THE BEGINNING
Our spiritual connection to the country began in the month of June. After discussing the possibility of adopting a child, we knew that the Lord had placed this desire in each of our heart's. Within a short period of time, the Lord allowed us to connect with Anthony Praveen Gaddam of Morning Star Foundation. He is the representative in India for an international adoption agency.
He has been instrumental in our ongoing ministry efforts in India. Not only is he connecting us with a beautiful child, but he is connecting us with thousands of spiritually hungry people. He is a license social worker, as well as a Oneness pastor.
The very next week, Anthony was traveling to the U.S., and meeting with us in our home. Things were moving rather quickly.
Our first experience meeting Anthony face to face would be nothing less than miraculous. For the first time in his travels, Anthony was not traveling alone. This time, he brought a very kind and humble man, name P. Timothy from Kavali, India. God was proving early in this connection that He had big plans for us with the country of India.
Anthony and P. Timothy remained in our home for two days, while we discussed the adoption process. During these meetings, Timothy remained in the bedroom as a kind gesture of not wanting to interfere with the privacy of our personal documents and other disclosures. On the second day of their stay, I felt the Lord dealing with me concerning Timothy.
I asked Timothy to join us in the living room and explained that we were interested in knowing more about him. We had eaten together and laughed together, but the adoption process had taken center stage, and until this time, we knew very little about the life of this kind man.
Timothy began to tell us his life and story. He had been in ministry for 32 years and and was currently pastoring 19 different churches throughout the region near Kavali. He explained that his denomination, which is affiliated with a large group in America, wanted to anoint him as a recognized Bishop. He further explained that even though they held a special service for him in Atlanta, Georgia, he felt like something was still missing. In fact, Timothy said that after the service, the leader of the group told him to be ready for "a big open door."
The presence of the Lord began to visit us in our home that evening, as we discussed the work of God. Our discussion began to grow deeper. Pastor Timothy asked me to consider coming to India and holding a crusade.
I assured him that I would be interested in traveling to India for ministry purposes, and would certainly enjoy holding a crusade. However, I would only be interested in sharing the Oneness message, with an added emphasis on water baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. While he sat in what appeared to be deep contemplation, I asked Pastor Timothy if he would be opposed to this message. His response was quick and precise, "No." I then asked if he personally would be opposed to this message begin preached to his people, and to his village. Once again, his response was exactly the same.
At this point, excitement quickly filled the room, as the presence of the Lord became overwhelming. I excused myself momentarily and excused myself to go tell Julie what was happening, and ask her to begin praying. I knew that a Bible Study would come quickly, and I was sure that Pastor Timothy was ready to hear what I had to say.
As I returned to the living room, Pastor Timothy said that he had one question that had been on his mind, and he needed an answer. The question was, "Why have my people never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit?"
Wow! What a questions! He explained that when he was a child, his grandmother held Bible studies in her home. On one particular occasion, he heard someone speak in a different language. While he was trying to figure it out, someone else interpreted the language for everyone else to understand! He said that he was never able to get away from this display of the Gifts of the Spirit.
Within 30 minutes of looking into our Bibles for the answers, Pastor Timothy looked up at me. I hope I never forget the words he spoke so powerfully with tears running down his face, he said, "I will accept this baptism."
As Pastor Timothy knelt down and began to praise God for this revelation, I called Pastor Stovall to inquire of using his church for the baptism. Thankfully, Pastor Stovall was awake and more than receptive to this idea.
We met at the church around 11:30 p.m., and began a tremendous time of prayer and worship.
Just after midnight, within moments of begin baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, Pastor Timothy was filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues! Anthony was close by to verify this language was not of Indian decent.
Pastor Timothy spoke mightily, and began to dance in the water throughout this life changing experience with God. It was one of the most beautiful baptisms I have every witnessed!
In an interview after his new birth experience, he said that throughout the years of ministry, he had conducted hundreds and hundreds after baptismal services. "Tonight," he said, "I understand that they were administered incorrectly."
THE CRUSADE
During the month of October, we traveled to India. The 2 night crusade in the city of Hyderabad was an unforgettable experience.
We watched as thousands assembled on a city block. Many had rode for hours in the back of flatbed trucks. God honored their sacrifice and hunger, as His presence moved in a mighty way. Even though the spiritual oppression and attacks were at time overwhelming to our physical bodies, the Lord kept us safe and empower us to carry out His mission.
A local choir ushered the crowd into worship. The only word we understood was "Hallelujah" as our dear friend and interpreter Pastor Alexander, helped to translate the songs for us. The first night, Dyron Adams preached a powerful message introducing the crowd to Jesus. The altar was flooded with open hearts, as God filled hundreds with the baptism of the Holy Ghost! Divine healing and miracles also took place, including a young girl who had been unable to walk! Pastor Alexander asked her to walk across the stage several times to show the crowd that Jesus alone was the healer!
When the van arrived to pick us up the second night, we were greeted by several pastors. We learned that two of these men had sons who attended Christian Life College. These men were Oneness ministers who had traveled hundreds of kilometers to attend this one service. We began to pray together in the van. Words can't begin to describe the powerful presence of the Lord! It was obvious that these were powerful men of prayer!
The crowd was even larger the second night and there was an expectation among the people. Because seating was limited, the children were on the floor in the front. I slipped down in the middle of them and began to worship. They quickly followed by lead, clapping and dancing! It was a joyful time of worship. I have the opportunity to speak the second night. Again, the altar was full.
