Greetings my friends, fellow believers and supporters before we go on we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New year.

Well here we are at the end of the year 2007, its been four awesome years since we started this ministry and we stand as living testimonies of God’s faithfulness, Provision and Favour upon CGI and everyone who are part of it. We look back these four years and we stand in awe of who God is and how HE has led us this far and our heart’s are filled with Praise and Gratitude towards our Loving Saviour and King “JESUS CHRIST”.

On the 19th of december we called for a thanks giving service at chengulpet (the origin place of our first crusade on 2004) as it is also the centre of Kanchipuram district. Despite the heavy rain about 300 to 350 Pastors and servants of God came together and we had a powerful time of worship and prayer. Pastor stood up to testify the wondrous things that God had done in their lives and ministry in the past year. We had communion and the Spirit of God was so strong that pastor started to weep, shout in praise and pray for each other. God’s love was so abundant in that place. The Word of God was Powerful and Promising; it rekindled the fire and faith within us. 2kings 6 :- 1-7 was the foundation of the promise.

a) God is calling us for extension.

b) God is with us all the time (we need to do what we are called to do with responsibility)

c) God will do Miracles that we have not seen before. Miracles too great.

Many pastor came forward and said they arrived tired and discouraged but the worship and the word has encouraged them and has lifted their spirit up and brought new focus as they step into 2008 and are looking forward for great and new things to happen in their ministry as well as their lives.

We ended with a time of celebration and having a wonderful meal together. We also were able to give out books, gifts and clothes to pastors and their families who were in need. All Honour and Glory to God and God alone

I want to take this opportunity to thank God, leaders, pastors and everyone who has been a part of CGI Ministries for the past four years, we want to thank you for your prayers and support in every way. May God bless you and your families and may you find favour in everything you do in this coming year. God has used you to make a difference in the district of Kanchipuram India. Our prayers are always with you.

We totally are excited for what God is going to do in 2008 and we are looking forward for it, i pray and ask that you would join us this year as we extend the Kingdom of God together and seek for a Christ - Centred Kanchipuram District. Amen.

Blessings and love

Joshua

Here are some pictures from the meeting.

Hello India!

Please join jaxtr and use it to call me or send a message. I look forward to how this can work to improve our communication options.

It is amazing how things come together.

I have been seeking God’s will regarding our direction with the ministry and how it ties into our work with CelleCast, all the while struggling over our financial challenges. That is me in a nutshell lately and it has brought Kathy and I into a new place of prayer and fasting now that we are back in the US groove of things.

The last two days however I have seen an interesting convergence which could lead to a great breakthrough and answer to prayer. TransWorld Radio has intersected my world twice in less than 30 days. It is at their Asian retreat center where we hold our annual pastors conference, and it was my delight to meet Tom Tatlow (TWR’s international media director) over the phone the last couple days to discuss how we can bring hundreds of new christian programs to new language specific audiences via CelleCast.

I believe these two meeting points are connected, and that if I hadn’t gone to India and risked to the extent I did, that this door might have been missed. However God wants to run the business is His deal, and for now, it looks like TWR might be a dream early partner in our purpose driven business, designed by God to advance the Kingdom.

I say all this as a testimony as well as in hope that it ministers to you. If you have committed your life, business, or career to God, then there will be times when certain doors stay closed until the door God has in mind opens up. Stay faithful and let circumstances come full circle until the right contacts and opportunities arise.
I call that the God Circle.

Oh… for you who read this only by email, you really need to read Josh’s post on the blog now and get excited about the report. Over 400 people saved in a land so covered in darkness. Sweet.
http://christgate.org/wordpress/?p=108

Andrew

The God we serve will make a way where there seems to be no way - is what we can kept saying again and again. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for i am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isa 41:10. God spoke to us individually and as a team through this verse as we started to pray and work towards the confernce and the crusade.The task ahead of us was huge, tremendous and yes there were times when we had to cross big hurdles,financial difficulties but the promise given was our strength,our guidence,our stronghold and our assurance that our Living God is in controll at all times. The more we meditated, and confessed the given promise,our faith grew; we hoped for bigger things and planned big.We did what we needed to do and Knew that God will do the rest, and believe me He did.

