Shepherded 78 Years

78^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FELLOWSHIP

RIVERS OF REDEEMING GRACE

Table of Contents

Preface 2

New Centres and Advances 3

Worldwide Labours 8

Youth and Children’s Camps 10

The Big Campaigns in Andhra Pradesh 11

Widespread Labours in India 12

The Annual Retreat 13

Radio and Television Ministry 14

Literature Ministry 14

Internet Ministry 15

Our Schools 16

Promoted to Glory 17

Conclusion 19

PREFACE

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Rev. 22:21

It is very significant that the Bible closes with these words. I do not know whether modern historians can correctly assess and depict the currents, which are savaging our age and the times we live in. There are conflicting powers and clashing ideologies which appear to be in mortal conflict with each other. How would you describe a process, where there appears to be a frantic building activity simultaneous with a strong drive to tear down anything that appears strong and enduring? Some of today’s glib talkers would call this gloom and doom reporting. But stop and think deeply—where is the world around us headed?

What can be worse than tearing down the family? Money, jobs and pleasures are dictating even the location of where people elect to live. God’s sending forth Abraham into the ‘unknown’ is something which is so alien to the minds of the up-and-coming generation. Without any practical exercise or application of faith in their lives, how are they to understand an Abraham, or a St. Peter or a St. Paul? It seems like madness to men of this generation to subject oneself to the unerring supernatural power of God. Grace has no place. Modern man proudly exclaims, “Why do I need grace? I can accomplish all things on my own. If the worst comes to the worst, I can appeal to the occult or yoga which teaches me supreme self-reliance.” So saying, they rush headlong into a lost eternity.

We are not able to save our families or to bring out the great potential in our children—and yet we bluster and boast that all is well! Our vanity and pride is simply mind-blowing and staggering. Oh that we might open our eyes to see Calvary, and Christ, the Saviour upon the Cross! Let it be known to all men everywhere that since you and I can never save ourselves, Christ left Heaven’s glory and came into this sinful world and died in your and my stead. Now, isn’t this grace and unmerited favour towards a bunch of people who do not even know that they are headed towards a lost eternity? Can I ever be such that I do not need the grace of the Living Saviour? No, never!

Most Christian work today appears to be listless, half-hearted and more directed towards money and material well-being than anything else. The muscle of Heaven is missing, meaning that God is simply not in it. The formal prayers and rituals that we painstakingly practise in our weekly services have a deadening effect upon the young people. If they go to a basketball match, they see drive, purpose and motivation in every move of the players. The atmosphere which is exuded by the game hardly lets them keep their seats. The sports arena, soccer ground and the baseball diamond have usurped the place of worship and the edifying and uplifting church service.

Not only the Western church but all of us need revival. We have to humble ourselves that we have allowed such gross darkness to engulf society, that they cannot even see the distinction between male and female and are daring God to repeat the judgment that Sodom and Gomorrah brought upon themselves.

As we enter the 79th year of the Fellowship, above all else, let us seek from God a humble and contrite spirit. I see even preachers losing this contriteness of heart—and they soon will need a (Starbucks) coffee parlour at the entrance of their churches! Without a strong cup of coffee or a high dose of caffeine, many in their congregations can barely keep their eyes open, in the somnolent sermonette. What a tragedy has overtaken our pulpits and the souls and spirits of our preachers! Where are we headed? It is clear that many are going to Church today to be entertained with a short spell of a different kind of entertainment from that of the ballroom dance.

DO NOT BE A LAZY CHRISTIAN! Sound the trumpet. Don’t be a circus clown. When we fail to awaken others, we are greatly failing in our duty. I need the grace of God to the last step of my journey. I know my own nature and my overwhelming propensities to do evil. Except for the grace of God and the Blood of the Cross, I would be nothing but a total and shameless hypocrite. How about you?

Awake! Awake!! Awake!!!

Despairing men, who have come finally to the wholesome understanding that they need the grace of the Lord Jesus, if they should make anything at all with their lives, are waiting for this Message of Hope. This is not the time to hide the Good News or to be preoccupied with trivialities.

Some of you are resident in cities where important laws are passed and yet are doing little to influence the legislators of such laws. Thus unrighteous laws that are destroying and decimating nations, are getting to be passed.

I feel that I myself need God’s chastisement. What I am doing for the Lord is so little. May you serve the Lord Jesus much better! What a word of assurance is given to us in these closing words of the Bible, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” – JOSHUA DANIEL

I. NEW CENTRES AND ADVANCES

Bangladesh

This was the first visit of Bro. Joe and Sister Lily to Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Unknown to them, it happened to be Valentine’s Day. Two lovely roses were given to Bro. Joe and Sister Lily by the stewardess with a little placard attached. This placard bore the hyper exaggeration, “To the cutest couple!” Of course, it made Bro. Joe laugh. He says, “Probably she didn’t look at my bald head!”

A small team of our brothers worked hard to prepare a few church leaders and people for the meetings, which were held from Feb. 15 to 17. It was also necessary to make sure that the minimum security concerns were taken.

Despite the restrictions and the mounting infiltration of fanatic elements, as elsewhere in the world, a few Christian churches are trying hard to safeguard and nurture their people. Evangelism as such was done in a discreet and hidden manner.

Being a Moslem country, open declaration of the Word of God is not tolerated in any extensive sense. But at the few meetings, which Bro. Joe addressed, God granted him great freedom.

