SEND! magazine Second Quarter 2006: Created for Others — The Life of a Gospel for Asia Leader
Created for Others — The Life of a Gospel for Asia Leader
"The greatest asset Gospel for Asia has is the quality of our leaders around the world," declares President K.P. Yohannan.
"The significance of any work of God-in terms of value, trustworthiness or integrity—depends exclusively upon the men who are leading it," he comments. "How can you know if a work is authentic? By its leaders."
Simon shared with us in his quiet, humble way about the responsibilities, joys and challenges that fill his life as a Gospel for Asia leader. One theme repeated itself throughout our conversation: "Others."
What is your vision for the region that you're leading? What do you want to see happening through the work?
From the time I decided to serve the Lord, the lostness of people-the millions of people yet to hear the Gospel-has been a great burden on my heart. I just can't ignore the need when I see it around me; I can't sit quietly. I can't close my eyes and say, "I'm comfortable. I have received Jesus and everything is fine." This has been my consuming desire all throughout my service to the Lord.
Another burden is to raise up shepherds who are Christlike and will have a burden for the flock, who will see the need and be absolutely sold out and passionate to lead by listening to the Lord. Because everything ultimately ends in the leadership. If the leader is devoted to Jesus and has a passion for the lost, the group he leads will also. His character will naturally transmit to the people, and they will share his heart.
I want to be a channel to help brothers and sisters come to the level of leadership where the Lord wants them. I am always praying that I will do something significant for the Lord, something that will make an impact on the people around me. Whatever I do, it should produce an impact for the generations to come.
Another burden for me is the importance of the family in ministry. I believe that the family of each of our leaders is the launching pad for success. Strong, godly families make for successful ministry.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a leader?
I have a large workload, so one of the great struggles I have is to keep the work balanced with my spiritual life and my family life, because if these two aren't maintained along with the work, then we will collapse. Jesus' life was very busy, from what I read, but He stayed balanced. God has created us for others. That's how God works.
As a leader, you're continually getting phone calls and other interruptions. How do you deal with that and keep from getting frustrated or angry or stressed out?
It is not easy. But within the past two or three years, I have come to understand that nothing happens to me by accident, that everything that comes in my life has the plan of God in it. I actually learned this through one incident.
One day a brother in Christ came to see me. Despite a physical disability and a heart problem, he has a great zeal to distribute tracts. He is single and lives with some family members. He came to our office and asked to meet with me. So he came in and sat down. I started doing something on my computer and told him, "Please go ahead and talk." But the Lord started speaking to my heart and said, "You listen to him." So I stopped my work and really started listening to him.
"I got up at 3:00 this morning," he said. "I started praying for your ministries, and I prayed for you also." I was shocked.
Then he said, "I went to the railway station at 5:00, because so many people come to the railway station in the early morning, and I distributed 3,000 tracts." And that was another shock for me.
"And now I have come here to get some more tracts, and I just wanted to say that I prayed for you." And he started weeping, and he asked, "Can I pray for you again?" And he prayed for me and wept. Than we gave him some more tracts, he left.
Afterward I thought to myself, "Here is a man who is absolutely sold out. His health is so bad that sometimes he collapses at the railway station, but he is using his last ounces of strength for ministry. Someday this man will die, and I wonder if he will get a good burial."
This was one of the turning points in my life.
How was it a turning point?
And so nowadays, even if my planned schedule is interrupted, I don't get annoyed. Probably God wants me to go slower. Dr. K.P. often reminds us of this verse: "And the servant of the Lord must not strive" (2 Timothy 2:24). It's not that circumstances aren't bad, but he has a peace that transcends his understanding. And I am trying to understand that.
We should always do our best and not be slacking, but if one of my leaders calls me or needs to see me, it will always be an encouragement if I am positive and thankful for the interruption. If I am able to give something that will put joy deep down in their heart, that will make the difference. Philippians 2 has been a great encouragement to me, that Jesus willingly gave up His rights for others.
It's a common saying that leaders tend to be lonely people. Do you find yourself getting lonely?
There are definitely situations where I have to stand alone. When I make a decision based on the overall perspective, some brothers and sisters may misunderstand me, and I may not be able to explain my reasons to them. These kinds of times come quite often.
Also, I am often the one to correct people. Yet even if it is just about one wrong thing they have done and there are 99 other things they have done right, they will evaluate themselves based on the one correction I must make and will feel hurt. I know human beings are very fragile.
But God will always stand with me, even in those situations. If I am discouraged, God will send me encouragement through a phone call or a visit. It's like when the sun shines a thin ray of light through a small hole, and I am assured that God is with me.
I have gone through very difficult situations in my life, and I have been misunderstood. This is natural, because I am a shepherd. But we should not give up. Jesus was misunderstood all through His life also.
