In the month of February, Evangelist Finu Iype led a team to the nation of India. The team of five also included Rev. Tony Soldano, Sis. Pauline Chiasson, Sis. Debbie Walton and Bro. Joel Tiffin. The team first traveled to the city of Bangalore. There Rev. Lincoln Suares, who was a friend of Rev. Tony received us into his home and gave us the opportunity to minister at his church. We also traveled with him to outlying communities roughly three hours drive from the city.
In Bangalore the team ministered at church services, Pastors Conferences and evangelistic meetings. Rev. Tony Soldano (Evangelist Finu’s Pastor) poured out of his wisdom at most of these events. His revelation and insight into the Fatherhood of God and practical leadership principles brought new understanding to those who attended. Evangelist Finu spoke at one evangelistic service where many gave their life to Jesus.
From Bangalore after an hour long flight and three hour car ride the team arrived in the city of Warangal. As they entered the city it was obvious that the city was already getting ready for the major crusade that was to take place in a few days. There were posters stuck on every wall, on lampposts, huge billboards were put up all over the city.
On the first evening Evangelist Finu met with church and business leaders from the city. Everyone was excited about the upcoming soul winning effort and many pledged to support the event.
Evangelist Finu desired to minister not only to the unsaved but also to the saved as well. He wanted to see the local church body in Warangal strengthened and encouraged in their faith. So in addition to the evangelistic services the ministry organized a Pastor’s conference, youth conference and a woman’s seminar.
Rev. Tony Soldano did a fantastic job at the Pastor’s conference as he taught and trained the Pastors to renew their wineskins to receive new wine from the Holy Spirit. He penetrated strongholds that had limited their ministries as he shed light from God’s word on issues such as unity, mutual love and respect among Pastors, Fathering a new generation and the New Era. About 300 – 400 pastors attended the 2 day conference.
Sis. Pauline was the main speaker at the Women’s all day seminar. About 600 women came, hungry to hear from God’s word. Sis. Debbie Walton and Rev. Tony Soldano also shared in ministering to these precious women, many of whom had travelled long distances to attend the seminar. In a nation where womn are considered second class citizens and many times avoided from expressing their God given talents and skill sets, the team brought light and hope to those who knew they were called by God like Queen Esther at ‘such a time as this’.
The crusade sessions in the evenings were a mighty demonstration of the power of God to save and heal. Thousands were in attendance each night. In fact at the end of the event the official count was approximately 18,000 people who attended the services over four days! Evangelist Finu, speaking of the crusades attendance, said, “ It is mind boggling to imagine that that many people could have been impacted with the power of the gospel over four nights. The sight of thousands of men and women worshipping Jesus is beyond description, that too in a nation like India!” Every night many came forward to testify of the fact that Jesus had instantly healed them as Evangelist Finu prayed for the sick. One woman who had stones in her liver and had been too many doctors. She had a resulting tumor on the side of her torso, but after prayer the tumor was gone. Another precious lady who had been diagnosed with tuberculosis had attended the prayer meeting two nights earlier. When she went back to her doctor he told her it was gone!
Over the four nights about 18,000 people came to hear about the only way to eternal life. The multitudes came hungry for the Word of God. Some of them had travelled up to three hours from remote villages. Every night as Evangelist Finu preached the word of God hundreds responded to the salvation call. In all there were over 1300 decisions made to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! What a marvelous thing it is to see so many souls added into the Kingdom of God. The Bible tells us that the angels in heaven rejoice when one soul turns to the kingdom. Imagine the celebration as the hundreds of precious souls came to Jesus in India.
Partners! Thank you for your continued support. We see the Lord opening greater doors for the ministry to reach out to the nations and minister to many thousands. Only heaven will tell us the true impact these great crusades are having. And know that your true reward is in heaven, as your Father smiles over your faithfulness to His kingdom. We appreciate you!