One has to be so careful even in his enquires. Hence we hardly know how many Moslems came and heard God’s Word. But the Word of God is a great bulldozer and steamroller. We should declare God’s Word faithfully, and not fearfully.

When people reject all restraint and normal reasoning and appeal only to savage violence (argumentum ad baculum), as it is happening in many nations today, the strong temptation is to hide and take cover for security reasons. But we must remember the Gospel is not to be hid under a bushel. It is to be set as a city upon a hill—impressively evident to all.

One notable meeting was for the pastors, preachers and other Christian workers. The attention and warmth displayed by the leaders, who heard the Word with great stillness and reverence at this special meeting of pastors and leaders, gave promise of great things to come. They are longing to have us back for more meetings in Bangladesh.

Penetrating Remote Regions through Our Book Fairs

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

We have had a pretty long history of labouring in such desolate places, where no one else has ventured to labour.

We are seeking to reach remote places like Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, 40 km from China, at a height of 10,000 feet. This area is becoming a region where military incursions are being made. This remote region which is north-west of Bhutan was selected for one of our book fairs by our young brothers. Most of the inhabitants here are Buddhists.

To make the Bible available to people, who simply can’t buy good Christian books and Bibles, is of paramount importance. We expect fruit from these efforts which are being undertaken with much prayer.

When a spiritual beachhead is established in this place, then there will be many ministries, which will spring in the community.

Bhutan

We have been praying for Bhutan for some time now. The time for action has arrived. In fact, it is overdue. Some of you must be aware that one of our bookstalls is quite close to the main entry point into Bhutan and regular meetings are taking place there. Several Bhutanese come and buy our books and Bibles at our bookstall here. We must pray much for Stephen and his wife, who as a veterinarian is helping many with their animals.

Bhutan welcomes visitors, especially the high-paying tourists. It is an entirely different story when it comes to taking Bibles into Bhutan. Let us give you an excerpt from a letter of one of our team members.

“While all the other passengers waited, we three were checked thoroughly, at all the check posts. Our laptop was seized at the first check post, because the officers found some Christian songs in it.

“At another check post the officers were furious to see our personal Bibles. They asked us why we were taking them into Bhutan. We told them that it was for our personal use and that it is called the Book of Life and that we read it every day. After discussing among themselves for some time, they sent us away warning us not to give it to anybody, nor to leave it anywhere in their country. They added that it would be very dangerous for us to preach anywhere in Bhutan.

“Before they passed our cases of books and Bibles, they insisted on examining the contents of the many cases. The Lord sent such a heavy downpour of rain which poured and poured with no let-up, that the officers got tired of waiting and just passed the tons of our cases of books and Bibles!

“When these Bibles were placed before the people in a secret location in Bhutan, how the people rejoiced to see such a collection of Bibles and they bought them!”

It is clear that the angel of the Lord is protecting us as we venture out into places where imprisonment and the sentence of death are ordered almost at the drop of a hat. Where the Gospel has not been taken, the “habitations of cruelty” are well and thriving, in spite of the big trumpet-blowing over human rights. Man’s inhumanity to man only stops when Jesus changes hearts.

Mizoram, North-East India

Mizoram, which is literally at the tail end of the North-Eastern states, wedged in by Bangladesh to the west and Burma to the east, is first of all hard to reach.

Anyone who travels so far with tons of books and Bibles certainly can never have financial gain as a motive at all. Moreover one has to traverse a lot of terrorist territory, where extortion and death so often meet people.

The hearts of our brothers were greatly moved by the addiction to drugs, which was evident on the streets among the young people, even after midnight. We must see God at work, liberating many of these addicts.

The Lord who gave His disciples the power to cast out devils must use all our teams to overthrow the works of Satan and instantly free people from their addictions and obsessions.

Our team travelled also to the border areas between India and Burma. The people of these districts were truly amazed that our boys could take a load of valuable Bibles and precious Christian books to them. It was reported that the people were ready to rush in even before our brothers could unpack and display the Bibles and books. The authorities were very cooperative and even assisted us by charging only a fraction of the rent which is normally collected for the Town Hall, which was hired for the book fair.

It was suddenly noticed that some of the terrorists were following our truck with quite a number of insurgents who had piled into three jeeps. Accompanying our team however was a felon, who had heard the Word of God preached in the prison in the course of our prison work and was converted.

This man jumped out of our truck and spoke to the ‘bad’ boys that these are Christian preachers who are not working for self gain. Whatever their wicked intentions were, these terrorists, believing the report of the ex-prisoner, departed.

New Hall in Akividu, Andhra Pradesh

Akividu is no great city. It was in fact a small rural village in Mr. Daniel’s (senior) days. But late Bro. Daniel laboured hard in the midst of a spiritually stagnant mission station. God in His mercy granted a tremendous revival, which impacted the lives of thousands. But a little before Bro. Daniel died, one of the early converts greatly weakened the work and created an unnecessary division in order to enhance his own position. But there is a new resurgence by which the work of God is put on the revival rails again.

It speaks loudly of the vision of the early missionaries of the Canadian Baptist Mission, who established a hospital, a school and a little mission work in this remote village/town.

Despite the noble intentions of these missionaries, who adjusted to all kinds of primitive conditions and endured inconveniences which we can hardly visualize. Many of the people who turned to Christianity were extremely poor and largely belonged to the underclass, which has hardly any voice or weight. Now the disadvantage in a caste-ridden society of starting with the lowest class is that this group, which continually calls for hand-outs, have practically no say whatever in the nation’s affairs or in society at large. Their slavish minds easily turn to self-gain and scarcely see the ‘regions beyond’ where the Gospel needs to be taken.