What is your vision for younger leaders? What do you want to see accomplished in their lives?
I always try to identify potential leaders, encourage them and send them for further training when possible. One of the areas I look for is their character development—things like integrity, faithfulness and stewardship—because that is the most important aspect of any leader.
One of the greatest things I want to see in people is the character of Jesus. Skills are necessary, but the Lord can do great things with those who have His character. Once that happens, I believe they will be able to do a good job as leaders.
The best thing I can do is to set an example with my own life. That's what I have always tried to do.
How do you try to be an example?
I give them opportunities to observe me. I try to help them understand my daily life and how I deal with people. I will share examples from my own life, how I have struggled and failed in certain areas, and what I did to correct myself. Sometimes I will refer them to certain books. I talk with them, travel with them and allow them to see my life.
Share how you have opportunities to encourage someone like this.
I will spend time with each state leader and stay with him in his home. We take time to talk and have discussions. I try to identify his strengths and encourage him to develop in those areas. I also confront and correct him sometimes and say things like, "Brother, I think you should not have said those words."
When he goes through a difficult situation, I will call him on the phone, not to talk about the work but just to encourage him. He knows he can always openly share with me and that I will make it easy for him to come to me with his struggles.
The state leaders know they can call me anytime. Some may be hesitant and think, "Oh, he's a leader and I should not disturb or interrupt him." But I encourage them to share their struggles, and I tell them my own struggles as well. I try to help them understand that I am a simple man like them-there is no difference. I also weep. I also have tension. I also get angry.
So with all these different duties and responsibilities, when do you find quality time with the Lord?
My life is quite busy, but still I know that spending hours with the Lord and in His Word is the most important thing I can do to lead His work. It used to be easier in the early days. Today with my busy schedule, I find time with the Lord in the morning hours and in the evenings.
Where do you find time to be with your family?
Sometimes, if I am sitting down, my children will jump on me to play, what do you say, horse ride? And if they are watching some cartoons or reading a book, I will come and sit with them. My son is very interested in the sport of cricket, so if I'm free, I will watch a match with him.
I believe the best thing I can give my family is my time, just to listen and hear the things they want to tell me.
How does your wife complement you in your role as a leader?
When I go through very difficult situations, sometimes she is the only person I can share my struggle with. Sometimes I may keep it to myself. But talking is always healing. If I feel like crying, I can cry in front of her.
After the children have gone to school in the mornings, she will spend hours in prayer, so she asks me if I have any needs or struggles. She has always stood with me in prayer. And she helps me by evaluating how I am preaching or teaching. People may tell me, "Oh, you spoke very well," but she will give the correct evaluation.
And she is a good cook. She prepares very nice food!
Does physical exercise help you as a leader?
I have seen a difference in days when I exercise and days when I don't. I have a lot more energy when I'm physically fit.
How else do you "recharge your batteries"?
I read a lot of books. I am very fond of books. If you ask me where I would like to visit, I would always prefer to go to the bookshop. I like to just touch books! And if someone recommends a book to read, I immediately note it down.
Right now I'm reading Dr. K.P.'s book Against the Wind. There is a chapter on self-discipline that greatly encouraged and enabled me, and I taught about it in one of our pastors' conferences. The pastors said it was wonderful. The chapter discussed simple things where we have to be self-disciplined, like our conversation, time, Bible reading and study and prayer.
So do you see yourself as having achieved perfect self-discipline in your life?
No, no! Not yet. There are a lot of areas where I still need to discipline myself. One area is studying the Word of God more. Also prayer, fasting and prioritizing my time.
What would you say are the spiritual gifts or strengths the Lord has given you?
One of the things God has given me is patience. I give people opportunity to develop. I want to give them a chance. Even when I have to make decisions quickly, I want to keep my temper.
Another area where I have found I do a good job is teaching. I want to give depth to my teaching, so I teach mostly about my own life, and I will bring out illustrations of my own personal struggles or what I went through. I am trying to learn more effective ways of communication.
I like to learn new things, and I am not afraid to ask questions. I have learned a little bit about many things—construction, engineering, journalism, writing, photography, computers. I like to take challenges. I am not an expert in any of these things, but this has helped me understand many areas for which I am responsible.
I think the Lord has given me the gift of administration. I never thought I would be of any use to anybody, but somehow the Lord has been enabling me to grow and learn.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
One verse in particular, Isaiah 40:31, has become very powerful for me. It tells me that there is an unusual strength available to those who wait upon the Lord. Sometimes I am in a hurry to get things done, but the Lord is asking me to have patience and wait. When I have done my part, then He will do His part. And He does amazing things when we wait.
- Listen to Simon John's testimony of how the Lord called him from a lucrative career to full-time ministry. Available for download on mp3.
- View a day in the life of Simon John and his family.
