroms and make sure that there is no record of the thousands and millions whom they had massacred. Such is the ‘civilized’ state of our barbarous world today!
Sub-Centres and Preaching Outposts

True spiritual conversion brings into the heart of one a great love for the neighbour. Hence expansion and outreach is intrinsic to any real work of God.
The young men and families who are being trained in our Bible College, are being posted to new areas. A few of these recently commenced ministries are in populous but neglected places, which are either noted for agriculture or cottage industries.
Pray for these new start-ups—Pattukottai, Perambalur and Ilampillai—and for the brothers who man these new outposts in Tamil Nadu.
The Challenge Posed by IT Industry

Madras too has a silicon valley which has sprung up rapidly and extensively in what was once a remote and, as the parlance goes,  a God-forsaken marshy southern area of the city.
Many are the dangers to which young IT people are being exposed today. Their big salaries which appear to result in their betaking themselves to the bottle, and morally freewheeling and partying lifestyle, is resulting in the rapid ruin of both their souls and health.
Hence just before the Annual Retreat, three nights were given to revival meetings at Perumbakkam. Dr. Samraj spoke on the first night and on the second and third nights, Bro. Joe gave the main message.
The Anniversary Thanksgiving Meetings and After

Soon after the Anniversary Thanksgiving meetings, which continue in some places almost into August, a series of students’ camps and revival meetings follow immediately.
Spiritual stamina and the ability to feed the people come with the discipline of waiting on God. Many preachers today have little time to give to God. Meetings thus become formal and routine gatherings. The trumpet sound is missing and God’s voice is nowhere to be heard and the people go to sleep! We do not want to produce several ‘valleys of dry bones’ in our mission fields.
So PREACHERS, AWAKE! This is the prime need of the hour.
Bro. Joe welcomes everyone to pray for him. As the years roll by, it takes a lot of physical tenacity, to maintain such a demanding schedule of meetings. He is very strict with himself and says with sorrow that he falls woefully short of “the stature of the fullness of Christ.” He maintains that a preacher should be like Jesus so that men see Jesus on the platform and not just a human individual or one who pouts and rants and gesticulates wildly.

WORLDWIDE LABOURS

The British Retreat

The message of the Lord calling men to repentance, is but slowly percolating into the minds of our hearers on the TV channels, over which our message goes out, in the British Isles. Some are beginning to respond by writing or phoning in, requesting prayer and indicating their need. Now some of them are beginning to be present at our Retreats.
Anywhere in the world, we adopt the same principle of charging the people nothing at our Retreats, when we rent a Retreat Centre and take up the catering also. Normally, no one comes to our Retreats as though they have procured a cheap holiday. We want people to learn the principle of paying for one’s own needs and this is so basic that no Christian who is serious about his faith, does not want to do that. The governments are unfortunately teaching many to rely on handouts. To wean people away from these official milk bottles is not easy. But the basic teaching which we receive from God is to give, send forth and to be sold out for Jesus.
In Britain and even in America, there seem to be too many who are ‘free-loaders’ and this attitude is weakening the churches and it grieves us that so many churches are closing down, being unable to pay their bills.
At our Retreats, we aim to produce true Christians who know that they are debtors. Yes, we owe a big debt to Jesus and to our neighbour. Hence we will give freely to our neighbour and rescue them who have ‘fallen among thieves.’ Our prayer sessions too became deep and meaningful. We have yet much ground to cover and more travailing prayer is needed for Britain.
The Summer Retreat in Europe—In Gottingen, Germany

Right on the heels of the British Retreat comes the German Retreat. Here we use a Youth Centre, where people individually book their rooms and pay for their needs to the Youth Hostel. This Youth Centre is always busy, as Gottingen is a university town, with a lot of old-time fame. Though our progress in North Germany has been slow, yet we want to be faithful and press on.
Germany is the power engine which is keeping the wobbly carriages of the European Union from derailing completely. How long Germany can prop up the dead old man, the European Union, which has no room for God in its constitution, is not clear. If and when the EU comes crashing down, it will bring down many countries with it. America that helped so notably to reconstruct Europe after the War, is in no state to help anybody now, being hopelessly beggared by her own self-indulgence, overspending and experimentation with outworn and infructuous socialistic ideas.
Labouring for Europe at such a juncture, can only be done in the strength of the Lord and with a deep undergirding of prayer. We have a long way to go in these Retreats in Europe.
The Retreats in Paris, France

It is always an uphill task here. Yet, many working at the humblest and low-paying jobs in Paris, manage to come to our meetings. We need to focus prayer on the local French men and women.
The Retreats in the US

