Lalsingh and his wife Rekkha are celebrating. Although they may be poor farmers from a remote village in India, they feel rich because they are now members of God’s Heavenly family.

While Lalsingh was working in the fields one day, it began raining – heavily. The ground became wet and Lalsingh slipped, breaking his arm. Unfortunately, Lalsingh could not afford medical treatment so he was forced to endure the pain. His wife went to the nearby jungle, brought some herbs and applied them to the wound. Yet nothing could fix his arm – it was clearly broken.Then the couple heard about Pastor Dilip, who “prayed to his God for the needs of the people.”

Approaching Pastor Dilip, they said, “Please Pastor, will you help us?” Dilip consoled them, saying, “There is one God who cares for everyone”. He also shared stories from the Bible and assured them saying if they will believe in Jesus and pray, He would heal Lalsingh. Pastor Dilip and believers at the church prayed for the man earnestly and God healed him completely.

Lalsingh and his family are very thankful to God and have decided to serve Him as their Lord and Saviour!

The miracle was witnessed by many of the people in the local community and they are flocking to church to hear about Jesus – the “God who heals”. You can be a part of this Good News story! Partner with an Empart Transformation Centre today!

Please continue to uphold Empart’s teams in prayer. The Indian state of Assam is suffering major flooding, while workers in Nepal are enduring increasing persecution. At the same time, the Empart USA office, located in Colorado Springs, has experienced disruption due to the major bush fires this week. I encourage you to read more below to pray effectively for these dear brothers and sisters.

Floods

Empart has recently established a new Transformation Centre in the far north-east Indian state of Assam. Communities have been affected by floods over the past week that have now claimed at least 79 lives and displaced over 2 million people. Heavy monsoonal rains and landslides have destroyed homes, roads, bridges and power lines, forcing many people to escape to neighbouring states. Please pray for God’s strength, wisdom and protection for the communities in Assam and for Empart workers who are seeking to reach out to those who have been affected.

Persecution

Over the past few years, Nepal’s political condition has worsened. For many years, Empart has been waiting for registration in Nepal. This has made it extremely difficult for God’s people to carry on with His work in the region. Our brothers and sisters in Nepal are facing increasing persecution. Last month during a strike, terrorists burnt down one of our churches at midnight. Now the congregation has no safe place to gather and worship.

One Church Planter recently received a letter from a radical group demanding money he does not have. He is in a dangerous situation, but knows that God is with him. Please pray that the political situation stabilises, that our workers are able to endure the persecution and that registration is granted.

Fires

Wild fires have been raging out of control for the past month throughout Colorado Springs in the United States, destroying nearly 350 homes and causing 36,000 people to evacuate the region. It is estimated that it could be mid-July before the fire is fully under control.

The Empart USA office has recently relocated to Colorado Springs. Some of our Empart USA brothers and sisters live in the vicinity of the fires. We are pleased to say they are currently safe but the smoke is thick in the air and is permeating everything, just as it did in Melbourne during the Black Saturday fires. Please pray with us for their continued safety and protection as they establish the new office, recruit new staff and volunteers and seek to reach out to their devastated community.

Throughout their suffering, these brave young men and women are committed to serving God. They are an inspiration. Will you join us in praying for their protection and encouragement? You can also donate to those affected by natural disaster by giving to www.empart.org/AidAndRelief

Do you get excited when you hear a ‘Good News’ story?

That’s what this blog is dedicated to – bringing you the incredible stories of lives that have been transformed through Empart ministries.

Many villages in India are experiencing the power of God as they encounter the love of Christ at work in Empart workers. Dinesh’s story is a testament to the power of Empart Tailoring Centres sowing seeds of hope not only in the lives of the women who attend the sewing classes but also in their wider families.

Growing up in a staunch Hindu environment, Dinesh and his family worshipped many different idols. Drugs and hallucinogens were also commonplace in the home – a way of escaping pain and suffering.

In addition to the financial problems and severe debt the family was in, Dinesh’s father had become seriously ill. When traditional medicine did not heal him, he was taken to the local witch doctors. But that didn’t heal him either.

Then Dinesh’s sister plucked up the courage to share about her experience in an Empart Tailoring Centre. She shared the Gospel message and the healing power of Jesus with her parents and siblings. “We do need to go anywhere but to this God. He can heal our father, through prayer”, she said.

