The Church in Agra - finishing the work

Pastor Joseph and Pastor J.P. at Agra church

The city of Agra is known all around the world – except it is not known by name. It houses what is arguably the world’s best known monument, the Taj Mahal. In this Muslim-dominated city, the Lord has given us the opportunity to plant and build a church.

Over the years Pastor J.P. and his family have been the light in this Muslim city. In the shadows of the Taj Mahal there is a great need for many to hear the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor J.P. and his family have been frequently persecuted, but still the church continues to grow. A few of us have had the opportunity to visit this church and see the faithfulness of all the brothers and sisters – most of them have come from Islam and some from Hinduism, boldly proclaiming Jesus!

Drawing only on its local resources, the church has been able to start construction on a church building, as you see in these pictures. It is a miracle that they have been able to do this! But these walls have been like this for the last six years; Pastor J.P. and his flock have not been able to put on the roof they need to close up the building. The church still gathers every week, two or three times, and they praise and thank Jesus for what they have. During the monsoon season they try to put up plastic to hold the rain out, or just sit under umbrellas.

Update - May 2010 - Pastor Joseph traveled to Agra in April to encourage the flock of believers and to see that a roof was finally constructed (after several years without one) to finish the building for the saints there. Praise the LORD! In addition, church construction has been started for Pastor Arvind’s fellowship in Ratnagiri, as well as for Pastor Ayyub’s flock in Jagdalpur. What a wonderful blessing to see these buildings finally coming to pass after much prayer and tribulation. Now these faithful saints will have their own dedicated places in which to regularly meet and worship the Lord.

This church has been a testimony to me.  I wonder how long I would continue to go to a church that doesn’t have a roof, where the walls are not completely built, the floors are not finished, and there is no paint. It is clear that these saints are looking at Jesus to meet their needs and not the church building.

I know we here are going through a rough time economically. But I pray that when you look at these   pictures they will remind you how faithful the Lord has been to you, and in spite of all that may be happening for you right now, He is still on the throne. Jesus isn’t concerned, stressed out, pacing back and forth, wondering what to do. He is completely in control of your situation and, just like with the church in Agra, He wants you to continue to look to Him for all your needs and not continually at your circumstances.

Pastor Joseph and Pastor J.P. at Agra church

May the Joy of the LORD be your Strength, Saints! If the Lord speaks to your heart about helping to finish this church building, please contact us. The cost to put on a roof, finish the walls, plaster, windows, and electrical is $7,000.00. The Church in Agra continues in prayer, fasting, breaking of bread, and fellowship every day, and they are praying for you, that the Lord would continue to bless you as you serve Him.

My prayer in these times here at home is that we would be men, women, and families that would burn with an insatiable desire to pray! We tear down the walls of the enemy by prayer and we build walls of faith by prayer.  What are you building? What are you investing in? Good questions as we re-evaluate our walk with Jesus!

In His Service

Pastor Ben

“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ ” Luke 14:27-30