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Church Planter – North India

Andrew P. was called by God to pastor a church in North India after getting a couple of seminary degrees and taking part of a internship program. In this internship, he was able to experience ministry in a healthy church, biblical elders, and expository preaching. It prepared him for the pastoral work ahead.

Testimony of Conversion 

I am Andrew P. from Odisha, which is in the eastern part of India. I was born, and brought up in a Baptist Christian family (three sisters and myself). Being born into a Christian family, I attended the church from my youth, and was involved in church activities such as Sunday school, youth meetings, and the celebrating of various holidays like Christmas. Even though I was participating in the services, I did not know Jesus Christ personally. For me these things were ritual and religious duties. In other words, I was a nominal Christian. There was no joy or peace in my life, or any experience of knowing God. As far as my personal life was concerned, it was sinful. I ran around with the wrong crowd and I would go with them to drink and gamble. I was no different than those of the world. As a matter of fact, my life was becoming more and more sinful as I got older. I was lonely and hopeless.

Having completed my intermediate studies, I thought of going to the city of Bangalore to do some work. While I was working there, I was discouraged and felt isolated. However, God had a different plan in my life. During this time, I met with one of the pastors and began to attend a church in Bangalore. It was here that I realized that I was a sinner and needed a Savior. I repented of my sins and believed in Jesus Christ. Eventually, I took the water baptism in 2002.

After this incident I had a desire to learn the Word of God. So I enrolled in the seminary and completed my B. Th. and M. Div.. While studying in seminary, I was mostly influenced by the prosperity preachers. That became my message as I started preaching about health, wealth, and prosperity. But in the Sovereignty of God, He brought me to a church in North India that preached the true gospel. This was a blessed time as I began learning about the amazing Grace of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was invited by the pastor to take part in the internship program, and thus, I became an intern. During those days I started learning about the importance of the church and the necessity of the life, character, and responsibilities of a biblical pastor. Now, by the grace of God, the Lord has called me to teach and preach these things. Please continue to pray for me as I now lead a church in Northern India.

Note: For security reasons a pen name is used for this missionary.