Good Word for Today's Good News Messengers

Praise God for a new class of graduates from IGO training centers, prepared for the assignments that He has given them for their generation.

March is the usual month for graduations at many IGO Bible training centers. Five schools commissioned 161 graduates in March, with another 17 graduates from Gujarat in April, for a total of 178 graduates. The training centers include schools in Kerala, Punjab, Darjeeling, Odisha, Mizoram and Gujarat.

Every Gujarati graduate comes from a Hindu background. Gujarat has extreme anti-conversion laws, and over the years, the Christians of Gujarat have experienced some of the worst persecution in India. Yet this has not stopped young men and women from responding to the strong pull of Christ’s love to make Him known to those still struggling in darkness.

The COVID pandemic continues to affect IGO training centers. While the schools closed down for classes, faculties and students held classes via Zoom/Google. It was a tough season for all. Many did not have good reception either all or some of the time, meaning that a number of students of that class have yet to complete their academic requirements. Those students will graduate later.

The theme of the graduation at India Bible College and Seminary on March 20 was “ARISE AND SHINE,” based upon Isaiah 60:1. At India Bible College and Seminary, the convocation speaker was Dr. Simon Samuel, former principal of New Theological College, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, in north India.

We live in difficult days, Dr. Samuel told the graduates, but that is all the more reason why they must follow Isaiah’s advice to “arise and shine.” Isaiah could encourage his people to arise and shine in the midst of troubles because he had heard God’s voice and was doing exactly what he was telling others to do. His authority came from his experience.

Dr. Samuel challenged the graduates, “Preach only what you practice in your life, and practice what you preach.” Isaiah did not promote himself but spoke only about his relationship with God and what he saw and knew of God. He continually grew in relationship with God. He spoke only of the vision God gave him.

Isaiah lived in a time of crisis, and so do we. Like Isaiah, we live among people who have the spiritual understanding of an ox. In their callings, graduates will often face ox-like people, so be prepared for severe testing and suffering. But also be prepared to let the word and vision of the Lord sustain you. Do only what God shows you to do. Follow the revelation He gives you, and you will find God faithful. Despite ox-like people, you will bear much fruit.

Following Dr. Samuel’s challenging and practical advice to the new graduates, the graduates received their diplomas. IGO President Valson Abraham, President of India Bible College and Seminary, gave the presidential charge and commissioned the graduates in their callings.

A highlight of the IBC graduation ceremony was the special recognition of Pastor Jose and Sheeja Pappachan, IBC graduates and ministers of the gospel in the state of Uttar Pradesh in north India. Uttar Pradesh, a strongly Hindu state, had just recently released the Pappachans from prison.

Ox-like authorities in the state BJP government falsely accused them of forcing people to become Christians. They spent a total of eight months in jail, unable to communicate with each other. IBC honored them with a special plaque in recognition of their willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel. They offered thanks to all who prayed for them.

One of the graduates, Benjamin Samuel, completed his Master of Divinity (M.Div.). His time at IBC deepened his understanding of Scripture and enhanced his ability to connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. The training also helped him to develop strong leadership skills and a focused vision for children’s ministry.

Benjamin Samuel comes from the Yercaud Hills in Tamil Nadu where many tribal people live. His parents have engaged in children’s ministry for many years. Many dangers marked Benjamin’s early life. He recalls facing nearly 30 encounters with poisonous snakes. He survived several serious accidents, and a house fire that destroyed all his family’s belongings. Through all of this, God protected him.

After finishing school, Benjamin drifted away from God. At 17, he experienced a serious bike accident, where an iron rod pierced his body. Many thought he wouldn’t survive—but by God’s grace, he did.

A life-changing moment occurred when a close Hindu friend of his suffered a heart attack. Benjamin rushed him to the hospital, but the friend passed away. When Benjamin told his mother about the incident, she asked him a simple question: “Did you share the Gospel with him before he took his last breath?” That question pierced his heart with a sense of betrayal. He repented and began to pray with a renewed burden to serve God.