All this changes with true revival. Many of the pastors and teachers got converted during the revival meetings which were first held.

From that time to this day, the fire that was then ignited continues to burn. People of all communities have been witnessing the works of Jesus and turning to the Lord.

A couple of years ago, Bro. Joe saw the need for pulling down the small hall erected in our property and building a commodious new facility. The present hall can hold much bigger crowds.

In the meantime, what was once a small village, has now grown into a sizeable town. We want to see fresh revival that will shake and transform many in this area.

New Hall in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh

By the time, late Bro. and Sister Daniel were invited for revival meetings, the news had travelled to the big Baptist Church in the city that it was hardly possible for anyone to hide their sins, under the preaching of Bro. Daniel and his wife. This was no welcome news to some of the leaders who had much to hide and loved the limelight and the other perks which go with leadership. In fact, one or two of them even went so far as to cut the wiring which brought in the electricity to the large church.

After several days of preaching with fasting and prayer, revival swept over the church. Many were transformed.

Bro. Daniel was even threatened with dire consequences by the troublemakers, some of whom actually decamped from the place, lest the true nature of their lives should be exposed. But the missionary in charge, a brother by the name of Mr. Quirk, was a man who wholly cooperated with Mr. and Mrs. Daniel (senior) and was all for revival.

After the passage of some months, it was realized that no great progress was possible, with the church leadership which would not repent. Bro. Quirk wanted Mr. Daniel (senior) and Joshua Daniel to labour at another location where a new church was formed, which was called Hope Hall Church.

The senior Daniels were translated to glory and many years passed before Bro. Joshua Daniel took up the challenge of Vizag, the city of much vanity from hoary times. Preaching in public grounds, we were unable to build souls in faith, due to the lack of a proper centre. The souls who were touched in the campaigns, suffered not a little.

The city of Vizag also possesses a big naval centre, besides being a huge educational hub. The Lord in His mercy gave us two sizeable plots, close to the grounds where the campaigns had taken place. We ought to be most grateful to God for helping us to nearly complete a beautiful facility where a thousand and a few hundred people can worship the Lord.

Constructing a big hall like this at a distance of 800 km from our headquarters is not easy. Fulfilling the new building code of providing sufficient parking, puts a further burden of faith on us. Yet let it be remembered with praise that the dear Lord does all this, while we hold fast to our principles of not asking anybody for a penny, but looking to Him who is our Saviour and Supplier, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

What began as a small meeting in an industrial suburb on the southern highway, south of Tambaram, has had to be moved to Vandalur, where the Madras zoo is situated.

Let no man mistake the church for a zoo! A new facility has to be built in a small strategic plot. We shall open the work in this place, God willing, on the 4th of July, with a revival meeting.

New Clinic in Sonauli, Uttar Pradesh

Just about a 100 metres (110 yards) from the border of Nepal, stands our new Gospel Clinic.

It is scarcely a few months ago since we opened this clinic. It is amazing that many patients are already seeking out the place. It is by a dusty road and from the standpoint of hygiene, we have to either upgrade the shopping area on either side of us or move to a cleaner location.

Medical Help for the Jungle-dwellers below the Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty

Elephants roam around, leopards are active and bears are attracted by kitchen smells and come to investigate. In such a place as this, Bro. Joe has chosen a quiet camping spot, where he draws apart for prayer.

Wherever we go, however, our hearts are moved by the poor and those that have not heard the Gospel. Thus we have made a small start with a medical clinic for the jungle tribes who seem to be quite fixed in their resolve to hold fast to their primitive and wild ways. Their animistic worship and invoking of the spirits of the dead breaks our hearts.

A little room has been built for this purpose. Our doctors have to travel at least 50 to 80 km over hill roads to get to this remote place.

Bro. Joe’s 85th Birthday (Feb. 6)

A famous liberator and ruler, who was getting on in years, said, “Birthdays are unpleasant reminders of advancing age.” However, in the last several years, Bro. Joe found it essential to praise God for every new day. He sees it as a valuable gift from God and looks to God every day with the prayer, “Let me please You today.”

It is not always that he is at our headquarters on his birthday. But he dislikes fanfare and likes to keep any little personal celebrations to be private and low key. Yet the brothers in the headquarters found that the 85th birthday of Bro. Joe should not pass without much prayer and praise. Of the small cake which was ordered, Sister Lily and he just took a wee piece and gave away the rest to the brothers at the headquarters.

The few days which he spends at the headquarters are full of heavy work, since there are many people who wish to see him and get prayed for, besides the full preaching ministry at the headquarters.

II. WORLDWIDE LABOURS

IN UK

It did appear that our television message is shaking some dry bones and several new-comers were present and there was a spirit of expectancy. Every retreat in the West appears to bring its surprises and sad shocks. Some who used to be present as students were no longer there. Without exaggeration some can be called ‘Fellowship backsliders’ who no longer wish to sacrifice anything to build the Kingdom of God. They get deflected by their wives or in other cases by their husbands. It is far easier to sit in a nearby nice Church under some good comfortable preaching which does not ruffle their feathers.

We were, however, more in number at this retreat, which was held in July. The Lord granted us two seasons of prayer. Now what is becoming very clear is many people think they pray when they utter a few worn-out phrases. This is a great danger for all in the west, in particular. The tide is strongly set against possessing, no, even seeking the spirit of prayer.

