God’s Word in Tract Transformed Bharat & Birthed a Church in Slum

February 8, 2018 By GFA Staff Writer

I brought my rubber garden clogs for this very reason.

I remember very well the warm, sweaty, sunny day I found myself on the other side of the world—in a slum in Asia.

The sights and smells of the slum we visited assaulted me at every step. As I walked through the mud, avoiding piles of trash and keeping a sharp eye out for mice, I was glad to be wearing my trusty rubber clogs. Our guide, Sanjeep, a Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported missionary, lead us through a maze of leaning patchwork dwellings. We crossed active train tracks as trains screamed past us at a very uncomfortable proximity. We navigated around garbage heaps bigger than any city garbage dump I’ve seen.

train speeds through the middle of the slum - KP Yohannan - Gospel for Asia — This train speeds through the middle of the slum several times a day.

As we neared our destination, I watched Sanjeep disappear through the doorway of a corrugated metal structure slightly bigger than a shed. It was raised three feet above the ground on a foundation of mud and sand bags to avoid flooding in the monsoon season. I climbed up the mud steps to the opening and found myself in a cramped family dwelling. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see the inside was divided into two rooms by a half wall. One large bed took up most of the space in the front room.

Our host, Bharat, husband and father of the family who lived here, urged us all to sit. My husband, our guide Sanjeep, and Bharat’s wife and son all piled on the bed. I shared a plastic chair with Naya, a Sister of Compassion who had accompanied us. She and two other sisters lived and worked in this slum alongside Sanjeep.

Our host, Bharat, greeted us with a thousand-kilowatt smile. He did not speak English, but he communicated eager hospitality and excitement very clearly. As Sanjeep translated for him, Bharat asked if he could share how he came to know of Jesus. His face beamed with eagerness as he began.

Bharat and his family - KP Yohannan - Gospel for Asia — With Bharat and his family

Bharat had been living in this slum for many years. He remembers when Sanjeep first came to this slum several years ago. Sanjeep had been sharing God’s love for several weeks and offered to pray for people’s needs. There was no interest, however, and many of the men in the slum threatened Sanjeep. He decided to visit another area in the city instead and left the slum.

But there was one man who had been impacted by Sanjeep’s offering of God’s love. At one point, he read a tract about Jesus and was overwhelmed with the love of God displayed through Him. Bharat was immediately transformed. He eagerly shared with his family, who also embraced the Lord’s love.

Bharat was so excited about the new life he had, he couldn’t help but tell others in the slum about Jesus’ great love. Many more people in the slum decided to follow the Lord, and more than 25 people began gathering together for prayer in Bharat’s home.

Sisters of Compassion serving in the slum - KP Yohannan - Gospel for Asia — Gospel for Asia-supported Sisters of Compassion serving in the slum.

About a year later, Sanjeep came back to the slum he had been chased from. When he came, he was astonished to find Bharat was already gathering people into his home for prayer. That was the beginning of the church in this slum.

I sat spell bound by the amazing testimony of this brother. Through the power of God’s Word found in a tract, Bharat was transformed by Christ’s love, and a church was born from the passion of his heart.

As we picked our way back home, slipping through the mud, all I could see was the beaming faces of this family who had so little but were so rich. They were rich in gratitude, rich in hope and rich in faith. I took that gratitude, hope and faith home with me and continue to be inspired by it to this day.

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Chest Pain Lifted Allows Teen to Read God’s Word Aloud

July 16, 2021 By GFA Staff Writer

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WILLS POINT, TX – GFA World (Gospel for Asia) founded by K.P. Yohannan, has been the model for numerous charities like GFA World Canada, to help the poor and deprived worldwide – Discussing Sigrid and her helpless battle with her illness, and the GFA World pastor who brought the miraculous power of God’s Word and prayer.

With two older sisters married, 18-year-old Sigrid was the baby of the family and well-loved by her family and by her sisters’ in-laws. When she fell ill with a severe cough and persistent fever, however, it seemed her doting family could only look on helplessly as Sigrid battled her illness day after day for an entire year.

The Long Road in Search of Recovery

Woman reading God's Word, the Bible — As God healed Sigrid (not pictured) from debilitating chest pain, she reveled in the opportunity to read God’s Word aloud to her family.

Despite taking prescribed medications, Sigrid’s condition only grew worse. Unbearable chest pain compounded her ailments; the doctors could not discover their cause, let alone a cure.

In desperation, Sigrid’s parents took her to a hospital with advanced medical practices. Upon examining Sigrid, doctors concluded her chest was filled with fluid and extra air. Her condition required immediate surgery.

Part of the surgery included insertion of a tube to help rid her body of the excess fluid and air. After 10 days in the hospital, Sigrid went home to finish recovering. However, just three days later, intense pains overtook Sigrid’s stomach, chest and head. The girl on the brink of womanhood was instead facing the brink of death.

Sigrid’s parents lost no time rushing Sigrid back to the hospital. But after offering medicines that did nothing to lessen Sigrid’s howls of pain, the doctors urged her parents to take her back home. There was nothing left to do to cure the teen.

The family was crushed. Discouraged, they went to the home of Sigrid’s older sister, which was near the hospital. But Sigrid’s father and the father-in-law of Sigrid’s sister would not give up. They had one more cure to try.

There was a church in the village where Sigrid’s eldest sister lived. The two men knew people went to the church to ask for prayer and decided to entreat the pastor to pray for Sigrid. This seemed their last chance; they had to take it.

