Participants:
Series Code: JFAN
Program Code: JFAN000079S
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00:01 (deep, spiritual music)
00:21 - Hello and welcome to Jesus For Asia Now. 00:24 I'm Natalie Wood and my friend Israel is here with me today. 00:27 He's our director in India and he's here to share 00:30 about the exciting television ministry 00:32 that God has started there. 00:34 Welcome to the show, Israel. 00:35 - Thank you so much, I'm so happy that God brought me here. 00:38 - So, Israel, I know we have a lot of details about 00:42 how the ministry started and what they actually do, 00:45 but first, let's hear one of the stories. 00:47 - Yes. 00:48 By the grace of God, 00:49 God is really doing a lot of miracles everyday 00:54 through this TV program. 00:56 And I'm really happy to share what God is doing 01:00 through this TV program. 01:03 You can see on the slide. 01:06 You know, this is a family 01:08 which was going to a Sunday-worshiping church. 01:11 They were going and they were going nearly about 30 years 01:16 to this church. 01:17 And they have a prayer, Wednesdays, 01:21 there is a small prayer in their house every Wednesdays, 01:25 every week. 01:26 So, this couple, 01:30 the husband is working in a government office 01:33 and she's a housewife. 01:35 They are really well-to-do family, educated people. 01:39 And whenever these people come for the Wednesday's meeting, 01:43 she would prepare food for them 01:46 so that they can eat and then go, you know, happily. 01:50 And this family was also a great support for the church. 01:54 So the pastor was depending on them 01:57 for, you know, everything. 01:59 And they don't have children, actually. 02:03 This family, particularly, was a great support 02:06 to that church. 02:07 And one day, she happened to see the TV show 02:13 and she was really touched by the message she heard. 02:16 And she saw the number rolling down in that show. 02:22 She called up to the number for prayer, 02:24 because she was not doing well, health-wise. 02:27 She was not feeling well. 02:29 So, she called up to this number 02:31 and asked the people who answered her to pray for her. 02:36 And that is how it started. 02:38 And the person, the prayer warrior, 02:41 the people who answer the phone, 02:44 they took down her number, 02:45 they started talking to her everyday. 02:48 They became very close friends. 02:51 And they started to give bible studies. 02:54 And this lady was really amazed to hear all these messages 02:59 because, even though she is going to a Christian church, 03:02 she has never heard these messages 03:05 about the true sabbath, about the 10 commandments 03:09 and about all those things in the bible. 03:12 Because these ladies who called her, 03:15 they were telling everything from the bible, 03:18 with the bible verses. 03:20 So she was really impressed. 03:21 And she said, oh I am really touched. 03:25 So what all doubt she had 03:28 from, you know, hearing from these ladies, 03:31 the prayer warriors, 03:32 she wrote it down and asked her pastor, you know, 03:36 why you didn't teach me these things? 03:39 All these, why? 03:40 The pastor was really upset. 03:43 From where did you learn this? 03:44 Who taught you this? 03:47 And she said, I saw a TV program. 03:50 I called them, they are giving me bible studies. 03:54 And I've been attending your church thus far 03:56 and you have never taught me all these things 'til now. 04:00 He was really very, very upset. 04:02 He said, you don't follow any anti-Christ. 04:06 They all are deceiving you. 04:09 So do not hear them, do not. 04:12 But she said, they are quoting from the bible. 04:14 The same bible I'm holding. 04:16 It cannot be false. - Anti-Christ, yeah. 04:19 - And she got this doubt because 04:22 whatever question she asked the pastor, 04:25 the pastor was not able to answer. 04:28 All his answer was anger. 04:30 All his answer was anti-Christ. 04:33 He could not prove or he could not defend 04:36 the questions she had. 04:38 And so, she told these ladies, you know, who prayed for her 04:42 and she said, coming Wednesday is my birthday. 04:47 So, since I have accepted this truth, I'm really impressed 04:51 and me and my husband, 04:53 we are really impressed by this truth. 