Jossy Chacko

 

As I travel and meet with our field leaders – the words of Jesus keep echoing in my ears – ‘the harvest is white and ready for harvest…’ (John 4:35 KJV).  Everywhere, there seem to be such deep hunger and thirst for truth.  People are searching for ways to have relationship with God.  In so many miraculous ways, God is using Empart church planters to help people discover Jesus Christ.  As I listen to them, I am so inspired and grateful to the Lord that He has given me such wonderful privilege to be involved in this ministry.  Of course there is so much opposition, trials and difficulties but the Lord is sustaining our brothers and sisters. Yesterday I had the joy to hear the story of Ramesh

 

Ramesh was raised in a Hindu home in Chhattisgarh.  He was a trouble-maker both at home and at his village so everyone came to hate him.  He was part of a gang and was harassing people. 

 

One of Ramesh’s friends became a Christian and left the village.  At that time, no one knew that he had gone to an Empart Training centre to be trained as a church planter.  After one year, he came back to the village where everyone was so amazed in the changes that has taken place in him.  Ramesh’s parents, uncle and others were among those who noticed the transformation so they pressured Ramesh to go to where his friend went so that he too can change his ways.    They got the details of the Training Centre and brought Ramesh to the same place. 

 

Pastor Biju of the Training Centre says “He was a big headache for me and my wife.  Many times we thought of sending him out but every time we prayed, the Lord said no.  So we kept him.  After 5 months he began to change.  After some more months he graduated and went to a village near his own place.  The whole town could not believe that he was the same person they knew.  So when he started a church, most of the people went to hear him speak.  As a result, many of them have been responding to the message and love of Jesus which transformed Ramesh.”  Now, many Hindu parents are even pleading with our people in the Training Centre to take their sons and change them like Ramesh. 

 

Just few weeks back, Ramesh was in a bus and felt a persistent nudge to get out.  So he asked the driver to stop the bus in the middle of nowhere.  Then, Ramesh stepped out and the bus drove past him.  Ramesh was wondering why he was standing there where no one and nothing seems to be around.  A few minutes later, the bus went off the road and down the hill.  47 people in that bus died and others sustained major injuries.  This incident has strengthened his conviction that the Lord is with him.  Furthermore, as the news spread of what has happened, others are now coming to believe in Jesus also.  Recently, Ramesh baptised 12 people!

 

Friends, please keep supporting these incredible heroes who don’t love their lives but are willing to take the gospel to regions where we could never go.  Keep praying, giving, and encouraging others to support these brothers.  In eternity you will be so glad you did.

 

Blessings – JC