Fresh Fire In India - Nearly 20,00 Receive Jesus First Night
June 2, 2004
NEARLY 20,000 RECEIVE JESUS FIRST NIGHT
India
May 5 - 20, 2004
Report #1—Submitted by Ken Greter
Notation: FFM-Fresh Fire Ministries
Look and see what the Lord has done in just three days!!
* Over 120,000 in attendance in three nights
* 300 pastors from the local village participating
* Between 58-60,000 make decisions for Christ
* Thousands receive Baptism in the Holy Spirit
* 16 year old boy stricken with Polio and constant seizures walks
* Tumours on legs, backs and breasts disappear
* 3 blind eyes open just in night
* Dozens of deaf and mute hear
TEAM ARRIVES
A team of 37, from US and Canada including a number of FFM staff, were spiritually armed and ready to fulfill Matt. 10: 7-8 in Podili, Andhra Pradesh, India. Amidst the sweltering heat in this region at this time of the year (peaking 100 F at times) and the long journey across the miles, a sense of anticipation in everyone's heart regarding the reaping of a massive harvest in India. Originally, FFM was scheduled to host a Jesus Festival in the city of Ongole, but because of the Indian elections taking place we had to reroute to host smaller cities-Podili and Medara Metla.
BUSSED IN FROM NUMEROUS VILLAGES
The people came to the crusade from everywhere, and in all kinds of transportation vehicles. Over two hundred busses and or grain trucks containing 100 people per vehicle escorted these precious people to the crusade grounds. Others came in Rickshaws, some on motorcycles, other on foot, still others wagons pulled on tractors. We even had some come from via carts pulled by Ox. The people of India are steeped in the Hindu religion, worshipping as many 3 million gods. Among some of the gods are the monkey god, the cow god, the elephant god and a host of others—you name it they have it. Yet, their hearts seem to be longing for spiritual reality. According to Psalms, the people of the land become like the god they worship—lifeless, robotical with no hope or peace.
TODD BENTLEY INVITES MUSLIMS, HINDUS AND HEATHEN.
On the first night Evangelist Todd Bentley welcomed anyone and everyone, no matter what religious background to the Jesus Festival held over the next three nights. He challenged the audience of approximately 20-30,000 people to follow after the one true God of the universe—His Name is Jesus Christ—and to abandon all the other false gods. The message the Evangelist brought forth was regarding his own personal testimony of how God saved and delivered them, after living a life of drugs and alcohol addiction, eventually leading into prison time. “If God can do it for me He can do it for you,” Todd boldly declared over the loud PA system. To further demonstrate that Jesus is alive, Todd brought a challenge to the people, “Bring me the deaf and dumb and I guarantee the Lord will heal at least five.” The deaf came. They were prayed for, and to God to be the glory, they were healed. Hallelujah! Jesus reigns over INDIA.
NEARLY 20,000 RECEIVE JESUS FIRST NIGHT
The altar call was given and to everyone's surprise most of the hands went up, indicating a desire to follow Jesus. Just to make sure that they truly understood the decision they are making, Todd clarified the altar call invitation, indicating Jesus Christ alone is to be worshipped and no other gods. Never before had FFM recorded this many salvations in a single night. The harvest is truly ripe, but the labourers are few, and India is most assuredly for the harvest. Come on, North American Evangelists—thrust in the sickle and reap a mighty end time harvest among one billion adherents in India,while the doors still remain open.
MEDICAL DOCTOR ACCOMPANIES FFM TO AUTHENTICATE MIRACLES
Doctor Rod Thompson, a medical doctor from the Pacific North West in USA, was able join on this India trip, and was ready and willing to check and document the testimonies regarding the ‘sureness' of the miracles. If this procedure does not convince the sceptic, nothing will. Again and again, after checking the miracles and signs and wonders that took place nightly, the doctor verified Jesus Christ still heals today.
MEDICAL CLINICS SET UP IN STRATEGIC AREAS
Special clinics are being set up at the Crusade site, where approximately 10 FFM team members are assisting Dr. Thompson with free medical care and supplies. FFM purchased approximately 18000 US dollars worth medical equipment (for a substantial discount) in order to bless the poor people in India. Nearly 60 people were prayed for and medically treated during the first outing. Scriptures throughout the old and the new testaments emphasize ministering to the poor in spirit, soul and body. Thank you FFM partners. Your contributions are truly making a difference among the people of India!!!
Report #2-Submitted by Ken Greter
Over 139,200 decisions for Christ!!
FFM Reports Record Harvest in India!!