04:55 So we know that seventh day is the sabbath day now. 05:02 Even if our pastor accepts or doesn't accept, 05:05 but we are accepting this truth. 05:07 So we want to be children of God. 05:11 And follow the true sabbath day. 05:13 And then we connected the local JFA bible worker, 05:18 Pastor Doreraj, who was a former 05:22 Chennai Metrosection President of Seventh-Day Adventist. 05:25 After his retirement, he became our JFA worker. 05:29 And he's still working for the Lord in that area. 05:33 These ladies, they connected Pastor Doreraj with this lady. 05:38 So he started going to their house 05:41 and giving more bible studies and more praying. 05:44 When she's not feeling well, 05:45 she would call Pastor Doreraj, not their pastor, 05:49 to come and pray for them - Pray for her, wow. 05:51 - So, he would go with his wife and pray and console 05:55 and give bible study and then he would come back. 05:58 So these people were really impressed. 06:01 These people are not only telling us the truth, 06:05 but they're also showing it in action. 06:08 The love they show. 06:10 You know, how gracious it is for this old man 06:14 to come down here any time we call. 06:16 He's coming and praying for us. 06:18 It really touched their heart. 06:20 And she said, coming Wednesday is my birthday, 06:23 so you please come. 06:24 I'm also inviting the other church pastor, 06:28 which was our church. 06:30 I'm also calling those members that day. 06:33 So, you please come and share what you have taught me 06:37 to this group. - Oh wow. 06:41 - One of the prayer warrior is my mother. 06:44 And another lady from our local church. 06:47 As a team, they both came from Chennai. 06:50 They bought the cake, they bought the sari 06:52 and they brought everything. 06:53 They came, they traveled in the train. 06:56 The next day they went to this lady's house. 06:59 And the evening, everything was set 07:01 and church members started coming. 07:05 Then they requested the church pastor, 07:09 which was our previous pastor, to pray for them. 07:13 He prayed and then they asked 07:15 our prayer warriors to sing a song. 07:18 So, they started singing a song 07:21 which talks about speaking in tongues. 07:25 It is a song but all the verses from the bible, 07:30 comes as a song. 07:31 So they sang that song. 07:33 Because these people, as he was praying, 07:35 that pastor, Sunday-worshiping pastor, 07:37 they were speaking in tongues. 07:39 So they had the privilege to sing that song. 07:41 And then this lady stood up, her name is Mary. 07:45 She stood up and she said, 07:47 sisters, why can't you say something form the bible. 07:51 And immediately, the pastor, because the songs they sang 07:55 was really hurting him. 07:58 So he said no more. 08:00 No, I'm not here to listen to them preach. 08:03 I'm going and if you want to follow this anti-Christ group, 08:09 you follow them. 08:11 And Mary's husband, Antony, he stood up 08:15 and he said, pastor why are you talking like this? 08:19 These people have come all the way from Chennai 08:21 for my wife's birthday. 08:24 You cannot talk like this, they will be here. 08:28 And the pastor, he could not deny, so he just kept quiet. 08:32 And Pastor Doreraj started giving the message. 08:35 As he was going through the message, 08:38 this pastor stood up, 08:39 and he said we are no more going to sit here. 08:43 And you people are going into hell 08:46 if you believe these Seventh-Day Adventist people. 08:49 - Wow. 08:50 - And this man, Antony, stood up and he said, 08:53 you cannot speak like this. 08:56 It is my house. 08:58 And then this pastor said, all these 30 years, 09:01 I have been serving them, I've been taking care of them 09:04 and all of a sudden you have come here 09:06 and you spoil the family now 09:08 and spoil the relationship with me 09:10 and those family members had. 09:13 So, you people just get out from this house. 09:18 This Antony, the owner of the house, he stood up and he said 09:22 no, they are not going out of my house. 09:25 You are going out of my house. 