Bymonline.org | August 2020
A Look IntoThe Life of
Mr. Patrick Joshua
(1939-2020)
by His Daughter Mrs. Sabine Paul
Daddy was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka
on 13th January,1939 where his father had a
Type Writing Institute. His mother shifted to
their native village Idayangudi in Tirunelveli
District in South India with the children. He
did his schooling in Caldwell High School in
Idayangudi. He accepted Christ at the age of
10 and was baptized with the Holy Spirit. My
grandmother was a strong woman of prayer.
He finished his college studies (Intermediate)
at St. John's College, Palayamkottai. He was
part of St.John's Prayer Fellowship. He did his
M.A at Madras Christian College. While at
MCC, he used to kneel down and pray in the
college campus for the perishing souls.
During weekends he used to visit the Lepers'
Colony at Pammal and clean the wounds of
the patients with bare hands.
After post graduation, he worked as a
Warden in a Boy's Home for a while. Then he
applied for a job in L.I.C and got selected at
the age of 19 as Development Officer. In the
year 1964, he got married to Susheela, a lady
who shared his vision strongly.
He worked very hard and prayed much
for his career growth. He wanted a four figure
salary and a car. God granted his desires.
Every Sunday he would take the car for
outreach programmes to the nearby villages.
Even with wealth, his possessions were only
essential things and used most of his income
to support missionary work. He also served as
an Honorary Treasurer in FMPB having an
office in a rented place. In the year 1976, he
was promoted as Assistant Branch Manager
to Chennai Office (LIC).
In the year 1977, God called him for full
time ministry. As a family they confirmed it
and stepped out boldly. He took strong
decisions immediately after stepping into full
time ministry. He decided to move into a
smaller home, not to have a huge bank
balance and restrict the needs of the family
within the salary he received in FMPB. He
served as the General Secretary of FMPB from
the year 1977. The ministry at that time had a
debt problem which he slowly cleared through
sacrificial giving. Many missionaries too gave
their ornaments and jewels.
His care for the missionaries was
excellent. He counselled them and
encouraged them to pray and work very hard.
Every Friday, Daddy and Mummy used
to fast and pray for us, children. We were
three of us. Once in a month we used to have
fasting prayer as a family. Every Sunday
memorizing Bible verses was the strict order
of the day. Exercise, diet and fasting and
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