I just returned from the crusade in Samsi, West Bengal, India. I am tired but doing well. The crusade exceeded expectations and we have returned excited about the future of the work of God there.

People that traveled with me to minister there included Joe Casterino, Rev. and Mrs. Patrick Miller, and Clifford Pereira. We also had a pastor DaLong with us from Kolkata, India.

We arrived at the camp compound on Sunday morning at around 7:30 AM. We were exhausted but excited. That last 10 hour train ride was a bear. There was no time to rest as the first service started at 9:30 AM. There were around 1500 already in attendance. The people continued to come in from the village churches all through the day. The total amount of people that attended was around 2800 to 3000. They were accommodated and fed 3 meals for 3 days and nights. In the years past all the village people stayed in the class rooms in the school, but this year in addition to the worship tent we also put up an enclosed 30 by 100 tent where about a 1000+ of the people stayed.

All the visitors stayed in the school visitors accommodations and were taken care of by Br. and Sis Thomas. These are great people who founded the work there 25 years ago and started from nothing. Today they have a huge compound, three levels of school totaling 750 students, and a Bible school of about 25 students.

We had service every morning and evening that were preached by myself and Br. Miller. Br. Casterino took care of all children’s services every day (2 daily). In addition we conducted seminars and classes for pastors and various age groups during the afternoon on various challenges that they are going through. We also conducted an ordination for 13 pastors, and a graduation ceremony for 7 bible college students that are going into the villages to be evangelists that will be formulating new churches. We also conducted a baptism service at which Br Chacko (India pastor), Br Childs and Br. Perreira baptized 36 people. Many more baptisms could have been performed but Pastor Chacko insists that all go through a series of instructional classes before baptism, so we rejoice that more will follow.

One great event that took place during the crusade is that we had 10 Baptist pastors from 10 villages that came to the crusade and made a request to Br. Chacko asking him if they could join the church. They stated they had never before witnessed such a move and manifestation of God and were hungry for what we have. Br Chacko let them know that they have to attend the Bible college indoctrination classes, learn and commit to the doctrine, sign a letter resigning their current church, then sign one accepting us as there new church, and then they are welcome to be a part of the church as of Jan 1st, 2010. They all agreed!

We conducted two day medical camps at two locations that took care of 1500+ people. In addition we visited 4 village church’s. We also gave 17 new bicycle’s (7 to the Bible college students and 10 to the pastors). All pastors, their wives and the Bible college received the donated clothes, 3 sewing machines, $40 per pastor and $25 per Bible college student. We also gave away 10 goats to 10 needy families in our village congregation. Br. Erreira committed to 3 new water wells and 4 bathrooms immediately to be constructed as soon as funds are available, these have to be paid for before they start to build them. ($1000.00 per well and $500.00 per bathroom). There is a need for 12 water wells and 33 bathrooms in our village churches.

Br. Chacko and every staff member and guest stated that this year (the 8th convention) was the best. They had never experienced the power of God is such a way in previous years. We have no way of knowing how many received the Holy Ghost, but in several services literally hundreds of people were speaking with tongues and we believe most received the Holy Ghost in this conference. There were demonic manifestations as well and many were delivered. Hundreds received prayer and healing. In a given service hundreds came forward, as well as people praying all over the compound due to a lack of space. All ministers were in agreement that there was a great move of God during the whole crusade.

Special classes were taught by Br. Miller, Br. Childs, Br. Castorina and Br. Perreira for the pastors, Bible school students, and all grades of the school. The pastors were taught how to follow and work with the Spirit, how to activate faith, putting on Christ, learning sound doctrine, speaking the Word with confidence, teamwork, leadership, repentance from sin, God’s unending love, desiring a relationship with God, and unity. Sister Miller taught about the power of women’s prayer, trusting in God, God in creation, and how intimately God knows them. She also led women’s prayer.
We toured many villages and churches. In most villages we were the first white people to ever visit the villages. People wanted wanted our autographs! We saw poverty on a level none of us had ever seen before. We were there during the height of the annual Kali worship festival and saw sights you would never believe. We went to the Kali temple in Kolkata and witnessed live animal (male black goat) sacrifices by demon filled priests. While in India we saw pictures in the newspaper of President Obama bowing to this same idol, one which they had set up in the White House and we were ashamed that he would desecrate the honor of our nation in such a way.

Most people we spoke to had never even heard of the Name of Jesus.

We have been asked to take the lead in the future of this great work. Thousands more could and would have attended this year had we had proper facilities. As it were most of the 3000 attendees all bathed in a common pond and used the woods for their restroom.

Folks . . . we are so blessed here in the United States.

In case you are interested in helping and/or would like to attend next year we have targeted the following needs that could happen right now if funds were available:

1- 10 more church’s – $3000 to $4000 a piece depending on size, all church’s are used as a school during the week. These would be built and a dedicatorial plaque will be set up in the name of the donor.
2- A church and a clinic that is available right next door to the facility that is currently being used by another church, they want to sell it to us for $48,000.00. This is equipped with all necessary facilities to operate as is.
3- A Bible college building for 25 students — ???? cost .
4- Shower and Bathroom facilities on the grounds for next years convention – 10 showers (5 girls and 5 boys) – 10 toilets. — $10,000.00
5- Building a 20 by 80 covered area for people to live at during the convention, this will be used for other events during the year.
6- Air conditioners for 2 rooms.
7- 4 Ceiling fans for the stage.
8- 12 Sewing machines – 300 each.

-Pastor Childs

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