Winter Retreat in London

As Bro. Joe’s passport and that of Sister Lily were held up in a distant consulate, they could not keep the schedule of meetings and retreats in Europe in December 2012. John Daniel was sent to preach at our Winter Retreat in London. God used him and many were blessed.

IN GERMANY – Gottingen

Right from our first meeting which commenced at 7.30 pm in Gottingen, several people were present. The Lord’s presence was given to us right from the start.

Bro. Joe literally pours out his heart at these meetings and the people hear him with great attention. What generally begets a great wave of repentance and prayer does not do so here, as there is a wall of unbelief.

We fight on remembering our Lord’s words “Occupy till I come;” so we work despite the great deadness that is over Europe today.

In Paris, France

From the first meeting here, there was a goodly crowd and many new-comers were present. One wonderful feature is the young people’s choir, singing in French. When we eventually move to our own Church building, we will be able to start our service in French. At present, the message in English is translated into Tamil and French. Bro. Joe had to counsel and pray with many new people until he was totally spent.

IN THE US

Summer Retreat at the Camp Grounds at Sebring, Ohio

Those who made it to the retreat overcame many hindrances and came. Some came under deep conviction of sin, such that sleep was impossible. Going to the Lord and getting an assurance from the Lord, is scarcely taught in the Western world. Hence many here scarcely come through into full forgiveness of sins and complete deliverance. Thus, when the next temptation strikes, they are back at square one. Leaning on feelings alone has become a chronic disease. Our trust should be on the Word of the Lord and His promises. In spite of being weak and tired, the Lord strengthened Bro. Joe and used him powerfully.

Thanksgiving Retreat, Novi, Detroit

Many travelled long distances and arrived on time for our short retreat of this holiday weekend, in November. Most of them came with real hunger for the Word of God. The Lord in His mercy stood amongst us. Now obedience to the Word and a truly contrite and broken heart and spirit should be found in us. The work which the Cross does in us is an abiding work.

The Easter Retreat in Novi, Michigan

The first meeting began at 7 PM on Good Friday, March 29. Most of the people managed to get to our little church by then. 

In fact Bro. Joe’s health was giving some concern and his voice was badly affected and he had a bronchial cough. Yet he managed to preach at the first service. On Saturday, his voice began to mend and by that evening it became evident to all that the message of the Lord was sounding out with vigour and power. There were people from various nations at this retreat and they gave clear indication that the Lord was speaking to them.

In Guyana, South America

For three nights the meetings took place in Diamond Housing Colony, George Town, where Dr. Danny had been concentrating on some specialized medical practice. The spiritual needs here are so great that one has to work with individuals and pray them through.

Sister Lily addressed two nurses’ meetings in two hospitals. Our two nursing tutors are being used of the Lord, as they lecture to the nursing students at the University of Guyana.

Our unseen congregation is growing all the time, as we preach over the national network in Guyana and two other television stations in Trinidad and Jamaica. Efforts are on to launch our Spanish telecast. What is most needed is that there should be more burdened prayer for some of these countries and places where men and families are being destroyed by drugs and alcohol.

In Singapore

South-East Asia requires much deep prayer. Materialism and the modern schedules which office-goers and those in the professions keep, are hard taskmasters who leave little time for deeper contemplation or heart-searching. As for Singapore, the pressures upon people are such that most people wilt and wither under the mounting stress. Many are satisfied with participating a little in Christian activity and attendance at a few meetings.

Dr. Rajadurai, despite his heavy schedule as a medical specialist, has to feed our small company with the Word.

The three nights in Singapore in February 2013 gave us an opportunity to do a little personal work with souls. The poor night-watchman of the place had to wait well beyond the normal time of closing, before locking up for the night.

III. YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S CAMPS

The International Students’ Camp at Beulah Gardens

In many ways the International Students’ Camp held in October 2012, is noteworthy and will not be easily forgotten. In fact, communications were greatly impeded and restricted by the heavy rains of the weekend, but the huge hall at Beulah Gardens quickly filled up and the crowd sat as closely packed as ever.

The Word of God went forth with power. By the middle of the five-day camp, many were under the conviction of sin and were pouring out their hearts before God. Quite a number of our preachers were kept busy praying with people and counselling them.

It is amazing how many countries were represented. Many regions of the subcontinent including Nepal and Bhutan were represented. Now we expect these young people to carry the message to the distant places and universities from which they had come.

The cost of nearly everything including food, cooking gas, electricity and other commodities has greatly escalated. The Lord in His mercy took care of the enormous expenses. We were extremely happy that so many young people, in spite of their limited resources and even poverty, were able to come such long distances to the camp. Some of them even skipped several days of college, as not all the days of the camp were holidays.

The team of preachers were used of God and though Bro. Joe was battling weakness and ill health, the Lord in His mercy lifted him and put His own Word in his mouth.

We were more than 6880 people in the camp. It is amazing how well our Host and all-sufficient Saviour took care of us!

Other Youth Camps in India

Our campus at Stuartpuram is well suited to draw these young people into quite a different world, from their busy lives with their books and studies. Although this was a short weekend retreat, yet our brothers who were entrusted with the ministry there saw a signal outpouring of God’s Spirit. Even after the first meeting, it was reported to me, that quite a number of young people chose to skip their first meal at the camp, and went alone into the grounds, to pour out their hearts before the Lord.