Many of the old friends of Bro. Joe who were products of the revival which broke out in a few places like Farmerstown in Ohio, Nappanee, Indiana and elsewhere, are now dead or very elderly. While this is a serious loss, yet we should have seen many more faithful men rising up in their room. This has not happened. But we are battling on. The trouble with us is that we have gotten used to many victories, which God has given us routinely.
The present situation in the US calls for travailing prayer and we are ashamed to say that apparently no one wants to do that. The preponderance of the people would suggest that we water down the Gospel and draw people by preaching the new ‘Prosperity Gospel.’ Perverting the Gospel is something we shall never do!
The immigrant and the green-card crowd are disinclined to hear that most of their thinking and dealing is directed by the dollar. “What shall I get?” is never the attitude of a Christian. This they seem not to know. Religion, when it gets subservient to the dollar, is worse than no religion!
At a time when America is sinking by every known measure, this crowd of ‘economic refugees’ and adventurers have simply nothing to give to this poor nation, whose great days are behind her!
Though we may be a handful of people, let the whole Fellowship pray for us that we may not run after glamour, glory, comfortable living or riches. The Fellowship is labouring in the US surely for the furtherance of the Gospel. Pray that we may be able to broadcast out of stations that will reach the high and mighty in Washington DC and elsewhere.
Our Weekend Retreats at Novi are very short. Novi is about 20 miles to the west of Detroit. Our small church there can easily be reached by people who work in and around Detroit.  If people had the hunger and planned early enough to attend, they could get some cheap flights from distant places and get to the Retreat. But many don’t make the effort to do so. They look for a cheap ride.
However, those who really seek the blessing of God get spoken to by the Lord and are learning to press on.
In South-East Asia—Singapore

The work schedules in Singapore can be so overwhelming that people find it really hard to come to meetings. Yet Singapore is so small and the flow of traffic is so expertly managed that excessive time is not spent in travel. Hence really it is a question of priorities—a person can and will do what he deems to be really important.
We are still missing a morning service and that is a great hindrance to our growth. To put too much burden on Dr. Rajadorai, who is in charge of a whole department in a big hospital, is not right.
Many men are here who rejoiced to find jobs in Singapore, but none has risen so far who says, “Let me labour for eternal souls in this important island which is the crossroads of many nations.”
The government of Singapore also tries to control religious activities or the growth of Christian work. They claim that this is necessary to prevent religious conflicts in their Republic. In history, it is abundantly clear that no regime or ruler, was able to bottle up or negate the power of the resurrection and the works which accompany the declaration of the Risen Saviour.
God must raise up some ‘little Davids’ in the Republic of Singapore. Many religious fads, new doctrines and quick-fix philosophies arrive in Singapore from America in record time, but some of them make people swing and swerve in glee, but no true cleansing of heart or conscience follows. These emotional excitements scarcely help in turning the tide of spiritual decay and powerlessness. Sadly, our few meetings appear to touch just the surface of the need here.
Ipoh, Malaysia

Many inhabitants of Chinese origin are still bound by occult practices and worship of ancestors.
Many were drawn to the meetings and great interest was stirred;  but it grieves Bro. Joe’s heart that Christians who have lived defensively in small pockets, have not yet grasped that there is an untapped reservoir of power and blessing in Christ, which they have not yet drawn from. Had they done so, it would have swung them into the offensive in their country, where Islamic restrictions are stringently enforced.
It is only unspiritual and dead Christianity that is a washout before the fanatic dictates of Islam.
Thailand

One of our young couples who are labouring as teachers in Thailand, know that their one purpose to be in Thailand is to be witnesses for Christ. They are currently facing a sheer wall of indifference to the claims of Christ. Some small cracks are appearing in this wall.
 
Christian and international schools, which were originally founded to bring Christ to that nation, are now largely devoid of any real mission. Even in the Middle School level, immorality and indiscipline abound.
Nowhere does Buddhism pretend to provide an answer to the desperate wickedness of the human heart. Thus the rigid adherence to Buddhism is simply not helping the nation to stem the tides of evil. We are praying currently for revival meetings in Thailand.


Vietnam

One of our bank officials is being posted in Vietnam to oversee and restructure certain banking operations of his bank. We should pray for this brother that his stint in Vietnam will help to promote the cause of Christ in the nation.
Communist countries are riddled with systemic corruption. Their answer to this plague which stems from the human heart is the firing squad. Chairman Mao’s dictum, “Power lies in the barrel of the gun” is no cure at all to the lying tongue or the adulterous spirit. He himself possessed a sizeable portion of both.
In South America—Guyana        

The few nights which were given to the meetings in George Town, Guyana, drew several new people and many sought prayer after the message.
Our team works hard but we are yet to see a major breakthrough. Our two computer men in the University are being commended by many for their good work. But we who have to render an account to God are chiefly concerned with what the Lord will say about our fruitfulness.
We must pray that student stalwarts will arise with a singular passion to lift up Guyana. Quite a sizeable proportion of the graduates from the University of Guyana go overseas, to find jobs which fetch them handsome salaries.