09:27 - Ooh. 09:30 - So this pastor cursed them 09:33 and all the members, they cursed and they went. 09:38 And these people, they had a little fear, 09:41 oh, they have cursed, will something happen to us? 09:44 But our pastors and our prayer warriors, 09:47 they prayed for them. 09:48 They celebrated the-- 09:50 They had the cake cutting, you know. 09:53 They enjoyed and this family was so happy. 09:57 Now, by the grace of God, the two couple, 10:02 they took baptisms. 10:03 - [Natalie] Aw, how wonderful. - Yes. 10:06 - Wow. 10:07 Well, that is an amazing story, Israel. 10:08 - Yes. 10:10 - So how did this ministry get started, this TV ministry? 10:14 Because we didn't have this before. 10:16 And then suddenly we have a TV ministry now. 10:18 So, how did it get started? 10:22 - I was invited to preach in a TV program, 10:26 Seventh-Day Adventist TV program. 10:28 They asked me to give a message. 10:31 I went, I gave the message. 10:34 After the message, I was sitting in the lobby, small area. 10:38 Where the phone was there. 10:41 As I was sitting there, the phone was ringing. 10:44 I answered the phone. 10:46 And there was a lady from Sri Lanka. 10:50 She called me and I answered and she said, 10:53 oh brother, your message was so nice. 10:58 I was really touched by your message. 11:00 Thank you so much, she said. 11:02 - Wow. - I was really impressed. 11:06 God really spoke to me. 11:08 If one message would touch one soul 11:12 and that too, from another country, 11:15 how much it's going to really be a blessing 11:18 to many thousands of people? 11:21 That is when I was really praying to the Lord, 11:24 Lord, you're really inspiring this thing in my heart. 11:29 So I shared with Jon Wood. 11:32 After a lot of prayer, 11:34 God helped us to start this TV program 11:37 and this TV program has been a great blessing 11:40 to thousands of people in India. 11:44 - Wow. 11:45 Wow, that is amazing. 11:46 - Yes, amazing (laughs). 11:49 - So, I know we have pictures of some of our workers there. 11:53 So, would you introduce them to us, please. 11:55 - [Israel] Yes. 11:56 Mr John Wesly is the editor now. 11:59 And we have Selvin, Mr Selvin, 12:02 who's a cameraman helping John. 12:05 And we have two women who are prayer warriors. 12:12 And these two people alone are giving 340 bible studies 12:18 through the TV program. 12:21 And they start from morning, sometimes 3:30, four, five, 12:28 they don't see the time. 12:29 When the phone rings, they answer. 12:31 - Wow. 12:32 - And it goes 'til midnight. 12:35 Keep on calling, they're enjoying. 12:40 They do their work at home, 12:42 but still they'll be talking to someone on the phone, 12:45 giving bible studies. 12:47 And their itinerary is very busy now. 12:50 And they don't have time at all, 12:53 especially my mother. 12:55 She never goes to any kind of party 12:58 or any kind of festival or function, 13:01 because she doesn't have time for those. 13:03 When time comes, all she remembers is to see the diary 13:07 and the timing and the phone number she would call 13:10 and she would give them bible study. 13:12 And there was a particular man who called in the morning, 13:15 a young boy, he called my mother for prayer. 13:22 This is the young man, who is tall, 13:23 standing there in the middle. 13:25 He's the one who called my mother in the, really, 13:29 early in the morning. 13:30 He called my mother and he said, 13:34 I'm going to die. 13:38 And she was really shocked. 13:40 Why? 13:41 I lost everything in my life. 13:44 I do not have anything now. 13:47 My wife left me, my job is any more, I'm just-- 13:54 Everything is gone. 13:56 So what is the use of me in the world? 13:59 Why should I live in this world? 14:02 I want to kill myself. 14:04 And that is when he had seen this TV program 14:08 the previous day, in the evening, 14:11 and he saw and called my mother in the morning. 14:17 In that message, he heard, you have a new beginning. 14:23 You have a new beginning. 14:24 God loves you. 14:26 Exactly, he was watching, he could hear that word 14:30 from the TV. 14:32 You have a new beginning. - New beginning. 