The family finally agreed to take Dinesh’s father to a prayer meeting at the church run by the pastor in charge of the Tailoring Centre Dinesh’s sister attended. A miracle occurred when Dinesh’s father received instant healing through the prayers of Pastor Jigendra and the church members.

“After that, I attended many prayer meetings also and I liked it”, Dinesh says.  “I wanted to know more about God and His Word so I enrolled in a Transformation Centre. Now I am serving Him! I am thankful to the Lord for the Sew and Sow Centre through which we came to know about Jesus Christ”, Dinesh shares.

You can help Church Planters like Dinesh by partnering with an Empart Transformation Centre. Alternatively, you can help plant seeds of hope into the lives of disadvantaged women and their communities by giving to an Empart Tailoring Centre.

Read more inspiring stories of transformation right here on the Empart blog! We will be adding regular updates to the blog. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking Empart Communications and following the prompts to choose which Empart notifications you would like to receive.

Roopa knows what it means to experience a miracle. While she was working in the fields one day, a windstorm developed. Dust blew into Roopa’s eyes and she was suddenly blinded.

“I was helping my husband when I suddenly lost my eyesight”, Roopa shares. “I screamed so loudly and by God’s grace two ladies came rushing to help me. I was taken to hospital and given many medicines but nothing cured my vision.”

As poor farmers, Roopa and her husband could not afford any further treatment. They prayed to their gods for a solution but no matter how hard they worshiped, no matter how many sacrifices they made, nothing helped. Roopa was completely blind.

But God had other plans for Roopa’s life. Rajeet – a student from the local Empart Transformation Centre – was visiting homes to offer help with chores and to share the Good News of Jesus with people in the village. When Roopa’s husband spoke with Rajeet, he knew that there was something different about this God who “loves the world” and “restores His people”. He asked if Rajeet could pray for healing.

Roopa says, “My husband met Rajeet and  his church and everyone at the TC prayed for me. Day and night they prayed for my healing… and God miraculously restored my sight!”

Roopa and her husband have accepted Jesus into their hearts. “We are so blessed to know this Jesus. He gave me my sight back but He also gave us eternal life”, Roopa says, tears streaming down her face. “I am so grateful to everyone who prayed for me and cared for me. Jesus is the solution I was looking for!”

You can also be a part of the solution! Empart Transformation Centres are bringing hope and change to people just like Roopa. Partner with an Empart Transformation Centre today!

Empart Founder and President, Jossy Chacko, sends this message from India:

As I write to you, I am in India preparing to meet with our Indian leaders. So many exciting things are happening here and I look forward to sharing some amazing stories with you when I return. In the meantime, I wanted to share some special messages with you.

Graduations and Transformation Centres

God is doing many wonderful things in India. We have just seen 600 Church Planters and Key Women graduate. Please pray for them as they embark on their ministry into communities that do not know the love of Jesus.

We currently have 20 Transformation Centres and 4 new Centres ready to open in July. This means that there will be another 600 students beginning their journey! Please pray for them as they settle into new routines, often far away from their loved ones.

Grounded Radio
I was recently interviewed by Ryan Dobson – the acclaimed author, speaker and radio host of Grounded Radio in Colorado Springs, USA. The interview was aired yesterday to a wide audience – I encourage you to listen to it and share it with your church, friends and family.
http://www.empart.org/GroundedMessage

Catalyst Church
There is also a link, below, to the message I gave at Catalyst Church in Queensland. It was such a blessing to share with the people there about the freedom, mercy and grace available to us through Jesus AND our call as followers of Christ to share this message with others. I pray that you will also be blessed and encouraged as you watch this.
http://www.empart.org/CatalystMessage

I thank God for you and your partnership with Empart in restoring broken lives. May God bless you as you continue pressing into Him in all that you do to see His Kingdom advance. Will you continue to pray and give so that together we will see more communities transformed? I know I’ve said it before but it’s true: in eternity, you will be so glad you did!

Jossy Chacko.

P.S. 600 Church Planters and Key Women have just graduated. You are able to give directly towards an Empart Transformation Centre or call 1300 EMPART.

Imagine inviting some friends around to watch a film…and being able to transform thousands of lives in the process!

An Empart Transformation Centre recently had the opportunity to present ‘The Jesus Film’ to eight surrounding villages. As a result, more than 2000 people were exposed to the Gospel and had the opportunity to learn more about Jesus Christ. Health and hygiene messages were also shared, as well as educational messages to engage with the community.