A Miraculous Answer through Prayer and God’s Word

Gospel for Asia (GFA) pastor Paul willingly followed the two men to pray for Sigrid and soon saw the situation’s severity. The girl’s life hung in the balance. She needed a miracle.

Pastor Paul prayed fervently for Sigrid’s complete healing before leaving to preach the morning service. After the service, he and a few members of the church returned and prayed relentlessly through the night.

As dawn began to break through the night sky, all who were gathered at the house witnessed a miracle: Sigrid asked for a drink of water, after three days of being unable to eat or drink. Then she ate some food. It was a testament to the miracle God was working in her body.

The faithful prayers of the believers were instrumental in Sigrid’s fight for her life. To the amazement of her family, soon Sigrid felt well enough to sit up in bed.

As she began to regain strength, Pastor Paul gave Sigrid God’s Word to read. How quickly Sigrid moved from almost dying to reading the Holy Scriptures out loud to her family and new friends!

“I like to the read [God’s Word],” Sigrid said. “Whenever I read [God’s Word], I [feel] so good.”

She read out loud every morning, every night and often at other times as well. Sigrid would read loudly enough for her family to hear as they went about their household activities during the day, and the whole family would gather to hear her read at the day’s end. Her family marveled at the life-giving words of the Holy Scriptures even as they were blessed by hearing Sigrid’s strong voice read its truths.

“Philippians 4:13, Psalm 103 and Psalm 23 are my favorite [Scriptures], which I read repeatedly,” Sigrid said.

Thanks to the prayers of Pastor Paul and believers from his church, God worked a miracle in Sigrid’s life. She is completely healed and is scheduled to have the tube removed from her chest. Sigrid even walked to church on her own to share the story of her healing.

Read the story of another woman’s miraculous healing due to faithful prayers on her behalf.

*Names of people and places may have been changed for privacy and security reasons. Images are Gospel for Asia World stock photos used for representation purposes and are not the actual person/location, unless otherwise noted.

Source: Gospel for Asia Field Reports & Updates, Chest Pain Lifted Allows Teen to Read God’s Word Aloud

Learn how to provide at least 20 copies of God’s Word—either as complete Bibles or New Testaments—which will enable many to grow and learn more about Jesus.

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Learning Obedience Instead of Swear Words

July 6, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

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WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Saloni and her encounter with the Gospel for Asia VBS program, God’s instrument to soften hard hearts transforming children’s lives.

Foul words flew from Saloni’s mouth shaped like arrows pointed at her father, Laksh. Hot with anger at his young teen’s continual insolence, Laksh put his foot down and disciplined Saloni. But receiving the consequences of her actions only drove Saloni into sullenness. The 13-year-old withdrew, refusing to eat for an entire day.

Laksh tried to talk with his daughter the next day to convince her of the error of her ways. But respect in Saloni’s child-parent relationships had vanished long before. She cared little about what her parents told her to do. Saloni had joined a troublesome crowd and skipped school to wander the village with them. Soon, she skillfully quarreled with anyone who crossed her, pulling from a collection of foul words she learned from her new friends. Even when her misconduct led to discipline, Saloni ignored Laksh’s every word of correction.

Noah Impacts Rebellious Teen

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Discussing Saloni and her encounter with the Gospel for Asia VBS program, God's instrument to soften hard hearts transforming children's lives. — Saloni (pictured) wandered down a rebellious path with misleading friends and ignored her parents’ counsel. Then she heard the story of Noah, which changed her life.

In the midst of her rebellion, Saloni developed a friendship with a classmate, Nandini. One day while they chatted together, Nandini shared an interesting story she had just learned at a local Vacation Bible School program. It piqued Saloni’s curiosity, and the young girl quickly expressed interest in attending VBS too.

The next day, both girls entered the church where our pastor Pahal was hosting the Gospel for Asia VBS program. Powerful truths filled Saloni’s ears as she carefully listened to her VBS teacher.

“Noah was a good person, and he feared God,” the teacher explained. “He obeyed God and built the ark according to His instructions. Because of that, his family was saved from the flood water.”

Until that moment, obedience had been low on Saloni’s priority list. After all, didn’t she have more fun playing with her friends and making her own decisions than she would have if she did what her parents told her to do? But the story of Noah’s obedience to God—and the subsequent deliverance he and his family experienced—made Saloni rethink her rebellious choices.

Contemplation Leads to Heart Change

Saloni began considering the implications of her actions, and she realized God values obedience and blesses those who obey.

Touched by this new understanding, Saloni resolved to obey her parents and fulfill her responsibilities well. The determination that used to empower her selfishness and rebellion now helped give Saloni the strength she needed to change her life’s course. Breaking off from her old habits, she bid farewell to her harmful friendships and resumed attending school regularly.

By the end of the week-long event, Saloni seemed like a different girl. Her parents observed her new choices with amazement.

“Our daughter’s life has changed after attending your [VBS] program,” they testified to Pastor Pahal.

Not long after first attending VBS, Saloni expressed faith in Christ. Sunday school at Pastor Pahal’s church became a regular part of her life, as did choosing to honor God. The old Saloni was gone, and the new Saloni walked daily in the power of God.

Read how Jasveer, a teen who thought being good was enough, realized what God really wanted.

Learn more about how you can give toward Gospel for Asia VBS scholarships, where the gift of VBS materials for one of these precious children will guarantee that he or she will hear about Jesus’ love again and again through skits, Bible songs and teaching and will have colorful Gospel literature to take home.

*Names of people and places may have been changed for privacy and security reasons. Images are Gospel for Asia stock photos used for representation purposes and are not the actual person/location, unless otherwise noted.

