Participants: Pr. John Lomacang (Host), Pr. John Sundaraj, Pooranam Stephen, Pr. Wilbur Atwood
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY015050A
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00:01 I want to spend my life
00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:18 Removing pain 00:24 Lord, let my words 00:30 Heal a heart that hurts 00:34 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:46 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people. 01:08 Hello, friends, and welcome to 3ABN Today. 01:11 My name is John Lomacang 01:13 and if you are returning, you know that, 01:14 but if this is your first time tuning in, 01:16 welcome to this network 01:18 where we believe that Jesus is using this ministry 01:21 to carry the gospel around the world 24 hours a day, 01:25 seven days a week, not only through television 01:27 but through radio and the internet. 01:30 And today, I'd like to encourage you 01:31 to remember this network 01:32 because we have a wonderful program for you today. 01:35 You know, the gospel is not just a preaching gospel 01:38 and a teaching gospel and a music ministry, 01:41 but Jesus did more healing than He did preaching. 01:44 And today, our guests have come from India 01:47 as well as from America to share with you 01:49 how the Lord is transforming lives and getting people 01:52 from every nation ready for the coming of our Lord. 01:56 So do stay tuned, I know you are gonna be inspired. 01:59 Also I'd like to thank you for your prayers 02:01 and your financial support of this network 02:03 that keeps us going and growing. 02:05 We believe that it is important to continue going 02:08 until Jesus returns to take us home, 02:11 but also, we have some music. 02:12 One of our good friends, Rosemary Malkiewycz, 02:15 who is a part of 3ABN Australia 02:18 is going to sing a song entitled, 02:20 "Do They See Jesus in Me?" 02:41 Is the face that I see in the mirror 02:47 The one I want others to see 02:54 Do I show in the way that I walk in my life 03:02 The love that you've given to me 03:09 My heart desires to be like you 03:15 In all that I do all I am 03:23 Do they see Jesus in me 03:31 Do they recognize your face 03:36 Do I communicate your love 03:42 And your grace 03:48 Do I reflect who you are 03:55 In the way I choose to be 04:02 Do they see Jesus in me 04:19 Well, it's amazing that you'd ever use me 04:26 But use me the way you will 04:31 Help me to hold out a heart of compassion and grace 04:38 A heart that your spirit fills 04:44 May I show forgiveness and mercy 04:50 The same way you've shown it to me 04:58 Do they see Jesus in me 05:05 Do they recognize your face 05:10 Do I communicate your love 05:17 And your grace 05:22 Do I reflect who you are 05:29 In the way I choose to be 05:36 Do they see 05:40 Jesus in me 05:47 Well, I want to show all the world 05:51 That you are the reason I live and breathe 05:59 So you'll be the one they see 06:05 When they see me 06:10 Do they see Jesus in me 06:17 Do they recognize your face 06:22 Do I communicate your love 06:28 And your grace 06:34 Do I reflect who you are 06:40 In the way I choose to be 06:47 Do they see 06:54 Jesus in me 07:07 Jesus in me 07:20 Thank you, Rosemary. What a wonderful song. 07:22 Wasn't that a wonderful song? 07:23 Oh, yes. 07:24 I tell you, "Do They See Jesus in Me?" 07:27 And our guests today are here to let you know 07:31 that Jesus can be seen in many ways, 07:34 not just the singing of the word 07:36 and the preaching of the word 07:37 but also the ministry to the hurting 07:39 and to those who need healing. 07:41 And particularly, the ministry today is focusing on India, 07:45 quite a country and quite a challenge. 07:48 So let's welcome our guests Pastor John Stephen Sundaraj, 07:52 good to have you here today. 07:54 Since you are within my arm reach, 07:55 I have to shake your hand. Welcome back. 07:57 Thank you. 07:58 We had a wonderful visit 07:59 the last time you were here at 3ABN 08:01 and also your wife Pooranam Stephen. 08:03 Good to have you here today. 08:04 I will shake your hand little later. 08:05 You are kind of a long way away. 08:07 My arms are longs but that's kind of a stretch. 08:09 No pun intended, and Pastor Wilbur Atwood. 08:14 Good to have you here today. Good to be here. 08:16 And I'm excited about this program 08:17 because I had been to India before 08:20 and matter of fact the fun part about being in India is, 08:24 some of the people in India said I could pass for Indian. 08:27 And I have fun with the accent too, but I won't do that today 08:30 because I want to respect your culture 08:31 as it surely does deserve. 08:34 But Pastor John Sundaraj, tell us who you are, 08:39 and I just told the people that, 08:40 but where are you from, which is obviously India, 08:43 but what do you do right now? 08:45 Kind of summarize that for us. 08:46 Well, I come from the southern part of India... 08:50 Yes. 08:51 Place called Hosur, it's in Tamil Nadu. 08:55 We have a medical missionary training. 08:57 Okay. 08:59 That we've been involved in the last 17 years. 09:02 Wonderful. Yeah. 09:03 The Lord has put a desire in my heart to start 09:08 a medical missionary training to reach the people, 09:11 the unreached people in India... 09:13 Wow. 09:14 And that's what I have been doing 09:16 and I had the privilege to come to Wildwood, 09:19 take a short training, the six months training, 09:22 and that really inspired me to do something similar 09:26 so that I can reach many people with the health message. 09:30 That's right. Yeah. 09:32 That's what we are really involved in. 09:33 Wow. Well, thank you for being here. 09:35 I appreciate it so much. 09:36 And to your right, your wife Pooranam Stephen. 