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The Comeback: You made it possible.
Written by Peter Youngren on April 29, 2010Twelve years ago, in early 1998, my heart was heavy with sorrow, because after 18 years of fruitful gospel ministry in India and more than 40 campaigns, our ministry there had come to an end. A political party, with an agenda to make India a religious state, was gaining ground, and I was charged with the “crime” of “mass conversion”, and was to be banned from the country.
Last week was a great come- back, and you made it possible. Our strategy in conducting our first gospel campaign after the return to India in Orissa was that this is the state known for its anti-christian persecution. By conducting a successful outreach here, we will be able to break down any walls of fear, because if it can happen in Orissa, it can happen anywhere . Sure enough, now invitations are coming from different cities in the country. Of course, this puts pressure on our financial situation; will we be able to handle this new season of harvest in India?
Whenever I feel pressure, I turn it over to HIM, who is capable of handling pressure, Jesus Christ himself. Let me enumerate some of the best memories from the campaign we just concluded.
Already at the press conference, the eagerness and the openness was evident, with 30 journalists questioning me about the gospel and about how Jesus applies to all people. Our approach of friendship and respect towards all people, regardless of religion, was well received. Again, at our Friendship Dinner with representatives from the Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jain and Bahai religions, I presented the Gospel in an attitude of friendship and respect, and our approach met with a great response. There is no need to hit people hard or condemn them. If we just lift up Jesus Christ and what he has done for the world, the results will speak for themselves.
The pastors’ seminars met with a great openness and yet I was struck with how religious legalism has barricaded Christians behind a wall of tradition, causing an inability to reach out to society at large. I guess the same could be said for just about any country in the world. This is why the Pastors seminars are so important; to tear that wall of tradition down.
God’s faithfulness really stands out to me; in spite of weariness from long travel and little time to recuperate, God faithfully confirmed His gospel. Night after night the platform was full of people testifying of healings. Sickness can really make people lose hope, or even the sense of not wanting to live. It was beautiful to see how people with those kind of sentiments due to paralysis or blindness not only received physical healing, but their whole being was re-energized because of what Jesus did.
The announcement that our sins have been put away by Jesus’ sacrifice meets the same response everywhere on the earth. People instinctively know that they are sinners. I have deep respect for the millions of hindus that immerse themselves in the River Ganges for the forgiveness of sins. They are certainly doing their level best to find cleansing from sin. What a privilege to announce that Jesus has once for all dealt with our sins.
Partner, thank you for your support. We need your help more than ever. Send me your thoughts. –Peter Youngren.
Bette
~ Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
praise God Peter….... keep the faith…....the lord will make a way.he says and He did.
Thank you for your faithfulness and perseverance Peter
Linda
~ Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Well done good and faithful servant.
Walk in The Blessing.
Richard
~ Paradise Hill , Saskatchewan, Canada
Isn’t it wonderfull when you come to the people with a simple message of Jesus Chist’s love and with no personal agenda that message via of the Holy Spirit flows out like a gentle quenching river and just refeshes the multitudes and gives them hope.
Rosalind
~ Barbados W. I.
Pastor Peter,
Pray about everything. Jesus commands us to pray always, pray without ceasing etc. It thrills my heart to know that God sent you to pagan countries and you ran with the vision. What obedience!
There is a vast difference with those who were sent and those who went. It is not so pleasant to read of all the suffering and persecution of christians, but fear not,
God is with you and he is ever faithful, great, powerful, awesome and so much more.
I’m glad for you.
Hallelujah!
Gideon
~ Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Africa
Haleluyah,i praise jesus for what have done in india i’m the one who atteded your cellemony when your here,
I want to encourage you brother to keep up and continue in what God has putting in you ,
tome iget a new revelation of new covenant and i move my altar from the mount sinai and i put it to Golgota.
My the Lord Christ who raised from the dead, Raised your ministy every day.
BE BLESSED,
Cristobal
~ El Paso, Texas, USA
Dear Peter, we continually pray for the souls of India & all over the world.
Please continue to pray for us here in El Paso, TX.
