In this trying time, Pravudan is clinging to his Savior and the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

On May 17, flames engulfed Gospel for Asia missionary Pravudan’s small home and the church building where he has faithfully served as pastor.

The fire broke out around 3 p.m. Pravudan was not home when a short circuit in a neighboring hut sparked the flames. With summer temperatures and high winds in this village in Andhra Pradesh, the fire quickly spread to Pravudan’s church building, his hut and the hut of another believer.

The pastor’s young daughter was in the house when the fire first broke out but was able to be brought to safety.

By the time Pravudan reached home that day, his house had been almost reduced to ashes. By God’s grace, no one was seriously hurt in the flames. The pastor’s young daughter was in the house when the fire first broke out but was brought to safety.

Pravudan and his family were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Church ministry items such as a drum, communion vessels and sound equipment were also destroyed.

More than 25 believers are part of Pravudan’s congregation—the fruit of his labors in this illiterate village close to the sea.

GFA leaders request prayers that Pravudan and his family will be filled with the Lord’s peace and experience His provision in this difficult time as they have lost everything in the flames. They also request prayer for the believer who lost his home, that he would find comfort and the Lord’s provision.

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Even Pravudan’s bicycle did not escape the flames. A bicycle is an invaluable ministry tool for a missionary to reach several villages in one day.

The flames spread quickly to Pravudan’s little hut and the hut of one of the believers in his church.

These communion vessels were charred in the fire.

Even without their building, the believers eagerly met for worship this past weekend under the shade of a neem tree. GFA field leaders helped with the service, and their presence was a special encouragement to Pravudan.

In this trying time, Pravudan is clinging to his Savior and the unchanging truth of God’s Word.


Learn more about Andhra Pradesh, the state in India where Pravudan and his family serve.