SEND! magazine First Quarter 2009: Preparing to Reach His Generation
Preparing to Reach His Generation
Vishesh is a diligent student, and he works hard to complete his assignments. He knows he is receiving valuable preparation for ministry at the Gospel for Asia Bible college, and he tries to carefully focus on his studies. But there are still moments when his mind wanders.
Vishesh thinks and prays about the people in his home state of Chhattisgarh, India, who still haven't heard that Jesus loves them. He wonders—a little impatiently, sometimes—where God will send him to minister after he graduates.
The young student recalls the joy that filled his heart on the day he surrendered his life to Jesus. His relationship with his Redeemer is at the core of all his hopes and dreams for the future—and something he desires for everyone he encounters, because he remembers well what his existence was like when Christ was absent from his life.
Although Vishesh was once extremely religious, he could never find inner peace or get rid of the tension in his family. He worshipped numerous deities within his traditional religion and even prayed to gods from a variety of other faiths, but nothing satisfied his heart.
His mother, a new Christian, was fervently praying for him and would often encourage her son to come to church with her. Finally, he agreed to attend a New Year's Eve celebration, and there he had an opportunity to talk with the pastor. He did not make a commitment to follow Christ, but he felt a great love and peace that motivated him to return. His mother continued to pray for his salvation.
Then tragedy struck. Vishesh's gums began to bleed. Doctors diagnosed leukemia and prescribed an aggressive treatment plan, but they told him he probably had only a few months to live. Vishesh was stunned and sank into despair. Assuming that death was inevitable, he quietly put together a plan to end his own life. But Vishesh's plan was not God's plan.
Meanwhile, his mother and other church members fasted and prayed for his physical—and spiritual—healing. They visited him and brought him Christian books and audiocassettes. As Vishesh read and listened, the Holy Spirit began to work through these materials, and Vishesh's attitude began to change. He started reading the Bible, his faith and understanding growing steadily. And one day, he surrendered his heart to Christ and received Him as Savior.
Ironically, Vishesh was approaching death, but now he was really beginning to enjoy his life! He sometimes forgot he was terminally ill, and his doctors even began seeing their young patient's health and outlook improve.
When Vishesh ran out of money to pay for his medical treatments, he was fearful, but he continued to seek the Lord. He met with his pastor not long after, and they prayed together with faith and confidence that God would heal Vishesh. With his pastor's encouragement, Vishesh saw the doctors, who confirmed there was no sign of leukemia anywhere!
When Vishesh told his church about his healing, everyone praised the Lord and rejoiced with him; and the medical staff who had treated him was amazed and called it a miracle.
It was at this time that Vishesh heard God's call to ministry, to proclaim to others in Chhattisgarh about the complete forgiveness and salvation that he himself had experienced through Jesus Christ. His pastor directed him to a GFA Bible college, where his studies are now nearing completion and where Vishesh is quick to share his amazing testimony with everyone he meets.
