India: Pastor Charles Arrives!

After a two-day delay (because of the snowstorm) and then a two-hour delay (re-scheduling of flights), Pastor Charles' flight finally left DC bound for India. He left behind another snowstorm and a recovering region.

I began teaching the Wednesday morning Bible Conference, and was just beginning to move to my last teaching point when spontaneous applause erupted from the students and pastors. I didn't recall having said anything too profound, but then realized that Pastor Charles had entered the room behind me.

Well, I quickly wound my message down, desiring to give Pastor Charles as much time as possible to make up for the day-and-a-half of the conference he missed. After a brief introduction, the traditional garlanding (mine came last Sunday), and his first-hand account of the historic DC snowstorm, he began teaching on Building According to the Pattern, a study of the book of Acts.

The eager students and pastors diligently took notes and followed along with a syllabus that Pastor Daniel's son Jesher had translated into Telugu and printed for the conference. The teaching was excellent, the material was powerful, and the Spirit was strong.

Pastor Charles will continue this afternoon and evening with more teaching from Acts, then we will ordain some former Muslims as pastors, and anoint and pray for all of the conference attendees.
 
The snow may still be falling in DC, but the presence of God is falling in Kazipet!

Former communist Karnakar, jailed after giving his life to Christ, and Mark-Paul, a graduate of the 1st class, follow Pastor Charles' teaching.

Over 350 graduates, pastors and students learning from the book of Acts.

 Although I sat under the teaching with the other students, I still had time to make some new friends!

India: Bible Conference Beginning

This morning the annual Bible Conference for the Immanuel's School of the Bible in India began, but without it's founder Pastor Charles Schmitt. He is currently in the air on his way, having been delayed two days because of the DC snowstorm (my scheduled flight was a few hours before the snow began to fall, so I was able to step in and get things started).
Standing in for Pastor Charles, I followed Pastor Daniel and we brought the conference's first messages. I focused on Proverbs 3 and the value of seeking wisdom. It was a moving sight as I looked out over more than 350 hungry past and current students, intently listening and eagerly taking notes as I taught.

As I spoke, I encouraged and challenged the students and pastors to seek wisdom above everything else. I challenged them to surround themselves with a group of mentors who will give Godly counsel as they seek to make wise decisions, no matter what their experience.

The vision that Pastor Charles had over 12 years ago has been fulfilled each year for 11 years now, as Biblically trained students are commissioned to go to the remote parts of India and start churches and ministries. They return to Kazipet and the Ecclesia campus each year for a week of teaching (mostly led by Pastor Charles), and evening crusade meetings where the Gospel is preached and thousands of people attend.

Not only did I stand in for Pastor Charles in the Bible Conference, but I was also called upon to give a blessing to the newly married daughter and son-in-law of Pastor Joy-David Kalyanapu, the brother of Pastor Daniel. The couple will be living in Maryland, just 20 miles from my home. (And she cooks authentic Indian food...it will be a great friendship for my wife Elaine and I!)

This afternoon we continue with the Bible Conference, and then tomorrow I will pass the baton to Pastor Charles, as he will have arrived in the small hours of the morning. Continue to lift up Pastor Charles and myself, as well as the rest of the team from India. The week has started strong, and will continue to build! 
Question: When have you been called upon to step in for another person and fill a gap?

Unexpected Sunday Night Fireworks

I was about to be driven to my room after we had a late home-cooked authentic Indian dinner (do I sound like I love home-cooked authentic Indian food?) when pastor Daniel asked me to join him in praying for a young lady whose family had brought her over.

The young lady was exhibiting periodic outbursts of screaming and flailing, when she wasn't docile. In her docile state, she repeatedly gouged her thumbs into her eyes. We later found out that she had some mental challenges, and her behavior, though "normal" for her and her family, was still something of a concern as her outbursts were becoming more frequent.

I began to pray for her while Pastor Daniel anointed her with oil. She in turn began to hit me with her fists on my arms and legs (she was sitting on the floor). I've been punched by a girl before (Junior High...long story), and these blows carried a little more punch.

We continued to pray, and were joined by some of the local team at the church who were already in a prayer meeting. The girl eventually calmed down and remained calm, because the peace of God settled on her.

She and her family are Hindus, and Pastor Daniel will continue to minister to them. I believe as a result of this experience, they will come to trust in Jesus very soon.

I must say it was an unexpected encounter. My plan was to return to my room and study for the teaching I will be doing beginning on Tuesday (Pastor Charles' flight was canceled again. He will arrive very early in the morning on Wednesday...hopefully). Instead, I stepped into a lively encounter where the Good Guys won!

Question: When have you had your plans altered by an unexpected encounter?

India 2010, First Day Of Ministry: 4 Lepers

As my family and friends in the DC area try to dig themselves out from under a historic snowstorm, I had the privilege of speaking at the Sunday morning worship service of Ecclesia Ministries in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh, India. I feel bad that I am not with my family to help them dig out, but I am here (with their blessing of course).

