“It came as a surprise when Dr. Daniel started receiving hundreds of requests for the CDs—many more than he could keep up with.”

It came as a surprise when Dr. Daniel started receiving hundreds of requests for the CDs—many more than he could keep up with. Among those requesting the CDs were priests and pastors of every denomination imaginable, as well as high caste Hindu people. What to do to fill all these requests? The Lord had a plan already in place!

His brother in America, Churchhill Daniel, suggested having Pastor Shadrach Samuel duplicate these CDs at the Laymen Ministries office in Madras, India, as it is equipped with high speed VCD and CD duplication capabilities. Pastor Shadrach was excited with the idea, but first wanted to clear the copyright permission with Amazing Facts. An email was sent right away and a reply came back from Pastor Doug Batchelor stating:

“Dear Friend Shadrach, Of course I remember you! I will never forget our time together. . . . I am also very happy to hear that the work in India is going forward in spite of the challenges.

“I have spoken to the Amazing Facts Officers and they are grateful for all the help you and Laymen Ministries gave us during our meetings. We are happy for you to copy and distribute the Panorama in Prophecy CD. May God protect and bless you in your work for Him. —Brother Doug.”

Laymen Ministries now has been duplicating thousands of the Panorama in Prophecy CDs to be shipped to pastors, priests and the educated classes of India.

Speaking of Pastor Shadrach Samuel—he continues to be involved in sharing the Gospel through the printed page. Thousands of books and study materials have come off the press over the last several years. He also continues duplicating and distributing the video CDs of Doug Batchelor’s and Mark Finley’s evangelistic meetings that were held in India. He continues to hold revival meetings across India, and to present Truth through the satellite TV ministry with Pastor Johnson.

The video CD ministry continues to grow as college students watch these programs on school computers, and dedicated laymen play them on TVs in Hindu villages. It is remarkable how these small CDs can end up in all kinds of places we would never suspect.

Pastor Shadrach recently traveled as far as Calcutta, holding meetings and training lay-workers for God’s service. In May he held a 15-day series at a Bible camp in Malaysia. This was organized by some former medical students from Vellore, India. We hope to have a more detailed report later.

The TV Ministry entitled Saving Hands, sponsored by Laymen Ministries, is broadcast out of Madras by satellite. The signal reaches 23 countries and 73 million people. Daily, letters come in to Pastor Johnson, the director of this program. Together with Pastor Shadrach, they are sharing the health message and the straight three angels’ messages.

We cannot express the importance of the health message in India. Many of the educated Hindus regard Christians as “dog eaters,” meaning simply, they eat the flesh of animals, which to a Hindu mind is a real stumbling block. Adventists who share the benefits of a vegetarian diet have an open door for reaching these Hindus, who are surprised to find Christians who do not eat flesh.

Bible correspondence follow-up is sent to the people who respond to the TV programs. As a result, many baptisms are now happening. It is important to interject the fact right here that those who work with Laymen Ministries are not excited about quick baptisms. We believe in doing a thorough work in educating people in Christ.

Pastor Johnson recently told us about an energetic young man who watches the TV programs every week. He was convicted of the Truth in his heart, by the aid of the Spirit of Truth. He contacted Pastor Johnson through email and declared that, “he is happy with the new-found faith and has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.” Both Pastors Johnson and Samuel praised God that he is the first soul who has responded by email through the Internet.

Pastor Johnson shares another story about a Muslim woman. (As you know, it is very difficult to work among Muslims. Nevertheless, God is able to do great things.):

“Mrs. Fathima, a Muslim woman, on a certain Saturday morning, tuned her TV to watch programs. It was, fortunately, our program. Afterwards, she called to the church for prayer. She said that she loves our way of worship.

“Now she is very regular in attending Sabbath services. Since April 12, 2003, she has been tithing, to God’s glory. She is very much pleased to be paying God’s holy share to Him.

“At the end of the first quarter of this year, she willingly participated in Communion Service. She is very happy in Christ and enjoying fellowship with all the members. She said, ‘I thought I was alone, but now I have a big family” (referring to the Church).

“One thing important to note—Her family has no knowledge of her church activities. Please keep her in your prayers.”

Pastor Johnson also shared with us about Sam Selvaraj, a non-Adventist pastor, who never missed watching the TV programs. He wrote requesting all of our truth-oriented pamphlets. Pastor Johnson thought that he wanted these for his own personal study, but later found out that Pastor Selvaraj wanted to use these pamphlets for articles in a Christian magazine he circulates in 14 different languages, which also includes ‘URDU,’ the language of Muslims! Each month 300,000 magazines are published and distributed, now with Present Truth in their pages!

It has been as busy as a beehive on the campus of Jeeva Jyothi Training Center. New staff housing has been built and more students have been trained to take the Gospel in connection with the medical missionary work out into the highways and byways of India. The students are coming from many parts of India.

The Lord has enabled Laymen Ministries to support 10 missionaries through Jeeva Jyothi. Four of them are ministering in South India while the other six are serving the Lord in North India. The two missionaries working in Nilgris, Tamil Nadu, shared their experiences during the Lay Convention last month. In spite of the stiff anti-conversion laws recently passed, the Lord is opening many doors for sharing the love of Christ. Some of their contacts are willing to accept the Present Truth by committing themselves through baptism.

Numerous students have been trained at this center over the last few years. Their influence has spread back to their churches and into many remote areas across India.

India continues to be a place of challenge and hope. The anti-conversion laws have been a concern as we see the curtailing of freedoms. Yet nothing can be done against the truth, but that the Lord turns it around for His glory. He has His own way of turning even the most difficult situations to the favor of the Gospel. Please remember to pray for these projects.

In the control room of the television studio in India, technicians prepare another program with Pastors Samuel & Johnson for airing on satellite TV. This weekly program has already generated much interest, and several baptisms (shown in title picture).

“Pastor Shadrach recently traveled as far as Calcutta, holding meetings & training lay-workers for God’s service.”

“Both Pastors Johnson & Samuel praised God that he is the first soul who has responded by email through the Internet.”

“Each month 300,000 magazines are published & distributed, now with Present Truth in their pages!”