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Although India is a growing
economy, it still remains the world’s most impoverished nation. Over 700
million people live on just $1 or $2 a day. Approximately, 40% of the country
is still illiterate. It is estimated there are over 3 million children living
in the streets and the malnutrition rate for children
exceeds that of the sub-Saharan African continent. About 450
million people do not have electricity or even the most basic standards of
living. The country has a very large population of lepers and about 5 million people may be infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. India
is the fastest growing AIDS infected nation in the world. On the other hand, the middle class of approximately 300
million are educated and many of them are qualified professionals.
India remains
one of the most unreached nations in the world. Millions have still not heard
the name of Jesus. It is a big task before us but together we can do it with
God’s help. “Not by might, not thy power, it is the Spirit of the Lord”. The harvest is waiting but the workers are
few. The Lord needs our involvement today. Will you help us send more
workers to the fields while there is still time? Together we will help build the Kingdom of God.
Please pray and
support this ministry as the Lord leads.
Yours in Christ
Varughese Mathew (Saji)
I was born
and raised in a small village in the state of Kerala, South India. Though born
in a Christian family, I never had a personal relationship with the Lord, until
the age of 16. The financial struggles my family faced with the sudden and
early death of my father in the Indian Army, made life much challenging. In
1978 the Lord touched my life through a gospel meeting I once attended and I
accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour.
I am in the
ministry since 1982. I started my ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ in
India with their Jesus film team that traveled from village to village showing
and teaching the simple villagers the life of Jesus. In 1983 I went to a Bible
College and after the completion of a four-year-bachelor degree, I worked with
a mission organization in India for more than 8 years. In 1998, God gave me the
burden to take the responsibility of a financially struggling organization that
existed in India, that is Harvest Mission to the Unreached. At this time I was
involved in a full-time Doctorate program at the Canada Christian College in
Toronto.
Once my mother prayed at my sick bed, “Lord if
you heal my son, I will dedicate him for Your service”. Although, God delivered
me, I never bothered about my mother’s commitment. After my high school, I
planed to pursue higher education and a career. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful
in obtaining a college admission, and it seemed like all doors were closed for
me. During this difficult time, I was drawn closer to the Lord and obeyed His
command in water baptism (1982). Soon, I was invited by one of my friends to
attend a Leadership training camp conducted by India Campus Crusade for Christ
in South India. I went to the conference and the challenging messages and
training at the conference helped me to take a decision to work for the Lord.
However, I did not fully commit myself for the ministry. While I was with
Campus Crusade, the Lord gave me the opportunity to see firsthand the large
mission fields and lost souls. Through this experience and exposure, I knew
that the Lord was calling me for full-time ministry and I dedicated my life to
do His will. Not long after I enrolled in a Bible school to study God’s Word
and equip myself for the task ahead. During the years at Bible school, my
family faced much financial struggles and I came to a point of discontinuing my
studies. However, God’s timely provisions allowed me to complete my course. The
struggles and divine providence strengthened my faith for the ministry.
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