This good news quickens us to continue in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Chris, Gloria and Ben
Stephen .
~ Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
‘‘Orissa Friendship Festival-2010’’ with Dr.Peter Youngren from 21-25, April 2010 passed off peacefully with God’s presence at Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India.
Many were healed from diseases including blindness, deafness and paralysis. All those who saw these miraculous work of God and listened to the message of love and peace were greatly blessed.
Local organizing committee under the direction of World Impact Ministries felt that their labour is amply rewarded by God.
I am sure through love of Jesus many will acknowledge Him as their personal saviour in the ‘‘Temple City of Bhubaneswar, India.
I request the WIM team with Dr. Peter Youngren to visit other cities of Orissa, India to spread the message of peace and love of Lord Jesus Christ.
Stephen
Gen. Chairman,
Orissa Friendship Festival-2010
Sonia (Sunny*)
~ Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Praise God for your willingness to serve Him as you consistently and faithfully do.
Even though you are travelling and keeping insane hours, He keeps you looking young!
I am so moved by the results of the Orissa campaign for Jesus. His love is moving in my life and convicting me in ways I didn’t even know were possible!!
Ever since I went to Calgary Life Church and heard you preach, the love of Christ has been rooting out all the yukky stuff that has been holding me back from being available for His will.
At 62 years old, it is a “new life” for me. Retirement? I don’t think so. I’m just getting started!!!
God bless you and keep you in His warm and loving embrace.
My prayers are with you daily and I watch Grace TV on Vision every day that I am home.
Love in Christ to you and all who are fulfilling God’s mission through Grace TV!
Sarah
~ Dar es Salaam - Tanzania
Prays the Lord Pastor Peter.
Yohanes
~ Dar es Salaam - Tanzania
Dear Peter,
You are doing the work of god. For sure you’ll have your reward at the end. May god bless you and your farmily. May god bless your work. Pray for me and my farmily here in tanzania , e/africa. Amen
Rosalind
~ Barbados W. I.
I am truly blessed when I read of all the healings and the miraculous power of God to change lives. “God can”, when I read about the ‘Comeback in Orissa, India and the many lives who were transformed as a result. “Sickness can really make people lose hope”, is a statement that is so true but Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Pastor Peter, you are doing a good work, don’t come down!
Mahmood
~ Lahore -- Pakistan
Dear Peter Youngren,
Greetings in Jesus name from Lahor - pakistan !
We are so happy that LORD used you tremendously in INdia for His glory. My Prayer Team is regularly praying for your Ministry around the World.
We are also praying that you may Teach our Pastors through Satellite Video Link.
If you are interested, we may send you more details.
We are planning to fix a day to pray for Israel. Please pray that LORD may give us strength to do so.
May God bless you richly.
Mahmood
Preetu
~ Allahabad U.P. INDIA.
Dear Dr. Peter, its really nice to hear and witness what God has done through you in Orrisa.
Please know i am living in my home town Pratagarh which is 61 kilometres from Allahabad.
God is doin his work in Pratapgarh (a small town in U.P.)PLEASE REMEMBER ME IN YOUR PRAYERS.
Warm Christian Greetings to you and your family and to World impact ministry for imparting the TRUE AND REAL GOSPEL TEACHINGS IN ME.Its working and its my burden that hundreds and hundreds of pastors and church leaders here in india are not aware of this percious teaching they are still practicing Religion. and it hurts me…I should write to you in detail later ... but thanks for loving india and witnessing Jesus in this Nation.
Preetu.
Elizabeth
~ Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Dear Dr. Youngren,
Congratulations on your commendable victory in Orissa, India. You are right- God gave victory to spread his Word in one of the most oppressed places in India. May Jesus’ name be exalted all over the world, through evangelists like you. I am sure the Lord is pleased with your job - well done!
May His name, through Jesus, be glorified! My congratulations and thanks are also for the front and second line workers who work hard behind the scene (in Canada and in India) in that sweltering heat to make this ministry a success. I know, it was not an easy task. ((From Feb - Jun the heat is unbearable-when you plan to go next time to North India , Nov - Jan is bearable, I think). I am originally from Bangalore-Kerala, S. India.