Following that traumatic experience, Benjamin began visiting villages to share the Gospel, especially with widows and orphaned children. That changed many lives, including his own. He fully surrendered his life to God for mission work.

Even before graduation, Benjamin Samuel was actively engaged in children’s ministry in his hometown—vacation Bible school programs and many other outreach activities for children. Since direct evangelism among the tribal communities is not permitted by the government, ministering to children has become a foundational step in building relationships and opening doors for future ministry.

Benjamin seeks prayer support for his ongoing vacation ministries, particularly as he plans to conduct a children’s camp in the Yercaud hills. The region is often resistant to Christian activities, and opposition can arise and lead to tension.

An IBC woman graduate, Anushya was born into a traditional Hindu family in Tamil Nadu where idol worship was a regular practice. Her father died when she was very young, so she grew up with her mother and two elder sisters.

As a child, Anushya and her sisters began to attend Sunday school at a nearby church. In that Sunday school, she first heard about Jesus Christ. Later, her mother also began to attend church services. After many prayers from the church community, her mother received a government job which she saw as a miracle and direct answer to prayer.

From that time, her mother firmly placed her faith in the Lord Jesus. The whole family regularly attended church and rejected idol worship.

Despite these things, Anushya had personal struggles. She often argued with her mother and sisters over small things and felt unhappy with her life. At one point, she even rejected Jesus and carried bitterness in her heart.

In time, the Word of God touched Anushya deeply. She recognized her sins and confessed them to God. At age 14, she decided to follow Jesus and dedicate her life to Him.

When she turned 17, Anushya spent several days in fasting and prayer. During that time, God spoke to her through Isaiah 52:7, which confirmed her calling to ministry. She also had a vision of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, which gave her a clear direction—she felt God was calling her to serve as a missionary in north India. In the meantime, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in commerce.

At India Bible College and Seminary, she pursued her Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree. Her time at India Bible College and Seminary shaped her spiritual life and character, strengthened her understanding of the Bible and helped confirm her calling to Christian ministry.

Since graduation, Anushya has actively engaged in children’s ministry. Her strong burden for the people of north India continues to grow, and she plans to serve there as a missionary. She shares that her time at IBC gave her strength and courage to face any challenge in the mission field.

Isra recently graduated from Odisha Bible Training Center. He comes from a small, remote rural village and was born into strong Hindu traditions, deeply involved in idol worship. His grandmother dedicated her entire life to worshipping a Hindu goddess. His father was a strong believer in Shiva and took part in many religious rituals. Despite this intense religious devotion, his father struggled with alcohol addiction. His drinking often led to anger and violence in their home.

Isra’s family tried many religious practices, hoping to find peace and change, but nothing helped. The family lived in constant tension, and there was no real love or unity. The family searched for true healing and transformation.

Many Christian families lived in the village. Through their witness, Isra and his siblings came to know about the salvation and love of Jesus Christ. They began to attend church every Sunday. Slowly, they began to understand the truth about Jesus and His sacrifice. God began His work in his family, beginning with Isra and his siblings.

One day, Isra’s grandmother was attacked by evil spirits which left her in great distress. Remembering what they learned at church, the children called the local pastor to come and pray for her. He prayed in the name of Jesus, and Isra’s grandmother was completely set free from the bondage of those spirits. This powerful experience opened the eyes of the whole family. From that day, Isra’s whole family believed in Jesus Christ. For the first time, his family knew peace.

After this, Isra felt a strong desire to serve the Lord. He knew that God had a purpose for his life, and he began to pray sincerely for His guidance. God answered his prayers through a pastor who introduced him to Odisha Bible Training Center where he could prepare himself for ministry.

He is grateful to his principal, Pastor V. D. Babu, and all the teachers who taught biblical truths and shared practical lessons about life, ministry, and how to walk with God. He desires to serve the Lord in his mostly-unreached district in Odisha.

Pray that every graduate will faithfully take the Good News to wherever God calls them and will “arise and shine” to bear much fruit for the glory of God.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare the way and enable them to overcome every obstacle the enemy places before them.

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