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God Moving In Pakistan - Wesley Paul
October 16, 2004
20,000 attended the Sialkot Convention, more than 700 1st time decisions
With great joy I am reporting from India about the recent mission to Pakistan. Over 20,000 attended the 7- day Sialkot Convention. I had the privilege of preaching 6 times at the convention. The largest crowd was on the last night with about 12 to 15,000 were in attendance. I was given the honor of speaking to this large crowd. It was awesome! The message was received with great joy. Over 700 first time decisions were made for Christ and several thousands made recommitment decisions.
50 Pastors and Evangelists attend daily seminars
For three days I had the marvellous privilege of speaking to the pastors and evangelists. Oh, what a joy that was! They soaked up the teaching like a sponge. The coordinators of the seminar have requested me to return again to teach the pastors. The church in Pakistan not only needs trained leaders, but also those who are concerned for souls and have a passion to reach them for Jesus Christ.
The Church of Pakistan is made up of Anglicans, Presbyterians, Lutherans and Methodists. In 1904 John Hyde started the Sialkot Convention. Even though they come together for a convention in a mass fashion, their love and passion for God has waned thin and some of the clergy appear to have lost their passion for ministry and therefore their effectiveness. Many of the parishioners claim to be Christian but really don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. Christianity has become a tradition and many find themselves as nominal Christians. Some of these have been the ones who have been making decisions for Christ at the Convention.
The Bishop of Sialkot, Samuel Pervez and Bishop Azar of Middle East both have extended their invitations to return in 2005. God has given me great favour with these leaders and opened many doors to preach the gospel. I know this could not be if were not for your prayers. I thank you all for keeping me in your prayers.
My hosts Salar and Joyce Qaiser have been great hosts. They made sure I didn’t have any want or need. They were gracious and very hospitable. I was fed well, clothed (remeber my luggage didn't make it...my host bought me some clothes, I also borrowed some clothes from their son Hebroon who wore my size). I was given a car and security guard, armed with a machine gun. During my visit, I was also introduced to Tariq Qaiser, a prominent man in the nation. He served as a Member of the National Assembly (Congressman) in the Pakistan national government for more than 20 years. About 15 years ago a “fatwah” was put upon his life (price on his head). It meant any muslim could kill him for blaspheme. What did he doto deserve it? During a session at the congress, before his address he boldly declared, “In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost….” He imitated many of his Muslim colleagues who invoked the name of Mohammed. But in his case he was accused of blaspheme because he called Jesus a Son of God (to them Jesus is only a prophet). Tariq had to go into hiding in his country and then to the US.
Though the government offered security for him, he was not secure. A few years ago, a muslim fanatic pulled out his AK 47 and fired at him, his body guard stepped in the path of the bullets and died instantly. The terrorist pumped a round of 15 bullets into his body. Tariq and his brother got way unscathed. He gives glory to God for the protection. The body guard who took the bullets happened to be a Muslim.
Today his son Haroon serves in the same capacity in the National Assembly. God has been good to this family given them the opportunity to represent the Christian minority in the government. Remember them in your prayers as they fearlessly stand for Christ in a very difficult part of the world.
Your prayers served as the fuel for the fire, indeed the fires of revival touched the hearts of many. Thank you my friends for praying and standing with this ministry.
Bangalore, India
Sunday, October 3rd
I got in my mother’s car and drove 3 and half hours to Mysore to preach in a couple of churches. Earlier in the year we conducted a city-wide festival in this city and I wanted to follow up and strengthen the believers. I preached at Word of Life church, where pastor Joel Ponappa is the pastor. The whole church had fasted and prayed for 24 hours, God moved powerfully as I preached the Word.
Following my ministry there I went to Pastor Mohandass and John Elongovan’s church, Indian Christian Revival Church and preached the Word. Three souls came forward to give their lives to Jesus for the first time. All three of them were from Hindu background and they had been attending a cell group. They came to church because a concerned lady invited them. As we prayed for each of them, one of the new converts, a young lady, began to manifest signs of demonic possession. We spent half an hour after church praying the rebuking the demonic spirit out of her. It was quite a stubborn spirit. The poor lady was thrown to the ground and she was tossed this way and that way. We had to keep her safe and from hurting herself. Finally when she was delivered, her whole body became calm and relaxed. Her face beamed with joy and was totally radiant. The power of God was manifest in her life. It reminded me of the scripture Jesus quoted in John 10th chapter. "The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy, but the Son of man comes to give life, life abundant."
Following that I had lunch and took a 30 minute siesta. Pastor Vital, also my interpreter came to pick me up to speak at a youth meeting. Besides the youth , there were also several adults, most of them came because they had attended the city-wide festival in Janaury. There must have been around 20 adults and teenagers there. I preached about Esther and how God had raised her up to save a nation. I emphasised the point that God has raised up the believers to reach their lost friends and family and save a generation of people, including the nation. When I asked how many would like to receive Christ as their personal savior, 3 adults indicated their decision. All of them were from Hindu background. Two of them happened to be a husband and wife in their 30s. It was marvelous to see them make a decision. They came because a friend brought them to the meeting. Once again we see the power of invitation in this conversion. Several minutes later a mother came for prayer, she too along with her two young boys made a first time decision for Christ. All in all there were 6 souls saved in this small house meeting.
Was it worth driving 3 and half hours to Mysore? Absolutely yes! I saw 9 souls saved and several recommitment their lives to Christ. I also met many who had made decisions during our January meetings. It was truly wonderful to see the fruit of the harvest remain and their lives plugged into a local a church.
My heart feels very grateful and thankful for all the prayers and financial gifts that you have sent my way. It has truly been a great privilege to take the gospel to the camp of the devil and set the captives free. Together we have made a difference in the lives of many in Pakistan and India. Praise be to God!
Set the Captives Free!
Wesley Paul
wesleypaul1@hotmail.com
Location: Sialkot, Pakistan
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