How Detractors Became Supporters

Jadesh's message was once considered divisive in this village in Chhattisgarh. The villagers changed their mind about him when he began caring for orphans.

It took 25 orphans to turn Jadesh's biggest detractors into his most ardent supporters. Jadesh, a Gospel for Asia missionary in Chhattisgarh, India, had faced opposition from anti-Christian extremists for several years. But when they saw what he was doing with a group of 25 orphans, their criticism ceased and was replaced with support for his ministry.

Jadesh knew preaching the Gospel in Chhattisgarh would not be easy. The state has a strict anti-conversion law, and several of India's anti-Christian groups—some of which use violence to make their point—have a strong presence there.

Early in his missionary career, Jadesh was confronted several times by opponents of the Gospel. In one instance, he was conducting a service when a group of villagers disrupted the ceremony and forced him to appear before the village panchayat (India's version of a city council).

"They said that their village had lived in peace and harmony, but that I had caused a split among them by converting people to Christianity," Jadesh explained.

Knowing that his ministry—and his own life—might be at stake, Jadesh prayed for the Lord to speak through him, just as he had done with Moses. When the officials began to question Jadesh about his activities, he was ready with an answer.

"I told them that what they had been told about me was not true. I was not converting people. I cannot convert a person—I am not capable of doing that. What I preach is a message of repentance," he explained.

"People may harass us. They may try to hinder us, but the Lord is always going to be with us.".

No charges were ever filed.

Later, he found himself facing a group of vocal anti-Christian businessmen who opposed the construction of a church. They went so far as to mobilize a group of people to burn an effigy of Jesus Christ twice a week in the village.

Many people in this situation would have seen two options—run away or fight back. Jadesh chose a third option—show the love of Jesus to those who opposed his ministry.

The group continued harassing the pastor, until one day they saw something that gave them pause. It was a sign about an orphanage.

They could not imagine how this Christian, whom they saw as trying to disrupt harmony in their village, could have a heart to care for destitute orphans. So they began to investigate. The group sent its president and vice-president to Jadesh's home under the guise of making a donation to the orphanage. Loaded down with six dozen bananas and 10 pounds of apples, they were welcomed into Jadesh's home. The anti-Christian leaders were stunned at what they saw.

The children were happy, healthy and well-cared for. They looked like one very large family.

Anti-Christian extremists did not like the Gospel message that Jadesh Kour was preaching. But, they do appreciate the Gospel message that his life is sending.

Suddenly, the extremists were asking Jadesh how they could help him. Within a few days, they had donated materials and money to expand Jadesh's home so that there would be more space for the orphans to sleep. Today a group of women associated with the group still visits the orphanage once a month, bringing clothes and treats for the children.

"These are people who have dedicated their lives to the worship of gods and goddesses. Of course, they do not want to hear about the Lord Jesus Christ, but they respect the work that we are able to do here," Jadesh explained. "They acknowledge that the Christian ministry is actually a service to humanity."

The change in heart of the anti-Christian extremists has not come as a shock to Jadesh. He knows that God will use whatever means necessary to ensure that His work is accomplished.

"I have learned through my ministry that the devil does not hinder our work, but the Lord takes care of it," he said. "The Lord has commanded us to go to the end of the world and preach the Gospel and baptize those who believe in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so the Lord is always going to help us," he said.

"People may harass us. They may try to hinder us, but the Lord is always going to be with us."