* Nearly a quarter of a million attend the Jesus Festival held over 6 nights
* Over 170 deaf and/or mute miraculously healed
* Tens of thousands receive Baptism of the Holy Spirit
* Large golf-size lump on lady’s throat instantly disappears
* Boy’s twisted arm becomes straight
* Lady deaf for over 40 years receives hearing
* Numerous cancers and growths healed
* Dozens of blind receive sight
* Even a number of crippled walk
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Can you imagine more souls coming into the Kingdom of God over 6 nights of crusade meetings than the entire population of Todd Bentley’s home city-Abbotsford. With this Colossal harvest, one immediately questions, “But what about the follow up?” Thanks to James Rebbavarapu and his tireless 30+ staff members, hundreds of participating pastors began an immediate follow up program, according to each village represented. Between 170-180 transportation vehicles went into villages nearly having as many as 100 people per vehicle. One pastor was assigned to one vehicle, and was responsible to ensure those riding on his vehicle that became Christians received follow up material and became nurtured in a church and/or home bible study. What an effective strategy from the Lord.
PASTORS GET FED BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY
Approximately 1500 pastors and Christian leaders were registered to attend a 3 day conference, but due to India elections interfering, a number were unable to attend. Still, those who did make the journey, some as far away as 200 kilometers, were treated with free accommodation and food, compliments of the FFM partners. Pastor after pastor came with tears in their eyes, showing their depth of appreciation for being served with a first class meal (chicken, rice and lentils is indeed a rare treat for a village pastor), and for the excellent teaching coming from Todd Bentley, B.B. Rail and Ken Greter. To be sure, these pastors will be going back with a special fire in their soul, excited about evangelizing in their villages, and fulfilling Matt. 10:7, 8.
INDIA ELECTIONS FORCED FFM INTO TWO SMALLER CITIES
FFM was originally slated to hold a Jesus Festival in Ongole, a city of approximately 300,000 located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, South India, where expected crowds of up to 100,000 nightly were anticipated. However, due to the turbulence revolved around the India elections that may well have forced the shutting down of the crusade, our India contacts felt best to host two smaller crusades-one in Podili, about a one hour drive from Ongole and one in Medara Metla, about 45 minutes in another direction from Ongole. What was so amazing about these two cities was the fact that very little Christian witness has ever penetrated these areas. As many as 90% of those who attended the evening crusades were Hindu, or Muslim.
RESPONSE TO ALTAR CALL SURPRISES EVERYONE
Night after night, with bus loads of curious Indians being transported to the crusade grounds from their respective villages, their desire to forsake their 3 million gods and only follow after Jesus was truly an amazement to the approximately 3 dozen FFM team members. Did they truly understand, as Todd gave the altar call? As many as 80-90% of the crowd lifted their hands on any given night to follow Jesus. Over and over again, Evangelist Todd would re-iterate the gravity of the decision, indicating a desire to follow Jesus and to abandon their old religion, only to find the same willing response among the spiritually hungry people of India. Never have we witnessed such a ripe harvest in any other country. The scripture in Matt. 9: 37-38 “The harvest is ripe”, definitely has taken on a new meaning for us after these crusade meetings in India.
SPIRIT OF LEVIATHAN OPPOSES CRUSADE
To add to the adventure of seeing so many make decisions for Christ, was an unanticipated event that took place on the second last night of our second crusade. During the course of the late evening, a vicious cyclone surfaced out of nowhere, causing major damage to the FFM crusade platform and the tent where the pastors meetings were taking place. The speed of the winds literally twisted the steel frame of the stage, and equipment and other paraphernalia was strewn all over the grounds. It seemed to be an apparent victory for the enemy, as the tail of leviathan struck us, obviously unhappy with so many proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ. To our amazement, Pastor James, with his proficient, organizational skills, mobilized his energetic crew of 30+ spiritual troopers and just like a colony of hard-working ants, in no time at all, had the crusade venue and stage looking as good as new. What the enemy intended for evil, God truly turned around for good, as another 30,000 souls were committed to Christ on the final night of the crusade.
A NEAR RIOT TAKES PLACE ON FINAL NIGHT
Night after night, Todd called out words of knowledge over the crowd, promising Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. An unusual amount of people seemed to be receiving instant miracles as Todd began to operate in the gift of faith. Blind were seeing, growths were disappearing, and deaf were hearing-even an aids victim said she felt the power of God shoot through her body like a lightning bolt, claiming she was now healed. As we were nearing the end of the final night, a sense of desperation rose among the many thousands, hoping that hands could be laid on their sick bodies and/or minds. Although over 30 security and police officers were on duty to maintain control and peace of the massive crowds each night, a spirit of frenzy began to break out among those wishing for prayer. Police barricades were broken and the crowd began streaming to the bottom of the crusade platform, begging for prayer. Ladies would throw their babies to the platform, hoping the man of God would touch them. What an amazing sight! People around the platform were packed in like sardines, and began pressing the FFM team, so much so that we had to escort the team back onto the stage, lest they be crushed. As police officers guarded the stairs on either side of the platform, restraining the people from coming up, before long even the metal welding was being torn away by some and angry individuals. After Todd released a mass prayer for healing, Pastor James encouraged the FFM staff to immediately leave the premise grounds, lest anything worse evolves. Reluctantly, we agreed, and as inconspicuous a manner as possible, we headed to our vehicles and pulled away. Oh, the tearing in our hearts at the awareness that the need is so great, and the laborers so few. Lord Jesus, send forth laborers in your fields in India!
