India – land of 330 million gods, 100s of languages, multiple religions, 5 rivers and 1 hope: Jesus Christ.
Todd, Maryl and I were privileged to represent our Lord this August in Southern India in the city of Coimbatore with Pastor David Prakasam of Bethel City Cathedral– a thriving church of over 4500 worshipers and so much more we discovered. We came to teach and release vibrant worship at a worship conference in the church, but we ended up doing a lot more as the week passed. We were thrilled to a part of something that feels so right and so Christlike in its proactive mission to the city of Coimbatore. It was an honor to come alongside and cheer and encourage them in the holy work that they are accomplishing throughout the city and beyond.
The first five days were intense:
Day One: Pastors John and Terry Prakasam (sons of senior Pastor David Prakasam) took us on a tour of their Bible College and School of Carpentry;
we ministered to the wonderful Leper Facility (32 families) and they ministered to us;
we ministered to the happiest Widow’s Home you would ever see! this is the same group of widows that is praying daily for my brother, Pastor Wendell Smith; we then ministered to the Girls’ Home in Coimbatore (60 young ladies – orphans and semi-orphans; Pastor Joy presiding) saw some exciting dances – this is one of many boys and girls homes throughout the city;
Day Two: Worship Conference at Bethel City Cathedral (Pastor David Prakasam) with over 200 attendees from all over. Great and immediate release. We set the tone for a great time of the revelation of Jesus in worship. Three sessions: Vision of Worship; Leaders of Worship; Breakout sessions 1)Tim – Vocal clinic 2)Todd – sound clinic;
Day Three: Worship Conference continues. Amazing sessions: Todd – 7 words of praise (powerful times of praise in different ways – very prophetic as the Holy Spirit started stirring all of us to deeper things in His presence); Tim – Leaders pt.2; Tim – Worship Team in the flow (got them involved and worshiping); in the evening Todd worked with the English team for Sunday; Tim worked with the Tamil choir;
Day Four: Worship Conference finishes up. Maryl spoke on devotion – riveting; Todd spoke on excellence – excellently and powerfully (while Maryl spoke to the Widows’ Service upstairs – 250 amazing widows); Then we ended the conference with the Prophetic Song and released new song after new song from the attendees themselves, declaring God’s passion for His church, His city and His nation. Delightful and insightful songs birthed in the Holy Spirit. We ended the day by anointing and praying over each attendee believing for a great impartation for each person.
Day Five (Sunday): Todd, Maryl and I woke up sick. But the day went as planned and ordered by God. In our weakness He perfects His strength. We started with the largest service at 6:45am in Tamil of about 2500 people. Powerful worship with their full choir and Pastor Ketzy leading. We opened up with two songs in Tamil (we learned 5 to be able to worship in their language – that’s our goal in every nation we go to) and then we presented the church with the bass and wireless mic that many of you helped purchase. Tim preached. Great response at the end with the whole congregation lifting hands and singing their songs to the Lord and many responding to the altar call with salvation and healing going on.
The second and third services were smaller and in English but still as powerful. Todd lead both worship services in English and they responded with great fervency and delight. Both services ended with prophetic songs and expressions of faith from the congregation. Great response; Sunday night was a blow-out worship celebration with English and Tamil mixed with known songs and prophetic songs and exhortations. Todd got out his trumpet to call us to war (they also got him a beautiful shofar to start the service); Maryl played her flute to beautify the praise and I played the cello (they got a nice local cello for me to play) to round out the sound. Todd and I co-lead the worship and prophetically spoke into the church and the city. We believe God is rising up and doing great things in this city because of His faithful people in Coimbatore. His authority and power is being released in greater measure. Great release – even got Pastor David running around the church leading a group in a prophetic ‘run’. A strong sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit enabling His people and giving them the voice of faith and joy for this city. Ended the evening by going to a local shop to dedicate it to God’s purposes.
After the first 5 days things dramatically eased off for us:
Monday – breathe deeply; Todd flew out to Mumbai and then Zimbabwe for some ministry there. In the afternoon, Maryl met with Pastor Margaret who oversees a new ministry of a Midwife’s House with the hope of offering an alternative birth option for Indian mothers. In the evening, Maryl and I helped dedicate a brand new Widow’s Home. One of the precious widows coming into the home was living on the streets, selling the seals off liquor bottles for $1/100. The Lord has redeemed her life.
Tuesday – Maryl was still very sick with a very high fever, so I finally put her down to bed to sleep. Due to your prayers, the fever broke that night so we could make our flights home the next day! Praise God!
Wednesday – Fly home (8 hour layover in Mumbai!) 9 hours to Amsterdam; 10 hours to PDX – home, sweet home.
What a full 11 days we had. God went before us and prepared so many hearts in so many ways. We are humbled to stand with and believe in the great pastors and believers at Bethel City Cathedral. They are probably one of closest churches that I have experienced who function in a New Testament fashion, ministering to so many needs and yet keeping the Gospel very pure and vibrant. We experienced a lot and I know we left a deep impartation of the prophetic voice for that city. We will return!
A big thank you to Pastors David and Ketzy Prakasam and their two handsome sons for hosting us so wonderfully. We were the very first people to stay in their brand new ‘guest block’ attached to their house. Such a nice facility and great food. We did not lack anything! Amazing hosts – if you’re ever in the area…
And thank all of you again for your prayers and support. We literally cannot do what we do without your help. God is doing amazing things around the world and we get to be a small part of transforming nations through worship.
in Him,
Tim and Maryl Smith