09:38 I tried to get the accent correct. 09:40 Did I do pretty good? Oh, yes. Yeah. 09:42 So good to have you here today. 09:44 Tell our audience those who are watching 09:46 and listening to the program, what you do 09:48 and how you are connected to the ministry. 09:50 Well, I'm the wife of pastor 09:53 and I work in the training center as a teacher. 09:57 Okay. 09:58 And all through my wife, I always wanted to be 10:02 a teacher to training people and so all these years, 10:07 I'm with him teaching the young people. 10:10 Wow, it's not good that man should be alone 10:13 and in more ways than one and also ministry, 10:15 thank you and welcome to have you here. 10:18 And also to my far right, Pastor Wilbur Atwood. 10:22 Good to have you here today. 10:23 Pastor and also former president 10:26 of Wildwood, am I correct? 10:27 Correct. 10:29 And give us a little bit more about your background 10:30 and what you do right now. 10:32 Well, basically, as a young man, 10:35 I was interested in becoming a pastor 10:39 but just at the moment 10:41 when I could have gone into being a pastor, 10:44 God called me to go to Wildwood. 10:46 Okay. 10:47 And so I started out as a student 10:50 and eventually became the president 10:53 and it was during that time that I met Dr. Sundaraj 10:58 and had the privilege of being 11:01 a little bit of a part of his training. 11:04 And now you are-- 11:06 Now, I want to just put this in the proper context. 11:08 Pastors really don't retire, they just re-tire 11:12 and keep on driving, keep on moving. 11:14 They get new tires and keep going. 11:16 And so you are still connected 11:17 to the Ministry of Wildwood, correct? 11:18 Yes. 11:20 At the current moment, 11:21 I'm serving as the pastor of the local church there 11:24 and so I'm still someone involved 11:26 in the Ministry of Wildwood. 11:27 Wow, well, thank you for being here today 11:28 because there is obviously a connection between 11:31 what you do and what the Lord is now doing in your life, 11:34 planting seeds in His heart. 11:36 Now, you and your wife 11:37 are planting seeds in the hearts 11:38 and lives of the people of your own culture in India. 11:42 Give us a brief history of your ministry. 11:45 Now, I want you to mention 11:47 that name is Jeeva Jyothi Ministry. 11:50 Now I have become aware that in India 11:53 everything has a meaning behind it. 11:55 Tell our audience what does Jeeva Jyothi mean? 11:58 Well, Jeeva Jyothi means living light. 12:03 Okay. 12:04 You know we want to spread the light of Jesus 12:08 into the people who are in darkness. 12:10 Yeah. 12:11 So give us a brief history like a little bit of your background 12:14 because I know that, when we are growing up 12:16 we don't necessarily say, "One day, I'm going to be 12:18 involved in a ministry to my own people in India." 12:21 Give us some of the background so we can see 12:22 how God led you to where you are today. 12:24 Well, from my childhood, I always wanted to do 12:29 God's work and I want to preach the gospel. 12:32 And so I had the privilege 12:34 to go to Spicer Memorial College, 12:35 took my bachelor training and then my masters 12:39 and God also opened a way for me to go to Philippians 12:42 and do my doctoral studies 12:44 and I was called back to India to teach. 12:47 I was teaching at Spicer for a few years 12:51 then the Lord put a burden in my heart, 12:54 you know, rather than just being a teacher 12:58 if I would train more young people 13:01 so that they can go out and prepare people 13:04 for the soon coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 13:07 You know, one of the Bible passages 13:12 that really impressed my heart 13:14 and the reason for starting this ministry 13:17 is found in Matthew 9:36-37. 13:24 And I would just take a moment to read this. 13:27 "But when he saw the multitude," 13:30 that is Jesus "he was moved with compassion on them, 13:34 because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, 13:38 as sheep having no shepherd. 13:42 Then saith he unto his disciples, 13:44 the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. 13:51 Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, 13:53 that he would send forth laborers into His harvest." 13:56 So you know this is the, 13:58 the passage that really motivated me. 14:00 See, there are millions, 14:02 it's more than 1.2 million people in India 14:05 and we are just only 3.0-- 14:07 Are you sure, you mean 1.2 billion? 14:09 I'm sorry... 14:10 Very sorry. It's 1.2 billion people. 14:12 Right. 14:13 That's right. Sorry for that. 14:15 Yeah, it's 1.2 billion people in India 14:17 and out of which it's only 3.0. 14:20 You know it's a little more than three percent. 14:22 Who are Christians. Wow. 14:24 And so I can understand the vast majority of people 14:31 who are still in darkness, who need to know Jesus. 14:33 That's right. 14:34 So if I as a pastor taking care of a church 14:37 would not be sufficient. 14:38 So I felt impressed to train 14:41 hundreds and thousands of young people. 14:44 In fact, my vision, you know, 14:45 the burden that God has put in my heart to train 14:48 thousand missionaries to go out and share the gospel. 14:52 So the Lord helped us to come to Wildwood, 14:55 get a training, and went back 14:57 and started this medical missionary training. 15:00 Now before we go into the specifics 15:01 of the training and then bring your wife onboard 15:03 in the interview Pastor Atwood, 15:05 I want you to share because you met 15:08 Pastor Sundaraj a number of years ago 15:12 when you were involved in his training. 