BYM ONLINE DESK Blessing September 2017 E magazine | Page 13

September 2017
Church Profile - 19
History of Gargoti Church, Maharashtra
During one of their outreach programmes, they
found a churchless Taluk. They met Prof.
BalwantShinde, the only Christian occasionally
attending worship in Kolhapur. They also came upon
many people who were receptive to the Gospel and
requested our missionaries to start a worship service
in Gargoti. Our missionaries started the worship
service at Prof Shinde's house. Then in 1990, the
Gargoti centre was pioneered by missionaries
Samuel Jothiraj and Xavier.
In 1993, Mrs.&Mr. R. Stanley joined the team.
As the Church started to grow they felt the need for a
bigger Church building. By the Grace of God, in year
of 1995, a Church building was constructed. Our
missionaries visited the nearby taluks and started
ministering there also. Slowly the ministry started to
grow. We opened sub-centers at Murugud and
Radhanagiri.. Today there are nearly 300 believers in
that area.
God is the author and finisher of our faith. God in
His providence, leads and guides us in all ministerial
endeavours. In a missionary work, the Holy Spirit
employs different people in different times so that the
Kingdom of God might be built. And this is what
happened in Gargoti.
Gargoti is a village in BhudargadTaluka in
Kolhapur District of Maharashtra State, India. It
belongs to Desh or Paschim Maharashtra region. It
was in the year 1980, Bro.DavidRaju and Bro. Iti
Joseph along with some young people came to Miraj.
They were very zealous to minister for the Lord.
They surveyed the area and visited the people who
were receiving Blessing magazine. They also
conducted Bible study in Vishrambaugh.
Presently missionary ReubanKoilpitchai is
incharge of Gargoti. There are also a host of elders
who give their supporting hand in God's work. There
is a systematic follow up ministry in 20 villages. It is
our desire that the Gospel should take indoors in the
regions beyond and God's name be glorified. “But
our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of
influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so
that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond” 2
Cor 10:15,16.
Missionary Kingsley led the team for outreach
ministry. They visited Vitta, Jath, Kolhapur, and
Gargoti. Missionary Mohan joined the team at
Kolhapur from Karnataka and was stationed at
Kolhapur. He was involved in the Revival and the
Literature Ministry.
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