Source: Gospel for Asia Field Report, Learning Obedience Instead of Swear Words

Learn more about the Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope program and how you can make an incredible difference in the lives of children, bringing hope to their lives and their families, transforming communities.

Learn more by reading the Gospel for Asia Special Report on Child Labor: Not Gone, but Forgotten – Millions of Children Trapped between Extreme Poverty and the Profits of Others

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Gospel for Asia Becomes a Tool in God’s Hands

January 24, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

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WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA) – Founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing the national missionary life of Rahi, the oppositions, discouragements, the breakthroughs by humbly becoming a tool in God’s hands, and the power of His saving grace.

The sun had not yet illuminated the day, but Rahi was awake and on his knees. Every morning, he spent an hour talking with the Creator of the universe, His Savior, about all the things stored in his heart: family, ministry, personal needs and desires, the believers in his churches. Then he spent another hour in God’s Word, meditating and seeking the Lord’s will for his day and ministry.

In those sacred hours of the very early mornings, Rahi drew strength.

Sense of Urgency

Rahi has been serving the Lord as a GFA-supported worker for about 15 years. — Rahi had a longing to be a tool in God’s hands

Rahi has been serving the Lord as a Gospel for Asia-supported worker for about 15 years. He started off as a film-team member, going from village to village in his home state to show movies about the life of Jesus.

“I had that sense of urgency in my heart that I should go and [share Christ’s love] to many people,” Rahi says.

He watched the Lord touch people’s lives as they saw Christ’s love for humanity displayed on the screen. People would weep and confess their sins; a few even decided they wanted to serve the Lord full time. Seeing how the Lord used him in a powerful way encouraged Rahi.

Throughout his time serving in film ministry, he and his team faced opposition for showing movies about Jesus, but Rahi believed doing the Lord’s work far surpassed any momentary afflictions.

On the Brink of Giving Up

After four years of serving in film ministry, he spent the next three years in seminary, learning how to become a leader in ministry.

But after graduating from seminary, Rahi struggled in his new ministry location. He knew no one, and he had difficulties understanding the language. He struggled to communicate; people made fun of him when he mixed up words and accidentally used his mother tongue.

Discouragement settled in Rahi’s heart. He would call his leaders to ask if they would transfer him to a different place.

“I cannot survive here,” Rahi would say. “I cannot do ministry here because of my language problem. There is no one I can talk to.”

Every time he wanted to give up, his leaders would pray for and encourage him.

“You have gone with a purpose,” they told him. “God has called you to serve there, and He will do wonders and miracles. Just be patient and persevere through these little inconveniences, and definitely the Lord will use you mightily.”

Breakthroughs in Ministry

Eventually, instead of being overwhelmed by his challenges, Rahi fixed his eyes on Christ. He knew God’s work should not stop despite his own weaknesses, so he wrote a tract called “God’s Kingdom Is at Hand,” had it translated into the local language and distributed it to the villagers. People responded; they’d call him up wanting to know more about Jesus.

“I was very encouraged to see people interested to know about Jesus,” Rahi says.

As Rahi stepped out in faith, he saw God going before him. The language he once thought was incomprehensible became easier to understand and speak.

“I started to listen to people keenly, and I started to force myself to learn the language,” he says.

Karun, a villager, remembers the first day he met Rahi. His brother had invited the pastor to his house and had told all his relatives, “Come, let’s listen to him. He’s telling us about who Jesus is.”

While Karun and his family listened to Rahi share about Christ and His compassion, hearts began to stir.

“Although [Pastor Rahi] was speaking in mixed language—his mother tongue, which is … very similar to [our language]—we all could understand most of it,” Karun said. “We liked what he said. I really was impressed and interested in knowing more about Jesus.”

Ministering to People by Becoming a Tool in God’s Hands

As Rahi persevered through the little inconveniences, the Lord drew people to Himself.

Today, Rahi oversees 12 churches with around 600 believers. His wife and a group of Sisters of Compassion and Bible college students help him in ministry because it has grown so much in five years.

Every day, they visit people and share about God’s love for them and about Jesus’ life and sacrifice. When they see people in need, they find ways to help them. So far, Rahi has helped distribute income-producing and quality-of-life gifts to more than 1,500 people.

“We distribute things that are needed for these people,” Rahi says. “We encourage them to trust in the Lord and pray that the Lord will meet their needs. We distribute things among both believers and non-believers so everyone in the society will be benefited.”

Drawing Strength from the Lord

Throughout the many seasons of Rahi’s ministry and journey with God, he’s seen God’s faithfulness to use him despite his inabilities. And his heart still holds that sense of urgency for many people to know God’s love and grace personally. Every day, he lays his needs bare before the Lord and trusts Him to work.

“I draw my strength … from the Lord when I come to Him in His presence and thank Him and seek His guidance and blessings,” Rahi says. “God, in His mercy, has worked in the hearts of [the people I minister to]. I am just a tool. I go and share about Jesus, … but it is Christ and the Holy Spirit who actually bring these people to His saving knowledge.”

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Source: Gospel for Asia Reports, A Tool In God’s Hands

Learn more about the National Missionaries and their passion to help the people in their nations understand Christ’s love through various ways and allowing themselves to be a tool in God’s hands.

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Film Teams Endure Hardships, Constant Travel, Persecution & Opposition to Share God’s Love Reports Gospel for Asia

November 20, 2017 By GFA Staff Writer

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How many movies do you suppose you’ve watched in your lifetime? Even in the last year? Some clever punchlines or visuals of intense scenes probably stuck in your mind, but there’s a good chance you haven’t thought back to many of the movies.