14 Empart Transformation Centres have received Film Kits to help with training and outreach events. In addition to being fantastic teaching tools in Transformation Centres, Film Kits have enabled us to reach and impact entire villages with the message of Jesus at the one time. ‘The Jesus Film’ is shown amongst many poor and illiterate villages and countless lives are being transformed through the message of love and redemption Jesus offers.

Pastor James shares, “Masses gather for the shows in one go and they hear the Gospel. Visuals leave a greater impact on the hearts of the people. Watching the films helps the villagers to understand the eternal love of Jesus Christ.”

“Film Kits play an important role in spreading the Gospel in many villages where we face opposition with door-to-door evangelism”, Pastor James adds. “We get contacts and access to the villages through this ministry. We then return to them on a consistent basis; teaching, training, informing and loving these precious souls. Through this on-going relationship, fellowship groups and churches have started.”

You can play your role in this story by supporting Empart Transformation Centres as they share the love of Jesus with local communities through Film Ministry!

Manish with Jossy Chacko

Last month, we shared with you about the kidnapping of Empart Church Planter, Manish*. While Manish and two church leaders were on their way to a meeting, Maoist terrorists covered their faces and abducted the three men.

After enduring several days of torture while they were detained at various Maoist camps, Manish and the two men with him were suddenly released!  Manish recently opened up about his experience.

The kidnappers thought that we were business people with lots of money. “For almost 10 hours, we walked on very rough road with no food and nothing to drink”, Manish shares.

“Our feet were cut and bleeding and we were in great pain. Every now and then, they beat us hard, all the time questioning us. When we told them that we were followers of Jesus, they told us we were lying. They said, ‘We know you are business people.’ But we believed that God had placed us there for a reason. We decided to share the Gospel with them, teaching them Christian songs and praying for them!” 

The leader of the captors became so irritated with the behaviour of Manish and his friends that he decided to take them to a new camp each night.  But Manish and his Christian brothers did the same thing in each place. Eventually, the leader didn’t know what to do with them, so he took them back to the road and asked them to go away – they were free!

“After 11 days and nine different camps, the leader didn’t know what to do with us, so he blind folded and took us back to the road and asked us to go away! We shouted, ‘Hallelujah!’ and praised the Lord!”, Manish shares with excitement.

Manish says, “God used us to share the Gospel in nine different camps with a total of 180 people! How else could we have shared Jesus with them? Now they have no excuse because they know about God’s love for them!”

Wow! This story reminds us that God can turn any situation around for His glory. Many of our Church Planters are experiencing all sorts of trials and persecution. But they continue serving the Lord no matter what. Without being kidnapped, Manish would never have had the opportunity to share about Jesus with 180 Maoist terrorists. Now that is transformation! Thank you for praying for these brothers. God truly answered your prayers.

This year, around 600 new Church Planters will be graduating. Will you join us in praying for them as they step out into often hostile environments? You are able togive directly towards an Empart Transformation Centre to help train more passionate Church Planters like Manish or call 1300 EMPART  (1300 367 278) for more information.

A dark figure emerged from the bushes. As he ran into the house, the man’s terrified family cowered in the corner of the room. They had been expecting him to arrive at any moment but they were never prepared for the violence that would ensue.

Arvind* was well known to the people in his village as the “Forest Monster”- a mentally disturbed father who spent his days in the thick of the local forest…and then spent his nights inflicting violence and abuse on his own family.

After a day spent alone amongst the tree tops, Arvind often returned to his village home in a frenzied rage. He would pick up objects to throw at his wife and two petrified children: chairs, plates, knives – anything he could lay his hands on.

Then his focus would change to his son. Before Arvind could raise his hand, the boy’s mother would instinctively protect her young son and take the impact of the punches upon herself. But she was not always able to stop the violence.

Arvind’s son, Rajeet, turned up to school one day with a black eye and bruises all over his body.

When Rajeet’s teacher, Empart Church Planter Pastor Surya, asked him where the bruises came from, he did not get a response.

It was soon discovered that Arvind had been extremely violent towards his wife and children. This behaviour had been going on for more than five years. The family had taken him to several different hospitals and a witch doctor for treatment but nothing could cure him.

Empart Church Planter, Pastor Surya, decided to conduct a prayer walk with the children at the school. They went around asking the Lord to bless the village and show mercy on the parents and family members. This was the first time any of the villagers had ever seen someone praying to Jesus.

