Read of firsthand, eyewitness accounts from visitors to Agape Christian Mission.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ambassador as "an authorized representative or messenger." As visitors to Agape Christian Mission take their experiences back home with them and share the good news of what God is doing through our ministries, they truly act as our ambassadors. It is our hope that through the sharing of their experiences, you will gain a feel for what it is like to be a visitor to ACM here in India.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ambassador as "an authorized representative or messenger." As visitors to Agape Christian Mission take their experiences back home with them and share the good news of what God is doing through our ministries, they truly act as our ambassadors. It is our hope that through the sharing of their experiences, you will gain a feel for what it is like to be a visitor to ACM here in India.
Anthony Pike's trip to Agape Christian Mission
1/2/2011 - 15/2/2011
We based ourselves in the orphanage and then ministered to people from up to 40 villages sharing the gospel countless times in small groups, one-to-one and in meetings. We prayed for just over 35 first time decisions over the 2 weeks! To read the entire account of Anthony Pike's trip to Agape Christian Mission click here (must have Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Visitors from U.S.A.
August 2009
In August 2009, I was blessed to experience a once in a lifetime trip.
After being in touch with Pastor Nehemiah Rajan, founder and director of Agape Christian Ministry, and his wife, Helen, for over eight years, I had the opportunity and privilege of making the trip to Salem, India to meet them in person.
For the last year and a half prior to the trip, I had been in contact with Rick and Nona Taylor of Virginia, and we had forged a wonderful friendship with Rajan, Helen and the children being right in the middle of us! When they invited me to go with them, I said yes…but in my heart, I was not convinced it would ever really happen. But, as days, weeks and months rolled by, the day was fast approaching and it dawned on me, “Yes, I am going to India.” After a four and half hour trip from Bangalore Airport to the compound in Salem, what a sight it was to see beautiful Helen, carrying baby Joshua, and all the children lined up on two sides of the small roadway into the compound. They held in their hands beautiful laurels of red flowers, which those little hands had made just for us.
As we walked through the rows of little smiling faces, those little hands reached out to greet us, one by one, “Hello, uncle”, “Hello, Aunty”. It was just too good to be true!
I cannot say enough about the hospitality of Pastor Rajan and Helen and all the children and staff of ACM. They treated us with the utmost care and consideration during every day of our two week stay.
Pastor Rajan had a schedule arranged for us for each day, but it was very flexible. We met so many wonderful people from their church and the
surrounding churches and villages. We had a wonderful time going to market with them early one morning, and what an experience that was. We were able to really experience the culture in so many ways.
While we were there, the city of Salem, along with the rest of India, was celebrating some important holidays and festivals, so the sights
and sounds are still quite vivid in my mind.
After being in touch with Pastor Nehemiah Rajan, founder and director of Agape Christian Ministry, and his wife, Helen, for over eight years, I had the opportunity and privilege of making the trip to Salem, India to meet them in person.
For the last year and a half prior to the trip, I had been in contact with Rick and Nona Taylor of Virginia, and we had forged a wonderful friendship with Rajan, Helen and the children being right in the middle of us! When they invited me to go with them, I said yes…but in my heart, I was not convinced it would ever really happen. But, as days, weeks and months rolled by, the day was fast approaching and it dawned on me, “Yes, I am going to India.” After a four and half hour trip from Bangalore Airport to the compound in Salem, what a sight it was to see beautiful Helen, carrying baby Joshua, and all the children lined up on two sides of the small roadway into the compound. They held in their hands beautiful laurels of red flowers, which those little hands had made just for us.
As we walked through the rows of little smiling faces, those little hands reached out to greet us, one by one, “Hello, uncle”, “Hello, Aunty”. It was just too good to be true!
I cannot say enough about the hospitality of Pastor Rajan and Helen and all the children and staff of ACM. They treated us with the utmost care and consideration during every day of our two week stay.
Pastor Rajan had a schedule arranged for us for each day, but it was very flexible. We met so many wonderful people from their church and the
surrounding churches and villages. We had a wonderful time going to market with them early one morning, and what an experience that was. We were able to really experience the culture in so many ways.