It’s quite a different story for many people in Asia who attend a film show hosted by Gospel for Asia supported workers. For many, that simple movie night ends up changing the course of their lives.

film ministry - KP Yohannan - Gospel for Asia — Through Gospel for Asia-supported film ministry, the heart of Christ is displayed in a culturally relevant way. Many have found new life in Christ as a result!

But even if you loved a certain movie, would you risk your own safety to organize a movie night?

Rajak did.

Rajak, a Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported worker serving on a film team, and his team members drove to a village they had not visited before. They approached the village leaders to get permission to show a film on the life of Christ, but the men denied their request and sternly warned them not to ask again. That day, Rajak and his teammates had to leave the village without being able to do any ministry.

Three months later, the film team happened to drive through the same village. On their way out, they stopped at a house and asked for some drinking water. Irshaad, the owner of the house, had a long conversation with the brothers and heard about the love of God and the film the brothers were showing in other places.

Wanting to see the film, he told the brothers, “No matter if the village leaders did not permit you to screen [the film] in the village, you can screen it at my house. If something happens, I will handle the problem.”

That evening, the film team prepared for an outdoor film show on Irshaad’s property. To their surprise, 110 people showed up and watched the movie with great interest. Irshaad and others were deeply moved by the story of Jesus, His love for people and how He healed the sick, how He suffered and died on the cross, and then how He rose again.

During the movie, the brothers explained why Jesus was arrested, beaten and crucified. They made sure the villagers understood that it was not because of His own mistakes, but that He suffered for all of us and sacrificed His life for our salvation.

Leaving the village that night, Rajak and his team thanked God for giving them this open door and for His protection throughout the film show when ministry in this village seemed impossible.

Three days later they received an invitation from Irshaad to come back to pray for him and his family. The team gladly visited Irshaad, encouraged him from God’s Word and prayed for him and his family.

Understanding the love of God, Irshaad and two other families decided on their own to trust Jesus as their Savior. With the help of the film team, they started a small prayer fellowship in their village.

Film ministry is incredibly effective, but it comes at a price. Film team members endure the hardships of the road and constant travel. Far from home, they camp out at believers’ homes, church building floors or the sides of roads. They spend hours inviting people to film shows, answering questions and praying for serious needs late into the night. They bear persecution and opposition from communities that may not want to hear of God’s love.

These women serve - KP Yohannan - Gospel for Asia — These women serve on a Gospel for Asia-supported film team, and it is not easy. Read their story.

Why do men and women like Rajak lay aside their safety and comfort to show movies through film ministry ?

As Dr. K.P. Yohannan writes, “Choosing inconveniences, choosing difficulties, choosing the rough road because we love Him—this is the way of Christ.”

You see, these men and women love Jesus so much. And they see how movies on the life of Christ, like the one Irshaad saw, are one of the most effective ways to help people—especially those who know nothing about the Bible or are illiterate—discover God’s love for them. They also have opportunities to help meet practical needs by showing additional films that highlight essential and often unknown principles of hygiene or the dangers of alcohol and drug addictions. In short, these films change lives, and that’s why we at Gospel for Asia support men and women who choose inconveniences and difficulties to show these films.

Because film teams long for permanent transformation, Rajak’s team introduced Irshaad and the other new believers to a pastor who could take care of them. They are now equipped with the knowledge of God and can grow in their personal relationships with Him, even though Rajak and his team moved on to show their films in another community.

Irshaad’s story of transformation is powerful and specific to his life, yet it is being repeated in mountainous villages and in valleys, in dry desert communities and in tea gardens. Each story is unique, but they are many.

The next time you sit down to watch a movie, rejoice over the many people who are discovering the depths of Christ’s love for them at life-changing movie nights in Asia!

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Sisters of Compassion Share God’s Love with Forsaken Kaling, Reports Gospel for Asia

November 8, 2017 By GFA Staff Writer

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Gospel for Asia News, Wills Point, TX, USA

In Luke chapter 15 we find the parable about the prodigal younger son, who comes to his senses once he loses everything, and returns back home to a loving, gracious father. Kaling’s life is similar to the story Jesus shared with tax collectors, sinners, scribes and Pharisees.

The heart of our Heavenly Father remains the same through the ages. Even though we may wander far from home, God desires to redeem the past, and draw us close to Himself. And sometimes He may go to great lengths to show us that grace. Just like he did for Kaling through Gospel for Asia-supported Sisters of Compassion.

Gospel for Asia-supported Sisters of Compassion minister to the least of the least in society.

The Redemption of a Dying Man

Kaling never listened to his father’s instructions, even as a little boy. His father tried to teach him how to live a good life, but despite all the guidance he received, Kaling had a disobedient and unchanging heart. Eventually, his father would no longer endure his son’s shameful behavior.

Kaling was only a boy of 14 when his father disowned him. Because of his father’s rejection, Kaling decided he would run away forever. He moved to another country where he eventually married and settled down to raise a family of his own.

After nearly 30 years of residing in one area, Kaling sent his wife and children back to his own country, while he moved alone to a remote village several hours away. For eight years, Kaling earned a good income cutting wood from the jungle and selling it for house construction.

Even though Kaling prospered in material things and was strong and physically healthy, his life hadn’t changed from that of his rebellious teenage years. He wasted his income every week by gathering his friends to eat and drink with him. But just like the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable, Kaling would eventually face the emptiness of his pursuits.