Our team stayed in the altar each night for over an hour, as we were surrounded by people desperately seeking prayer. It's hard to describe what it's like to pray for someone who is totally and completely dependent upon God to meet their need. They have nothing else.
A vast harvest is taking place in the country of India!
THE PASTORS CONFERENCE
During the second day of the crusade, we spoke to approximately 75 local pastors. The meeting was completely saturated by the presence of the Lord. Just across the street, we noticed a large Muslim mosque. While we were preaching, many of them came outside to listen and to observe.
Dyron Adams, John Martin, and I each spoke at the conference. This Gifts of the Spirit flowed as freely, and the prophetic Word was received with faith! Several of these pastors were also filled with the Holy Ghost!
THE BAPTISMS
We were divinely connected to two pastor during our trip to India. Pastor Alexander is a wise man of God that has mentored numerous ministers throughout India. He is one of the most Christ-like men I've ever met. Pastor Philip has a gentle spirit and pastors a thriving church in the city of Hyderabad. On one specific morning, I was awakened with the direction of the Lord to share the Oneness message with Pastor Alexander. Several hours later in his office, the Lord directed our conversation and heavily anointed our time together as we discussed the new birth in greater detail.
These kind men, who have pastored for many years, saw the importance of baptism in the name of Jesus and were ready to be baptized!
Because of the state's anti-conversion law, we were forced to use great caution in selecting the body of water for the baptisms. As many of you know, the caste system, as well as the government frowns heavily upon any type of religious conversion.
Pastor Alexander selected the area and we drove about an hour outside the city to a remote lake. After clearing the water of snakes (many cobras and various water snakes are in that area), we entered the stagnate water for this beautiful event.
I baptized both men in the powerful name of Jesus Christ! This was one of the most humbling and exciting experiences for me!
Pastor Philip received the Holy Ghost for the first time while in the water! Pastor Alexander was refilled with the Holy Ghost!
To God be the Glory!
THE TEAM
We are thankful to God for the incredible group who traveled with us.
Dyron Adams is one of the premier evangelists on the field today. He has traveled internationally on numerous occasions and is mightily used in the Gifts of the Spirit.
John Martin is a talented and anointed teacher, a rare and valuable component of the 5-fold ministry. His experience in teaching oversees was evident as he ministered to the Indian pastors.
Dawn Kramer is an RN, foster mother of 4, childrens minister and pastor's daughter. Her vast experience was evident as she ministered to mothers and ladies.
THE COUNTRY
India is truly an incredible country. The people are absolutely gorgeous, with beautiful skin and dark eyes. On the flip slid, the poverty and disease are of epidemic proportion. Swine flu, AIDS, HIV, leprosy, etc. I can't begin to properly describe the conditions that millions and million of people live in.
The traffic is unbelievable. It's like rush hour, everywhere and at all times. Thankfully, we didn't drive in India. We decided most NASCAR drivers couldn't drive in India! You can literally reach out and touch the car beside you…that close! Motorbikes swerve bravely through traffic with inches to spare. Yet with all the horn honking and weaving in and out of lanes, there's no road rage! No one got upset. Amazing!
I did take Pastor Alexander's motorbike for a ride in the neighborhood close to his home. I got turned around. There are no street signs, not that I could read them anyway! I ended up being lost for about 30 minutes. Thankfully, the Pastor's sons went running through the streets and found me. I hadn't met them yet, and got a little nervous when we came running up towards me. I slowed down long enough to hear them say, "Your friends are looking for you." I gladly followed them back to the house. That was enough driving for me!
Pastor Alexander's dear wife, Annie, prepared dinner for us one evening. In traditional Indian style, we didn't use utensils! Eating rice with your fingers takes some getting used to! Following dinner, she took Julie in the other room to show her how the Indian women wear their saris. Julie tried to on. It was beautiful, purple with gold accents. Annie gave this sari to Julie. It's a treasured gift from a wonderful women of God.
Indian food is spicy. Very, very spicy. Our hotel served a breakfast buffet and we tried to eat from it. A couple days into the trip, the waiters offered to make us omelets. They became our stale food during our stay!
We are intrigued by the monkeys in India. Seeing them in a zoo and seeing them on a roof or in a tree right above you with no barriers, is totally different! They would watch us and we were warned that they could attack. Some were the size of dogs! When one of them found a banana and they all came running, we decided it was time to go!
For more on this amazing journey, click on these links for photos or videos.
THE REST OF THE STORY
We believe God sent us to India, not only for the crusade and pastors conference, but specifically to connect with Pastor Alexander and Pastor Phillip.
Pastor Phillip contacted me recently and said they were heading back out to the same lake for more baptisms. When I asked how he was going to baptize them, he laughed and said, "Just like you baptized us, in Jesus' name!"
Pastor Alexander also contacted us. He has 24 pastors who are wanting to be taught more about baptism.
At this time, we are scheduled to return to India during the last week of January 2010. This time will be dedicated to teaching pastors and other leaders. We must further instruct them in Apostolic doctrine. They are hungry for truth and are prepared to live it.
Our goal is to set up a Bible school in Hyderabad. Pastor Alexander has been teaching large group of men, every six months, for several years and now he has a greater message to share with them and others.
His lifelong goal has been to start a Bible college where he can train, educate, inspire and ultimately release Holy Ghost filled ministers to take the Gospel to India. I honestly believe we are going to help facilitate that dream!
Our initial contact, Pastor Anthony, often travels internationally for business and ministry. He will be in the U.S. during the month of January. I'm looking forward to introducing him to many friends at BOTT.