While we were there, the city of Salem, along with the rest of India, was celebrating some important holidays and festivals, so the sights
and sounds are still quite vivid in my mind.
One of the most cherished memories for me was waking in the morning to the beautiful and sweet voices of the children singing downstairs in chapel. They rise very early in the morning during the week preparing for their school day, but they open each day with chapel; Bible reading, songs and prayer.
If we could shake off the jet lag and get our eyes focused and brains wakened up, we would go downstairs and see the children before they had to leave for school. We were always greeted by those same, bright shining and smiling faces, and “Good morning, Aunty”, “Good morning, Uncle”.
Dear Helen always brought tea and sweets to our room before breakfast. Breakfast was the traditional food of India, being rice with various sauces on the side. We had a wonderful time together and shared so many fun and exciting times.
We were able to participate in little Joshua’s dedication, and two of the children were baptized with many church members coming to help celebrate the wonderful occasions.
Rick taught two Men’s Seminars and Nona and I participated in two Women’s Seminars with men and women from many of the outlying cities and
villages attending.
One of the most touching programs we were able to participate in was the feeding program for lepers. These folks taught us, and can teach all people, the true meaning of faith considering their unique circumstances of life. Some need special shoes so they can walk, but all have special needs. Pastor Rajan and Helen have been hosting this ministry for many years, and it is conducted once a month.
Another exciting and eye opening experience was on the trips to villages to show the Jesus film. Everywhere we went, the people were so very gracious. Everyone had plenty of coconuts and so we had plenty of coconut meat and drink wherever we went.
If we could shake off the jet lag and get our eyes focused and brains wakened up, we would go downstairs and see the children before they had to leave for school. We were always greeted by those same, bright shining and smiling faces, and “Good morning, Aunty”, “Good morning, Uncle”.
Dear Helen always brought tea and sweets to our room before breakfast. Breakfast was the traditional food of India, being rice with various sauces on the side. We had a wonderful time together and shared so many fun and exciting times.
We were able to participate in little Joshua’s dedication, and two of the children were baptized with many church members coming to help celebrate the wonderful occasions.
Rick taught two Men’s Seminars and Nona and I participated in two Women’s Seminars with men and women from many of the outlying cities and
villages attending.
One of the most touching programs we were able to participate in was the feeding program for lepers. These folks taught us, and can teach all people, the true meaning of faith considering their unique circumstances of life. Some need special shoes so they can walk, but all have special needs. Pastor Rajan and Helen have been hosting this ministry for many years, and it is conducted once a month.
Another exciting and eye opening experience was on the trips to villages to show the Jesus film. Everywhere we went, the people were so very gracious. Everyone had plenty of coconuts and so we had plenty of coconut meat and drink wherever we went.
In one village we were asked to pray for a dear young woman whose husband had been killed in a motorcycle accident. She was left as a widow at a young age, with two young children. Life is not easy in the villages especially when there is drought, and water is a precious resource. Wells were drying up, people had to go draw water from neighboring wells where water was still flowing. But there were still some farmers who had water for their crops and they were just beautiful to behold; so green and verdant. Some of the farms reminded me of ones
I remember in my home state of Georgia. One of the villages we visited was the one in which Pastor Rajan grew up. His heart has always been to be able to support a pastor for his village and since our trip, he has realized this dream. He still has hopes to establish a church there, and also in other villages of the Tamil Nadu region.
Right now, there are 41 children at ACM, but Pastor Rajan’s dream is for 100 this year. Due to the worldwide recession, sponsorship and financial contributions have slowed down considerably, but the dreams of Pastor Rajan and Helen are still being fulfilled. It is my heart’s desire, my fervent prayer and hope, that all of their dreams and visions will be fulfilled, and the poorest of the poor children within their reach will not be left out simply because our economy is slowed down. If I remember correctly, scripture says, “Nothing is too hard for God…” !
