Worship Without Borders in India 2014
I had the privilege of returning to India for the sixth time in February 2014. Starting in New Delhi, moving to Lucknow, then Midway, then Kanpur, the ministry was always rich with much fruit and joy along the way. This was the first time I traveled alone to this great land, so the adventure was even more intense as I traveled everywhere by myself. But God was faithful and protected me along the way and gave me great strength throughout the time there. My voice got a little ragged by the end but it stayed in there and I was able to minister and sing in strength for each service.
I flew into New Delhi Feb.7 at midnight, got picked up by former students, Ritwik and Abhineet, who took me to my sleeping quarters at their office in Delhi. (I was so blessed to be able to fly business class for the first time – using my frequent flyer miles – and landed very refreshed) After a good nights sleep I connected with Pastor Rahul Patrick and his beautiful family, Sipra (his wife) and children, Rachel and Michelle – who I have ‘adopted’ as two more of my grand-daughters! Also Pastor Rahul’s brother Peter was there who I gave a piano tuning kit to to tune his spinet piano (good luck Peter!). We then went to our first meeting that night in Delhi with about 100 worshipers and lots of Holy Spirit! It was a powerful time of worship, praise and dancing to the point where I didn’t need to preach! We closed our time together with an amazingly spirited version of ‘Trading My Sorrows’ saying ‘yes’ to the ‘no-s’ of our lives! Wonderful release and freedom there!
I stayed Saturday night at Pastor Solomon’s guest house close the church I would be ministering at on Sunday. Sunday morning was filled with great worship, a packed church, a great translator (he sang all my singing examples!!!!) and a wonderful response for healing – the aisles were filled with people desiring to receive a healing touch from God! Thanks Pastor Solomon. I also sang a song by Pastor Todd Beal called ‘Jesus, You’re the Sweetest Name I Know’ translated into Hindi. Beautiful song, beautiful words.
Sunday afternoon, I quickly flew to Lucknow (about an hour flight away) and got picked up by Pastor Shanu (one of four directors for ISOW) and taken directly to the International School of Worship in Midway (about 30 minutes away) where I immediately joined them in a worship session full of joy and liberty. We then had dinner together and I started the delightful process I enjoy each year of getting to know every student by name, city and their hearts! Monday morning started 6 days of intense teaching and releasing in many areas. Overall, I taught the students a Biblical Overview of Worship, Vision of Worship, Leading the Flow of Worship, Vocal Training, Worship Team Building, Music Theory and the New or Prophetic Song. Each session started with worship led by a student team. Then I started each of my teaching sessions with a psalm that we would read out loud (with passion and motions!) then sing the psalm, followed by praying the psalm. This is a great devotional model for everyone! I love seeing the release happening in the students as they read and sing and pray – increasing with each passing day. The teaching was in the mornings, with practical workshops in the afternoon and a free-flowing powerful worship session each evening. The first two days were overseen by Pastor Shanu then they transferred over to Pastor Arun Michael from Allahabad. I shared some of my teaching time with him throughout the week. What a great teacher of the Bible and God’s grace!
This week we had the special honor of going into Lucknow on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights for special meetings with the Assembly of Believers Church there. Wednesday night was the graduation for the Lucknow Bible College which we were honored to lead some songs for worship. I learned a few songs in Hindi and was able to lead them along with a couple of English songs. They say I did pretty good (for an American – ha!) with my accent.
Thursday night was a highlight for me personally. We came into Lucknow again, led some powerful worship (again some in Hindi!) and then I had the privilege of preaching the gospel to a packed house. This particular service is designed for seekers especially so it was delightful to preach the good news to them. Using the stories of Abraham, Job and David as examples of worshiping under extreme circumstances, I drove home the point of our powerlessness in much of life and our absolute need for an all-powerful and loving God to save/heal/help us. The response was powerful as many came forward at the end to receive Jesus as their personal Savior (most were first-time converts!) Then we ended with a great time of prayer for healing for many people, while we worshiped and celebrated Jesus!
Friday night in Lucknow was a combined ABC (Assembly of Believers Church) churches meeting at a big auditorium. Perhaps over a 1000 believers gathered together to worship and receive the Word. The SOW students and I lead some worship (again some in Hindi) a couple of students performed special songs and then Bishop Tony delivered a powerful word to the people. A great night displaying the love and joy of God in our lives.
Saturday night, after a final time of worship together with the students, and a beautiful prophetic flow of song and ministry, I shared with them short prophetic words that the Lord gave me for each of them. It was a delight to share the heart of the Father for each student.
We ended the week by traveling 1 1/2 hours to Kanpur, India to an ABC church there (again a packed house – standing room only). This was a thrilling service with so many youth packed in the front, worshiping, dancing and shouting their praise. The SOW students shared a couple of specials and then led some more praise and worship. Pastor Arun Michael stepped up in the middle of it with an exhortation that raised the level of faith and expectation. The volume immediately went up – I thought the roof would blow off! After that I preached on releasing our song of faith to Jesus for the past the present and the future! I spoke specifically to the generations that were there to reflect the Psalm: One generation shall praise your name to another! Encouraging them to sing to each other, stirring each generation to keep praise alive and experience His presence together. Another great response at the end, finishing with dancing, singing and shouting. I need to exercise more…
As they drove me to the airport in Lucknow that afternoon, I reflected on all the wonderful moments that God afforded me – acknowledging the faithfulness of God, the fruitfulness of the ministry and the faith of thousands of Christians throughout this great land that should give us all hope for the future. Thank you all for your support, prayers and encouragement as we continue to go to the places that God continues to open up for us.
Blessings – in Him, Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith – Your Worship Missionaries