POOR VILLAGES RECEIVE FOOD SUPPLIES
Pastor James selected 10 of the poorest villages in the area, (each village containing approximately 100 families per village) to receive free bags of rice and lentils, compliments once again of the FFM partners. These villages represent those from the lowest caste system in India. Within the demonically caste system of India, the people are trapped, believing they will never be able to come out of their state of slavery and poverty, because this is their eternal allotment in life. Thankfully, Jesus has come to set the captives free. No more slavery. Todd promised more humanitarian aid, including food supplies, would be given in 2005 to those remote villages.
MEDICAL DOCTOR VERIFIES MIRACLES
Accompanying us on this trip was Dr. Rod Thompson, a physician from U.S.A., helping to diagnose the conditions among those desiring prayer and also verifying the testimonials of those who claimed healing. A brief report from our doctor states….
In last evening’s crusade, I verified 2 miracles. Neither would be explained by medicines or science. Todd had called out a word of knowledge for a 13-14 year old girl that was blind. A 13 year old girl came up for prayer. I examined her eyes with an ophthalmoscope and found a dense cataract in the left eye. She reported she was totally blind in that eye. After Todd prayed for her, she reported partial sight. I re-examined the eye and to my amazement, the cataract looked like it had broken into several pieces. Medically, this does not make sense, but that is what I observed. I believe God was in the process of breaking up the cataract and restoring her sight.
I also examined a golf ball-sized goiter in a young lady’s neck. Larry, B.B. and I prayed for her. I re-examined the neck mass and it was smaller. We prayed a second time and it was smaller yet. We prayed a third time and it was virtually gone. In less than three minutes, a golf ball-sized thyroid tumor had dissolved. This can only be a miracle.
3 DAYS AND NIGHTS IN COIMBATORE
Following on the heels of a 15 member team from Che Ahn’s ministry in California who had already been ministering in Coimbatore with Dr. Samuel, Todd ministered 2 evenings to a nightly crowd of approximately 10-12,000.
B.B. Rail, Ken Greter and Ray Makula shared at the pastors’ and leaders’ meetings during the morning sessions, and Todd Bentley shared on the theme of “The Kingdom of God” at the second sessions. The final meeting concluded with a time of impartation, and literal Holy Ghost fire fell on the 300+ participants. We definitely experienced another “Upper Room Pentecost” in Coimbatore.
REPORTS FROM FFM TEAM MEMBERS
Martha Crenshaw – age 70; Eugene, OREGON
When I was 17 years old, I went out to the garden every day to pray. There was a wheat field on one side of the garden and the Lord gave me this scripture: “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields for they are whit all ready to harvest”. I looked at the stalks of grain, and they turned into black people who bowed their heads and accepted Jesus as their Savior. I knew it was God calling me to the mission field, but I made a wrong decision and got married instead. When I was 70 years old, I went to Todd Bentley’s crusade to India, May 6-16th. It was amazing that on the first night, I saw the same vision as I had seen when I was 17 years old. As far as I could see there were black people, and Todd gave an altar call after he had prayed for 5 people. All 5 were healed and many were saved that night. I knew that God was calling again to work in the end-time harvest. I just want to be one of the workers, I know that there will be opportunities as God leads, and I do not want to miss God’s plan for me now.
Shannon and Dawn Reece; Colorado Springs, COLORADO
We have seen so many miracles that it is impossible to count them or even remember them all. Virtually every one we are praying for is getting healed. Headaches, ear pain, back pain, chest pain, barreness, kidney problems, stomach problems, bad sight.
* 4 blind eyes opened
* 3 deaf ears opened
* 1 lady had severe back problems and couldn’t bend over. She was totally healed and could touch her toes when we were done.
* 1 lady had a metal rod in her hand and her fingers had been frozen straight. After prayer she could move her fingers and make a fist.
Special thanks to all the team members who accompanied us on this trip to India including Keith Salmonson, who at the feisty “Caleb” age of 82, thoroughly enjoyed laying hands on the sick and casting out devils. Team, you were awesome. Also, Todd and Shonnah express heart-felt thanks to all the FFM partners who represent the back-bone of this ministry, with their monthly prayer and financial support . Your rewards will be great in heaven.
FFM FUTURE IN INDIA
With such huge interest from as many as 15 different cities in India desiring to host a FFM Jesus festival, Todd is praying about launching an international office in Hyderabad, a city of approximately 6 million, located in South India. Also, opportunity is available for the ministry to launch our television program, “Journey in the Miraculous”, in India. The potential viewing audience could reach as many as 1 billion people and will also include countries such as Afghanistan, South Asia, China and Iraq. A couple of crusades are already scheduled for the beginning of March, 2005. Come and change the world with us as we see Matt. 10: 7,8 fulfilled before our eyes.
Location: Podili, Andhra Pradesh, India
Website: http://www.freshfire.ca/
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