Youth and Children’s Camps

From the time of Bro. Daniel (senior), students’ work and youth camps were among the chief of our ministries. The vision to bring the highest motivation into the hearts of young people is very important to us. It is either Christ or the inbred selfishness which cries, “Me-first” which gets stronger and stronger in young hearts. Their entire outlook and whole horizon is darkened by this selfish living.
The Cross brings such a wonderful release, that “Not I but Christ” then becomes real and functional. But without being totally broken at the Cross, all that dominates the thinking in young people, as they climb higher and higher is, “How shall I enrich myself and be more comfortable?”
Coming to the Cross breaks the stranglehold of SELF such that this horrible denominator in people’s lives is wiped away. Thus a once self-centred individual’s life becomes a life of unlimited usefulness to the people all around and spiritual fruitfulness. Now this is the purpose of all our youth camps. It is not the limited purpose of bringing people to Christ.
The International Students’ Camp at Beulah Gardens

What began as a students’ camp for a small group of 30 to 40 young people, has now grown into a huge camp of over 6500 people. Many were resident in the camp and were given free board and lodging. It is amazing how the Lord helps us to take care of so many young people at this camp, which took place from October 5 to 9.
There were people from other nations too present. Yes, we want to reach people from China and other communist countries too.
With colleges and universities springing up everywhere, the body of students is continually growing. We must now produce young people who will take the Word of God to colleges even in remote places.
Limiting God must stop! Building up souls and the drive to do it comes normally to the converted person.
This Students’ Camp is generally followed by a great surge in prayer and a spate of spiritual activity and many prayer groups are set up in many places.
The messages given at the camp are online on the internet and a growing number of people are beginning to watch the proceedings of the Retreat in distant places and countries.  Many CDs and DVDs with the messages are purchased and taken away from the camp.  
The fasting and prayer session at the camp saw a mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit.
Youth Camp in Imphal, Manipur

On their way to Imphal, Manipur, for the Youth Camp there, the plane on which Bro. Joe and Sister Lily were, made a risky landing in the midst of a raging storm in Calcutta. After a long wait, they were told that all the flights to Imphal were cancelled. Eventually when they arrived the next morning, after an overnight stay in Calcutta, Bro. Joe had to go almost right away to the platform and preach to a crowded hall.
The few meetings which he addressed were blessed of the Lord and many young people were found crying to the Lord and pouring out their sins before Him.
When the foundations for our hall in Imphal were being laid, the local people said, “What, are you building a dam?” The folks here were generally used to building flimsy structures. Now when we see our hall filled to capacity again and again, Bro. Joe regrets that we have not built a bigger hall.
The easy choice which many young people still make in these border areas is to join the insurgent groups which are called the ‘underground’. The Lord in his mercy is converting men from the underground units too.
As life in these parts is being totally disrupted by extortion and kidnappings, we should pray that the Lord will touch the leaders of these insurgent groups.
At Stuartpuram, a few thousand students gathered for our youth camp. Our campus here of course is meant for many thousands more. Thus we expect this camp to grow in numbers and effectiveness in the years ahead.
In Calcutta: In this vast city, Christian students’ camp appears to be a very rare commodity. Bro. Swamidoss was sent all the way, some 2400 km from Coonoor, to address this camp.
At Itanagar in the far North-East, the Lord helped us to have yet another camp. The Lord brought together quite a number of young people for the camp. The Word of the Lord was sown in many hearts. The Lord must raise up faithful young people here who will carry the precious Word to remote areas and even across the border to China.
Silchar is yet another university town in Assam, where a weekend Youth Retreat took place.  
Overflowing camps for children were also held in Salem, Erode, Vellore, Royapuram, Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) and smaller camps in Cochin, Bombay, and in numerous other places.   