Some time later, Kaling contracted a breathing problem after suffering from malaria. Kaling spent an enormous amount of money on medication and doctors, but nothing brought him relief or healing. And when he needed help the most, none his friends troubled themselves to be there for him. Kaling felt forsaken.

This is Kaling. He was dying when two Gospel for Asia-supported Sisters of Compassion found him and helped him.
Compassion Meets Kaling in His Time of Need

But one day Kaling’s life changed when two Gospel for Asia-supported women missionaries, Aadita and Risha, came to his remote village. As they visited the homes of the villagers to pray and offer encouragement, they heard disparaging remarks about Kaling.

“Kaling is severely ill, and he may die anytime now, and he does not have anyone,” people said. “If he dies, we have to just throw his body to the riverside.”

Sympathy for Kaling welled up in Aadita’s and Risha’s hearts. The sisters immediately made their way to his house. Ariving inside, they found Kaling lying on his bed, too weak to move.

Sisters of Compassion Aadita and Risha encouraged Kaling from God’s Word and shared with him – a disowned son – about God’s love and fatherhood for all people. After they encouraged him, they began to display God’s love by helping clean up Kaling’s house and by cutting away the foliage that was invading his home. The women also gathered water from the stream to fill Kaling’s vessels.

As Aadita and Risha lent their willing hands to Kaling, their simple acts of kindness deeply touched his lonely, forsaken heart.

“The good works and servanthood of these two sisters has shown to me the real love of Jesus,” Kaling shared. “I have found [Him] in them.”

After witnessing how love for Jesus prompted love for mankind, Kaling’s heart opened up to the Lord, and the defiant son committed his heart to Jesus.

“Now, I am not worried anymore,” Kaling said. “I know Jesus will protect me, and our church members will always be by my side.”

Kaling’s story is just one example of the deep love of Jesus for mankind. He sent His faithful daughters Aadita and Risha to be a demonstration of His vast love. And because of that, today Kaling has experienced the redemption of God, just like the prodigal son in Jesus’s parable.

We at Gospel for Asia long to see relationships with God restored as broken sons and daughters find the love of our Heavenly Father. We are motivated by God’s own deep love for mankind, and so are the precious sisters in Asia as they serve among the least of least.

GFA-supported Sisters of Compassion aid the broken, lonely, hurting and forgotten, like Kaling. Just as Jesus sat down with the tax collectors and sinners, our sisters pour out love to those who may have never experienced sincere love and care.

To read another report about Sisters of Compassion, go here:

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Gospel for Asia Fulfills a Last Wish

December 2, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

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WILLS POINT, TX – WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by K.P. Yohannan, which inspired numerous charities like Gospel for Asia Canada – Discussing a widow, mother & a female GFA worker — Malati, the difficulty, pain & opposition, her husband’s last commission & the promises in God’s Word.

“After my death, there will be many people—even my relatives from our own house—they will reject you. They will say [unkind] words to you; they will oppose you, but never forget the love of Jesus,” Jyan’s words pierced through Malati’s heart.

Malati and her husband had endured much together, and now he commissioned her to stand—without him. Even as he lay weak from heart disease, the four years he spent committed to the Lord gave him strength to endure through the end.

Bearing the Name Widow

After Jyan died, Malati witnessed his dying words come true. Villagers and relatives asked why she was continuing to follow Jesus and live as she was when she should return to her old traditions. Malati’s pastor, Gospel for Asia pastor Jaton, encouraged her, much like he had been doing the past four years. Now his encouragement was even more appreciated than before as she struggled with bearing the title “widow,” taking care of her two young children and desiring to pursue the Lord more.

“I will stand beside you, and I will pray on behalf of you,” Pastor Jaton said.

Journey of a Female GFA Worker

Malati wanted to serve the Lord and commit her life to ministry. But could she? Should a woman with two young children who was now living the life of a widow dare go this route? The vision, the passion…they were all there, and for Pastor Jaton and the leaders of the church, that was enough.

For one year Malati studied at a Bible college. With a burden searing her heart for others to know her Comforter, Malati spent a second year on the field doing a practical internship with a young woman who also attended Bible college. Pastor Jaton, during this time, took care of Malati’s two sons.

After graduation, Malati wanted to go back home and minister to her relatives, but the Lord had need for her elsewhere. There was a pastor who needed help reviving one of his churches. Willing to serve where the need was the greatest, Malati and her two sons moved.

Submission and Eternal Fruit

Today, Malati serves in three surrounding churches. She leads the children’s Sunday school and Women’s Fellowship. She also helps lead prayer meetings in believers’ homes and often travels with a few other women to nearby villages to share the love of Christ.

Malati’s journey as a female GFA worker, however, hasn’t been without pain. As a widow, she faces difficulties among those with whom she shares the love of Jesus. To bring down the barriers that hinder the message of hope she shares, Malati doesn’t always explain she is a widow.

“I know it is very difficult being a widow and being a woman,” she says. “Whenever I find that people are not genuine, . . . and they are going to treat me in a different way, . . . I did not disclose myself as a widow, knowing that they would reject me.”

It also causes her much heartache when she is scolded for not remarrying. People will tell her, “You are still young and you have children, . . . so now why do you continue your journey like this? It is better that you get married and have a husband.”

But as a faithful daughter of the King, Malati doesn’t let other people’s remarks or criticism keep her from serving Him. The love of Jesus propels her to continue. It is her one constant source of strength, and she keeps reaching out to the sick and stretching out her hand to the needy.