14:35 - That really touched him. 14:37 And he called to this number 14:39 and he said, I was about to die, but this new beginning 14:43 gave me hope and I'm calling you now. 14:47 And that is how they started to have this conversation 14:52 and the friendship built 14:53 and she started calling him everyday. 14:55 He's available only in the morning, early morning, 14:59 because he was in a great depression. 15:02 He was in a very great depression. 15:04 Everything he lost, you know. 15:06 He gave up everything. 15:09 So he said you can call me in the morning. 15:12 So she used to call him every morning 15:14 and give him bible study. 15:16 And then she connected with Pastor Doreraj. 15:19 He started going and visiting his house. 15:22 And the most important thing about this 15:25 Jesus For Asia TV program is 15:29 when we get a call, 15:30 not only praying for them, not only giving bible study, 15:34 we would go personally meet them. 15:38 And see their house and pray for them. 15:41 Which really builds that kind of confidence. 15:44 Oh, those people are not simply saying. 15:47 You know, they show it in practice. 15:51 That really brings that kind of confidence to them. 15:54 Oh yeah, whatever they say, it's true. 15:56 - Right, and connecting with the local bible worker. 15:59 You know, somebody that lives near them. 16:01 - Exactly. 16:02 And I praise the Lord for Pastor Doreraj 16:05 because he is a very active man. 16:08 Whenever there's a call, he goes 16:10 and when people, when the prayer warriors 16:12 connect him with a new family, 16:14 he goes and prays and, you know, comforts. 16:18 And now, this young boy, 16:21 who was supposed to be dead long ago, 16:24 is still living. 16:25 And he is going to be baptized. 16:28 - Oh. 16:28 Praise the lord. 16:30 - That is so wonderful. - Amazing. 16:32 Yes. - So wonderful. 16:33 - Yes, the way God is leading this TV program, 16:37 it's a mighty, miraculous thing. 16:40 - [Natalie] Right, right, so the prayer warriors, 16:43 your mother who's in the first picture. 16:45 - [Israel] Yes and then Mrs kamala. 16:48 She's also a very prayerful lady. 16:52 Lot of talent, God has given her. 16:54 - [Natalie] Wow. 16:55 - And this is a family 16:57 which was really calling us everyday. 17:02 Calling the prayer warriors and asking for prayer. 17:06 When they went, they went and visited, they were so happy. 17:10 They really felt so happy. 17:13 They never expected that they would come. 17:15 When they saw them personally, they were so amazed to see. 17:19 - Wow. 17:20 Well, praise the Lord. 17:21 That's so awesome that we have people 17:23 on the team. - Yes. 17:25 - That have the love of Christ like that. 17:27 - [Israel] Exactly. 17:28 - Connecting them with people that really care about them. 17:32 And show the love of Jesus. 17:33 - Yes. - So awesome. 17:35 - Yah (laughs softly). 17:36 - So, Israel, how do you record these programs? 17:39 - We are recording right now in the local church. 17:43 It's a small church. 17:45 And during the Saturdays and Fridays, 17:48 they have their own worship. 17:50 And during the day time, weekdays, we do the recording. 17:54 And it's a very simple, you know, studio. 18:00 Very simple studio. 18:02 They come, they put the green screen and they set the camera 18:06 and the church is now converted to a recording studio. 18:11 - Move the pews out of the way a little bit 18:13 and the pulpit out of the way a little bit. 18:14 - Exactly. 18:15 And bring the table and the chair 18:17 and we start the recording. 18:20 But even though it's a very small and very simple studio, 18:26 but God is doing mighty things. 18:27 - Yes. 18:28 - And there are witnesses saying that 18:31 we see so many things happening 18:33 through this JFA TV ministry 18:36 than what a big studio can do. 18:40 The relationship, the bible studies. 18:42 - They're seeing the simplicity. 18:43 - Yes. 18:44 The number of bible studies. 18:46 The number of baptisms we have got. 18:49 It's an amazing. 18:50 - So, you've been recording in the church, 18:53 but then we saw the need for a studio. 18:55 And so, we started praying. 18:56 - Yes. 18:58 - And the Lord has built the studio. 19:00 - Yes, by the grace of God. 19:02 You know, when we were not able to record most programs 19:07 and we started really praying, you know, as a church, 19:12 group of church members and JFA workers. 