May the Good Lord continue to work His healing and miracles and to spread the Word, through your excellent ministry. May God bless also you and everyone who works for this ministry with good health and prosperity, through Jesus Christ, now and in the years to come.
Sincerely in Christ,
Elizabeth
David
~ Hamburg, New York, USA.
Dear Peter: I was so happy to hear you were going back to India, a nation that I know is very dear to your heart!
I had heard that the unrest in Orissa caused a delay in the meeting. I was in Bhubaneshwar a few years ago and it seemed to be the most demonically oppressed place I had been to. Going from Andra to Orrissa was like going from heaven to hell. What a perfect city for Peter Youngren to make his triumphant return to India.!
Once again Peter Youngren has a great breakthrough in an (impossible) city Anyway, keep up the good work.
I send my love and prayers. In Christ,
David
Yohanes
~ Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
It is posible to make India a Reigious State.what is imposible to human beeing, to our GOD is very posible.We are still praying for you in order that you full fill the work which you have asigned by GOD.I do beleave the holly spirit is upon you which anable you to do that.be blessed man of God and p/se pray for my children who have been hospitalised for one year now due to car accident which lead her to paralysis.
paise the LORD IS JESUS CHRIST dear PETER.
Joan
~ Australia and Koraput District of Orissa, India
Great to see your footage and hear of your outreach in Bhubaneswar this year. Praise God there has been a change of government and things are relaxing a little. Can I say that the RSS will not give up easily and we all need to be vigilant - We are working in the Koraput District of Orissa, a very small org taking living water to remote villages, caring for orphaned children and serving the Lord in whatever way we can. Keep up the good work… if you need a place to stay in southern Orissa, we have guest rooms at our base
Stephen
~ Bhubaneswar, India
Good Joan, your doing very commendable job. God bless you. Undivided Koraput District of Orissa (now it is spelt as Odisha) was perhaps the 5th largest in the country, having roughly 50% trible population. I have visited the entire district as a forest officer of the union government from 1967 to 1969 and from1976 to 1989. The outlying tracts of Odisha are highly under developed. Hence today, we have Naxalite/Maoist problems killing police/or being killed by police. We need to pray for Koraput District.
Good, Peter accepted our invitation and motivated the people of Bhubaneswar and other parts of Odisha with the message of love of God. People were healed of their diseases. We were blessed.
Thanks for your comments. God bless.
Stephen.
Joan
~ Orissa (and Australia)
Stephen and Peter, it seems that Satan is disturbed. He knows his time is limited and than so many Indian people are seeing the light and proclaiming Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. No sooner the persecution of Christians in Orissa seems to settle down than the Naxalites increase their activities of killing police and army officers and of holding people like road building contractors for ransom and in fact killing one close to us just last month (July). The Naxals were the ones who acknowledged they killed the Hindu leader in August 2008 that sparked the rampage against the Christians that killed and damaged thousands.
Note: in the refugee camp set up after the killings 98% of the people voted in the election. Average % voting is 53%. Across Orissa the extremist party was voted out! The Lord is moving in a mighty way in India.
The extremists may attack but that just makes us stronger in our faith and our trust and our reliance of the Lord.
Peter, when will you return?
Stephen
~ Bhubaneswar, India
Thank you Joan for your analysis. The problem in Orissa is just the beginning. But our dear Lord will strenghen our believers to face all such problems in future. Please pray for Orissa.
Regarding Peter’s next visit, he should tell us when he is visiting us next.
Peter’s note on Orissa visit evolved lot of sympathy and prayer for Orissa/India.
I am personally thankful and obliged to all our friends accross the globe. May He be glorified.
Stephen
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Comments:
Wanchwa
~ Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Dear Peter,
I am so glad that the Lord is using you to proclaim the powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ in India.
Orissa is a tough place, but thank God for opening the door for you to preach.
I am praying that millions of Indian will not need to go to ganga river again to wash their sins but they will come to the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please continue to do the work God has called you to do in India.
In His service
Evangelist Wanchwa