The Big Campaigns in Andhra Pradesh

Stuartpuram

Bro. Joe vividly remembers the little group of people that sat under a very rickety pandal for the first meetings which he attended in this place. Many of these hearers had been or were drunkards, thieves, bootleggers, while some were sick and mentally unbalanced people. That the Salvation Army succeeded in bringing this criminal tribe out of the forest and got them into this settlement, was a most remarkable thing.
The scenario at the meetings now is totally different. The Lord helped us to add to the already big structure which accommodated the majority of the hearers, a gallery section, which provided added seating. Anyone with imagination knows the very high cost of a reinforced concrete gallery of 120 feet length and 50 feet width. The people on the galleries were so distant from the platform that they were hardly visible. So great was the crowd, which has been estimated to be well over 100,000.
The presence of the Lord makes all the difference and the crowning experience is the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit. The spirit of repentance was poured out upon the crowds several times in the meetings, and the Lord Jesus was greatly glorified.
Rev. Eric Stewart, Johannes Weidenmuller, Dr. Whitson and Dr. Samraj helped in breaking the Bread of Life to the people.
The eight and a half acres of this sandy tract in the centre of this village is proving too small for the huge multitudes, which pour in from all directions and many distant places and states.
Vijayawada

Right after the large meeting on Sunday morning, which closed around    2 pm in Stuartpuram, to go into a distinctly different crowd of city dwellers and others, around a 100 km away, and to address the evening meeting in our vast grounds in Vijayawada, was by no means easy. Yet the Lord helped us and gave us of His presence and power. Our grounds in the centre of the city are hardly able to accommodate the hearers.
Now our chief concern and burden is to see the Spirit’s work, delivering people from small minds and lifting them into a real walk with God.
Revival has many enemies. An unbridled tongue is perhaps the greatest enemy, for the devil uses negative thinkers and prattlers to spoil much good. One danger which we face now is from what the Bible calls “mixed multitudes.”  Seeing that God has made us, who were simply nobodies, into an advancing army of love, there are many half-baked cakes or people who have never known true repentance, who just wish to travel along under the umbrella of the Fellowship and they turn out to be murmurers or grumblers, who pervert the simple and do much evil. “Keep thyself pure …” (I Tim. 5:22) should be our watchword and the Word of God sown in the hearts of this great multitude should bring forth much fruit.


Hyderabad

Our centrally situated hall and grounds are not able to contain the people. Bro. Daniel (senior) expressed great concern and fear when one of the early members of the Fellowship went to Hyderabad. When that young man got into much trouble, Bro. Daniel (senior) had to take very urgent decisive steps to deliver him. This city has a long history of being a place where sensual pleasures and the pursuit of money were dominant.
At the meetings this year, large numbers were in attendance and the team which looked into the parking of cars, had to do some hard work finding room for every vehicle. Now this required a lot of patience and skill.
How important it is, however, to make sure that the Cross is at the centre of every Gospel effort! Superficiality in Christian living is something which is extremely ugly. How can I be like Jesus for one moment, and the next moment act like the devil? We dare not produce ‘devilish Christianity’. Self-interest, pride and vanity are the dangers which many of our people are being trapped by. Not to know this is a tragedy! God’s interest and self-interest are opposite poles. When one is crucified with Christ, selfish motivation suffers death.
But there are a few souls, who want God’s perfect will for their lives and have renounced self-gain and earthly prosperity. God will greatly bless such people.
Bro. Joe and Sister Lily spent many hours counselling people. It always grieves Bro. Joe very much, when he has to send away anyone who is seeking prayer and spiritual help. These long queues at his door apparently want him to stay young and so imagine that he is not likely to get tired or exhausted, after doing hours of personal work immediately after the message!
Rajahmundry

Dr. Jesu helped to start the meetings in Rajahmundry and there were many who were hungry for God’s Word.
Love of the platform and desire for prominence have greatly weakened the missionary cause in this area. When a man loves the prayer closet, he is safe and it is certain that great things will happen. Religious talk and men-pleasing performances at the podium, will bring death both to the preacher and to the people.
The dangers of the platform must be recognized. Bro. Joe says that he has been blind on several occasions and given responsibilities to men, who did not have the humility to handle the prominence, which big responsibilities bring. We need to learn to humble ourselves more and more.
These meetings restored the balance of many people, after an unfaithful man greatly disturbed their minds. The focus of the meetings was upon Jesus. The people have to be taught that it is only by looking unto Jesus that one can advance in spiritual life.
Kakinada

There is an ocean of need in many regions around Kakinada, in the East Godavari district. It should bring pain to our heart that there are many simple villagers who are hungry for God’s Word, but are not being fed.
At the revival meetings, the number of hearers was great and the Word of the Lord went forth with power. But our concern is, “How many actually carried the Word of God rooted and transfixed in their hearts?”
Modern life with its problems is beginning to hit people in hitherto isolated areas like Kakinada. The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches carry the Word away, such that no fruit is really forthcoming.
We need to watch against scattering the Seed mechanically out of formality and custom, and receive an awful judgement for our unfaithfulness. Our preachers and others, who are sent forth to address smaller meetings, must learn to sow with tears. Sleepy preachers must be relegated relentlessly to recliners and lounge chairs. There should be no respect of persons in this regard. God’s glory comes first—and not our importance or honour!
Tadepalligudem