It is my prayer that if God Wills, I will be able to make a return trip, hopefully this November, again with my dear friends, Rick and Nona Taylor.
I can’t wait to see those smiling faces again…and I know that they will all be a year older, and I’m sure they have grown so much! But I bet they will still be excited to see us, we will still hear them say, “Hello, Aunty”, “Hello, Uncle”, and those little hands, not quite as little, will reach out to us again.
No, I bet we will all run to each other and they will jump into our arms, and their hugs will be the laurels we wear from now on! That’s my vision!
Glenda Smith
North Asheville, N.C. (USA)
I remember in my home state of Georgia. One of the villages we visited was the one in which Pastor Rajan grew up. His heart has always been to be able to support a pastor for his village and since our trip, he has realized this dream. He still has hopes to establish a church there, and also in other villages of the Tamil Nadu region.
Right now, there are 41 children at ACM, but Pastor Rajan’s dream is for 100 this year. Due to the worldwide recession, sponsorship and financial contributions have slowed down considerably, but the dreams of Pastor Rajan and Helen are still being fulfilled. It is my heart’s desire, my fervent prayer and hope, that all of their dreams and visions will be fulfilled, and the poorest of the poor children within their reach will not be left out simply because our economy is slowed down. If I remember correctly, scripture says, “Nothing is too hard for God…” !
It is my prayer that if God Wills, I will be able to make a return trip, hopefully this November, again with my dear friends, Rick and Nona Taylor.
I can’t wait to see those smiling faces again…and I know that they will all be a year older, and I’m sure they have grown so much! But I bet they will still be excited to see us, we will still hear them say, “Hello, Aunty”, “Hello, Uncle”, and those little hands, not quite as little, will reach out to us again.
No, I bet we will all run to each other and they will jump into our arms, and their hugs will be the laurels we wear from now on! That’s my vision!
Glenda Smith
North Asheville, N.C. (USA)
Return Visit From England
August 18, 2009
I was privileged to return to ACM for nearly three weeks recently, and was welcomed back into the ACM family with great love. During my visit I witnessed and was blessed to take part in many of the threads of ministry running through ACM: Ministering to and feeding 40 people who have suffered leprosy; visiting a number of local house churches, to encourage and pray for believers; helping to share teaching, encouragement and prayer for young people at an Easter youth camp. I was also blessed to take part in the
dedication of the church building at Yercaud village, and to share the Gospel in other villages through film ministry and prayer, with many adults and children.
The pastors at ACM also network with, and support, other small independent churches. Throughout my visit I witnessed that believers and non-believers alike were shown great love and compassion.
I also spent lots of time with the children, getting to know each of them personally through playing games, singing worship songs, helping them with their homework and just watching them at work and play. Their typical day starts at about 6.00am with a long, joyful worship session accompanied by drums and tambourines! Bible teaching, memorising Bible verses, and prayer, follow this. What a joyous way to start the day! After breakfast and a review of last night’s homework, the children are focused on the day ahead, and they go off to school. I spent many hours watching and interacting with these grace-filled children, whose lives have been totally turned around since coming to live at ACM. During my visit I accompanied two children to their village of origin, and their behaviour and expressions were a real witness to the villagers to the power of Christ at work in their lives.
dedication of the church building at Yercaud village, and to share the Gospel in other villages through film ministry and prayer, with many adults and children.
The pastors at ACM also network with, and support, other small independent churches. Throughout my visit I witnessed that believers and non-believers alike were shown great love and compassion.
I also spent lots of time with the children, getting to know each of them personally through playing games, singing worship songs, helping them with their homework and just watching them at work and play. Their typical day starts at about 6.00am with a long, joyful worship session accompanied by drums and tambourines! Bible teaching, memorising Bible verses, and prayer, follow this. What a joyous way to start the day! After breakfast and a review of last night’s homework, the children are focused on the day ahead, and they go off to school. I spent many hours watching and interacting with these grace-filled children, whose lives have been totally turned around since coming to live at ACM. During my visit I accompanied two children to their village of origin, and their behaviour and expressions were a real witness to the villagers to the power of Christ at work in their lives.