In the following meetings too, the conviction of sin came so powerfully upon the young people that many lifted up their voices and wept, confessing their sins with loud crying.

In many of our centres in India, one-day retreats were held for students. It is amazing how many are attending these retreats.

Shillong in the mountains, Guwahati and Silchar in Assam, Chandigarh and Ludhiana in the Punjab, Bhavani, Trichy and other centres in Tamil Nadu, and several other places have had these young people’s and children’s camps and report blessing.

Youth Camp in Imphal, Manipur

Normally Bro. Joe is present at the Youth Camp at Imphal, Manipur in June. But this year, Dr. Joshua Thomas and Bro. Sam Israel were deputed to lead the camp.

We have always witnessed a great response to the message at this camp. It was no different this year. The Lord caused the spirit of prayer and the spirit of repentance to come upon the young boys and girls, and many of them repented. Though many of them come from several tribal areas, where there has been bad blood and ancient hatreds between those tribes, yet as the Bible teaches, we have insisted that all former tribal identities and alignments should be buried at the Cross so that all may see that in reality we are one in Christ.

Those that had registered as campers were 491 and 435 others registered as non-campers. To this number should be added 90 volunteers, who attended to the several needs at the camp.

During the camp, a sudden bomb-blast in the city resulted in a universal strike. But the Lord, who fed Elijah through the ravens, supplied the groceries and the food for the campers.

IV. THE BIG CAMPAIGNS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Stuartpuram

When we created a central plot of eight and half acres in the village to serve as the venue of our large meetings, it seemed to be so large that it seemed to occupy half the habitable land in the village.

Now what was once a largely sandy undulating ground seems like a park, with beautiful coconut palm trees and concrete walkways! Much hard work was done and a compound wall now secures the place. But, alas! today to our dismay we find that the crowds that gather are too large for this consecrated plot.

Bro. Whitson as usual commenced the meetings which began on Jan. 10. Bro. Joe could take up the preaching responsibility only from the third day of the convention.

What is noteworthy is that the Spirit of God still comes upon the crowd, breaking many down to tears of repentance. Indeed, we want the message of brokenness and revival carried into many interior places, which we have not even heard about. Now the dear Lord is doing this.

Vijayawada

On January 15th, 16th and 17th evenings, the Lord enabled Bro. Joe to declare His Word to a crowd which got bigger and bigger. That God has given us grounds which are much larger than a football field and that too, right in the heart of a large, expensive and growing city is nothing but His goodness and grace. Part of this crowd had to be moved to a neighbouring hall which we hired, in order to create room for the newcomers in the large arena.

During the day, there were two meetings which were addressed by members of our team. Now there is the huge task of gathering in of souls and leading them to pursue the fullness which is in Christ.

Rajahmundry

Rajahmundry, which is the commercial capital of this rich rice bowl of Andhra Pradesh, badly needed revival meetings. Bro. Joe’s strength seemed to be so wanting that many responsibilities had to be delegated to our brethren. God used them. Bro. Joe could only spend one day in Rajahmundry.

The unfaithfulness of one worker here has weakened many souls. The Lord in His mercy will cause His work to be restored to its pristine power and purity. We must needs penetrate deep into the hinterland, which is full of populous villages.

V. WIDESPREAD LABOURS IN INDIA

Mumbai, Maharashtra

In contrast to the towering buildings next to us on the much travelled Lal Bahadur Shastri Road, our campus stands as a modest piece of open land, where there is no imposing structure. We are however glad for this open land which is a great luxury in this very expensive city where land is so scarce.

In the open grounds sat an increasing company of people who came rushing in, often directly from their offices and places of work. Considering the depth of the need here, two days of meetings on Oct. 11 and 12, are scarcely a drop in the bucket. But sadly, this is all the time that Bro. Joe could find in his busy schedule.

The dear Lord gave the Word. There were those who had come from Gujarat and from more distant areas. The Lord helped Bro. Joe to pray with many needy people. The dear Lord must strengthen these folk to carry God’s word to others.

Pune, Maharashtra

In Pune, which has grown into a huge metropolis, finding a little room for our meetings has always been a struggle. A little before he was called Home, Dr. Chinthu Srisundar told Bro. Joe that a little piece of land was available on what seemed like the outskirts of the city. Today however this piece of land which the Lord helped us to purchase, has become a very coveted land. Fortunately, we enjoy great privacy also here at the present time. The morning meeting of October 13th was held here.

The evening meetings were held in the YMCA hall and the proceedings were conveyed to many who could not get into the hall but sat in the rows of seats set outside. We need to see mighty men and women of God arising from this place.

Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Karnataka

Due to the close proximity of KGF to Bangalore, many people appear to still reside in KGF and go to work in Bangalore. Some of these big cities prominent for computer companies, are fast developing into veritable “Vanity Fairs.” Many of the young people in the computer companies are being caught up by these raging tides of the flesh. The Fellowship unfortunately appears like an island of calm and tranquillity. We are not to be merely like a refuge for the poor harried souls of men. The Lord wants us to be rather a marshalling ground, where people are made ready to advance and conquer. The message of the Lord’s deliverance from evil needs to touch many.

Now it is in answer to an urgent call from our worker in this area, that we gave two days to KGF in October 2012. A large crowd gathered in spite of the inclement weather. The second night saw even a bigger crowd and many needed prayer and counselling. Of course, this was but another short campaign.