I am sure you guys would have read the blogs, see the video on how God’s awesome and glorious power moved, transformed and set the captives free. There was liberation and celebration.

Almost a month has passed and the waves of revival are sweeping across Madhuranthagam (kanchipuram dist). Churches have been set on fire, darkness has been put to end through the Glorious Light of God that ignited into passion for souls. The conference {even thou it was conducted for only one day} has equipped pastors and leaders to step out in boldness not letting fear cripple them but to embrace the power of God and live victorous lives. Seeing Andrew preach from within the cage has brougth reality not only in their ministry but also in their family,as plenty of pastors are calling us and are testifying that the conference has helped them face they theirs fears, instead of hidding from them or ignorning them but to set higher goals in breaking chains of traditions and living a lifestyle of worship; and experiencing God use them beyond their boundaries.. {some even went to the extend of saying when they saw andrew preaching from inside the cage they saw themselves preaching from inside the cage of fear}.

The crusade has bonded the pastors and the believers as a single force together in unity to shake the shackles of the enemies strategies. God held the rain for all three days in madhurnthangam as it was a raining all around madhuranthagam. This a great testimony as even today the whole town talks about how the christians stopped the rain for three days for their meetings. The word of God came in power and in truth as hearts were set free from the hold of darkness, demons fleeing during the time of worship, people were getting healed and delivered as the Spirit of God moved in a mighty way during the alter call. The seeds of Gospel sown are being harvested and are discipled to grow strong in the Kingdom of God. {There were about 400 decision cards [400 hearts & lives for christ]} - now that is a testimony and is a small picture of what God is doing in India through CGI Ministries. We still get huge amount of phone calls from pastors and church leaders about the developements and changes in spiritual climate after the crusades. Churches are on fire and people are getting deeper into God, doing radical stuff in spreading the revival fire in and around madhuranthagam. In recent days churches and pastors are coming together mobilizing an army of poeple named JOSHUA ARMY to walk around towns, taluks and cities in prayer and conduct worship services and concerts shinning Light of God and extending the Kingdom of God.

In conclusion we give God all the Glory, honour and praise for His marevellous and immense move at madhuranthagam and at the conference. We thank the pastors fellowship who supported us and stuck with us and every body who gave financially and prayed, It has indeed impacted many lives, but it is not over as yet more lives are in need of another touch. We leave it to God in prayer, grateful for what he has done.

Join us in seeking and praying for a Christ-centered Kanchipuram dist.

love you.

Coming home to the US and seeing the way the “connected crowd” talks about religion is interesting. Right now I am at the consummate bloggers conference where I am learning great things and trying out new tools that I otherwise would leave off my radar. The openness of the communication here is really great as bloggers have achieved an unusual amount of backbone to speak about many issues that otherwise are only covered behind the scenes.

Gnomedex had a virtual guest this year that spoke via video chat for about an hour. A very open and likable guy, he was sharing with us from his bed at home because cancer keeps him from traveling. Sympathy flowed. Honest questions were asked and candidly answered. I was impressed and moved.

To me however, the spiritual dryness of this exchange was palpable. No spiritual elements were discussed, even though the session was presented as a true look at what a near death perspective is all about. Is it because the room was full of very smart people and people of faith would be challenged if they offered a perspective? perhaps. I think it is more than that combination of intimidation and religious sensitivity. I think spiritual conversation has become the only remaining realm where openness is not welcome. We have moved from it being taboo, to a place where our spiritual vocabulary is crippled.

As glad as I am to be home, I miss the spiritual conversation so rich in our daily lives in India. People with faith for healing, deliverance and restoration. People desperate for God.