19:15 We got together. 19:16 We prayed, oh Lord, please help us somehow 19:19 to have a studio above the church, in the second floor. 19:24 And, by the grace of God, God has really helped us. 19:26 Answered the prayers. 19:28 And the building is in process now. 19:32 And the most important thing was, 19:34 we were just planning to have a new studio building, 19:39 but through the TV program, 19:41 now we've got a new church. 19:43 A new English church. 19:45 - Okay, so you have people that speak mostly English? 19:48 - [Israel] Right. 19:48 - Wow. 19:50 - And they do also speak in Tamil 19:52 but they are more comfortable in English 19:54 because the area the church is located, 19:57 nearby there are English-speaking people. 20:01 So, you know, now God has blessed us with an English church. 20:06 And I thank the Lord, when we ask for a small thing, 20:10 God multiplies. 20:12 - [Natalie] Right. 20:13 - And he's a mighty God. 20:15 I've really seen that through this construction, you know. 20:19 And now, the building is in the process of getting over. 20:24 I pray that God will help us to complete the building. 20:27 And it's a great blessing. 20:29 And right now we have the English church 20:31 in the church where we have, 20:35 you know, first floor. 20:36 Morning, we have the Tamil church. 20:38 Evening at four, we have this English church. 20:41 All young people are coming. - Wow. 20:43 - They are the part of the English church now. 20:45 - Awesome. - Yeah (laughs softly). 20:47 - I know you've recently started also publishing a magazine. 20:50 - Yes, yes. 20:52 Because so much thing is happening. 20:54 It is a request from the public. 20:58 They said, you know, 21:00 there are so many bible workers, 21:03 because throughout the division now, 21:05 the Southern-Asia division, 21:07 Jesus For Asia ministries have got 21:10 second large number of bible workers. 21:13 Next to the Gospel Outreach. 21:15 So, they were saying, you know, lot of things are happening, 21:18 so many testimonies are there. 21:20 Why can't you come up with a magazine? 21:23 So that we can have in our hand. 21:25 And this magazine not only the testimonies, 21:29 we are also printing health messages. 21:32 - Okay. 21:33 - And messages for the youth. 21:36 And there are some articles like a quiz program 21:40 from the bible. 21:42 So if someone wins there, you know, at the end of the year, 21:45 they are going to be getting a gift. 21:49 They encouraging the young people, 21:50 the members of the church, 21:52 to study more the bible. 21:54 - Wow. - Yeah (laughs). 21:56 - [Natalie] Wow, praise the Lord. 21:57 It's a very nice-looking magazine, we have a photo of it. 22:00 - [Israel] Praise the Lord. 22:02 - Wow. 22:03 Well, you're doing quite a bit 22:04 and I know we have a little video 22:06 that we can share with people 22:08 so we'll go ahead and play that at this time. 22:10 - Please, yes. 22:12 (soft music) 22:22 (foreign language) 22:35 (phone ringing) 22:37 - Hello? 22:37 (foreign language) 22:40 - When she gets a call, 22:41 this is a rough note, she'll write it on this notebook 22:45 and once after writing it, she'll put it on this notebook. 22:51 This is the date, time, when they've called, 22:54 the person, the phone number, from where they've called 22:59 and what is the request. 23:02 - We've just traveled across 23:04 the Northern half of the state of Tamil Nadu. 23:07 And what's amazing to me 23:09 is that almost every single church we go into, 23:11 especially on sabbath, 23:13 somebody's there because of the television ministry. 23:17 They heard about the sabbath 23:19 through the television ministry. 23:20 They heard about God through the television ministry. 23:23 And so, it's been a real eye-opener to me 23:27 to see how effective this ministry has become. 23:31 Through this program, 23:33 God has given this beautiful whole family. 23:37 Today, the head of this house, he took baptism. 23:41 People came and asked her, what is happening? 23:43 We can see a lot of changes in your family. 23:46 Changes in your physical health. 23:48 Your husband has given up drinking, 23:51 he has given up smoking, chewing tobacco. 