This is a huge rice exporting region. Dr. Jesu addressed revival meetings for three days in this place.
On the last evening of the meetings, Bro. Joe managed to get there after 9 pm. He addressed the crowd in Kakinada at the last meeting there and made a hectic dash to Tadepalligudem, some 200 km away.
A municipal park had been hired for this meeting. But the crowd overflowed the park. The good Lord in His mercy gave Bro. Joe a Word from Him. Right after the meeting, he had to travel another 140 km to Vijayawada to catch a train to Madras at 1 am.
 The gracious Lord made it possible for Bro. Joe to catch the train and preach in the morning at the Sunday service at our headquarters. He is always conscious that the prayers that come from so many loving hearts, strengthen him and keep him amidst his strenuous labours.

Widespread Labours in India

Palamcottah

A stranger, who was passing by the trunk road which runs past the low compound wall of the Cathedral in Palamcottah, felt an urge to come in. Bro. Joe happened to be preaching that evening. The Lord opened the eyes of this orthodox Hindu to see Jesus on the platform. Now that should happen every time. Why should we be seen? The living Saviour should be seen.
Palamcottah has always been a hard place, where Bro. Daniel (senior), Mrs. Daniel (senior) and Bro. Joe laboured with much burden in the fifties. The Lord of the harvest gave revival. We have found that many people of this area remained steadfast, after repenting and turning to Christ.
We are now dealing with a new generation. The Lord must raise up people who put His kingdom first. The young people who have grown up in our midst are scattered in various places and occupy positions of responsibility. Many of them are busy building their own houses and piling on more cushions to ease themselves further. King David gathered nearly all that was needful to build the temple of the Lord. But alas, many of the older generation have not passed on that kind of urgent burden to their children and grandchildren! Hence the work of the Lord suffers. Sadly these older people are supremely satisfied with the material advancement in their children’s lives.
The Lord did bless the meetings which were held in the hall next to the important bus stand of the city. But what we need is more than good meetings.
Having thus laboured in various centres of Tinnevelly alongside his dad, Bro. Joe says, his heart aches for Tinnevelly. The Lord should do a new thing in this district. We must look to the Lord for a fresh wave of revival.
Chandigarh, Punjab

What a hop from South to North! Chandigarh is roughly 3300 km from Palamcottah.
Many strangers and new people were drawn to these meetings in Chandigarh. Now that our telecast is going out in Punjabi too, we did expect people from the Punjab countryside!
The drive for money and greed is literally killing and destroying many people here. Punjabi bridegrooms from abroad appear to specialize in demanding big dowries and eventually discarding their brides, after some small disagreement. Hence there is much misery and sorrow in hearts. WILL THE FALLEN NATURE OF MAN EVER BE SATISFIED? It is the nature of sin to tantalize people and to be never satisfied.
Charles Wesley said,
       “Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
       More than all in Thee I find:
       Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
       Heal the sick, and lead the blind.”
Oh, that millions in the Punjab will seek and find the Lord who satisfies so completely!
Bombay and Pune

The busy city of Bombay leaves many of its inhabitants breathless and almost asphyxiated from rushing around its crowded streets.
Our evening meetings drew quite a number of people. There are so many problems in the hearts of people today that the hours that we spend counselling people, is hardly enough. We must teach them to cast their burdens upon the Lord.
We need more preachers, who have experienced the Cross in the days of their youth, for this work to gain vitality and power. We dare not excuse ourselves for want of spiritual power. God’s Holy Spirit is nigh unto them that are of a truly broken heart and when one truly asks Him, He will fill that person with more power and grace, than they can contain.
Our Sunday School in the slum goes on. Stones were thrown at our sister, Suguna, whose ministrations continued to draw more and more children and she suffered a bleeding injury on the head. However, she labours on, faithfully. Her family is fully behind her in this hazardous work.
Travelling to Pune on the expressway, one sees kilometre after kilometre of booming industries, where tens of thousands find employment. The industrial and commercial world is quite heartless and throws out worn-out or wrecked individuals on the waste pile of human rejects. Some of these people are depressed and feel that there is nothing in life for them. It is very painful for Bro. Joe to see that Christians have no vision whatever. What are regarded as good-for-nothing ‘wrecks’ have a Saviour who calls them to Himself and promises them rest. Instead of having the high excitement of seeing moral and spiritual wrecks restored, the worldly Christians of today are excited with their little toys and games. Such heartless people should cause us to weep for them in prayer.
In Pune, our little campus is getting filled. We have to increase our accommodation and make room for the multitude of disciples whom God wants to give us. It is disciples we want, and not those who sit on the galleries and perhaps munch peanuts!
The Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hall was well-filled during the evening meetings. Though people were busy with their big Diwali festival all around the hall, yet many people came from all quarters to the meetings. There is much more to be done in this whole region.
Calcutta