Ecclesia Ministries, under the leadership of Pastor Daniel Kalyanapu is celebrating 25 years of ministry this week, and I was called upon to deliver the first message of the week-long celebration. I felt led to speak about the four lepers in II Kings 7, who when expecting to die because of a famine in their city (they were under siege from the Armenian army), went to the camp of the enemy hoping to be spared and given some food.

What they found was a deserted camp because the Lord God had caused all of the Armenians to flee, leaving a camp full of food, clothing, silver and gold. The four lepers ate, drank and hid for themselves the silver and gold found in the first tent they opened. They went to the second tent and did the same thing.

Realizing that all of the tents contained the same food and riches, they said to each other, "What we are doing is not right." Choosing to do the right thing, they went and told the city officials of their discovery, and thus the city was saved.

I challenged the members of the church to not sit back and enjoy the blessings of the 25 years of successful ministry, but rather continue to share what they have, the good news of Jesus Christ.

I believe that the Lord has even greater things in store for the many thousands of people who call themselves part of Ecclesia Ministries. If it takes four lepers to teach us how to share what we have with others, that's OK with me.

Question: What are you sharing with others?

DC Blizzard...I Missed It!

BWI, JFK, Dubai, Hyderabad, Kazipet. I arrived safely in India very early this morning, and after retrieving my luggage, I was met by my favorite translator Jesher. We drove the 2 1/2 hour trip to Kazipet, I had a shower, a nap and a fabulous Indian meal, and now it's Blog update time.

I understand from my wife Elaine, whom I chatted with while I was in Dubai (and whom i miss dearly), that I got out of DC just in time ahead of the snow. So while my family and friends back home are enjoying(?) the blizzard, I am basking in the near 90 degree heat of south-central India! Not a bad trade-off (my wife and kids know where the snow shovels are).

Tomorrow I have the honor of preaching in Pastor Daniel Kalyanapu's church, as they are celebrating their 25th anniversary. I always count it a privilege to speak to Pastor Daniel's people, and this event makes it even more special. Then I will be preparing to kick-off the Bible Conference, as my senior pastor, Charles Schmitt, travels here, having been delayed because of the blizzard. (I didn't plan on speaking right away at the conference, but that's what snow delays will do...)

I intend to post to this Blog daily, as we minister at the Bible Conference, Bible School graduation, and crusade. Keep following, and please leave your comments!

India Calls...Again!

I will be leaving for India on Thursday, partnering with my Senior Pastor for eight days of ministry in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh. We will be teaching at a Bible Conference, graduating the 11th class of our Bible School there, and preaching at a nightly crusade.

Although this is my seventh trip to India in the last three years, I do not take lightly the responsibility and privilege that I have in participating in what God is already doing among the Indian people. My wife says that when I go to India, "God shows off, and Brad gets to be a part of it."

Please check this Blog regularly, as I will be updating with daily posts (once I am on the ground after two days of traveling). If you are a Facebook member, please 'friend' me (Brad Lewis). Also, if you Twitter, please join the conversation (@bigcloudmusic).

And please leave comments below...

Finding Answers For Impossible Situations

There's a story in the Bible about four lepers who were in a bad situation, but through a little creativity and boldness, they were able to improve their circumstances beyond their wildest dreams.

The city where they lived was under siege by their enemies, and a great famine ensued. All of the inhabitants of the city were affected, especially the lepers who pretty-much had to beg for everything they got. The four of them got to talking to each other one day, and they made the collective decision to leave the city, go to the camp of the enemy, and beg for food from them (who had an abundance of food, drink, clothing, and other assorted "stuff").

Their reasoning was this: If they stayed inside the city, they were going to die. If they went to the enemy camp, they were going to die...but, maybe the enemies would show mercy and give them something to eat and drink.

Well an interesting thing happened. The Lord God made the enemies who were camping outside the city hear the sound of a great army of horses and chariots, and they thought it was the allies of the city residents coming to rescue them. They literally ran away and left everything behind, even stripping off extra clothing as they ran so they could run away even fraster.

The four lepers of our story found the abandoned campground and after checking out a few of the tents, found that they had stumbled upon a mega-powerball-sized jackpot. Food, drink, clothing, silver, and gold were all left behind by the scared enemies. The four lepers began to eat and drink all that they wanted, and then to gather the riches and stockpile them for themselves for later use.

There is more to this story, but for the purposes of this Blog post, allow me to state that looking outside of a seemingly impossible problem or situation may produce the solution or answers you are seeking. Add to that a little boldness to move beyond the familiar and comfortable, and you are setting the stage for a huge breakthrough.

Having some faith in the Lord God completes the package.

Question: What difficult or impossible situation are you facing that may need you to look outside for an answer, to look inside for some boldness, and to have the faith to look heavenward for help?