This is an interesting story of a servant of Christ who was a diligent Hindu Priest, but God mightily converted him to be a believer in Jesus Christ. This is Bro. Sake's father - Jeff
Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ,
Greetings to you in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who called us to do His ministry.
My name is Pastor S. Matthew. I was born and brought up in a Hindus family, which used to strictly practice its own religious customs and its tradition. I had developed a positive attitude toward Hindu god and goddesses and toward its books as well. I used to worship idols and used to bow down before them having a great fear in my heart. I only made idols out of rock and put in the temple believing them that they were capable to give me salvation from my sins. In year 1961, I had a negative attitude toward Christians and Christ Jesus, therefore I persecuted them in big crusades thinking that this is 'Foreign god'. They just were transforming the Hindus as Christians in order to enlarge their religion in the land of India. I was staying in the hostel in my school time (6th to 10th classes); in that hostel there were Christian students, and they used to go for church services on Sundays. When they come back from church service, there would be no lunch for them because I would take their lunch and feed the donkeys and dogs.
In 1968, I got job, after my studies: I used to work as Railway employer. When I got this job, I was thinking that it was because I have fear in my heart towards my gods and goddesses. Therefore I donated golden eye and silver earrings to those idols and have increased my worship. Before going to job and after coming from job I would go and worship them daily. Those gods names were Sanamma, Astalakshim, Navagrahalu and Trimurthulu. Not only this but also I used to write 'Rama Rama' for one chore, times believing that if we write like that one of sins will be forgiven and also I used to write 'glory to rama' a thousand times. Still I did not have any peace in my heart. More over, I was appointed as a Hindu priest for that temple in my village called Chabhalla for twelve years. I have studied Ramayana and Mahabharat. I used to read them daily believing that I would inherit the kingdom of god after my death. I got married in year 1968.
One night one man who was seemingly a beggar came into temple; I told him since it is night you can sleep here and go in the morning. So he slept there. When I came in the morning to perform worship idols were thrown down. They were not in the place where I placed them. When I was trying to put them in the right place I noticed golden eyes and silver earrings of those idols were stolen. I lifted up and cried, later I came to know that the man who came that night had stolen them.
Many came and comforted me, among them also one pastor who used to come and tell about the Lord Jesus and used to distribute the gospel tracts. That pastor name was Isaiah who went to be with the Lord. He came and caused me to think of what I was doing. Pastor told me 'if those idols whom you worship can not save themselves how can you think that they are going to save you?' After few days, I wanted to talk to that pastor. Pastor received me gladly and explained about the real and True Savior of the world. He told me that Jesus came to us first and loved us in order to take away our sins, so just put your trust in Christ that He came to this world and suffered on the cross, buried and rose again on third day. He prayed for me, I went back home. I did not tell anybody that I went to meet pastor.
I was just thinking about all gods whom I used to worship. Then I came to know that no gods in Hindu books gave their lives for man's sin sake. I told this to the pastor, and then he gave me small New Testament Bible. I read that daily to know about the Lord Jesus. God touched my heart when I came to Romans letter chapter 8. God loved us when we were yet sinners. I was thinking how God can love me who persecuted many Christians since my childhood. God blessed me with that word and pastor counseled me from the word of God. I just cried and opened my heart unto God for my mistakes I did in the past. I put my trust in the Lord as my personal Savior and my God. I praise God for that man of God who told of my True Savior. He taught me how to read the bible and pray. Pastor baptized me in year 1970. I used to go after pastor for the ministry in the field. And I resigned the job and involved myself in the ministry full. I desire God to use me in ministry so that many would come to know the Lord and His Saving grace in days to come.
My father came to know that I became child of Living God (Christian) and not doing any thing in the temple. He just excommunicated me and my wife. I and my wife came to pastor and pastor gave me shelter in his church for some days. We spent many days without food and proper clothes. From 1972 to 1974 we had to face famine. There was not food to eat for us. That time God blessed us one son after three years of our marriage. Thrice in a week we used to have ganji (liquid food).
In year 1974 I came to place called Kanekal for the ministry of God. Kanekal was place where was no gospel heard. People used to ask me when I preach them is it male or female god? Many people came and warned me that I should not tell the people about Jesus; if it is so we will take your life and your family life. God never allowed me to go back, rather made me to stand on faith in the Lord. Some Hindu priests came for debating but Almighty God gave me victory over them. God also brought my father and my mum to be saved.
God used me to bring and to give baptism for many people in Andra Pradesh and in Karnatake states of South India. Let the Name of God be glorified. God caused 80 people to believe in His Son in Kanekal itself. So far God made me not look back; even many hardships and trials took place in my personal and ministry life. I always thank the Almighty God who enables me to carry on this work so far in India.
God blessed me with three sons and one daughter. They are Isaac who got married and blessed with one daughter and one son. They are altogether serving the Lord in place called Bellary. Second son is Prasad who also got married and blessed with one daughter. They are also in the ministry for the glory in a place called Gooty. Third son is David, he is assisting me in the ministry in Kanekal. Daughter is Christu Vani, she got married recently, she and her husband wanting to serve the Lord. So like that God blessed my family in such a way that we are all in the ministry.
More than that God has given me an opportunity to produce 25 ministers who are doing ministry in 25 villages. They are not financially supported. Please pray that God would provide our ministry needs here in India so that the work might be carried out and the Gospel might reach to many people in Andra Pradesh and in India as well. There are many children in our ministry who needs education and other supports like cloths and food. There are many more villages to be reached with the Good News. I want to do more work for the Lord. Please continue to pray for me and the ministry here in India.
Waiting for His return
Pastor S. Matthew
AP, India
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