As this missionary is doing, Padman encouraged Japendra, sharing God’s Word. |
Japendra Malik had heard the Good News and chosen to follow Jesus, but after his decision, he found no one who shared his bond with Christ. Japendra didn’t know of any other Christians in his village or a church for him to attend. With no one to disciple him, he quickly abandoned his new faith.
But one day, Gospel for Asia-supported missionary Padman Kapur came to Japendra’s village. When he met Japendra and heard his story, he encouraged him, sharing from God’s Word.
“I will repent from my sins and come back to Jesus again,” Japendra told Padman.
Padman continued to visit Japendra and pray for him.
Once again, Japendra’s life was filled with the joy of living for Jesus. His renewed faith affected not only him but his family also. Even though they followed a traditional South Asian religion, they listened intently to Japendra’s words about Jesus. Some of them expressed an interest in following Jesus, too.
Because God placed Padman in Japendra’s path, Japendra had the opportunity to rededicate his life to the Lord. Padman’s faithfulness to pray for Japendra and visit him gave Japendra the discipleship he had needed so desperately. Japendra also began regularly attending a local church, where he was able to worship with other believers—something he had been missing before he met Padman. God’s amazing work in this man’s life shows the importance of missionaries who will remain in areas to disciple believers and establish local fellowships.