The first day we asked for stories about how the first PDC conference has affected their ministry, like we did at Cuttack. Once again the things they shared just floored us, to see how the seeds we planted six months ago have sprung to life! Here are just some of the ways God has used what was taught in the first conference:
- One pastor really connected with the concept of “fishing for men.” It has opened his heart to love people like he never did before. After the conference he started his first small group. It has 10 people (3 families).
- Another pastor shared that he also felt a real love for people like never before. He talked about a child that normally he would have ignored. Instead he got to know this child and even taught them a Christian song. His kindness to this child has now opened the door and he is able to witness to this child’s parents.
- One pastor shared that his eyes were opened to the need for vibrant worship, and that is where he has been putting his focus. He now has a process for welcoming guests that he didn’t have before. He has also focused on applying what we taught to improve his preaching.
- Another pastor has been ministering among the refugee families from Kandhamal who are still in Bhubaneswar. He has been forming small groups among them and teaching them the Purpose Driven Life.
- One pastor shared that the PDC conference challenged him to live among Hindus without compromising his beliefs, to boldly live out his Christian walk and not fear. As a result he has brought 7 people to saving faith in Jesus since the February conference!
- One person who serves primarily as an evangelist shared that in the past he would bring people to Christ, baptize them, and then forget about them. Now he is focusing more on discipleship after they are saved.
- Finally, one pastor shared that when he attended the conference in February he had about 28 people in his church. He applied many things we taught and as a result his church now has 65 people only six months later! In fact he is having to break out the walls of the small house they meet in and expand the rooms size to accommodate the growth!
Needless to say, these stories made our hearts soar! It’s humbling to think that we were a part of God’s work in all these churches!
One of the things that God has really changed in me is the boldness to pray for people on the spot when they come to me with a “pray for me” request. That has not always been my strength, but God has done a work in me that I can’t explain that has made this ministry of prayer more real that it has ever been. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve prayed with on this trip so far. It’s been a bunch. The most recent one today broke my heart and had me in tears. An assistant pastor to a pastor who is attending the conference was just diagnosed with blood cancer. This guy is only 33 years old and has three small children. They are doing another round of tests to confirm. This pastor will go with one other guy to this man’s house as soon as the conference is over to tell him the results of the test. I could feel the pain in this man so greatly that it hit me in a way I can’t explain. I guess the fact that we are facing cancer in my dad just caused his story to hit too close to home.
On an exciting note, after the conference today we got to meet a bunch of the children who are staying at this school. These are children of refugees from Kandhamal. The school isn’t really setup to be a boarding school, but the guy that runs the school has provided shelter to these kids and they are being taught in the school. They are so precious! They all gather together in their school uniforms to greet us, and they sang a song about Zacheus for us (not the one we know in America) complete with many enthusiastic motions!
Tomorrow we finish with this group. The next to last session is on worship, and we have added group prayer and observing communion as part of that session. If Cuttack was any indication, we will have another powerful experience with these brothers tomorrow.
That’s enough for now… need to get some rest before our last big day in Khurda. Thank you all for your prayers and your thoughts for the people here in India!
Blessings to you all!
Pastor Steve
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