The next day, Arvind returned home from the forest. His family braced themselves for another violent reaction. But Arvind walked silently into the room with a smile on his face. He was calm and serene – a completely different man! His family was suspicious of his sudden change in behaviour. When they discovered that Pastor Surya and the children at the school had been on a prayer walk, they related Arvind’s instant change to the prayers that had been lifted to God. The family had been hostile to Christians in the past – but could it be that Jesus was the answer they had been looking for?

Pastor Surya was invited to pray over Arvind and the family. He also shared the Gospel message with them and invited them to come along to his church.

The family became regular attendees of Pastor Surya’s church. They also volunteered their time to help out at the school. Empart recently conducted a Pastors’ Meeting in the village and around 20 pastors came to Arvind’s home to pray for him. While they were there, they were prompted by the Lord to remove totem poles related to witchcraft which had been left by the witchdoctor. When all of the poles had been removed, Arvind experienced complete deliverance. He fell at the feet of Jesus and proclaimed then and there that he was a changed man.

Earlier this month, Arvind and his family received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour through water baptism. Arvind’s dramatic deliverance has also opened the eyes of the entire village. Many of them have now begun attending Pastor Arvind’s church and sending their children to the local school.

Pastor Surya shares with excitement, “We thank you so much for praying for this region and the tribal people who live under the spell of spirits and ritualism. We thank you for standing with us to bring changes that can only come when we work together, with the help of our Living God.”

This is real transformation! Help change the lives of families like Arvind. Give today towards an Empart Transformation Centre and we will send you regular updates about the life-changing impact your partnership is making!

*Due to the increasing threat of persecution, all names have been changed to protect our workers.

Karthik* loves his buffaloes. Not only do they keep him company while he works on his farm; they also help him to plough the fields and provide milk for his family.

The young farmer lives and works in Lucknow – a large Indian region where traditional agricultural methods are still used today.

Recently, one of Karthik’s cows (a female buffalo) became very sick, just four days after giving birth. She could not stand up, she had stopped eating for more than a week and she was unable to feed her newborn calf.

Many of the cows and sheep in the local area had been dropping dead from an unknown virus. Karthik knew that his beloved buffalo and her baby did not have long to live.

In desperation, Karthik called Pastor Harendra* to pray over his ailing cow. The Church Planter prayed for the buffalo’s healing and then gave her some water to drink. After less than an hour, the cow was back on her feet and grazing in the field. She was restored to full health!

The cow quickly regained the weight she had lost and started feeding her calf.

Neighbours who had been watching were amazed that the buffalo had been healed – none of the other animals affected by the virus had survived. After they witnessed the miraculous healing, every one of Karthik’s neighbours decided to put their faith in Jesus!

God can use anyone and anything to draw people to Himself. But the Bible and ministry training that Pastor Harendra received enabled him to reach out to a farmer in need and help reveal God’s power to Karthik’s neighbours.

How can you be a part of an exciting story like this? Partner with an Empart Transformation Centre today! Your support will ensure that more Church Planters like Pastor Harendra can be trained and sent out  to pray, encourage, share the Gospel and start community development projects in their villages.

Neelam - raised from death to life!

After years of suffering from an incurable disease, Neelam’s heart finally stopped beating. Her distraught mother, Mariam, wept as her young daughter slipped away.

Friends and family gathered at the home to comfort Mariam and help her plan for Neelam’s funeral. Pastor Paul, an Empart Church Planter, entered the young girl’s room and asked everyone to close their eyes as he prayed and laid hands on Neelam’s lifeless body. Suddenly, a breeze swept through the room. To everyone’s astonishment and delight, Neelam opened her eyes!

“While they were praying, God brought life back to me! I asked my mother ‘Why are all these people crying? I am alive’! They all began praising Jesus for bringing a lost girl back to life. Just like Jesus, I was brought back from the dead to testify of God’s grace and love,” Neelam shares.

Neelam is now enrolled in an Empart Women’s Transformation Centre, so that she can learn more about Jesus. “God has given me a second chance”, she says. “I want to serve Him and be used to glorify His name for giving me new life.”

Pastor Paul was used by God to help Neelam because he was properly prepared and equipped for ministry. He attended an Empart Transformation Centre, where he was discipled and taught how to share the Gospel message. This teaching, his unfailing faith and total expectation enabled God to move and raise Neelam from death to life.

This Easter, will you Rise Up and ensure that men like Pastor Paul and women like Neelam are trained to share Jesus’ love? Together, we can train and resource them so that many more lives may be transformed for eternity.