Whenever she faces discouragement, she kneels on the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks, asking God to help her bear the stinging remarks of others who don’t understand the Lord’s calling on her life. Being a widow, a mother and a female GFA worker doesn’t come without pain. But she clings to her husband’s last commission and the promises in God’s Word, and she is able to continue.

When she rises to her feet, she rises renewed and with a passion to reach more villages and proclaim with fervency the comforting love of the Savior. The road ahead may be long and hard, but Malati has decided to follow Jesus—there is no turning back.

Learn more about the female GFA workers and their heroic efforts, dedicating their lives to bringing hope and God’s love to the women of Asia.

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, Fulfilling a Last Wish

Learn more by reading the GFA special report titled “An Imaginative Exercise in Empathetic Fear: Think About Living in a Community with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women”

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Hope in a Bucket of Water: Gospel for Asia Pastor Brings Jesus Well to His Village

August 14, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

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WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing the struggles many experience with having no access to clean water, the waterborne diseases they are exposed to, and the Gospel for Asia Pastor that brought a Jesus Well to his village.

orning came early for the villagers. They trudged down a dusty path as the heat began to rise with the sun, dawning a new day. The morning light exposed strange yellow and red stains inside the pots they carried by hand, or had lifted above their shoulders or they placed atop their heads. Those stains revealed an immense struggle in the villagers’ daily lives.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Poor communities are in need of pure water. — The families in Pastor Sahay’s village, struggled to find good water, like these women. The pumps in their village brought forth dirty water and caused them to have health issues.

Muddy Water Leaves Marks on Vessels and Stomachs

The water in the village was not safe to drink. Hand pumps installed years prior gushed forth muddy, red-colored water. It was obvious this was the culprit to the stains inside the water pots. But it wasn’t just the villagers’ vessels that bore the mark of the undrinkable liquid; their continual stomachaches and kidney problems made the statement loud and clear. If they wanted clean water to drink, they had to wake early to search for it outside their village.

Pastor Brought a Jesus Well that Impacted a Village

Gospel for Asia pastor Sahay served in this village. He and his congregation distributed food once a month to the slum nearby. This impacted the community greatly, and many saw the love of Jesus through their simple acts of kindness. Pouring his life out faithfully unto the Lord, Pastor Sahay tried to help the community as much as he could. He was not unaware of the urgent and crucial need for clean water. Because someone gave to Gospel for Asia to help provide clean water for people in Asia, Pastor Sahay could take action; he introduced a Jesus Well to the village he loved so well.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: After the Jesus Well in Pastor Sahay's village was completed (pictured), it was dedicated to the Lord. This well pours out clean water freely to those who come to it for a drink. — After the Jesus Well in Pastor Sahay’s village was completed (pictured), it was dedicated to the Lord. This well pours out clean water freely to those who come to it for a drink.

Once the drilling was underway, happiness filled the villagers who passed by, as they saw the church once again taking care of the community. This meant that soon, they wouldn’t struggle with waterborne illnesses, and they would have clear water coming from the hand pump.

The Jesus Well was placed in a convenient spot: right by the road, in a public area where anyone could acquire clean water. The Jesus Well was also right by a school, hospital, auto shop and the local market. A man named Tunava who ran a small food stand close by the well said, “I used to bring water from far away to wash the vessels and for the customers…now, I can get pure drinking water at any time, and it’s very close to my shop.”

Today, around 200 people drink refreshing, pure water from this well every day and are able to read God’s Word inscribed on the well’s plaque that speaks about the Living Water offered freely to all, taken from the passage found in John 4:13–14.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: A local woman pumps water for her daily use from the new well on the day it was dedicated. Her family is no longer threatened by waterborne illness that had been impacting her community. — A local woman pumps water for her daily use from the new well on the day it was dedicated. Her family is no longer threatened by waterborne illness that had been impacting her community.

Jesus Well Stands as a Beacon of Hope to Community

Because of this act of kindness, many hearts have been touched, and families have desired to hear more about the love of Jesus. This opened doors for Pastor Sahay and his congregation to display more of the hope of Christ to those around them and share about the God who offers living water for their souls. The village chief was very grateful to Pastor Sahay and said, “I could not help my villagers by providing them with a hand pump. But thanks [to the church] for providing a Jesus Well for my community.”

A local man in the village was very touched by the gift of the Jesus Well and expressed his thanks saying, “I appreciate the work of the church for the community. These days, no one thinks of others, but the work the church is doing is really appreciable.”

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Pure waterbrings hope — By receiving a Jesus Well in their community, many people get the chance to learn about the Living Water. One clean bucket of water could be a bucket full of hope!

The Living Water

This village now has a tangible reflection of the Living Water that Jesus offers every time they pump the clean, fresh water from the Jesus Well. No longer do they have to fear waterborne illnesses when they take a glass of its water. They’ve also had the opportunity to learn about God’s tremendous love. You can be part of giving hope in buckets of water by giving a Jesus Well today.

Learn more about how to provide pure, clean water to families and villages through Gospel for Asia Jesus Wells and BioSand Water Filters.

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, Hope in a Bucket of Water

Learn more about the GFA national missionaries who carry a burning desire for people to know the love of God. Through their prayers, dedication and sacrificial love, thousands of men and women have found new life in Christ.

Read the Solving the World Water Crisis for Good special report — Lasting Solutions Can Defeat an Age-old Problem.

