I was born in a strong Hindu family in a village named R.C.Chettipatty, Salem District, South India. My grand father built a Hindu temple in my village. As my father was a drunkard, our family became very poor. In 1959, my brother became a Christian and later on (except me), my whole family was converted and joined with an independent church. I had no faith in God. During my early years, I was afflicted by malnutrition and for many years had sores all over my body. Even though I went to school, I could not be successful in studies due to the ill health. Because of that I was forced to discontinue my education.
In my village, as I grew up in a slum area, some bad friends influenced me to live a wicked life. One of my brothers and parents had tried to discipline me but it did not work. I became more rebellious and disobedient in the family. Everybody hated me. I had many questions about life. Why should I live on this earth? What is the purpose of my life? There is no love in this world and there is no hope for the future. Finally, I had come to a conclusion that the only solution to all my questions was to finish my life by committing suicide. In 1975, August 5th, I bought a bottle of poison and [was] ready to drink and finish my life. At that moment a thought came into my mind: If I die, where will I spend my eternity? Certainly I will go to hell. But if I continue living life there is no love in this world, no hope for my future. An uncertain fear gripped my heart. At this juncture, as a first time, I took up the Bible and started reading a portion from [the] book of Hebrews. As I was reading Hebrews 10:26-27, the Holy Spirit started working in me. I knelt down and confessed my sins and asked forgiveness from the Heavenly Father and He changed my life. The Lord showed mercy upon me.
After I made such a simple prayer, I could feel the difference. A great burden [was] relieved from my heavy heart. Instantaneously, an unspeakable peace and joy filled my heart. The Lord put me a great desire in heart to study the Bible and to spend time with God in prayer. Moreover, the Lord laid a desire to serve Him. In the beginning, I worked with India Every Home Crusade as an Evangelist. Later on I joined with a Christian orphanage and worked as a warden. My salary was five dollars per month with free food. With a joy and contentment I worked in the orphanage because of the free food. Because of my faithful work, my salary was enhanced up to 15 dollars. So, I got married with Mary in 1979. The Lord blessed us with two children.
As the days were passed, I wanted to join with a theological seminary to study the Bible. As I was not qualified, I took home study and made up the deficiency and later on joined with a seminary affiliated with Serampur University founded by William Carey in India. After having completed B.Th. and M.Div. degrees, I wanted to be a pastor in a big church in a metropolitan city. But obviously it was not the plan of God for me. So, He led me to work among the poor community through a Christian organization. After eight years of service, I resigned the work and later on started Good Samaritan ministry with help of a German friend named Dieter Lochschmidt in 1997.
While visiting USA in 1999, by God’s providence I met Lea and Tommy Bennett in Ripley, Mississippi. They are one of the early sponsors of the orphanage. Sister Lea gave me a copy of the book Undeniable Doctrinal Truths by Zack Guess. As I was reading the book, the Lord enlightened my mind to perceive the truth of the doctrines of grace. As a result, the first Primitive Baptist church in India was constituted in March 2001.
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