VI. THE ANNUAL RETREAT

The Spirit of the Lord was upon us at this Annual Retreat in Beulah Gardens, right from the start. The keynote address was, “They saw Jesus only!”

Inasmuch as we cannot contain the whole group at the same time, there was a batch of 1600 who left for their places after the first half of the Retreat. But still there were about 6850 people present in the first half and the second half of the Retreat brought in 1500, together with a large number of day visitors from the city. Most of these people resided in the camp and the dear Lord supplied us with three meals a day.

Although our living accommodation and rooms are always augmented by more newly constructed rooms with every passing Retreat, yet there is the need for further additions to the accommodation for the dwelling of the people. The shady mango grove at some 60 to 70 yards from our large hall accommodated the overflow congregation at the meetings.

The Lord caused a mighty spirit of prayer to rest upon the camp and the voice of prayer could be heard almost all the time. The speakers brought a searching word to our hearts. Various language groups that were not covered by the message given in English and interpreted into Tamil and Telugu on the platform, had the message translated to them in their own mother tongues, in various locations of the campus.

We could not cover all the missionary fields during our testimony time. But those of our brothers and sisters who had come in from far-flung places presented the progress of the work in their fields. This always brings great enlightenment and challenge to many hearts.

Our team of helpers including the cooks at the Retreat did work very hard and it was amazing that our faithful God supplied all our needs. Those of you who pray for us have a definite share in this work.

VII. RADIO AND TELEVISION MINISTRY

Airing 14 weekly telecasts in 11 languages, which cover the greater part of the sub-continent of India, is by no means easy. It involves hard, diligent work. As we pray, the dear Lord sends in help to pay for the enormous cost of these telecasts.

Apart from these 14 channels which cover the whole of India, we have six more telecasts covering the whole of North-East India, in five of their local languages. These telecasts are bringing great enlightenment and blessing to the many people who know little or nothing of the great and loving Saviour who died to bring them salvation. Let us cry to the Lord for His touch upon all the viewers. The Word of God is the only hope for all nations.

In UK, our Sunday morning telecast over Reality TV from 7.30 to 8.00 am and the Thursday evening telecast over Revelation TV from 8.00 to 8.30 pm cover almost the whole of Europe.

Our telecasts from Dusseldorf, in the heartland of German industry, must needs penetrate hitherto indifferent hearts. There is a steady increase in our viewing audience.

Out of Paris, France, it is still a small effort and the message is being received by many expatriates who have found shelter and refuge in France.

The small nation of Guyana in South America continues to have “The Lord’s Challenge” given to them both by radio and television every Sunday. This television ministry brings many contacts to us. People call us and tell us that those messages are very important to their families. Some of them are so anxious that they ask us not to discontinue our television programme, ‘The Lord’s Challenge’, for any reason. Even children call us and say that the messages are a great blessing to them. These messages cover a radius of a hundred miles around George Town. Bro. Joe meets the TV viewers every time he visits Guyana. More and more people are responding to the messages. Many people are watching our weekly television programme in Jamaica and Surinam too.

In Australia, 33 radio stations are now airing ‘The Lord’s Challenge’. In addition to these radio broadcasts in Australia, the message of God’s love and power is going out over television in the cities of Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. God’s Word is bound to impact the practical bent of the Australian mind.

We must also pray that God must bless our ten weekly quarter-hour broadcasts in the US.

A true understanding of the purpose of our radio and television broadcasts and the wide scope of their blessing and a live expectation that God will touch the hearts of millions, must grip our hearts.

VIII. LITERATURE MINISTRY

As the Fellowship expands and presses on to reach new areas all the time, there is the urgent cry for more soul-winning and soul-nourishing literature. Hence constantly good books and biographies are being published in several languages.

Quite belatedly, we have published a book of some deep select messages delivered by late Bro. N. Daniel and Mrs. N. D. Daniel, with an apt title, “SPIRITUAL GOLD.” We do hope that this book would generate in the readers a compelling desire to pray through and experience victory in their lives.

The touching testimony of a young man’s deliverance from death in a Communist prison has been published, entitled, “How I Survived A Communist Slaughter.”

Thomas Watson’s book, “REPENTANCE” which emphasises the importance of deep repentance, is added to the list of our English publications.

One great addition to the German work is the publishing of late Bro. N. Daniel’s life under the title “A Man Sent from God.” A team of our brothers worked hard and it was printed and published in London. As Bro. N. Daniel’s life has produced great stirrings in hearts, we can expect real blessing and revival visitation through the earnest reading of this book.

Our first book in the Spanish language, “Victory over Demons and Fear” has just come out of the press. This book is getting ready for publication in the Vietnamese language too.

In Telugu, 5 new books have been published. In Tamil, the long-awaited book of Bro. Joe’s autobiography, Volume 2, “Pressing Forward” has been released. We do hope this book will be a blessing to many people.

In Hindi, two new books have been added to the list of our pubications. Bro. Joe’s book, “Make me to Know” and the moving story of an alcoholic under the title, “When Ma Would not Give Up” have been published. This book has come out in Malayalam also.

It is marvellous to see that notwithstanding the economic recession, the distribution of our books appears only to increase. Hence our books are continually in great demand and we constantly run out of stock of our publications.

Twenty-three of our Telugu books, three of our English books, six of our Tamil books and one of our Hindi books, had to be reprinted, as we had run out of stock.