15:14 Talk about that and give a highlight to Wildwood 15:17 and what they are continuing to do. 15:19 Well, we have students that come 15:22 from all over the world, 15:24 and John Sundaraj came and when he first came 15:31 he just kind of dropped in on us 15:33 but I was able to talk to him for a little while 15:37 and I was very impressed that he was a man 15:41 that God could really use. 15:43 And so I had to kind of struggle 15:44 with committee a little bit to let him stay 15:48 but they let him stay 15:50 and so he was able to go through the training 15:52 and I haven't been disappointed. 15:55 You know, many times students will come to Wildwood 15:59 and then they like it in America 16:02 and they want to stay in America 16:04 but it's always thrilling to me to see someone that will come, 16:09 receive the training and go back to their country 16:12 and raise up another memorial for God. 16:15 Amen. 16:16 You know it's very rare 16:18 that we see the fruits of our labor 16:19 and I know that Pastor Atwood's 16:21 heart is filled with joy today to see the fruits of his labor 16:24 planting the seed the Lord did in your life raising you 16:27 with the ministry of Wildwood, 16:29 that's located in Wildwood, Georgia. 16:31 I had a chance to go down there. 16:33 I really enjoyed being there, I did a week of prayer there 16:35 and what an amazing experience. 16:38 It was good food, really gets you to think about your health. 16:42 A lot of people don't think about 16:43 the health aspect of the gospel, 16:45 but it wouldn't make sense to be a sick Christian 16:47 and God came with-- 16:49 "We want to have life and have it more abundantly." 16:50 And I just want to-- Sure. 16:52 I would just say being at Wildwood 16:55 was the best of my life. 16:56 Those six months that I stayed, 16:59 I have received blessings physically, 17:01 mentally and spiritually and I would never forget 17:04 the training at Wildwood, and I'm thankful to them. 17:07 Now, I want to bring your wife onboard 17:09 because your wife is a teacher 17:11 and there is medical missionary training involved. 17:16 Pooranam, I want to say that 17:18 and tell us what that means because that's a wonderful-- 17:20 when I discovered all these meanings, 17:21 I was very excited about 17:23 how God flavors the names of those in India. 17:26 You mean my name? 17:27 Yes, Pooranam, what does that mean? 17:29 Oh, Pooranam means "whole." In Tamil, we say "perfect." 17:34 Okay. 17:35 So my parents named me Pooranam 17:37 and I want to be whole in the ministry. 17:41 Amen. 17:42 Do something for Jesus, 17:44 to make people know God and change their lives. 17:49 And that's exactly what you are involved in now? 17:50 Yes. 17:51 Tell us about your role 17:53 in the Jeeva Jyothi Ministries there in India. 17:55 Okay. I teach the trainees. 17:58 Last year, we had the 25th class of students, 18:05 and we trained 15 of them, 10 of them graduated. 18:12 Amen. 18:13 During the training, our students have classes 18:17 in the morning and work in the afternoon. 18:22 Okay, during the classes 18:23 they learn 28 fundamental doctrines 18:28 of Seventh-day Adventist, Daniel and Revelation 18:31 and other Christian living classes 18:34 and other Bible classes and health classes. 18:40 We teach them massage, 18:42 hydrotherapy and healthcare and prevention. 18:47 So students have classes in the morning 18:51 and work in the afternoon. 18:54 During the weekends, they go out to the community, 18:59 visiting the sick people, giving them simple treatments 19:04 and they gather little children 19:07 to teach them about Jesus, 19:13 tell them Bible stories, sing songs to them, 19:17 and throughout their training, they have different activities 19:23 like they go out to the public schools. 19:26 We take them to public schools to share health talk 19:30 to the students over there and they have... 19:34 They have to conduct crusades they have to select a pastor 19:39 and our trainees will go around visiting homes, 19:43 inviting people to come to the crusade. 19:46 They participate in that. 19:48 And they also have to take colporteur training 19:54 before they graduate. 19:56 That's very rounded. 19:58 I mean I'm going through the preaching, 19:59 the teaching Daniel, Revelation, 20:01 the 28 fundamentals, colporteuring, 20:03 reaching out to the community, 20:05 going to the schools to do health talks. 20:07 I mean that's really 20:08 and much of that training you are involved in. 20:10 Yes. 20:11 What about the spiritual side, 20:13 the teaching of the fundamentals. 20:14 You also do that? Yes. 20:15 Yes, we do teach the fundamental doctrines 20:18 in the training time 20:20 and they are very much convinced. 20:22 After they come to the training, 20:25 they are living closer to Jesus, 20:28 their lives are touched, their lives are changed 20:32 before they get out of the training center. 20:35 Now I want to say this correctly 20:36 because as Pastor Atwood talked about you, 20:38 he said Doctor John Stephen 20:40 and I've discovered you are a doctor. 20:42 Doctor, Stephen, I just want to include that, 20:45 all right, recognizing God's accomplishments 20:47 in your life, how do you select people 20:50 to be a part of the Jeeva Jyothi Ministries? 20:53 Well, we inform the local conferences... 20:58 Okay. 20:59 And also the churches 21:01 and we tell them our requirements, 21:05 those of them who are baptized Adventist, 21:08 who have a burden for God's work 21:10 and if they show interest they let us know 21:16 and it's a motivation that we give it to the pastors 21:22 and also to the church leaders 21:24 and they in turn pass that information 21:27 to their local church members 21:29 and that's the way we've been getting students. 21:32 Now, these students obviously not only 21:34 from the local church but obviously 21:36 from the converts in India. 21:38 Yes. Oh, yes. 21:39 Tell us about some of the evangelistic series 21:41 because you mentioned the evangelism 21:42 is being done too and they have to give evangelistic series. 21:45 Asking the question, is it just men giving the series 21:48 or young ladies or women also? 21:51 How do they reach out in your culture? 21:53 Just to understand how that works. 21:54 Well, preaching by women is not that common in India. 22:00 I didn't think so. Yes. 22:02 When it comes to public preaching, it's always men. 22:04 Okay. 22:06 But in terms of, you know, 22:07 health messages and giving Bible studies 22:10 the women do play a very important role. 22:13 But all students during the training they go out 22:17 and we take them for about 10 to-- 22:19 10 days to two weeks 22:22 and we stay in a particular place 22:24 and it maybe a place where there is no Christians, 22:28 you know, and we go house to house. 22:31 Particularly, you know, 22:33 we follow the medical missionary method. 22:35 We give them simple home remedies with sick people 22:38 and tell them we are conducting a meeting 22:39 and that we invite. 22:41 You know, so that's what the students do 22:43 and then we select a preacher, 22:45 maybe one of the students would preach, 22:47 our pastor preaches and this is the way 22:49 we've been able to influence 22:51 many of the communities nearby 22:53 and in many places and by God's grace, 22:56 our missionaries were able to, you know, 22:58 start up a number of congregations. 23:00 Amen. 23:01 So it's the season not just being 23:03 strewn in different places but churches are springing up. 23:07 Amen. That's wonderful. 23:08 And you know, the challenge in India is, 23:11 when I-- when I was driving through-- 23:13 I wasn't driving when I was in as a passenger 23:15 going through Bangalore and I saw 23:17 the thousands and thousands of motorbikes, 23:20 which is a common mode of transportation. 23:21 That's right. 23:23 I could not help but to think, 23:24 "How is the Lord going to reach all these people?" 23:27 I mean there is so much activity, 23:29 but it's good to know that your ministry, 23:32 Jeeva Jyothi Ministries 23:33 with also Outpost Centers International 23:35 and other ministries like Asian Aid, 23:37 all these various ministries, 23:38 the Lord is working in various capacities. 23:42 You brought some pictures with you today. 23:43 I want to kind a have you take us through those pictures 23:47 and familiarize our audience and be a little descriptive 23:50 for those who may be listening on radio. 23:52 We will bring those pictures up and you will explain 23:54 what each of them is that we're looking at. 23:56 Well, what you see there is our campus. 24:00 You know we are surrounded by mountains 24:02 and we've been praying earnestly for a place as, 24:07 you know, something in the nature 24:09 and God has provided it. 24:10 And that is what you see 24:12 and we have the church building, the boy's dormitory 24:15 and the teacher's house and the guest house 24:19 and that is what you see in the picture. 24:22 And-- 24:23 This is the last graduation of our students. 24:28 25th graduation. Wow. 24:30 25, and they are kneeling down praying. 24:32 Yes. Kind of getting-- 24:33 It's a dedicatory prayer. 24:35 See we always, you know, help these graduates 24:39 to commit their lives before they go out. 24:42 So it's a commitment and a dedicatory service. 24:45 And what you see here is the classroom. 24:49 We have a simple classroom facility 24:51 and we have some retired teachers 24:54 who are doing voluntary service... 24:56 And they teach for our students 24:59 Bible classes and health classes, 25:02 and it's been a great blessing. 25:04 And also we teach our students computer studies 25:08 so they will have some practical knowledge 25:10 so that when they go out, 25:12 they can be a blessing to the community 25:15 and it will also help them. 25:18 Massage. 25:20 Yeah, we teach students massage in the class. 25:23 What you see here is-- 25:25 they are practicing chair massage. 25:29 Okay. 25:31 I see that the guys are practicing on the guys. 25:33 Yes. Yes. 25:35 And as we have already mentioned, 25:37 the students also do work in the afternoon 25:43 and they help in the farm. 25:44 We grow rice, ragi and so many grains for our own use 25:50 and also lots of vegetables, so that-- 25:51 Agriculture. 25:53 Agriculture work as Sister White 25:55 writes in the ABC of Education. 25:57 And they, you know, every one, 25:59 the staff members and the students involve 26:01 in the farming and agriculture work. 26:04 That has been a great blessing. 26:06 And God has blessed us with this work 26:09 so that we can have enough of food for our survival. 26:13 Wow, wonderful pictures of baptism taking place here. 26:15 This is Ajay. 26:18 He was in the last class, Hindu student. 26:24 We admitted him exception but he was very good 26:30 and he accepted Jesus at the end of the training 26:34 and now he is baptized. 26:36 Praise the Lord. 26:38 Would he stay on to get some further training? 26:41 No. He is now taken as-- 26:45 As teacher in one of our schools. 26:47 Wow. So he is going to teach. 26:49 And he has proved himself to be very committed. 26:52 And what you see here is a small bakery 26:58 that we make peanut butter, whole-wheat bread, 27:02 and it's not only to support our ministry 27:04 but also we try to share this with the community 27:08 and particularly with the Adventist community, 27:10 we are very close to their division headquarter. 27:13 And so we share our health foods 27:15 and help people to have a better living through health, 27:21 you know, healthful food and diet. 27:23 So that has been a great blessing. 27:25 And here is an interesting experience 27:27 that I want to share. 27:29 You know, our students go out to the public 27:32 and they give simple home remedies. 27:36 This is an interesting story 27:37 that I want to share to the audience. 27:41 You know this particular person actually is a Hindu priest. 27:46 Getting foot therapy? Yes. Yes. 27:48 You know one day he sent a word to us 27:50 because he some how came to know 27:53 that our students are doing simple treatments 27:56 to people who are sick. 27:58 And his one leg was amputated before 28:02 because he was a diabetic. 28:04 And so he was very much concerned 28:08 that when he got wound in the next leg, 28:11 he was very much afraid 28:12 that he is going to lose the next leg. 28:15 So he sent a word and we went there. 28:18 We started treating those wounds 28:20 with simple charcoal remedies. 28:22 Within two weeks, by the grace of God, 28:25 he was completely healed and he was amazed because, 28:29 you know, that's the same way he lost the previous leg. 28:32 And had he known, he could have saved the leg? 28:34 Yes. 28:35 You know, and in fact we told him, 28:37 if you would have let us know earlier 28:38 we could have even saved that. 28:40 So we really praise God that God is using 28:42 this simple home remedies to save lives 28:46 and we also given him natural remedies 28:48 even to get rid of his diabetes 28:51 which he did and he is now out of medication, 28:54 you know, for his diabetes. 28:55 So we really praise God for this simple home remedies. 28:58 And that way we are able to pray with him every time. 29:02 So he always say, "Please, pray for us," you know. 29:05 He is a Hindu priest, so that gives 29:08 a great opportunity to share about Jesus. 29:10 You know, and I know that in India, 29:11 Hinduism is huge. 29:13 We went to some of the-- 29:14 we saw some of the Hindu temples there 29:16 and so to be able to reach out 29:17 and influence someone for a positive way, 29:20 in a positive way toward the truth of God's word 29:23 by health remedies because normally 29:26 if you look at the situation, he wouldn't say to you, 29:28 "Come and teach me the 28 fundamentals." 29:29 No. No. 29:30 Because he's committed to a different philosophy. 29:32 That's right. That's right. 29:33 But this has opened the door 29:35 because he sees that and in worshipping 29:37 the various gods that Hindus do, 29:40 in respect, now he sees the power of the home remedies 29:44 through the God that you serve 29:46 and through the God that you serve. 29:47 It's amazing as I look at this because you know, we saw the-- 29:51 One thing I want to just emphasize 29:52 for those who didn't see the pictures, 29:54 in one of the classrooms I saw the ladies 29:55 with all their beautifully colored outfits. 29:58 One thing that India is known for is beautiful, 30:01 colorful clothing. 30:03 And tell us a little bit about some of the specific ministries 30:07 for the ladies that are there. 30:10 I know that we saw the men practicing massage 30:14 on the men, the ladies practice massage on the ladies. 30:17 Do you also do things like teaching them 30:19 sewing and things like that? 30:21 Oh, yeah. Yes. 30:22 We teach the girls as well as the boys. 30:25 Okay. 30:27 Mostly girls. 30:28 Okay. We teach them tailoring. 30:30 Okay. 30:32 They come-- 30:33 At least three months, we teach them tailoring. 30:37 They learn how to stitch petticoats and blouses, 30:45 things like that. 30:46 And the girls are very happy and they go back, 30:50 they teach their church members of these trades. 30:54 When we were in India, we saw a gentlemen, 30:56 so many of the hand-- they don't have 30:58 a lot of electricity in all over the place-- 31:00 some of the hand peddling sewing machines 31:03 and I was impressed what they could do with that. 31:06 But I want to also add another component 31:08 because what you learned at Wildwood 31:10 which is in Wildwood, Georgia, is what, 31:12 where the flame began in your life 31:14 and I want to give Pastor Atwood a chance 31:16 to inform some of our audience, our listeners, 31:19 and our viewers that Wildwood is still there 31:22 and share some of the things 31:23 that Wildwood still has to offer. 31:26 Well, Wildwood is still very much involved 31:31 in training students. 31:32 We get probably 20 to 30 students every six months 31:38 and out of that, there are still individuals. 31:41 This very week, I took a family 31:46 who are going to start another project in Brazil 31:50 and so they've landed there yesterday 31:54 and God provided a whole institution for them, 31:58 need some repair. 32:00 Also Wildwood is involved in working to help 32:06 those that are suffering from various diseases. 32:10 This is one of the ways 32:12 that we can meet all kinds of people. 32:15 I remember one man, he was a very wealthy man 32:20 and he was sick so he had to come 32:23 and as the result of the care that he received there, 32:28 he ended up giving $100,000 to the work there at Wildwood. 32:32 Wow. 32:34 We've had a number of wealthy people 32:36 who were so impressed and they even-- 32:40 this one man, he was so impressed 32:43 with the book Great Controversy 32:46 and with the spiritual atmosphere at Wildwood, 32:50 he actually wanted me to anoint him. 32:53 Now I don't usually anoint non-Adventist, 32:56 but in his case, it seemed appropriate to do 33:01 and it was the most wonderful experience 33:04 I've ever had because God just really helped him 33:08 to see that God was there through the health ministry. 33:12 That's amazing. 33:13 And so many Christians today, and I want to put... 33:16 Pull this together in what's happening in India 33:17 and what's happening here in America. 33:19 So many Christians are not taking, 33:22 connecting themselves 33:23 to the health aspects of the Bible. 33:26 And I want to also go to the next level 33:28 that the health aspects of the Bible 33:30 is not just something we decided to include, 33:33 but it's very much a part of the gospel. 33:34 That's right. 33:36 You know, God-- Jesus came, 33:37 that we may have life and have it more abundantly, 33:38 John 10:10. 33:40 Now in the culture that you are in, 33:42 you know, there is Hinduism, there is Buddhism, 33:45 there is Islam, so many different cultures. 33:48 Do you ever have any challenges there 33:50 when it comes to reaching out 33:52 and how do you deal with them, if you do have any? 33:54 Well, you know, it's-- whenever you talk to a Hindu 33:58 about Christ and sometimes you will hear answer like 34:04 "Well, I'm not interested," you know, 34:06 "That's your religion," you know. 34:07 So Bible and Christianity, to many Hindus 34:13 and Buddhists and Muslims, it's a foreign religion. 34:17 But when you talk about health, 34:20 you know, they are very much interested. 34:23 Because whenever they are sick, they have health problems 34:27 and you tell them "Okay, 34:29 this is what you can do to improve your health," 34:32 then immediately his attention is turned. 34:35 And then you minister to their need 34:38 and slowly his interest is developed. 34:41 They get to know what we do and where we are from, 34:44 and we tell them what we are doing. 34:46 And slowly as we finish the treatment, 34:48 you know, we share about the health messages 34:51 and then we say, "Well, we can surely 34:53 pray for you and God is going to help you." 34:55 You know, that way his interest is now induced 35:00 and he is willing to listen to the gospel. 35:02 So, you know, as Sister White writes, Christ method alone 35:07 will give true success in reaching people. 35:10 You know, so in ministering to the needs 35:12 particularly their physical needs, 35:14 you know, you have a great opportunity 35:17 to touch their hearts and that way 35:21 the door is open to share the gospel. 35:23 Now what about ministries to family? 35:25 Sometimes, you talked about the facility you have, 35:28 the rooms that people stay. 35:30 About how many can you accommodate 35:32 on your campus right now? 35:35 Well, you know, all these years we have been 35:38 involved in training the young people for medical missionary. 35:42 You know this is evangelistic work. 35:45 But now we are also so much impressed 35:48 to start a lifestyle center. 35:50 Okay. 35:52 Because this will give opportunity 35:55 for the higher class people, 35:57 the educated, to come into our facilities 36:00 to stay there for a week or two, 36:03 and learn about healthful living 36:06 and also how to prevent lots of sicknesses 36:11 and this will give them an opportunity 36:14 not only to learn health but, you know, 36:17 they will slowly learn the love of Christ 36:21 through the way we minister to them. 36:23 You know so that's what we are really praying 36:26 and we are working and there is a construction 36:28 of a lifestyle center 36:29 that is right now it's happening now. 36:30 Matter of fact, you have a picture to show us 36:32 that construction that's taking place on the lifestyle center. 36:34 That's right. That's it. 36:36 Explain what we are seeing here. 36:38 How many rooms are you planning 36:40 for this facility to have? 36:42 Well, we have six guest rooms. Okay. 36:46 We are hoping to accommodate about 10 guests at each time 36:51 and you have treatment rooms for men and women 36:56 and the lecture hall and the dining hall. 36:59 You know, this is of course a very simple facility 37:01 but we are trying to attract more educated people 37:07 so that they will get to know Jesus. 37:10 You know, that's our focus. 37:12 How to reach this people 37:13 with the gospel is through health. 37:16 You know, that's one of the reasons 37:17 that we are focusing on this lifestyle center 37:21 and this will also give us an opportunity 37:24 to get little income to support our ministry 37:26 so that we can be more self supporting, you know. 37:30 You know one of the things you see 37:31 and I'm sure this is probably part of the focus is, 37:35 and let me use this in the proper context here, 37:38 use this in the context of America. 37:40 You know, in America, we have American, 37:42 the Native American often called Indian. 37:45 Well, there is a saying years ago 37:47 that if you could get the Indian chief, 37:50 you will get the Indians. 37:51 That's right. Okay. 37:53 And I see in your culture that principle is similar. 37:55 If you get those who are wealthy 37:57 and heavily influential in the communities, 38:00 chances are there are lot of people that they influence 38:03 that whose hearts can be moved to be open to the things 38:06 that Jeeva Jyothi Ministries are able to offer. 38:11 Let's talk about some of the future goals you have. 38:13 Now this facility, we are gonna talk about 38:15 the needs that you have here. 38:17 In some of the earlier pictures, I saw computers. 38:20 Yeah. 38:21 Are those provided by donations or how does, 38:25 how does that become a part of ministry? 38:26 Well, you know, in fact, everything that you see 38:30 in our ministry is basically a donation 38:32 Okay. 38:34 And I want to really thank all the donors 38:37 who have been praying and supporting 38:39 this ministry all these years. 38:42 I'm so grateful to God for impressing 38:44 the hearts of these donors. 38:46 The computers and all the buildings 38:51 that we have in the campus 38:52 and everything that we see is basically donation. 