I see a new world here in the States where we are opening up to a new level in our quest for understanding. God, help me learn how to engage this new generation of immediacy in a conversation that is spiritually based. Grant me courage in this brave new world

I know those on the team who went with me will relate to what I am saying. The first 4-5 days when you get back and are trying to readjust can hit you like a ton of bricks. You were able to account for the 20 days absence from home in your schedule well enough, but being disoriented and maybe even a bit grouchy can come unexpectedly. I don’t know how the rest are taking it, but I am willing to confess my enthusiasm for the trip hits a low right around this time in the rebound.

I have learned over the years to not make any major decisions or draw conclusions when I am exhausted like this. Although it is ok to embrace the emotional drama of the moment, I have to be careful not to let it define my attitude about the value of the ministry. Your mind WILL play tricks on you. Mine has. My mind is still under strain as well, as there is still a lot of unfinished business. A lot of burden that I wish was behind me remains. Why no one posts blog replies is breaking my heart as well.. Oh well, at least you are not all unsubscribing.

When the head cloud lifts, we will re-evaluate how to fund future trips, and consider our plans to expand into a greater support role for churches in Kanchipuram. We want to see new churches planted into villages and leaders strengthened. I will pray about how to get CGI into the consciousness of more churches here in the States. A financial partner here who is skilled at raising funds is essential as well.

Anyway, yes, it was worth it team. I am hearing more great reports from Joel and Joshua already and they will be posted here soon. When we stand in the gap for people trapped in darkness and help develop leaders in the Kingdom of God, it is powerful work that does not return void. God’s Word is established, people are delivered from fear and darkness, and many, many people are now alive to God’s love and mercy through the sacrifice of Christ. Keep praying and let the call of God find room in your heart.

His love is amazing.

Those living in darkness have seen a great light!

These were my opening words on Sunday night, as we continued in the theme of John 3:17-21 where the responsibility of man is to simply come out of darkness and accept His one and only Son. Before I go too deep into Sunday, Saturday has it’s own great stories to tell. The theme for that night came from vs. 20, where Christ explains that fear is the key to why so many stay in darkness. They are afraid to have their sins exposed. The light might make them see something they and others would be ashamed of, so people allow fear to control them and to stay in darkness.

Between Friday and Saturday’s message, there was plenty reason for people to need prayer. There was a genuine conviction on the grounds concerning the love of darkness and fear. Since we did not pray for the people Friday Night, they had a lot of pain to unload Saturday. So as the service concluded, I had the team stand in front of the platform and I joined them. My translator Marcus invited them to come up for pray that the powers of darkness and fear would be broken in their lives and they could find freedom. Now, many of you might think that a bit charismatic, but until you go to India and see it first hand with us, you need to simply trust me when I say that darkness and fear literally rule over countless peoples lives. They were ready to let it go and trust God.

At first they were very timid to come forward. No one there likes to be the first to step forward. But as soon as one did, we got flooded with about 1500 people to pray for. It was amazing. So much of their burden was lifted. demons manifest as well and were cast out. Think book of Acts here. One man, under the influence of a violent spirit tried to bite me, but we prayed for him and he was released. When he came up, he was ashamed, but I told him through a translator that today was his day of freedom… a day of shame. Awesome.

Sunday morning we went to two leading churches in Madhurangatham. Chris and I each preached and had a great service.

Then we come to Sunday Night. After the first two nights went very well, there was only one thing left to do. Encourage the people to come to the light (v. 21). This was their opportunity to step out of darkness permanently and receive God’s one and only Son. I talked about the history of world religion as well, citing the fact that early Hinduism, not unlike Judaism, predicted and longed for God to come in the flesh and offer Himself as a permanent sacrifice for all. While all religions have plunged into sin and idolatry at times over the centuries, the call to the light is God’s eternal call to return to the purity of true religion — namely, trust in God’s one and only Son. I felt that this message of redemption was well received.

We had over 400 decision cards that night (full count to be reported later) as so many came forward and prayed a prayer of repentance and trust in Jesus. The team and I prayed for so many more, seeing healing, deliverance and most of all the miracle of salvation pour out before our eyes. It was marvelous!

