I was born in Chennai (then called Madras), in South India in December 1969.  My father was a Pastor of Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC Chennai and nearby districts) and my mother worked as a teacher in a government-run school, Tiruvannamalai (near Chennai). I have an elder brother and an elder sister who are leading their own lives along with their families. My father served ALC for nearly four decades and was well-known for his walking the extra mile for people in need.  He had his ministry internship at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, US (1970-71) and later taught Christian ministry and Pastoralia at the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary, Madurai (1982-85). Alongside his pastoral calling, with deep personal interest, he ministered to the gypsies (Narikuravars/Vagiris) in Tiruvannamalai and nearby districts for over three decades.

My mother came from the mainline Church of South India background, from Bangalore, but knew God just in her mind and neither led a life of regular prayer nor was hospitable to the congregation.  Mother suffered from complex emotional breakdowns, hated my father and us, children.  She was ruthlessly judgmental, and used to humiliate us to any level in order to ensure that we were no “problem kids!” At school, though teachers were generally talented, the educational system was arcane, with a third-class syllabus, that neither inspired you nor was promising to take you anywhere up in life.

With this backdrop, my childhood prayers were not for my own development or my future, but for peace and quietness at home. In April 1980, as a school boy, I attended a massive open-air evangelistic meeting in Cuddalore, South India held by renowned non-denominational healing preacher, Brother Dhinakaran.  I deeply felt that I needed a Savior for my troubled home and a redeemer of my soul. I confessed my sins to the Lord Jesus and surrendered my life.  I got a reassuring feeling that God heard my prayers.  I felt a newness in my heart and a surge of courage to live differently than other boys in School.  With the encouragement of my father, I began reading the Bible and Christian books and magazines. I came to believe that God saved me by His grace and through creating in me a living faith. I came to know that I am saved not BY works but FOR works of faith as His witness in a fallen world.  As per church’s teaching, I began confessing with meaning the Apostolic creed of faith, every Sunday.  An elder friend of my father – Brother Darling Samuel took personal interest in me and led me to a deeper understanding of the Bible, by hours of conversations.  Another friend of my father (Brother Augustine Joseph), counseled me on how to deal with temptations and youthful sins and prayed for me that I will ever have a closer walk with the Lord, in holiness.  

As college life began, I continued my regular study of the Bible and prayers in solitude of my hostel room.  I found God strengthening me through His promises in the Bible.  I found the love of the Heavenly Father, who called me from darkness to light.  I found God’s grace in Christ Jesus who has been interceding for me, being seated at the right hand of the heavenly Father.   I found the joy of Salvation through the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit, by attending spiritual conventions as and when possible.  I began to share about my faith life to fellow students at the chapel and at student bible study groups, small fellowships, and later in churches.  I began writing articles in local church bulletins.  

In Oct 1999, God led me to marry a God-fearing young woman Sharmilee, from Andhra Pradesh.  She was greatly guided by her mother in knowing the Lord intimately and to worship Him by her personal devotions and prayers. Sharmilee has been greatly helpful in my humble ministry engagements, for over two decades, while I have been in secular jobs in the development sector and of late, had served in a regional institute of the United Nations.

I am sharing this testimony to encourage people who question God’s ways in their lives.  Look beyond your depressing circumstances for a better tomorrow, as the Good Shepherd can lead you from shame to glory.  Irrespective of your family or religious background if you surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, by confessing your sins and turning away from them, you can see His faithfulness in forgiving you and granting His gift of Salvation, where life will assume fuller meaning. Your journey of faith will be purpose-driven with the enabling grace of God, liberating truth of the Bible and the leading of the Holy spirit. May God bless you to taste and see in life, that He is good!