BYM ONLINE DESK Blessing English Emagazine March 2020 | Page 13

following year I was anointed by the Holy Spirit. It
was in Chennai I found my better half,
GnanaJothi and we were married in the year
1967. She got a job and was working as a school
teacher.
Blessing: Both of you had good jobs. You
could have settled in Chennai. What made you to
consider ministry?
Soon after our marriage, we used to visit
homes and pray. During those years Mr.
Jeevanantham asked me to help in his monthly
magazine, “Makilchi” (Joy). In the year 1968, I
committed my life for ministry. Pastor Sundaram
dedicated me for ministry.
One day I was
listening to Mr. Stanley giving testimony in the
Apostolic Christian Assembly (ACA) in Chennai.
Slowly, I started to attend meetings conducted by
'Full Gospel Young Men's Association' (FGYMA).
In the year 1974, I heard the Lord calling me. I
could hear Him speaking to me “Follow Me.” So I
resigned my job and came to Vellore on April 5. I
was the first staff of BYM (then known as
FGYMA). I joined as 'Office Secretary.'
inform others. I do not consult people when I am
sure of God's leading. Hence I informed my wife.
At that time she did not resign. But an year later,
she followed in my footsteps. Also, when I went to
Vellore, I had nothing in my hand. I had a bike
which I handed over to the Mission.
Blessing: Your commitment inspires us,
Uncle. Tell us more about the initial ministerial life
with FGYMA?
I was in Vellore and my first allowance from
the Mission was Rs.300. We used to visit Sitheri
Mission field once in a month. In 1976, I led a
SMP (Summer Missionary Programme) team to
Javvadu Hills. I also led another team to North
India. It was during those field visits, God
burdened me about the village ministry. So we
decided to move to North India.
Blessing: How was your experience in North
India?
We first moved to Odisha. I worked in
various areas like magazine, pioneering among
the tribals and revival ministry. We also started a
Radio programme in Odiya. During those years, it
was the only Christian radio programme in
Odiya. For 17 years we served in Odisha starting
from 1976. We served in the HQ for 2 years and
then shifted to Assam where we served for 5
years.
Blessing: We have heard about your talent in
literature. Can you say something about your
contribution in this area of ministry?
Blessing: It must have been a costly decision
for you to resign a government job and to consider
missionary work. What did your wife say? Did you
face any problems from your friends and
relatives?
It has been my habit to take decision and
My literature gifts were obvious from the
beginning. In fact, I was editing the 'Magilchi'
magazine when I was with Mr. Jeevanantham in
Chennai. Then when I joined FGYMA, I was
translating the Blessing magazine from English
to Tamil. In the year 1972, during the first Blesso,
I wrote the Tamil song, 'Elumbiduvir O Valibarae'
(Rise up O Young Men). So far I have written more
than 20 songs in Tamil, 60 in Odiya and 70 in
Assamese. The TPM Church in Assam has
incorporated 15 songs and 20 Psalms in their
song book. When I was serving in Assam, I was
able to translate and publish 11 of our BYM books
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