Learn more by reading The Global Clean Water Crisis special report — Finding Solutions to Humanity’s Need for Pure, Safe Water.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Family Healing Begins When the Alcoholic’s Son Prayed

May 15, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

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WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing a Geet and his family bereft of peace and harmony, the alcoholism of his father, God’s Word shared through Gospel for Asia-supported pastor, the power of prayer and the abounding grace of Jesus.

Geet didn’t know what to do. He watched helplessly as his mother cowered before his abusive, intoxicated father, day after day.

“I would visit temples and pray to gods and goddesses,” Geet said, “but nothing changed in my life.”

Who could help his family when even his gods remained silent?

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Discussing a Geet and his family bereft of peace and harmony, the alcoholism of his father, and God's Word shared through Gospel for Asia-supported pastor — Many people in Asia turn to alcohol to try to smother their hurts and sorrows, not knowing Jesus provides true healing and hope.

Teenager Troubled by Alcoholic Father

Both Geet’s parents held steady jobs, and the family faithfully worshiped their deities, yet they never found the happiness or prosperity they hoped for. Geet’s father, Kumal, slowly turned to alcohol as his source of comfort. Geet’s mother worked hard to support her four children, assuming more and more family responsibility as Kumal spiraled deeper into his alcohol addiction.

Over time, Kumal’s frequent arguments with his family intensified, and he even caused trouble for his neighbors. As a teenager, Geet felt helpless against his father’s alcoholism, so he isolated himself, aching with loneliness and longing for peace.

Friend Introduces Teen to Prince of Peace

In the midst of these heartaches, Geet met Bidur, another teenager in his village, and the two youths gradually built a strong friendship. Eventually, Geet confided in Bidur and told him all about his family’s problems.

Bidur responded by sharing how his own family experienced tremendous peace, but it was only because of Jesus Christ and the joy He brings. Bidur invited Geet to attend church with him so he could hear for himself about the peace Jesus gives so freely to those who call on Him.

The very next Sunday, Geet accompanied Bidur to a worship service led by Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Sadhan. Geet had never experienced a worship service like it before, but he listened closely to the words of the pastor.

After the service, Pastor Sadhan shared more about God’s Word with Geet. As Geet listened, many questions about Jesus formed in his mind, but flickers of peace also began rising within him.

Geet went home and told his mother all about the amazing things he learned at the service that day, but she wasn’t interested. Undeterred, Geet turned to the precious gift Pastor Sadhan had given him: a New Testament.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: through Gospel for Asia-supported pastor many youths gather for corporate worship and are growing in their knowledge of God — Like Geet and Bidur, these youths gather for corporate worship with a Gospel for Asia-supported pastor and are growing in their knowledge of God.

Hungry Heart Feeds on God’s Word

Geet pored over his New Testament, and as he read about Jesus’ life and the miracles He performed, he realized transformation is only possible through Jesus. A longing arose in his heart for his family to experience a miraculous change.

“How can I experience His miracle in my life?” Geet asked Pastor Sadhan one day. “How can I follow this Jesus?”

Pastor Sadhan explained how God desires to have a personal relationship with His children, and he helped Geet understand the many things he had read. Touched by God’s great mercy, Geet bowed his head in prayer. He told Jesus about the wrongs he had committed throughout his life and asked Him to work healing and transformation into his heart.

Opening his eyes, Geet entered a new life—a life filled with inner joy and peace from the Lord, despite his home environment. He began spending time in prayer for his family, both privately and also with other believers at worship services. But not everyone was happy with his decision.

Steadfast in the Face of Opposition

Geet earnestly desired to worship Jesus and fellowship with his new family in Christ, but Kumal was furious when he discovered Geet’s new life. He pressured Geet to abandon Jesus and kept his son from attending worship services.

His father’s displeasure intimidated and grieved Geet. He wanted to honor his father’s authority, but after two painful weeks of reading and praying, Geet determined that he must obey the Lord above all, no matter the cost.

Geet began gathering again with the other believers and prayed faithfully for his father, asking the Lord to work transformation in his heart.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Geet recognized the grace of Jesus, just as this young believer also did, and Geet dedicated hours to reading God's Word and praying for his family. — Geet recognized the grace of Jesus, just as this young believer also did, and Geet dedicated hours to reading God’s Word and praying for his family.

The Power of Prayer

“Every day, at 5 in the morning, I get up, read the Bible and pray,” Geet shared.

Soon, God answered Geet’s prayers—Kumal’s heart made a drastic turn. After seeing his son’s devotion to Jesus and fervent prayer life, Kumal stopped opposing Geet. He even allowed Geet to share with the family the new things Geet learned from Scripture, and soon, the entire family agreed to visit a worship service.

Geet’s relationship with Jesus grew strong, and peace and trust in God replaced the anxiousness and loneliness that once filled his heart.

“Now I am not worried about any problem, because in Jesus, I find the solution to all my trouble.” —Geet

Although his family has not yet fully understood the transforming love of Jesus, Geet’s fervent prayer is that one day, they too will personally know the Prince of Peace who now carries all his burdens.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: These believers cherish their Bibles and read Scripture to strengthen themselves in the Lord, yet many other people in Asia do not have access to God's Word or know what promises it contains. — These believers cherish their Bibles and read Scripture to strengthen themselves in the Lord, yet many other people in Asia do not have access to God’s Word or know what promises it contains.

Send Peace to Searching Hearts

Hearing the Word of God helped Geet first understand Jesus’ power and grace, and by reading his New Testament, he later found courage and strength to endure opposition.