At ACM I saw 16-year-old boys lovingly ironing their friends clothes for the next day! Little ones were jumping to hang their washing on the line, watering the plants, sweeping and washing the floor, as well as both boys and girls helping Helen out with baby Joshua. In the West these tasks would be done grudgingly for the most part, but at ACM they are done with the joy of Christ. All of this testifies to the one hundred percent dependency on Christ and to the spirit filled lives of Rajan, Helen, and the other adult members of the ACM family. Despite the demands of caring for a tiny baby, Helen still took the time to generously and lovingly share of herself and humbly meet my needs.
God has given Pastor Rajan real vision for ACM and its way forward, and He has equipped him well for the task. Rajan is complimented in this ministry by the skills of committed board members, workers. In faith they daily step out in God’s purpose, to “reach the unreached” in the name of Christ.
May God bless my ACM family!
In His name,
Sheila Dyer,
Dorset, England
God has given Pastor Rajan real vision for ACM and its way forward, and He has equipped him well for the task. Rajan is complimented in this ministry by the skills of committed board members, workers. In faith they daily step out in God’s purpose, to “reach the unreached” in the name of Christ.
May God bless my ACM family!
In His name,
Sheila Dyer,
Dorset, England
Visitor from England
December 2008
I was blessed to spend one day at ACM and was witness to wonderful fellowship, church growth and spread of the Gospel. I was made so welcome by the 30 children there who are secure and happy and growing up well rooted in Christ. They performed lovely nativity scenes and dance routines for me. I was also privileged to take part in their communion service, witness a baptism in their new baptism tank, help in the feeding of a large group of lepers who receive not only food but also great love and encouragement during their visits.
We also visited one of the many outreach churches planted by ACM in a nearby hill village which is home to 20 or so happy children. Their pastor, Rajan and John shared the Gospel with great joy and love.
We also visited one of the many outreach churches planted by ACM in a nearby hill village which is home to 20 or so happy children. Their pastor, Rajan and John shared the Gospel with great joy and love.
ACM is a true family in the spirit of Christ and I was made to feel so much part of this during my 24 hours with them that I can’t wait to return for a stay of several weeks at Easter 2009. The smiles of the children are a true testimony to the love of God that they see in their wonderful role models, Rajan, John and Helen and all those around them at
ACM.
I encourage anyone to visit ACM and know that you will be made so welcome and be richly blessed .
Sheila Dyer
Dorset, England
ACM.
I encourage anyone to visit ACM and know that you will be made so welcome and be richly blessed .
Sheila Dyer
Dorset, England
Visit by Jessie Franks from the U.S.A.
December 2007
You Want to See Christ...
I came in contact with this ACM through John Scudder, a fellow classmate of mine at Union Biblical Seminary in India. As I got to know John it was evident to me that there was something different about him. His insight into the Christian faith and the exercise of it showed him to be wiser in the love and truth of Christ than most. That was two years ago and it was two months ago that I again was able to see this “true faith” in not only John but his fellow workers in Christ, Rajan, Helen, and their friends.
After spending a week at ACM I can confidently call it “the quintessence of all that ministry should be”. It could also be described as holistically holistic and I have no problem being redundant in that description. The mission addresses the issues of life of those they serve spiritually and physically. When they care for the hungry they not only serve the stomach of poor but they serve love. ACM provides meals of eternal value through their witness of Christ in word and deed.
I came in contact with this ACM through John Scudder, a fellow classmate of mine at Union Biblical Seminary in India. As I got to know John it was evident to me that there was something different about him. His insight into the Christian faith and the exercise of it showed him to be wiser in the love and truth of Christ than most. That was two years ago and it was two months ago that I again was able to see this “true faith” in not only John but his fellow workers in Christ, Rajan, Helen, and their friends.
