Fraternity of Priests

MISSION INDIA
by Fr Ian Taylor
Part 1

In August last year, a group of us hosted a conference by a Hindu convert to Christianity at two venues in Trinidad. Many were excited to hear her since in Trinidad, there exists some confusion in the Roman Catholic Church as to whether we should seek to convert Hindus or simply enter into interfaith dialogue with them. Trinidad has a large Hindu community.

“Sister” Revati Sairsingh, a woman of 74 years gave a most convincing testimony of her strict devotion to Hinduism over several years and how severe illness forced her to cry out to Jesus for help. None of the ‘33 million’ Hindu gods could heal this dying woman, but Jesus did. For her it was an emergence “from darkness to light”, “from the power of Satan to God.”

Her entire family, except her sister eventually converted and she, her son and her nephew became traveling evangelists. Sr Revati preached all over Europe and lived and preached in India for four years, winning many to Christ form the new age and Hinduism. Their conversion story is told in the book, ‘Death of a Guru.’

Before she departed I thought, “I must get this most anointed woman of God to pray over me, since I too have a passion for bringing Hindus to Christ.” So Sr Revati laid hands on me and on my fellow lay preacher, uttering a prayer that we should be used by God to evangelize in India.” That was August 2000.

On the November 11, we received an invitation to preach in India, in January 2001. Denny Donahue, who had ministered with us in Romania earlier that year, was leading his own mission called ‘Ends of the Earth Outreach’. What a shock! Certainly, I expected to go to India one day, despite the recent attacks on Christians, but this soon? Was God in this? Was this cause for excitement or caution? Time for discernment.

As I began to consult the Lord, passages on mission kept popping up daily. For example, Acts 13:2: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” And verse 47, “I have made you a light to the gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.” In my Bible (NAB), Paul’s second missionary journey at the end of Acts 15 is captioned, ‘The mission of Paul to the Ends of the the Earth’. And I am personally convinced that this mission must continue today - with us.

Other factors also seemed to point to India, But for me the real test would be acquiring the funds. This, like all our ‘distant’ missions, was a ‘pay-your-own-way-mission’. It seemed reasonable to believe that if the money was to suddenly arise this would be a sign in favor of our participation.

December came and the days rolled by. No sponsor. So, I took the bull by the horns, deciding to ‘wrestle in the Spirit’ about finances. Retreating to the church, I began to make serious intercession, crying out from my heart to God and pulling down all strongholds of opposition. “Let it come through today I pleaded - before Christmas.” It was now December 22. After about two hours, I felt relieved--yes, we have it! Amen! Thank you Lord! Even the scripture I received seemed to confirm it: “We now turn to the gentiles” (Acts 13:46).

Returning to the rectory the telephone rang. To my amazement a lady I had’nt seen in seven years told me she heard that I was leaving for India and would like to give a donation. I accepted, thinking perhaps $200 US. When she called again to get my bank account number I inquired about the amount. $2,000 US. I gasped and thanked her profusely. Yet in my spirit I felt, “good but not enough,” not from her, but for the mission.

I returned to the church and thanked the Lord but told him it was insufficient to cover all our expenses. I told him that there are a lot of well-off Catholics, “just touch their hearts and pockets and make them support the mission.” I went so far as to tell him that if my ministry was a valid one, then let ‘all’ the money come suddenly.

Back tat the rectory, another call - the same lady. “Oh by the way, Father, I decided to put an extra $1,000 US - I thought I could use it.” God was at work. Amen. Now this lady had been absolutely generous and I hardly knew her. Yet she told me the reason for her support: “Because you preach the need for the baptism in the Holy Spirit for the whole Catholic Church.” She had done her part, so I prayed for other donors. “Lord touch them, send them, confirm your mission, supply its needs. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as in heaven - and not my will, but thine be done.”

The following day, ‘God’s sponsor’ called--the same lady. “Father Taylor, I couldn’t sleep last night, so I opened mail. Guess what, I got a cheque in one envelope and God told me: ‘Give it to Fr. Taylor. He could use it profitably’.” This amount more than covered all our expenses. In fact we were able to assist another mission with the overflow. Wow! Awesome! Then the lady said, “Father, please tell me if you’re going to the church again so I’ll wait--I keep having to go up and down to the bank.” We had a good laugh. “No lady, I’ll only return to thank him! To God be the glory. Amen.

Mission India is geared towards the Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Vasai, one and a half hours south of Bombay. It’s a community of about 2000 persons, but our ministry will also include Hindus and fire-worshipers. We just learnt too of the bishop’s approval for a Life in the Spirit seminar for priests. Sessions will also be held for leaders and youth in English and in Marathi (the native tongue) and, of course, we shall have crusades. Two weeks of fiery evangelism in the power of the Holy Spirit, assisted by local India Catholic leaders. We expect many signs and wonders. May many become disciples of Jesus.

As Pope John Paul II declared, “Asia needs Jesus.” Forward on to India in Jesus’ name!

Go to Part 2 | Back to the Missions page

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