The pastors.. each and every one were excited and some were literally dancing with joy for all the great things that transpired. A people living in darkness, thanks to God’s grace and our partnership together in the gospel, have truly seen a great light.

We are headed home. Please pray for me, as I am very drained and I immediately have been thinking of all that awaits me when I return, including having to pay for all this ministry (well, most). I also went through the crusade nights fighting off a head cold, and I don’t look forward to flying back with the sneezing and runny nose thing. Yuck.

We all love you and the team is doing well. It was a challenge for them, but we are all coming out the other end stronger in spirit and with an expanded world view. God is too good to us. It is very humbling to see so many people face to face that are literally desperate for the things you and I take for granted.

Vannakum!

Indi-Andy

I don’t want to come right out and blow my own horn, and so I won’t, but I really want to share with you a confidence about how the first night at the crusade turned out. For me, my job was to deliver a word that will bring hope to people surrounded by darkness. I usually sweat over what to say at the first night, but this year, I felt very confident in the direction the Lord gave me, and my only concern was that I would be able to maintain the courage needed to not hold back in any way. I felt a conviction to not try to preach the whole gospel front to end the first night, but to simply focus on the darkness that holds people back from Christ. John 3:18-21 is Christ’s explanation of why there is a judgement at all. He came not to judge the world, but to offer hope to all… to be the answer to our darkness. But since so many refuse to come to Him, there must be an explanation, which He offers us. People actually choose darkness over the light. Christ even says they “loved the darkness, more than the light”.

So I elaborated on this, citing 6 areas of darkness prevalent in India, from sexual abuse, verbal abuse, corruption, dishonesty, and bitteness, asking the question, “Is this the darkness you love?” Shining the light of truth on the secret places of darkness is the beginning of repentance. Once exposed, souls begin to realize their attraction to darkness is an ugly lie. The love of darkness, rather the choice of darkness is riddled with buyers remorse.

With God’s help, many experienced a deep conviction last night that we are all praying will remain as we reconvene tonight. Please pray for this, and that those who came will bring family members with them. We had 3000 last night which was great. More are expected each night.

As a bonus.. here is a light pic of me and my homey Chris at Sparky’s Diner in Chennai from last week.

Ok, so this is it! We are already in one night of the three night crusade. The crusdade is held in a cow pasture that has been converted into a “crusade” type of atmosphere. Around 3,000 showed up (men, woman, and children). The theme for the weekend is “shining the light of Jesus in the darkness.” And Andrew started off with all the darkness that is around us, especially in the area we were in. It was a provacative approach to empahsizing the truth of God in the midst of darkness. The response was overwhelming and tonight the anticipation will continue to build. The plan for tonight is to have our first prayer response. If that is anything like last time, we should be in for a long prayer time. Hundreds of people came up for prayer last time. There are 8 of us, as well as the other local pastors in the area we are in–that should be enough……..I hope! Sunday morning we will break into two groups again and Andre and I will preach in the local churches. We have 3 days left before we begin the journey home. All of us are excited and ready to come back home. Things to consider for prayer: pray that the people would see the darkness they are living in and have the courage to expose it so that they would be healed; pray that God moves mightily in the churches we will minsister in; and pray for traveling mercies!

When I talk to pastors here in Tamil Nadu, they say, why not!

I was able to share the testimony of our church in the States, Living Hope with the pastors during the conference last week, and I have this video segment that shows at least part of what I was able to share. I also played the video of our recent baptisms at the Rose Garden during the breaks, which really set a great atmosphere at the conference. There are great testimonies from the US, that churches overseas need to be aware of.

See the video here

The ground is really ripe to bring Pastor John next year for sure, as we will have many openings for where to do it where we can bring a great many churches together to gather their friends and family. The baptisms could work as well… we’ll call it a baptism celebration and prepare churches to have people be baptized on that day. I think others will join in too. It will be a special experience that could really help churches reach deeper into the communities here.

This all could certainly lead to what I know in my heart is the ultimate vision of CGI and that is to plant churches as an extention of the local church. Living Hope, let’s do it. The visions are compatible!