Words you think about and wish for but never really hear

I am certain many of you, like myself read the scriptures and desire to see and experience the same things as in the days of Jesus on earth. My earliest days as a believer, I read the book of Acts and asked to see the same miracles and watch the church grow and impact people and nations. A few bible stories make me cry out…Me, too! Do it here, Lord! Do it again, Jesus! Do it now in my lifetime! 

There is no way I can fully express or tell the stories of our time in northern India the past 2 weeks. The last day there, the leader spoke words I have never heard outside of the book of Luke. Do you recall in Luke 5 the story when Jesus told Simon Peter to cast out his net for the fish and Peter responded that they had fished all night without results? But at Christ’s word, he obeyed and the nets were so full, they began to break. Then Simon called out to his partners to come and help gather the huge catch.  As the friends came to help, both boats were filled to the brim, about to sink. A few verses later, Jesus told them to not be afraid of the future for they would be fishers of men. 

Our friend, Jossy  Chacko, founder of Empart Int’l and CFI, Compassion for India, cried out to our team, “Will you help us?  Will you partner with us?  The harvest is so large and coming so quickly by the work of the Holy Spirit, we leaders of the church in Northern India, cannot handle it all.”  

What did I just hear? The harvest is so plentiful, so many people are finding Jesus, so many young men want to plant churches and so many miracles are happening to meet the needs of the people that they need help. This massive revival needs more laborers and help to handle the responses of thousands.  Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, New Agers, villagers, members of Parliament, influential business leaders, wealthy leaders  all coming to know the one true and living God and his Son Jesus Christ. Empart‘s goal is to plant 100,000 churches by 2030.  At the current rate, it can be accomplished much earlier but the infrastructure and finances and help is limited. 

John and I attended an annual graduation of 32 church planters, young men who have lived together for one year and been taught biblical and practical things.  97% of them will hear the Lord about where to go and begin sharing the gospel in an unreached area/village and start a church within 6 months. I had never been to a graduation ceremony like this one.  The young men, mostly 18-20 years old, were each awarded a bicycle, a drum and tambourine, several bibles, about 15 books and a story board, plus black slacks and a long white Indian dress shirt. Jossy spoke to them about sacrifice and showed a video of those who have died, been beaten, ones whose hands were chopped off, been imprisoned and tortured for the sake of the gospel. He shared from John 20:21 As the Father has sent Me (Jesus), so I send you forth. God would not require of them any more than He asked of Jesus.  Then the 3 young men who had been falsely accused 3 weeks earlier and been imprisoned shared their testimonies.  The entire staff of Empart from around the world had prayed and fasted for their release. (see my previous e-mail) They talked of the beatings, some so severe they passed out and could not stand. They shared some of the horrific prison experiences, and how God encouraged them and the prayers of the saints kept them going. The 32 graduates already knew that the sacrifices to be made will require many of their very lives.  At the conclusion of the 4 hour event, the students danced and shouted for a long time, unable to control their excitement about being called to serve the living God and transform entire villages and peoples. I am reminded that I will attend 2 graduation ceremonies in Texas in May and the commencement addresses will be quite different.  

I told the story months ago about the snake charmers (see Stories).  We actually went to their remote village and met hundreds of people whose status was below the caste system. We washed their feet and encouraged them as the tribal leaders have led their entire villages to become followers of Jesus. Many have been water baptized and want to send their children to school.  The women are joining a tailoring school where they will learn skills to support their families so the villages will not be dependent on occultic snake charming. We gave a book for them to record their names so they can be registered as citizens of India, given an identity. Now about 14 villages have followed and there are several full time Empart workers in the region. 

This movement is reaching many political leaders and also businessmen who want to see their nation improved. In partnering with CFI, they come to know Jesus. Many of them joined us at the village and the conference. 

I visited with a pastor and a young woman who are called to evangelize their entire Hindu neighborhood. After 2 years everyone in their small neighborhood has received or been introduced to Christ so they are moving to start over again. He told me that the Lord revealed that there would be great harvest for 10 years in India and the next 3 are the most critical.  Then the new believers must be discipled, trained and sent out. He says that this mighty wave is not the result of prayer or hard work or even spiritual warfare.  It is just God’s sovereign move, India’s time for revival.

Northern India is the most unreached area of the world with over 500 million people, most of whom have never heard the name of Jesus. India has huge global impact and is full of major contradictions.  There is enormous wealth and business and education and also severe poverty and cultic religions. The people need the righteousness, peace and joy of the Kingdom of God.

 I cannot share enough, my heart is full. Many of you prayed for us and we are so grateful. I have been asked to return and teach more. I heard the words, “Will you help with the catch?” And I must say yes! We do not know what this will look like yet.  If you are interested in more details, let me know. I do know that I want my life on earth to count for eternity and to have significance. I want to spend my money, time and efforts to love people and to disciple nations. The needs are huge, the Kingdom of God is advancing, the Great Commission is being fulfilled, the nations are coming because the time is short…Jesus is coming soon!