After spending a week at ACM I can confidently call it “the quintessence of all that ministry should be”. It could also be described as holistically holistic and I have no problem being redundant in that description. The mission addresses the issues of life of those they serve spiritually and physically. When they care for the hungry they not only serve the stomach of poor but they serve love. ACM provides meals of eternal value through their witness of Christ in word and deed.
In visiting ACM I was given the privilege of seeing Christ many times. I saw him in John, Rajan, and Helen, I saw him in those they serve, and I saw him in those who contributed to the work, that is, Bob and Rick. In a letter I wrote to my family in New York I expressed the following sentiment, “This trip has changed my life forever. I am thankful to God that I was able to go and see that it was in His design. The orphan children, and lepers were heart breaking and beautiful at the same time. I saw Christ in their humility and innocent suffering.” If anybody reads this and has the desire to better grasp the Christian faith involvement in ACM is surely a step into that blessing. It is a step out of complacency, a step out of the mundane, and a 360 flip into the reality, the love, and full life found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Living Real— Jesse Frank
New York, U.S.A.
Living Real— Jesse Frank
New York, U.S.A.
Missions Trip to India
December 2007
Pastor Bob Spalding and I visited Agape Christian Mission in India from Nov 22-30, 2007, and what a wonderful week of experiences it was. We have been communicating via email and phone with the wonderful folks at ACM for almost 2 years now, and finally found the time to make this long awaited trip. Pastor Rajan and his wife Helen, along with brother John and the other wonderful people working at ACM treated us like royalty and made sure all of our needs were taken care of.
The main purpose of our visit was to finally meet everyone and deepen our friendships, and to see firsthand their ministries as well as the accompanying needs. We also wanted to discuss future cooperation, things we might be able to do here in the States to assist them in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in their region of India as well as meet the overwhelming physical and material needs of the people around them.
The main purpose of our visit was to finally meet everyone and deepen our friendships, and to see firsthand their ministries as well as the accompanying needs. We also wanted to discuss future cooperation, things we might be able to do here in the States to assist them in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in their region of India as well as meet the overwhelming physical and material needs of the people around them.
Bob and I were kept very busy…six days in Salem was very little time to try to experience everything, but we were determined to try. We took part in the Pastors and Evangelists Conference, the launching of the Agape
Bible School for emerging Christian leaders, the film ministry to the hill tribes, a visit to the leper colony to bring them bags of rice along with the gospel message, visits to numerous small churches and house churches, the
dedication of the Transformation Center and Agape Home for Girls, visiting with the children in the Agape Home for Boys, and more. The boys put on a wonderful presentation for us our first night there, and both Bob and I were very impressed with their song and dance presentations as well as their memorization of Scripture (not just single verses, but in many cases entire chapters of the Bible!).
All in all, even though it was a very exhausting trip both Bob and I returned home with new friends, strengthened friendships, and an appreciation for all that ACM is doing and desiring to do in India. And we also have a deepened burden for the lost of India, as well as a more earnest commitment to ACM. I’m already looking forward to Oct-Nov of 2008 when my wife Nona and I are planning on visiting our dear friends at Agape Christian Mission for 2 weeks.
In His Service,
Rick Taylor
Manassas, Virginia U.S.A.
Bible School for emerging Christian leaders, the film ministry to the hill tribes, a visit to the leper colony to bring them bags of rice along with the gospel message, visits to numerous small churches and house churches, the
dedication of the Transformation Center and Agape Home for Girls, visiting with the children in the Agape Home for Boys, and more. The boys put on a wonderful presentation for us our first night there, and both Bob and I were very impressed with their song and dance presentations as well as their memorization of Scripture (not just single verses, but in many cases entire chapters of the Bible!).
All in all, even though it was a very exhausting trip both Bob and I returned home with new friends, strengthened friendships, and an appreciation for all that ACM is doing and desiring to do in India. And we also have a deepened burden for the lost of India, as well as a more earnest commitment to ACM. I’m already looking forward to Oct-Nov of 2008 when my wife Nona and I are planning on visiting our dear friends at Agape Christian Mission for 2 weeks.
In His Service,
Rick Taylor
Manassas, Virginia U.S.A.