We had book fairs in ten places in North-East India, four places each in West Bengal and Karnataka and in fourteen places in Andhra Pradesh. These book fairs serve to scatter the seed of God’s word and many outsiders pick up books which will certainly transform their thinking and make them open to God’s word. There were some Hindu sadhus and Buddhist monks at our book fairs in these distant towns of North India. We must pray that God may open their eyes to know the Living Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bro. Joe says that our present coverage in literature distribution in India and the neighbouring countries is so poor that our hearts must grieve over our small faith. We need to get into large-scale printing of huge editions of many books, in several languages so as to reach the millions. The readership of our monthly magazines keeps growing continually.

IX. INTERNET MINISTRY

Many needy people appeared to have tuned in to the messages of both morning and evening sessions of the Annual Retreat on our website, in several parts of the globe. Many hits took place and reports are coming in of blessing in parts far removed from this part of the globe.

Though it has become quite an expensive undertaking to put the messages live online, even if a handful of people are blessed, we feel it is worth the effort and the expense involved. 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 proving to be a great blessing to some needy people who watch it live online. Those who cannot afford to watch the messages live online, they download these messages from our website later and share with many and are thus greatly quickened and blessed.

Much of the resources on our website are now made available in eleven other languages, viz., Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Burmese, Hindi and Telugu.

The United Service at the headquarters is now put online and many are being blessed by this effort. At some of our big and small centres in India, the Sunday morning congregations are now able to watch Bro. Joe’s message live on a big screen and are thus greatly blessed.

X. OUR SCHOOLS

We started our schools with the only purpose of making the light of the Gospel shine upon little children in their tender age and thus give them the right values in life. When these children receive the light, they introduce Jesus and His matchless love to their parents in their daily interaction with their families.

It gives great joy to Bro. Joe whenever he sees this purpose being fulfilled. We must see these precious students rising up as mighty witnesses for the Lord from our schools. So we measure our success with that yardstick and not by mere academic achievements.

We praise God for the good results in the Matriculation exam this year. Our Matriculation schools in Bansi in Uttar Pradesh, Salem and Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu continue to maintain their record of 100% passes. All the students of our Bansi and Mettupalayam schools have passed in first class. In our Salem school, 24 out of 25 students have passed with distinction, obtaining more than 80% marks.

In our Ponneri school, out of the 20 students who appeared for the school leaving Matriculation Examination, 19 passed, and out of the 30 who appeared for the Plus Two Examination, 29 passed.

Another feeder ancillary school was started in Mettupalayam, around 5 km away from our main school, in a wide open land, which was acquired by prayer and faith. The dear Lord is causing His Word to be planted in tender hearts, in this Primary School. We started with a single student—a tiny girl; and today a 110 little ones are being taught in our school. More classrooms are now under construction.

Our Primary School in Nepal has got a very good name in that area. More than 20 children of the Maoists are studying in our school. We are in need of more dedicated teachers, as the strength of our school keeps increasing constantly.

While many schools are giving large salaries to their teachers, collecting high fees from the pupils, we are trying to keep our fees at a most moderate level in order that we should not be a school for the rich. Hence our teachers have to be sacrificial people who will make do with small salaries. We are in need of such teachers who will sacrifice and build great lives through prayer, exemplary conduct and excellent teaching.

XI. PROMOTED TO GLORY

Now that the Fellowship is 78 years old, some of our early converts and workers are being elevated to higher service. We hate to let any of our brothers or sisters go. But there is an evident contradiction here! On the one hand we say that Heaven is a better place—yet, we are so reluctant to let these loved ones go to the place where there is no more suffering or tears!

Bro. C.A. Chakravarthy

Bro. Chakravarthy, who rose to the high level of Deputy Secretary to the government, was a very humble man. He would run a small tuck shop years ago when the numbers were much smaller at our Annual Retreats. People would never have guessed that he had occupied high-ranking jobs in the government.

Along with late Dr. Jayaraj, he would regularly visit the Madras Central Jail. Together these brothers did a great work. His personal work and counselling souls would take him into the late hours of the night. Towards the end of his life, he was also entrusted with the care of big centres, for short stints, such as Hyderabad and Vizag.

Before his conversion, Bro. Chakravarthy was a very worldly man, who would even turn off the lights so as to prevent his wife from reading her Bible. But Mrs. Chakravarthy held on to God in prayer. God suddenly visited him while he was watching a movie in a movie theatre. With a strong conviction of sin, he left the theatre immediately.

Bro. Joshua Daniel was told after his death that of the two things which he desired from God in his old age, one was that his funeral service should be conducted by Bro. Joshua Daniel. With all the touring ministry of Bro. Joe, that God granted the desire of Mr. Chakravarthy seems most amazing.

We give below a short biographical sketch …

“Charles Alfred Chakravarthy was married to Christie Asirvatham in the year 1947. After his retirement from Government service as Deputy Secretary to Government and Secretary, Tamil Nadu Housing Board, he gave himself to full-time ministry. He was a gifted personal counsellor.

He held on to his convictions and principles to the end of his life. The loss of his wife was quite unbearable to him and he was very weak from then on.

His only desire was that all his children should build God’s Kingdom along with God’s children in the Fellowship and be faithful to God and His servants. God graciously gave him a long innings to work for God. His counsels and rebukes will not be forgotten by his spiritual children.”

While some of these godly men and women have been going Home, it is necessary that the gaps should be filled by faithful people.

Dr. S.V. Job

The Home call of Dr. Samuel V. Job leaves a great gap in the ranks of those who have set their hearts on wholly following Jesus.

