Pastor Venkateswara Rao

LAST CHANCE LETTER

A warmly spiritual 8-page Letter of Introduction arrived in our office in the summer of 1996 from Pastor Venkateswara Rao of Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.  We seldom receive such an opening salvo from anyone.  So we paid close attention to his reasons for contacting us. Yes, he had our address, and he seemed sincere in his service to Christ, but he knew nothing about our Media Vision or how we might be able to assist him.  Was it a cultural gap - a failure to communicate - or just letters not getting through.  Although we had some correspondence over the next 4 years, we could not seem to connect on his vision for Media.  Therefore, nothing was shipped.

Finally, we tried one more time and sent a Last Chance Challenge.  This letter received an immediate response from Rev. Rao so that from January 2001 we have finally been on the same page, regarding his Media Ministry.  “I believe God will open doors for the use of the new media resources.  We want to conduct Gospel meetings in rural locations and help plant new churches with the converts in these villages.  We’d like to reach out to the poor and downtrodden people in this area as well.”

So after 5 years of writing, it took a Last Chance Letter to open a wonderful new venue for AVangelism in central India.  “Today I received your parcel.  I have prayed to God and dedicated my new Torch Kit for His ministry.  I assure you this media is very valuable for our work.  The Filmstrips and Videos have the power to imprint God’s messages on the minds of these village people.  After completing their daily work, they gladly gather together in the common places in their village and invite us to show them our Filmstrip Stories.”

On his 1^st Report, he wrote, “I’m really grateful to your ministry. Brother, this media has been very useful for our work.  We have already visited several villages and everyone is interested to see our stories.  So many people are coming out and hearing the Good News.”

Much of Rev. Rao’s work takes place in staunchly-Hindu villages.  “One night a small group of men under the influence of alcohol began shouting that we should stop our preaching.  They questioned us and threatened us.  We were very worried.  So many of our team began to pray.  We pleaded our desire to help them.  Help their children with some of our gifts.  Yet, they continued to threaten our lives.  Finally, an elder village leader stood and demanded that they leave us in peace.  Praise God!  We finished and returned home safely.  We have now taken the media to 54 villages.  Many children have given their lives to Christ, but most of the adults are afraid to commit.  Facing great physical harm, 9 families recently stepped forward in 1 of the villages and asked us to start a new church for them.  Please pray for them, as they will almost certainly face great persecution.”

Accepting Christ in another culture can cost you your life.  Yet, these dear souls are willing to do so for Christ through the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  “I want to ask you for another Torch Kit, “ he wrote in August 2004.  “Whenever we organize meetings in 2 locations at a time, 1 location can’t show the drama stories.”  After InterComm provided his 2^nd Kit, he wrote, “Praise God for giving us another Kit for the ministry.  We will use this Kit for the glory of God, and it will not sit on the shelf idle.  We now have 35 pastors, conducting worship in 40 locations, and we always begin a new work, using the media.  Please remember us in your prayers.”

Reports received from Rev. Rao list 458 showings to 7073 people with 1187 receiving Christ.  And to think we almost missed this blessing except the Lord urged us to send that 1 Last Chance Letter.

PUT INTO PRACTICE

Dr Ezekiel Udoh from Nigeria writes:

“Since the arrival of your Media Evangelism Tools, my rural evangelism has moved up to another level.  Now we have more response to our street market and river evangelism.  Our work is expanding, and we already need more tools.  Since I started Rural Evangelism, InterComm is the only ministry that has ever supported us.  Thank you so very much.  Your tools have helped me to put into practice what I learned at the Haggai Institute in Singapore in Evangelism Training.  I must confess that your ministry has encouraged me here.  Thank you so much and keep up your good works.”

He reported 56 showings with 1218 responding to Christ.

OPEN NEW DOORS

Evangelist Sunday Owolabi from Nigeria writes:

“I sent one of your French Films to Pt Novo for one of our National Missionaries to use.  He tells me the response was so great that it almost doubled the church attendance the following Sunday.  When the showing was over, he gave an invitation, and many people came forward to accept Christ.  We cannot but thank God for your ministry.  It’s really opening new doors for us to get the Gospel out to the people in a new and dynamic way.  It is such a wonderful tool to bring a crowd together out in the villages so that they can hear and see pictures and learn about Jesus Christ for themselves.  Please continue to pray for us, as we do for you.”

VERY EFFICIENT

Rev. Badini KS Silas from Burkina Faso writes:

“We showed the Filmstrips in areas populated by people belonging mainly to the Mossi ethnic group.  The Mossi are less hostile to the Gospel than Fulanis or Muslims.  Many listened closely, and we are realizing that the Torch Kit is a very efficient way of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.  We are grateful to the Lord for all the media that you have sent.”

POWERFUL TOOLS

Pastor Alexander Chetty of Fiji writes:

“Certainly your package was an answer to our prayers.  Here in this under-developed country, there is a great need for such ministry to reach the younger generation.  Today I showed the video, ELEPHANT BOY.  Many came out to see it and were greatly touched and blessed.  Every night I’m reaching out to children, high school teenagers, and older people with the InterComm materials to share the love of Jesus.  You’ve equipped me with a powerful tool of evangelism for the needy generation in my nation.  In the meantime, I’m also training younger leaders to use these tools in their Sunday schools, youth night fellowships, and our many crusades also.  I am deeply satisfied and glad to see our Lord’s blessing and miracles through InterComm ministries that has landed on our shores where I am ministering to the Hindu and Muslim people.  I have now started my 10^th church, which is 1 year old and already has 50 people.  May God richly bless you in your ministry, which has blessed many hearts around the globe.”

HEARTBEAT - IN HIM I ABIDE

penned by Ken Anderson August 29, 1983

“Morning by morning, His praises I sing.

Sunrise to sunset, I walk with the King.

When shadows fall, the good shepherd is there.

Through the night watches I rest in His care.”

Chorus:

            “He is my counselor, guardsman and friend -

            Love without measure for life without end.

            Life’s every instance in Him I confide,

            Daylight or darkness in Him I abide.

Winter and springtime, in summer and fall,

Full steadfast am I with him Lord of all.

Each stress and each test are vantage to see

Now surely His grace suffices for me.

More must I learn about trusting my Lord.

The Bible my light, my shield and my sword.

Through faith that is sight in praise I can say,

Tomorrow assured, I welcome today!”

Ken Anderson went to be with his Lord Sunday March 12, 2006

Memorial may be sent to InterComm.

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“Heaven is the infinite amplification of earth’s  sublimest moments.”

  - from EDGE OF PARADISE                        

        Written by Ken Anderson

The harvest began, as noted on his first

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