Building on Ministry

If you cannot see the PhotoShow, please make sure you have JavaScript enabled and that you have the latest free Macromedia Flash plug-in. Click here for the free plug-in.

---

Text from this PhotoShow:

Pastor Rishi Manaat's congregation used to meet on the front porch of his house and then in a thatched roof hut with no walls. Today, they worship in a small church building provided by believers around the world.
These Sunday services are a time of great celebration for Pastor Manaat and the members of his congregation. They spend more than an hour singing, praising and worshiping Jesus.
They pour out their hearts in worship, sharing both their burdens and their joys with the Lord.
In this church, prayer is not just a way to begin and end the service. These believers spend a significant amount of time bringing their petitions before God.
The believers soak in the Word of God as Pastor Manaat preaches the sermon. Most of these believers are first-generation Christians. They look forward to learning new ways to become more like Jesus and reach those around them.
Pastor Manaat and his wife, Gitika, often spend hours after each service praying for the people and lifting their needs to the Lord. The people seek prayers for their health, finances and family problems.
The church building is also full of activity during the week. Gitika can often be found ministering to women who come to the church to talk to her.
The building also provides a sanctuary for believers to come for prayer. It is common for members to spend extended periods of time-even several days-at the church praying for healing or other problems.
Thanks to Pastor Manaat's ministry, the number of believers in this area is multiplying rapidly. The congregation is already outgrowing its church building, which was designed to accommodate 125 people.
Pastor Manaat and Gitika are facing an old, familiar problem-their worship space is overcrowded. Pastor Manaat is praying now for the resources to expand the church building.
It is easy to see the eternal returns that this small church building has produced. There are hundreds of villages waiting to receive a church building, and dozens of others who need to expand their existing facilities.
posted 03/13/2007