Several people had come in from the Sundarbans also. Sundarbans is known as the largest estuary region in the world, where tigers and crocodiles have turned many women into widows. Our team conducts a medical camp in one of these islands, twice in the month and children are taught the things of God.
The high school hall which was hired for the meetings was full and  there was spiritual hunger in the hearers, such as is scarcely to be seen in Calcutta.
The conscience of the city and the whole of Bengal is totally devastated by the worship of a deity which is known to crave human blood. In fact, its images, which are worshipped ardently, are depicted with a long tongue dripping with blood. Now that is the origin, as shown in ancient Hindu Vedas. The modern version makes the same deity appear like a beautiful starlet!
It is a clear case of grave spiritual deficiency in us, who claim to be Christians. We have failed to exercise the authority and power which Jesus gives us over every evil spirit and “all the power of the enemy.” We have not thrown down these forces of darkness and awakened people out of spiritual coma.
Several cities of West Bengal are slowly being reached by our hard-worked little team.
Bangalore

After the Sunday service at the headquarters, the Lord helped Bro. Joe to get to Bangalore in time to preach at the evening meeting.
Of course, three days of meetings are neither here nor there for Bangalore and the great spiritual need of the people there. The fact of the matter is that we are hardly touching so many sections of the population in Bangalore. The Information Technology industry is drawing many young people to this city. These high-paying jobs do not help many of them to reach out to the deeper things of God.
Shanti Daniel, in spite of her poor health, helps many young girls in particular. After the meetings, many more people began to join us at the services.
At the time of writing, word has come to us that much more room has been created by a fresh extension to the temporary hall, where we worship. Now even this extension appears to be inadequate.
We need to pray that this very needy city will see true disciples, like the early Christians, rising out of our humble labours here.
  

The Literature Ministry

Our literature ministry can only be described as a mere drop in the bucket. This is a very humbling and sobering fact. We are very very far from being able to put even a single page of soul-saving truth into the hands of every man, woman and child, on this globe. Reaching the billions—every soul being precious—should be our prime motive. As long as our minds are pegged to money, this will be mere wishful thinking. Now that is true in the light of the desperate need amongst the billions of inhabitants in our world today.
To produce our first book in Arabic seemed so hard. But one of our young men faithfully persisted and now this book, “Victory over Demons and Fear” is ready and must reach the Arabic-speaking people.
The latest of our publications is “Victory over Demons and Fear” in the Mongolian language. Bro. Sundar Singh, having been in Mongolia for the last one year or so, caught the vision to find the right people to translate this book and publish it. While the translation was being done, the good folks who were doing it experienced some severe attacks of the devil.
Someone who was going to work among the nomadic tribes far from the capital of Mongolia, took quite a large quantity of these books to be given to folks, who normally would never come across a Christian book. A great deal of occult practices have submerged these people in great spiritual darkness. Mongolia is just emerging from oppressive communist rule. During his short stint in Mongolia, what a gift God has enabled Sundar Singh to give to the people of Mongolia! Let us pray that there will be many reprints of this book and men will arise, who will claim the power of the Blood of Christ and destroy the works of the devil.  
Malayalam is spoken in Kerala, on the south-western part of India. Kerala has a noteworthy literacy level of 93.9% . It happens to be also a region where communism still appears to attract many. Our two books published in Malayalam are entitled, “Mao and Marx Bound Us and Christ Freed Us” and “A Wise Woman Buildeth Her Home.” We should be producing more books in Malayalam to reach the man on the street.
Considering that our printing facility is still rather small, it is quite significant that we brought out 44 reprints and 10 new books and booklets in various languages during the last few months. With prayer and greater dedication, hundreds of titles with really edifying and challenging material should be printed annually by us.
Some of our boys in our press do work hard and there are times when the press runs all night. Seeing that many of them who help in the press are from our Bible School and work only part-time in the press, they are turning out pretty commendable work. We of course aim at perfect and flawless work.
God should raise up men with a dedication similar to that of the great missionary, William Carey. We should pray for our crew that they should become experts in this vital field of service.