23:54 What is happening? 23:55 And she said, I have accepted the true Jesus Christ 23:59 as my personal savior. 24:01 He is leading us, he is giving us this strength. 24:04 These people started asking her, 24:06 would you please give us the number 24:08 where you're calling and asking for prayer. 24:11 We too want them to pray for us 24:14 because we are also in problem. 24:16 And there were so many ladies who called us 24:18 and we prayed for her through this family. 24:21 (soft music) 24:22 - [Israel] So these people have taken baptism. 24:25 They are going to church, are in churches now. 24:28 - And so, I'm more convinced that this is really the way 24:31 that we need to go. 24:33 And I just wanna encourage you to be a part of this ministry 24:37 that brings souls into the truth. 24:40 It goes into their living room, on their television. 24:43 It's something that comes in and gives them hope. 24:46 And it changes their lives for the better. 24:49 And it's so exciting to be part of this. 24:51 Please, remember this ministry in your prayers. 24:54 Cause it's making a huge impact. 24:56 (deep, dramatic music) 25:11 - It's amazing to see. 25:13 I mean, it's so much fun to see when lives are changed 25:17 and God is amazing. 25:18 The variety of ways he wants to work. 25:21 I mean, we never thought, 25:23 when we had the bible worker program so many years ago, 25:25 that then the Lord would lead all these steps that he's led 25:28 to this TV ministry now where the bible workers are also 25:33 tied in so closely with that 25:34 and going and witnessing to people. 25:36 - [Israel] Exactly. 25:37 - It's so wonderful. - Yes. 25:39 - God is so amazing. 25:40 - Amazingly leading. 25:41 Yes, you're right. 25:44 - Well I know, Israel, that there's some more needs. 25:47 So what is the future vision 25:49 or what is the thing we need to pray for next? 25:53 - We are praying that God will give us 25:56 a 24/7 channel. 25:59 Because, again, like I mentioned, 26:04 that one lady who was touched by that one message 26:07 and just be two slots, there are 340 bible studies. 26:14 And more bible studies with the bible workers, 26:18 what can God do with a 24/7 channel? 26:22 So we are praying that God will give us our channel 26:25 so that we can have these programs. 26:27 You know, varieties so that we can reach 26:30 the unreached as soon as possible. 26:32 - Mm-mhm. 26:34 And I know that you've set up or you've started setting up 26:36 a streaming channel. 26:37 - Right. 26:38 - So that's the first step? 26:40 - Yes. 26:41 - And then, we'll hopefully have enough production 26:42 that when the Lord makes the full-time channel available, 26:45 we'll have enough. 26:46 - Exactly, yes. - Wow, amazing. 26:48 - Now we are praying for that. 26:50 God will open a way (laughs). 26:51 - Yes, yes. 26:53 Well, he definitely has a vision 26:56 and he definitely wants to open the doors 26:58 to reach people's hearts. 26:59 - Praise the Lord. - Because it's obvious. 27:01 He's done it so many times through this program. 27:03 - Amen, amen. 27:04 - Wow. 27:06 Thank you so much for sharing this amazing program 27:08 with us today, Israel. 27:09 - You are welcome. 27:10 - We're so glad you've been here. 27:11 - Yes praise the Lord - To visit. 27:13 It's such a powerful ministry 27:15 and it's so wonderful to hear the stories 27:17 and see the pictures 27:19 and to have you here visiting. 27:20 - Praise the Lord, yes. 27:22 - God is so good. 27:23 - Amazing, we have a mighty God. 27:25 - Amen. 27:26 And I would like to invite you 27:27 to be involved in this powerful, powerful ministry. 27:31 You know, it only costs about $2,000 per month 27:34 for all the broadcasting, all the production. 27:37 For the telephone bills, 27:39 for the prayer warriors 27:40 that are doing all these bible studies. 27:42 Isn't that amazing? 27:44 If you'd like to be involved, 27:45 you can contact us at Jesus For Asia, P O box 1221, 27:50 Collegedale, Tennessee 37315. 27:54 Call us at 423 413 7321. 27:58 Or visit our website at jesus4asia.org. 28:02 May God richly bless you until we see you next time 28:05 on Jesus For Asia Now. 28:07 (deep, spiritual music) |
Revised 2020-01-07