Through Gospel for Asia, you can provide copies of God’s Word for people who are longing for a source of peace, like Geet. Donate today to help people in Asia build a relationship with the Prince of Peace.

Learn more how you can share the Word of God with the millions of people in Asia — either as complete Bibles or New Testaments — which will enable many to grow and learn more about Jesus.

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, When the Alcoholic’s Son Prayed

Learn more about the GFA-supported national workers who carry a burning desire for people to know the love of God. Through their prayers, dedication and sacrificial love, thousands of men and women have found new life in Christ.

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

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Gospel for Asia Supported Woman Missionary Brings Healing for a Broken Home

May 6, 2020 By GFA Staff Writer

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WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing the Gospel for Asia supported woman missionary Sabita, who, through her friendship and ministry, God brought healing, strength, and peace to Hema and her once broken home.

Shouts disrupted the worship service. The neighbors were at it again. It seemed the married couple was always fighting. Peace looked like a complete stranger to the household, and joy a forgotten virtue. Gospel for Asia-supported woman missionary Sabita didn’t see this as an annoyance to the meetings she helped conduct, however. She saw it as an opportunity to share the peace of Jesus, the One who could restore and heal.

Gospel for Asia Supported Woman Missionary Visits Broken Home

Hoping to help, Sabita visited Hema and shared with her the compassion of God. Hema was a little suspicious of Sabita at first, but she didn’t turn her away. She even took some literature that Sabita offered. Sabita could tell Hema needed encouragement and hope because of this, and she felt compelled by God to invest in Hema’s forlorn and sorrowful life.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Discussing the Gospel for Asia supported woman missionary Sabita, who, through her, God brought healing and peace to Hema and her once broken home. — Hema’s (pictured) life was full of strife. Her husband, who was often intoxicated, beat her, and they quarreled often. During prayer meetings which were held nearby, people could hear their constant fighting.

Sabita continued to visit Hema, believing her time spent in sharing God’s precious promises would lighten Hema’s struggling, heavy heart. As they got to know each other, Hema’s suspicions of the missionary melted, and she opened up. She told Sabita about their constant quarreling, her husband, Talat’s, drunkenness and how he would often beat her if he felt angry. She was worried about their children, as they too were being led by this constant example.

Finding Strength in God’s Word

Through her visits, Sabita faithfully brought words of comfort to Hema’s love-longing heart, and when she was especially discouraged, Sabita prayed for her. Whenever Sabita prayed, Hema felt at ease and happy.

As Hema continued to see the love of God through Sabita, she was filled with faith to trust Jesus as the One who brings peace and hope, the One who could answer prayer, even for her drunken husband. But she was afraid to tell her husband about the hope she found, so she kept silent.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Women Missionaries sharing the hope of Christ with other women — Over time, a friendship between the two women bloomed. Sabita continued to visit Hema at her home to encourage her through God’s Word, like these women are doing.

Through Her Quiet Spirit

Continuing to be a constant and true friend to Hema as she shared her fears, Sabita had some advice to give her from God’s Word. Taking Sabita’s advice, Hema began to pray for Talat to stop his destructive habit of drinking. She cried out to the Lord and sometimes spent time fasting for her husband. Many times, Hema thought it would be impossible for Talat to ever be released from the grasp of his strong addiction, but Hema continued to pray in her weakness, asking the Lord to give her strength to believe and press on.

Meanwhile, there was a change in Hema’s life. When Talat did things she didn’t like, Hema didn’t flare back as she once had. The fighting ceased and peace started to make its home among the chaos that once held its ground. Instead of acting out in anger or returning evil for evil, Hema responded in love and kindness as God gave her strength to tolerate the harsh things done to her. God was changing her through His Word and working through her prayers. Although Hema wasn’t aware, God was moving in Talat’s heart through her gentle spirit.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Hema's life had changed, and her husband, (pictured), Talat saw the changing power of Jesus. Because of her example, he too found for himself the hope of God and stopped drinking. — Hema’s life had changed, and her husband, (pictured), Talat saw the changing power of Jesus. Because of her example, he too found for himself the hope of God and stopped drinking.

Drastic Change Not Unseen

One day, Talat asked Hema what had happened. She had become loving and kind towards him, and he wanted to know how and why. Since he was in a good mood, Hema jumped at the opportunity to speak words of truth and love to her husband.

She told him how his drinking had hurt their family and was a bad influence on their children. She shared how happy she would be to have a husband who took good care of her and the children. Her words, spoken with love and kindness, won Talat’s heart over. Little by little, through Hema’s prayers, love, encouragement and the power of God, Talat quit drinking.

During one of Sabita’s visits, Talat heard God’s Word and was moved. As time went on, he began to realize for himself that Jesus is the One who had changed his wife so drastically. He wanted this same transformation in his own life.

Today Hema and Talat no longer fight during worship services but attend them joyfully. Hema loves to tell her story, how nothing is impossible with God . . . not even a drunken husband.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Women missionaries are dedicated to sharing the hope of Jesus's love with women in need and want of love. — Women missionaries are dedicated to sharing the hope of Jesus’s love with women in need and want of love.

Send a Voice of Hope

A woman missionary can bring hope to hopeless women, like Sabita did. She can speak into a woman’s life and sympathize with her emotions and needs well. You can be part of touching lives of women in Asia, too! Prayerfully consider supporting the work of a Gospel for Asia-supported women missionaries today, and make an impact that lasts into eternity!

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, Healing for a Broken Home

Learn more about the Women Missionaries and their heroic efforts, dedicating their lives to bringing hope and God’s love to the women of Asia.

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox