Meet Our Church Family

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The testimony of our church is not one of human effort or planning, but of God’s unfailing faithfulness. What began in weakness, poverty, and tears became a living testimony of His grace and power. From a small rented home in Gottigere with no furniture, no income, and only faith in the promises of God, the Lord has built a ministry that now touches lives across Karnataka and beyond. Every stone, every soul, and every prayer that shaped this journey is a reminder that “faithful is He who called you, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

After my studies at Karnataka Bible Institute and serving under the IPC congregation in Wilson Garden and Mysore for two and a half years, I returned to Bangalore in 1997. With no money left, I had only ₹450 from the Mysore church of Pastor Stephen, which I had already spent in Kerala.Through faith, I took a small house for rent at Gottigere, using money borrowed on interest. When I came back, I had nothing—no income, no certainty—only faith in God’s promise. I gave the remaining interest money to Brother Jimmy to start a roadside socks business, telling him that if it succeeded, he could pay the rent and the interest. I trusted that for food, God would provide. By the grace of God, Brother Jimmy’s business prospered. He was able to pay the house rent and the interest, and thus we began to do God’s work in Gottigere through faith.

In those early days, life was very hard—we had no mat to sleep on and used newspapers on the floor; we borrowed a stove from our neighbor to cook and used old, second-hand plates.That’s how the ministry at Gottigere began—a true journey of faith. Slowly, some people started attending our church, and within the first year, a few were baptized.In May 1999, I settled in Gottigere, and in May 2000, I married Susan, my wife. Soon after, she fell ill, and because of her health struggles, we couldn’t fully focus on the church. During that difficult time, most of the believers left—except for four families who stood with us.

It was a season of deep testing:
we had no food, no financial help, and even the brother who helped pay the rent and interest left us. But we held on in faith and prayer. Out of the small amount of ₹20,000 we had after our marriage—which we had given to another brother for business—we received back a portion, and with that we managed to pay the rent.

In 2001, our first child, Shalom, was born—a sign of God’s continued faithfulness. Step by step, the Lord led us forward, though through many trials: illness, persecution, and danger. Persecutors threw stones at us; my wife was beaten, and I was threatened and chased. I had to visit the police station three times. Black magic was done against us, and there were attempts to kill us, but God’s grace protected us through every storm.

Our church ministry, begun in 1999 in a small house, later moved to a temporary hall built through the generosity of Brother Chacko, where hundreds of young people and families came for worship. Many were baptized and continue to stay connected even today. After seven years of prayer, in 2014, God opened the way for a permanent church site. Construction began—but after just ten days, the COVID lockdown stopped all work.

We then turned to 90 days of continuous prayer, during which 90 pastors preached through WhatsApp. In time, through God’s miraculous provision and the help of faithful believers, construction resumed. Finally, in 2022, we dedicated a beautiful church in South Bangalore. Today, we hold worship in four languages—Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and English—with a special focus on reaching the Kannada people. Hundreds have been saved through our conventions and local ministries.

In 2002, our second daughter, Leanit, was born, and in 2006, our third daughter, Sharon. My wife, Susan, continues to serve as an evangelist and worship leader. Our son Shalom serves in English worship and works in an NGO, and our daughters are actively involved in youth ministry and Sunday school. Recently, my father came to faith and was baptized, a great joy for our family. Please keep my family in your prayers, and also pray for my family who are still in the Catholic tradition.

May the Lord strengthen every servant, enlarge His Kingdom, and pour out His grace until revival covers the land.

Praise God. Glory to His Name!

Key local milestones

• 1999—Began meeting in a house in Gottigere.
• 2000—Marriage and continued life/ministry by faith.
• 2014—Permanent site opened for construction after seven years of prayer; construction halted on day 10 due to COVID.
• 2022—Church building completed and opened in South Bangalore.
• Ministry today — Worship in four languages—Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, and English; hundreds saved and baptized; active youth, worship, and Sunday-school ministries.