The Pastor’s microphone looked like a big, red, clown nose, and when he spoke his hallelujahs and amens into it, his voice flooded every corner of the village.
This was the first village that my team and I visited for our ministry. As we walked through to pray over its’ people, we noticed that many of the worn-down houses were still decorated in intricate spiritual symbols. With less than 1% of India’s population being Christian and the majority belonging to the Hindu faith, it isn’t surprising to see these symbols even in the most impoverished areas.
At the church, the pastor let his congregation sing worship into the big red microphone. The sounds amplified so much that I was tempted to cover my ears even though the worship was beautiful.
At first I was very surprised that the pastor was broadcasting his faith to the entire community. Christians in India face persecution, and our contacts explained that pastors can experience public humiliation and attacks because of their faith.
Instead of hiding and meeting in secret, the pastor amplified his message so that no one in his community could ignore the worship. He washed his village in the words of Jesus.
The first night of ministry was also my night to preach. I chose to share Mark 5:25, which is the story of the woman who has enough faith to reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ garment in hopes that she will be healed. I chose this topic because most living in the villages we visit belong to the untouchable section of the caste system. Like the woman in the story, they are not wealthy or high in authority, but Jesus still sees them.
They are His people.
As I spoke my message into the big red mic, I hoped that even the people who were not in the building would be struck as they heard about a God that saw, and still continues to see, the lowest of society.
A few prayer requests from the first four villages:
-A woman married for seven years who wants children and has yet to get pregnant
-A young child with a swollen head his mom calls a tumor: his family asks for healing
-An older woman who is worried about her son in the hospital
-A family that wants healing from alcoholism
-A woman who says her husband is abusive and wants peace in the home
*Photo Credit Mikayla Pearson- mikayla.myportfolio.com
