Our Pastor

I was born in a Hindu family, in Bangaluru in Karnataka State in India.I am the last of three children to my family.I went to school, was religious in taking part in all the festivals of our family. But when I was in my 8th class, I became an atheist, saying there is no god and no hell nor heaven. I was against Christian preaching saying they were imposing a foreign religion on Indians. I was given a Christian Tract, but I tore it up even without reading its title. I used to get convulsion/ fit disease from my childhood. It was very severe in my PUC( pre university Course) in 1971. So I was admitted in the Hospital for 2 weeks and after coming out of the Hospital, I lost interest to continue my college studies. I was haunted by a question, If I die today where I will be spending my eternity ? I had no answer for this question. I asked my relatives and my elders and they did not give satisfying answer. I read many books and I did not get any answer. So I was fed up with my life and I wanted commit suicide and took some rat poison but I did not die.

I went from Bangalore to Chennai to my relatives house. One day in the beach, I saw a Ship called Logos (Operation Mobilization) and entered inside and saw all the Christian books and was angry, while I was coming out they gave me some Christian booklets and in angry I threw it. When I returned home in Bangalore. I found a small booklet and my eyes fell to Mathew chapter 7 verse 7. “Ask it shall be given to you, knock it shall be opened to you and seek you shall find.” After reading this verse for a minute, immediately I threw this booklet Mathew, because it was a Christian book. But the word which I read for a minute only, did not go from my heart. It began speak that Jesus is saying, the Truth only. if you ask, it will be given. if you knock it will be opened. So I was convinced by the voice that Jesus is saying the Truth only.And I wanted to know more about Jesus Christ. So for four Sundays with my friend Mr.Subramani I went and attended the Calvary Baptist Church which was 3 kms away from our residence. I felt some goodness in attending the church and I want to join this Christian Religion. So I wrote a letter and gave to Mr. Shanti Kumar, who was the youth Pastor.

After reading my letter the youth pastor said “ YOU, no need to join Christian Religion. Because no Religion can save you, but join to Jesus Christ”. He shared his testimony and quoted Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23. I came home that Sunday night and took my dinner and went to sleep. But for three hours I could not sleep. I heard a voice saying I am a sinner and I am a sinner. I was going on arguing that I am not a sinner, I am not a drunkard or smoker or club dance goer, but my friends are sinner because they are doing all these. I am a good boy and I am not a sinner. But God continued saying I am Sinner. So I asked, how I am a sinner. Immediately God showed me that I cheated my father two times and stole twice money from my mother and had hatred over my Sister and brother and fought with them. Therefore I was convicted that I am a sinner. Next day, when every body was out for their job. I closed the doors and knelt and prayed saying, “ Lord Jesus I am sinner, please cleanse me with your blood and wash me and come into my heart.” immediately I felt a black heavy thing rolled away from my heart and I felt my heart has become light. I had the peace. It was my day of my salvation. It was on 24th January 1972. From that day onwards I began to read New Testament and say little prayers. But my family members and my relatives began to mock at me for this Christian way of life. So I had to leave my house in order to grow in my Christian life. So I left my house on June 17th 1972 to Mumbai and Lord led me to Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh to join Bharat Bible college. With Gods provision I completed my 4 years B. Theology Course in 1976.