"Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

I love the servant heart of Isaiah and his willingness to be sent by God, not knowing anything about where God wants to send him, what God wants him to do and for how long.

This is how every Christian ought to be.

This is the kind of servant I want to be, we want to be as a family.

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The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

Matthew 9:37-38

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Background

For over a decade, since I was part of the EBCI fellowship in Dubai, I’ve had many brothers and sisters encourage me by saying that I should be a Pastor. I never denied my desire to be one but for one reason or another, nothing ever happened at the time. Perhaps the LORD wanted me to step out and I didn’t or it wasn’t the right time or what, I don’t know. I also knew that seminary education was a “highly desirable” requirement that I just didn’t have the financial means to pursue at the time. Not only that, I have always held the belief that if God calls someone to serve Him, His Holy Spirit can also teach, train and equip the servant to do His work. I have no regard for those who hold the view that seminary education is a requirement to serving God. I have no issues with seminaries but the reality is that it’s just a tool God can use to equip His people and to elevate it beyond that is ungodly.

New Direction

Nearly a month ago, because of circumstances that can only be God at work, I walked away from my full-time job and we as a family, stepped out in faith into making ourselves available for serving Jesus full-time.

Around that time, I was made aware of EBCI looking for a Youth Pastor. Sadly my application was unsuccessful, but I believe God used this opportunity to prompt me to consider what was most important for me/us in life and to take steps in the direction of serving Him full-time. Because of this, I now have a ministry resume, which I didn’t prior to this 🙂

Bible College

After seeking direction from God, I know the LORD is wanting me to spend some time in Bible college, even as we wait for Him to reveal the next steps to us. Though I/we don’t have the financial means to pay for the course (Graduate Certificate of Divinity), again by faith, I have submitted my application to Malyon college for the next semester, which is only a few weeks away. The LORD said He will provide, I just don’t know how.

Fishers of Men

Two weeks ago, I started volunteering at Fishers of Men, an organisation that ministers to the homeless, as well as to those who are battling various addictions. I’ve had an ongoing relationship with the organisation for a few years now as I would preach a few times during the year at their Sunday gatherings. Now, I am a leader at the first stage house where those who are seeking to turn their backs on their old destructive lifestyle and wanting to have a better life, have the opportunity to stay at the house for a length of time and actively work towards not only breaking free of their addiction, but also preparing to live a productive and healthy life.

What do we want to do?

As a family, we want to serve Jesus in a practical and life transforming way, where we can share the Gospel message and walk alongside people as they build a relationship with Jesus.

If it means that I am called to Pastor a Church, then so be it. I consider it an honour and a privilege to be a shepherd in His Church, to teach, preach, serve and care for His flock.

If it means that the LORD wants us to serve more in the local Church (not necessarily as a Pastor or similar leadership positions), then so be it.

If it means that we are called to plant a church in a community that does not have one, so be it.

If it means we will join a missions organisation to spread the Gospel and share the love of Christ in a practical way, so be it.

We are ready and willing to take on whatever it is that the LORD wants us to take on.

Until such time He makes the way forward clear, we will continue to serve to serve the people He has placed under our care and be faithful to the ministries we are a part of.

Finances

As of now, I am only volunteering at Fishers of Men two days a week because I am keeping an eye out for part-time work to support ourselves and should something come up, I would have a few days of the week to work. As you already know, I launched Mustard Seed IT, my own consulting venture, in the hopes that the LORD might use it to meet our needs. Though I am doing what I can to seek opportunities, in the end, it is the LORD who is in control.

Please pray for us, that the LORD will provide for all our basic needs, like rent, food and other recurring expenses.

I just want to take this time to bless and honour Daniel and Jonathan, my bosses at my last company (Centric Web Estate), for not only allowing me to leave with their blessings, but also for choosing to bless us by paying my weekly wages for a whole month! I thank the LORD for the work He is doing in their lives and pray He will bless CWE.

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For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing?

Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

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As Christians, this passage is very familiar to us but I would be lying if I said I am not worried or a bit scared but I want to trust in the LORD and not succumb to worry or fear.

How can you help?

Pray for us – Since we have made this move, the enemy has stepped up his attack. Stand with us and pray that the LORD would protect us and also provide for our needs. Please also pray that we will be open to opportunities of service that He brings about, saying yes or no as He would want us to.

Care about us – Honestly, we (maybe it’s just me) feel like we are a bit alone on this journey. Here we have taken a huge step of faith to serve Jesus and it feels like our family in Christ haven’t really made an effort to walk alongside us, whether it is to encourage us or enquire about what’s been happening and if we are doing OK overall. This isn’t about laying a guilt trip on anyone. Jesus calls us to love one another just as He loves us. So am I wrong to expect that kind of love from fellow Christians?

Support us – We are not asking you for money but if the LORD lays it on your heart to support us, then I pray you will take that step of faith, in obedience to His leading.

In Closing

We are excited. We are scared. We don’t know what the future holds but we are certain of the One who holds our future in His hands.

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For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

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Please remember us and keep us in your prayers.

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For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

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Thank Sri 🙂