The fact that his only daughter, Phebe, was unable to walk, brought great sorrow to his heart. He did not merely groan and moan but he decided to seek the Redeemer and Healer, Jesus Christ. He was directed to late Bro. N. Daniel. To his great surprise, Dr. S.V. Job heard the strange diagnosis from Bro. Daniel’s mouth, telling him that he needed first to repent of his sins and receive a new heart, a heart in which true faith dwells and all will be well.

The upshot of this interview with him resulted in Dr. Job’s repentance and spiritual conversion. To his great amazement, he saw his little girl rising out of her bed and running! With this glorious miracle, which was manifest as soon as he repented, Dr. Job commenced a vital walk with the Lord.

Now it is almost impossible to number the men and women whose lives were impacted by his life of godliness and prayer, both as a Reader in Zoology of the University of Madras and later as a Professor and Head of the Department of Living Sciences of the University of Madurai. Yet he was so unassuming and made it his practice to merge into the background as though he just did not amount to much.

When at 70 he wanted to go to Manipur, Bro. Joe could not accede to his request, as he had already reported to him how feeble he had gotten and we could not run the risk of losing him. But then the Lord showed Bro. Joe that his request was of the Lord.

For 13 long years, he and Marjorie, his dear wife, laboured in Manipur. After returning from Manipur, during the last few years of his life, even the Home-call of his courageous and indomitable wife, Marjorie, could not halt Dr. Job, his vision and fruitfulness. He loved to serve the young people under training to be missionaries and preachers, in Beulah Gardens.

Dr. Job has left a great legacy of faith for his children, grandchildren and all of us to take up where he has left off.

Dr. Danny

The sudden passing away of Dr. Danny is a great loss to the work of God and to us all. As our fields are so scattered and as we are no longer just a South Indian Fellowship, there has to come a different mindset into us. We must have a great burden for the work which the brother next to us is doing.

After Bro. Joe introduced Dr. Danny to the radio work in Georgetown, Guyana, which was so close to his heart, he took it up with zeal. Guyana is very poor in its revenue and the people generally are very poor. Notwithstanding, as more and more people in the interior of the country began to listen to our radio broadcast, “The Lord’s Challenge”, we added a 30-minute telecast beamed on the whole nation.

Then after our revival meetings in Surinam, a country to the South-East of Guyana, we started our radio and TV ministry there as a follow-up measure. Though Surinam speaks the Dutch language, we went ahead. Wherever we can get godly interpreters, we use their services. Later, to our network we added two other countries Trinidad and Jamaica.

By faith and by doing diligent work as a medical doctor, often refusing payment from the people, for his services, Dr. Danny extended the work.

Word came to us soon after His Home-call that Dr. Danny had been supporting 60 poor pupils in India paying their fees.  He was not one to advertise himself. There is no saying as to how many he stretched out a helping hand.

Now we have a team of our brothers who are continuing the work. During the four days that Bro. Joe and Sister Lily spent there, when they went over for the funeral of Dr. Danny, Bro. Joe had to look into a lot of matters and entrust the brothers there with many responsibilities.

Bro. John Raju

Bro. John Raju came to us as a very young man after finishing his Teacher Training course. Late Mr. N. Daniel took him under his wings and taught him a great deal. In fact, John Raju attended on him very faithfully during the last days of his life.

Faithfulness was a strong mark of his character. He was utterly uncomplaining and always seeking to climb higher into the glorious heights where grace abounds.

Bro. John Raju was so trusted at the Headquarters that crucial responsibilities were given to him. Together with his wife, he laboured amongst the poor and some slum people. He never sought recognition or honour for himself. There are many of us who miss him badly.

Bro. Thomas Paranjothy

One of the earliest converts in the student work of the Fellowship, A. Thomas Paranjothy, was converted most miraculously. A friend who gave him his testimony of how Christ had redeemed him resulted in Brother Paranjothy confessing his sins and getting right with God that same day.

Now after his graduation, he became the Chief Entomologist of the government and supervised the operations of the anti-malarial scheme, in some of the notorious pockets of malaria. Those who worked with him had to do very conscientious work.

God gave him a very godly wife. Together with Winnie, his wife, wherever he was posted, Bro. Paranjothy laboured faithfully to secure revival and the eventual establishing of a Fellowship centre there.

The last place where Winnie and Paran laboured was Palamcottah. The Fellowship’s work is still very slow in this extreme south of the Indian peninsula. But having witnessed a wave of revival in several Christian churches in this district of Tinnevelly, we expect to see greater things taking place.

CONCLUSION

The Word of God warns us, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer.” (I Peter 4:7)

It seems like a bad joke which many are playing upon themselves that they amass a lot of things as though by some means they will pack them all and take them along in their last journey.

But we are asked to be thoughtful and sober and not drunken with materialism, for the end of all things is at hand.

Somehow drowsiness appears to fall heavily upon many. They are very much alive witnessing entertainments and games and they give half their best to their offices or companies, and the tail-end of their energy, when they are practically overcome by sleep and wearisomeness, is reserved for the Lord. Despite all the practical helps and spiritual milk bottles that are administered to them, the vitality and drive to accomplish great things for God is wanting.

Bro. Joshua Daniel is almost continually saying, “Alas, I am doing too little for my Lord!” When will our response to the love of the Cross be a true reflection of Calvary?

Dear reader, may the dear Lord graciously endue you with power from on High!