Fresh

Bread

Volume 33   Number 35 Aug 30, 2009

        INDIA, a nation of over a billion people, is experiencing the revival fire of God's Holy Spirit as never before. Particularly in South India, in the past fifteen years many Spirit-filled churches have been established with dynamic leadership and an emphasis on evangelism. Pastor Phil has had the privilege of teaching, training, and imparting God's Word to several of these churches in Cochin, India, from their humble beginnings to the powerful ministries they are today. Since 1979, Pastor Phil has been going to India, and this was his 21ST trip.
        On August 5, Pastor Phil left Lynchburg for Atlanta, Dubai, and more than thirty hours later arrived in Cochin, India, early Friday morning. His first meeting was that evening at Cornerstone Church pastored by Rajesh Mathew. He spoke on "Zion Is Calling" us to come up higher and shared the dream of Zion. This dynamic church of 1,200 is reaching multitudes of people, especially the young generation, with the life-changing Word of God. It is an honor for Bread of Life to be in covenant relationship with this great church in Cochin. Pastor Phil also spoke there Sunday morning, August 9, and ministered on "The Harness of the Lord." Then he prayed for about 100 people, and many were healed and touched by the power of God.
        This was Pastor Phil's second trip to India this year at the request of Pastor Rajesh's brother, Mohan, who was getting married. Pastor Phil has known this fine young man and his family for many years, and he was asked to participate in the wedding ceremony. Sunday evening he attended the pre-wedding dinner with 150 of Mohan's family and close friends. As he talked with many people in the room, Pastor Phil was aware of the impact that his ministry has had on many lives over the years.
        For example, 26 years ago Pastor Phil prayed for Mohan's uncle, Jose Anathanam, and prophesied that he would be a great leader among his people and God would do a great work which would touch the nation and reach around the world. At the time, Jose had no interest in God. But God captured his heart and is using him mightily to bring revival and renewal among India's Catholic population, and because of him, there are tens of thousands of Charismatic Catholic believers in South India today. His ministry also has a full-time TV station, several publications, and a beautiful House of Prayer which is available to all who desire to pray and seek the face of God. It was humbling for Pastor Phil to realize that because of his obedience to pray for one man 26 years ago, God has fulfilled His word to touch the nation of India and reach around the world.
        Monday afternoon, August 10, Pastor Phil attended the wedding of Mohan and Anu along with 800 people. It was a joy to see God unite this young couple, and the worship service and ceremony were filled with God's holy presence. The bride wore a lovely white, western-style gown. After their vows were spoken, Pastor Phil prayed over them and gave a prophetic word. The reception was held in a fine hotel with the cutting of the cake and a huge buffet meal consisting of India, Punjab, Oriental, and Continental food. Throughout the evening, Pastor Phil saw people he had known for years who came and thanked him for speaking into their lives, including a pastor from Bangalore whom he had prayed for two years ago when he was in a hard place. God turned the situation around, and he is now moving in a great ministry.
        During the day on Tuesday, Pastor Phil met with Vinod, Sharon, their daughter Gabriela, and Sara Joseph who made the three-hour trip from Tiruvalla to Cochin. They are our dear family in South India, and God is using them in a great way to reach multitudes of young people through Christian concerts and youth camps.
        Tuesday evening, Pastor Phil was with the Covenant People, and there was a good response to the Word of God and many came for prayer. Afterwards, he went to Dr. Kurian's home for dinner. It had been 28 years since being in his home the first time when Pastor Phil gave a prophetic word that God would work a work that no one would believe that would change their nation. Dr. Kurian is a key leader with the Charismatic Catholics. God is faithful to perform His word!
        Wednesday and Thursday no evening meetings were scheduled, but throughout the day people came to the hotel to spend time with Pastor Phil and for prayer. Friday he was with a family who manages the Nautilus Yacht Company in India and sells million dollar yachts. They came for prayer for their family and business. Their son works in Dubai, and Phil spent time with him and his family the following week when he was in Dubai. Friday evening Pastor Phil ministered at Cornerstone Church. Because of the heavy traffic, it took over an hour to get to the church. After an anointed time of worship, he spoke on "Spiritual Understanding," and prayed for many.
        Saturday morning, August 15, Pastor Phil was invited to attend another wedding at Cornerstone Church. He prayed over the bride and groom at the close of the ceremony and enjoyed the time of celebration and fellowship at the reception. Saturday afternoon and evening, he met with several people who came to the hotel for prayer and fellowship.
        Up early Sunday morning,, Pastor Phil ministered in the 8:30 a.m. service at Cornerstone Church and spoke on "If You Have A Pulse, You Have A Purpose." The building was full from front to back with more than 1,200 attending. There was a wonderful response, and many were healed. Sunday evening, Pastor Phil ministered at Zion House of Prayer with Pastor Sherry Abraham. The presence of the Lord filled the place, and many were touched by God's Word.
        On Monday, Pastor Phil went to the home of Captain Mathew Cherian of the Nautilus Yacht Company and prayed over his family, home, and business. They took him to lunch on Wellington Island at the Taj Restaurant, a beautiful place by the water. Later, Pastor Phil had dinner with Pastor Rajesh Mathew and they spent the evening together. Rajesh is like a spiritual son, and Pastor Phil has counseled and instructed him over the years in pastoral leadership.
        Tuesday through Friday, August 18-21, Pastor Phil was in Dubai, UAE, an ultra-modern city which has literally risen out of the desert in the past 20 years. Although an Islamic country, Christians are allowed to meet and worship freely. God has connected us with Pastor Ashley John of Dubai Christian Fellowship. Pastor Phil met with and prayed for many people during his time there, ministered at a house meeting with people from Kings Revival Ministry, and at Dubai Christian Fellowship Friday morning. Several hundred people attended, mostly from India. Late Friday evening, Pastor Phil boarded his flight back to Atlanta, was in the air all night, and arrived back in Lynchburg early Saturday afternoon. He is grateful to all who kept him in prayer during this trip and gives God all the glory for the mighty things He accomplished in many hearts and lives.
        Isaiah 55:8-11: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, " says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
        "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth. It shall not return to Me void (without fruit), but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
        We often don't know the effect and impact on those to whom we speak God's Word. At the pre-wedding dinner, Pastor Phil was so moved to realize what God had done through the words God had given him to speak over people like Jose Anathanam, Dr. Kurian, K.S. Joseph, the pastor from Bangalor, and others. These are God's DIVINE CONNECTIONS—not only to see the result of divine connections from the past but establish divine connections for what is to come. Meeting Captain Mathew Cherian in Cochin and his son Donny in Dubai was a divine appointment. Never underestimate the power of the Word of God spoken from your mouth.
        Habakkuk 1:5: "Look among the nations and watch—be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you." There is a work of God going on at this very time.
        Isaiah 43:18-19: "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
        Habakkuk 2:14: "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
        Psalm 126:6: "He who continually goes forth weeping (humbled and broken), bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing (shouts of joy), bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him."