38:56 Okay. 38:57 And so in this new facility what are some of the equipment 39:01 that you are going to need in there 39:02 because you talked about 39:03 therapy rooms and various kinds of rooms. 39:06 Tell us about some of the needs 39:07 that, that new facility is going to have. 39:08 Okay, well, right now this lifestyle center 39:12 that you saw in the picture is under construction 39:16 and it's, for short of funds, it's kind of stopped 39:21 and we are praying that the Lord will provide 39:23 the needed funds to complete. 39:26 And we still have to do lots of things 39:31 towards the completion of the constructions 39:33 and then equipments, you know, like all the hydro treatments 39:39 and the massage treatments 39:41 and also we are looking at some lab equipments 39:46 to test the blood as the guests come in 39:50 and all the furnitures, 39:52 and those are some of the needs that we have for the building. 39:56 Right, because you can't just put that up 39:58 and I want to just go back and emphasize something 39:59 that you said pretty quickly, 40:01 the building primarily has stopped right now, 40:04 because you are waiting for the funding 40:06 to come in and continue. 40:07 That's right, yeah. 40:08 And as you are a part 40:10 of the ministry of your husband, 40:12 Pooranam, I like saying the name, 40:13 it has such a role to it. 40:15 Tell us some of the needs that you see 40:18 that are part of this future developing facility? 40:23 You mean for the lifestyle center? 40:25 For the lifestyle center, yes. 40:28 As he has mentioned about the furniture 40:33 and the equipments in the lab 40:38 or massage room or in the hydrotherapy room, 40:43 all these involve money 40:46 and since we are going to start 40:50 this lifestyle center or the training, 40:56 we need all this to be done before we start. 41:00 Okay, and one other thing 41:01 that we are also interested in serving the community. 41:05 So we would like to start a community clinic. 41:09 Okay. 41:10 You know, there are so many poor villages, 41:12 you know, they have to travel 41:14 quite a distance to go to the hospital. 41:16 So we like to start a community clinic 41:19 so that they can come in and get the free treatment 41:23 with simple medications and that is something 41:27 that we are also praying 41:28 in addition to our lifestyle center 41:30 that will minister to the, you know, 41:32 the higher class of society 41:34 and the poor ones with this clinic. 41:36 Okay. Yeah. 41:37 So that's not a part 41:38 of the picture that you just showed? 41:40 No, no. 41:41 That's a clinic that, you know, 41:43 that's part of our goal for the future. 41:44 Wonderful. And that's what we are praying. 41:45 And you know, it's not an impossibility 41:47 because the Lord as Danny Shelton often says, 41:49 "There is no lack in God's finances. 41:53 That's right. 41:55 It's just in our pockets." 41:57 We talk about facility and needs and the equipments 41:59 as you said for the lab work and for the things 42:02 that you teach, hydrotherapy, the different facility needs, 42:06 but also there is needs for volunteers 42:08 and teachers, talk about that. 42:09 That's right, you know, all these 17 years, 42:13 God has provided some committed volunteers 42:17 and there were number of missionaries 42:20 from US and Netherland who had come to our place. 42:23 Australia also. 42:25 Yeah, from Australia, that's right. 42:26 They had come there, stayed for few months 42:28 like three months, six months, 42:31 and we are in need of some teachers 42:34 who can come and teach Bible classes, 42:37 health classes, and some of these natural remedies, 42:42 and we also need some-- 42:44 Skilled person. 42:45 Yeah, skilled person like 42:47 they can teach auto mechanic and-- 42:50 Motorcycle repair. 42:52 Motorcycle, that's right. 42:53 Carpentry. That's right. 42:54 And some of those, you know, these-- 42:56 because that's also our goal 42:58 to make our missionaries self-supporting... 43:00 Self-supporting. 43:02 You know so that they don't need to be 43:03 depending on somebody else. 43:05 They will learn the skills and do their-- 43:08 Do these skills for their living 43:10 and then share the gospel. 43:12 You know, so this is what we are really working it out. 43:14 And also skilled labors, 43:16 you're talking about builders because as I looked at the-- 43:17 Yeah, that's right. 43:19 Yeah, we need definitely builders, 43:20 you know, like this completion of the lifestyle center 43:22 if there is somebody who can come and help us out 43:24 in completing the construction that would be a great help. 43:27 Painters, finishing carpenters, people that can run electric. 43:31 That's right. 43:32 And also let's talk about some of the future needs. 43:34 I saw some of the computers you had 43:36 and they had big monitors. 43:39 Well, in America, Pastor Atwood knows this 43:42 we are down to flat screens and LCD monitors, 43:45 there is also a need to upgrade 43:48 some of the stuff you have. 43:49 Well, these are the computers that we got in-- 43:52 you know, used ones. 43:53 These are all used ones. Right. 43:55 We got it really cheap and of course, 43:57 some of them, we are not able to use now. 43:59 And so we are praying that God will provided 44:01 some more equipment 44:02 so that we can teach our students 44:05 the update information. 44:07 And let me also ask another thing. 44:09 What about access to internet? 44:11 Do you have that coming to your facility 44:13 or is that something that's a dream? 44:14 Well-- 44:15 I see your wife smiling. 44:17 We have access, but it's-- the speed is very slow. 44:20 I mean you have to wait for hours 44:22 sometime to download something. 