Our Schools

The Living Saviour said, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” (Mark 10:14) In the light of this Scripture, receiving children into our schools, giving them the truth and presenting them with the beauty of Jesus become imperative. Children are early introduced to idolatry in the East and their conscience dies very early. How can we neglect these little children?
When the missionaries, who had painstakingly built good schools and pioneered education even in remote villages, were more or less ordered to leave India, many great schools were left without proper management.
One of the sad facts and failures of missionary work is that many of the nationals, who were elevated to positions of great responsibility, lacked the integrity even to be truthful in their accounts. While some Christian schools maintained a very high level of teaching and besides taught children sound morals, others went down in their integrity and academics. Some schools like training schools even demanded donations or capitation fees or made under-the-table demands.  The net result of all this was that the government began to take over the schools. Political interference in education has greatly weakened education in many parts of the world and in some parts of India reduced educational standards considerably. Revival or a true work of God should produce men and women, who love to nurture children and give them sound learning.
In a sense, we were kind of moved and forced into opening a few of our schools. When our schools were listed, Bro. Joe was surprised that we are now responsible for no less than 12 schools, some of which are still very small. Bro. Joe just managed to visit four of our schools in the past year.
Three of our four matriculation schools,  LEF Christian Matriculation High School in Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu, Eden Garden Matriculation School in Salem, Tamil Nadu  and LEF Eton English Medium School in Bansi, Uttar Pradesh had 100% results. The fourth school, LEF Eden Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Ponneri, Tamil Nadu sent up 39 students of which 33 obtained first class. All the students of our Bansi School passed with distinction, scoring above 75% marks. Now that is truly amazing.
Our School in Nepal

To obtain the requisite permits from the government and the local bodies is quite a time-consuming thing. Thus to run this school here we have had to face and overcome many difficulties. The children learn so many good things that there is a considerable stir among the local people.  
Yet, we do not want our workers to be deflected from the main mandate of our Master, which is to win souls.
Currently our school has about 60 tiny children in the lower and upper kindergarten and we are moving towards the opening of the 1st standard. We are sure that many are watching us closely to see if there is any discrepancy between our profession and practice. The fees we charge is quite low, compared to what the other schools around us charge.
New School in the Outskirts of Bombay

Out of our street-work in Bombay, we have come to see the crying need to lift up the neglected children. While we are struggling to find suitable grounds needed for this school, we are now running our school in a small, rented premises in the outskirts of Bombay.
As the school grows in numbers, the first need is to recruit godly and dedicated teachers. Secondly large sums have to be spent to purchase land and construct the required classrooms. In the Fellowship, this appears to be a continual process, as we are expanding and advancing all the time into new areas.

The Internet Ministry

Some people appear to have shared in with their friends the proceedings of the Annual Retreat. On the whole it was quite expensive to make the servers remove advertisements from our programme, in the evening and for one and half hours in the morning.
Now even if a handful of people are blessed, we feel it is worth the effort and the expense involved.
We dare not forget that our Lord told us that the ‘light should be put on the candlestick, and not under a bushel.’ Only it is the deep yearning of Bro. Joe that the Lord should be seen on the platform. He is the message.
The message which goes out every Sunday from our small church in Detroit, which is called Community Christ Church, at 10.00 AM EST (7.30 PM IST) is being watched by some people.

The Magazine Ministry

The Indian Christ is Victor is going out to many regions in the following languages: English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Hindi, Mizo, Burmese and Manipuri.
All the time, more people are asking for our magazine, Christ is Victor. It is good that people should learn to subscribe for these magazines. However, we try to keep the subscription at a very low level.
The International edition of ‘Christ is Victor’ has a different format and carries different articles largely. We do not try to force it on people in other countries, as many are inundated by a lot of reading material. But several people download the international edition which is on the internet and some are very grateful for it. There is no charge for the international version which is printed in the US, England, Malaysia and Australia.
Our longing, prayer and desire is that the Lord will speak to many through  this magazine ministry and that He will build the prayer life of those who have lost the habit of getting alone with God in the closet of prayer.