44:24 Wow. 44:25 I mean you have to pay a lot of money 44:26 to get speed internet 44:28 which we are not able to do all this while. 44:31 I see, well, Pooranam, 44:33 what are you going to say about that? 44:34 To me it's like a dream because anytime 44:39 we want to check our mail, it takes a long time. 44:44 We have to wait until it is connected too. 44:47 And sometimes I have to travel 44:49 to the next town to get internet. 44:52 So the question would be that I'm gonna pose is, 44:54 is it available where you are or is it not available? 44:57 Was it just the cost that's prohibiting? 44:59 Yeah, it's the cost. Yeah, basically it's the cost. 45:03 You know, and those who are watching the program 45:06 as you can see the Jeeva Jyothi Ministries, 45:11 give me the definition again, it's not little light. 45:12 It's Living Light. 45:14 The Living Light. 45:15 The Living Light is what the Lord 45:17 wants to continue to shine in not only in Southern India 45:21 but also in the different parts where the volunteers come from, 45:25 where the trainees come from. 45:26 They take it back to their families, 45:28 to their villages, to their place of work, 45:30 not just the poor class but also the affluent class. 45:33 That's right. That's right. 45:35 What about automobiles? 45:37 I know sometimes I talked about the motorbikes 45:40 but then how do you transport 45:43 and what kind of needs are there 45:45 if there are any in the area of transportation? 45:48 Well, the Lord has provided a small jeep 45:52 that we were able to buy through the donations 45:55 that we got and we certainly need a vehicle 46:00 so that we can transport our students 46:01 to villages so that they can minister. 46:03 You know, especially 46:05 when we have to take more students, 46:07 we have no transportation. 46:08 They have to go by bus. 46:09 You know the public bus. They go by bus. 46:11 So definitely yes, it is a need 46:14 that we can have to help 46:16 our students to visit the communities. 46:18 Like a nice bus that will carry them 46:19 and bring them back because I know 46:21 that transportation at best it's, 46:23 you know, I must say it is a joy to drive in India 46:26 because not only Pastor Atwood, 46:28 if you haven't been there yet, you need to go visit, 46:31 because while there are lanes 46:32 going in each direction in India, 46:34 everybody makes their own lanes. 46:36 That's right. It's a journey. 46:38 It's an experience that really you never forget soon. 46:41 Before I speak to the audience about financial needs 46:45 and how they could participate, tell us about your connection 46:48 with Outpost Centers International. 46:50 Well, we have become the member of OCI, 46:54 and OCI has accepted us as one of their members 46:58 and it helps us to, you know, have a network around the, 47:04 around the world and they have all our information 47:08 in their website and anyone who, 47:11 you know, who is looking for, 47:15 to donate and also for volunteers. 47:19 You know, we have all the information at OCI. 47:21 Yes. 47:22 And so as doctor said so wonderfully, 47:24 here's the information that you need to contact 47:26 not only his ministry 47:28 but to become an effective donor 47:30 to the cause that we just talked about. 47:35 If you would like to know more about this ministry 47:37 or how you can support it, 47:39 then you can write to Jeeva Jyothi Ministry, 47:42 Outpost Centers International, 47:44 5132 Layton Lane, Apison, Tennessee, 37302. 47:50 That's Jeeva Jyothi Ministry, Outpost Centers International, 47:54 5132 Layton Lane, Apison, Tennessee, 37302. 47:59 You can call 423-236-5600. 48:03 That's 423-236-5600. 48:07 You can visit them online at OutpostCenters.org 48:12 or email them 48:13 at jeevajyothiministry98 @gmail.com. 48:21 Well, friends, as you see 48:22 when Jesus had let your light so shine, 48:25 He really meant that in a spiritual 48:27 and in some ways a literal way 48:29 as the light is shining wonderfully in Southern India 48:33 through the ministry that God has called. 48:36 Pastor John Stephen Sundaraj. 48:38 Sundaraj, that's right. 48:40 And his wife Pooranam Stephen. Yes. 48:41 And Pastor Atwood who is continuing to shine 48:44 for the glory of God there in Wildwood, Georgia. 48:47 We want to encourage you. 48:48 We have a second song here that Rosemary Malkiewycz 48:51 is going to sing entitled "Jesus in Your Heart." 48:54 Ask the Lord how can this Christ 48:56 who wants to life in your heart make a difference 48:59 in the lives of those not only here 49:01 in America but also in India. 49:03 May you be blessed 49:04 by all that the Lord does in and through you. 49:22 If I could have one wish, 49:25 I know just what I'd like to find 49:31 If I could have one dream come true before my eyes 49:41 More than a pot of gold, 49:46 More than a pathway to the stars 49:51 More than anything I know, 49:56 I want Jesus in your heart 50:10 If I could paint a picture 50:14 In my mind of what I'd like to see 50:20 If I could take you once inside my deepest dreams 50:30 More than a treasure's glow, 50:35 More than a comet trav'ling far 50:40 More than anything I know, 50:45 I want Jesus in your heart 50:55 He's more than all the world can give 51:00 When He truly comes to live in your heart 51:10 Why do you try to search for more? 51:15 When He's what you're looking for in your heart? 51:25 So if I could have one wish, 51:28 I know just what I'd like to find 51:34 And if I could have one dream come true before my eyes 51:45 More than a pot of gold, 51:50 More than a pathway to the stars 51:55 More than anything I know, I want Jesus 52:04 I pray you'll find Jesus, 52:10 I want Jesus in your heart. |
Revised 2015-09-10