The Annual Retreat

We are quoting from a letter which was received from a friend from abroad, who was until recently a total stranger to us.
“It was certainly a unique experience, very different to anything I had ever experienced before.
   “On the opening meeting of the conference, I went into the sanctuary and up to the gallery. The sight that met my eyes and the sound that met my ears were simply overwhelming. They were nearly all young people, and they were singing an old fashioned hymn, “In tenderness He sought me.” The presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong that I broke down in tears, for I realized that all those young people were there testifying to a strong faith, …and I was also thinking that no large congregation in the Western world would have sung such songs for decades. There was something very, very special there, which we, in the West, have lost.
“Brother Joshua spoke at every session, and when he finished the Bible exposition, he called the congregation to prayer. Straightaway, most of the men and women in front of me and to the side of me got down on their knees or on their faces on the marble floor, and  started to pray in their own words while he was leading in prayer.
  “As soon as he started to pray, they started to pray, and the sound of their praying echoed and reverberated round the building, especially up from the marble floor, to make a noise like thunder. I was right in the middle of it, and it was an incredibly humbling yet exhilarating sound. I have never heard anything like it. Their praying was not raucous shouting but intense heartfelt prayer, meant for God alone. Yet, even though it was so loud, we could still hear Joshua through the loudspeakers.”
Many people tell us that God is very good to us and that we should be very grateful. Bro. Joe however feels that by the one yardstick that he uses, which is the Word and the stature of Christ, that we fall very short and his whole emphasis is on humbling ourselves.
Now the people that were with us in the Retreat are scattered over so many countries and many regions of this subcontinent. Oh that God would make each one of them a flame of fire!
We witnessed how God in His mercy supplied three meals to so many thousands and water, the summer months being a time of great scarcity for water. In all, those who resided at the Retreat or some part of it were close to 8500, the majority staying in for almost the whole period of ten days.
The Scripture records that after the feeding of the five thousand by the Saviour, the disciples’ hearts were hardened. The Lord in His mercy must save us from all hardness of heart, so that we may show forth His praises continually.
  

LATE NEWS

Special Meetings in Kangayam, Bhavani, Erode and Avinashi, Tamil Nadu

Even after being in a secluded place for three weeks, Bro. Joe scarcely feels that he has been spiritually rejuvenated sufficiently for the intense ministry which is before him.
Leaving the jungles behind and the mountainous terrain, Bro. Joe and Sister Lily reached Kangayam in Erode district, on Saturday, the 16th of June. The Lord helped them to arrive just in time to take over from the team.
The crowds surprised Bro. Joe by its immense vastness. He expected to preach to a small number of people on this Saturday evening. The Word of the Lord went forth with power. Bro. Joe and Sister Lily had quite a distance to travel before they could reach Bhavani, which was their next stop.
The Sunday service in Bhavani drew so many that the hall was packed and the extra space provided below on the ground floor, was also nearly full. The Lord gave us richly of His presence. After dealing with many needy souls for nearly two hours after the close of the service, they broke away from the people and managed to get back to their lodgings.
In the evening, they got to the big Parish Hall in Erode, which was fully packed. There was little room inside the hall and so many had to be seated outside the hall. A kindly police officer saw that the traffic in front of the gate was so regulated that there was no disturbance to the meeting. Of course, Bro. Joe’s heart was greatly moved by the hunger of the people. It touched him deeply when a little girl pulled her mother through the crowd and came to him saying, “Pray for my mother.” She was a HIV patient.
Bro. Joe and Sister Lily had to travel quite some distance and managed to reach their lodgings at Mettupalayam at midnight. On Monday morning, Bro. Joe spent nearly five hours with all our workers of that area in our new Primary School, speaking to them and praying with them.
Soon after the prayer concluded, Bro. Joe and Sister Lily had to travel some 40 km to Avinashi, where quite a large group of people had gathered at our centre. After ministering to them, they set out on the 100 km journey to Salem, where they halted for the night.
Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday were spent in praying with a large group of our workers at the headquarters in Madras. Thursday night, June 21st, finds Bro. Joe dictating these few lines, before packing his bags for distant Imphal, the capital of Manipur, which must be reached for tomorrow evening’s meeting. Thus  Bro. Joe and Sister Lily  are kept busy with their ‘Father’s business.’

CONCLUSION

Our great Saviour, who said, “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,” will lead us on.
We live in an era, where big governments and huge corporations imagine that anything which is done can only be done under their wings. Here we are ordinary people but in the Hands of God. If we should ever lose this fulcrum and trust, we will be worse than zeros.
This brief account speaks only of some major moves and developments. But one must bear in mind that God used a veritable battalion of our men and women in various places. It is becoming very hard to keep track of even a meagre record of the many works of God. One great sin of ours is that we scarcely reckon these endless mercies that God showers upon us. As a child, Bro. Joe was taught by his praying mother, who greatly treasured the life of St. Francis of Assisi, who is said to have preached to the birds and animals, that they should be grateful to God. She always warned us children that we should not commit the great sin of ingratitude. Let us tremble, for we seem to be full of this great sin.