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ABOUT LAF
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Obeying His CallDuring 1948 Bro. Bhushanam Bandi, a teacher, and his wife Mrs. Aparanji, a nurse, were working in the city of Visakhapatnam, India. The Lord began to stir in their hearts to seek the true God. They resigned their jobs and came back to their native place, Vanukuru. In a miraculous way God sent His servant to lead this couple into the truth of the Gospel. When they accepted the truth of the Gospel, they received a burden of the Lord to share the Gospel. They shared the Gospel with the people of Vanukuru. Many people came to hear the Word of God. This small gathering grew to be about 200 people. Many people were blessed through their humble ministry. In the year 1954, the Lord called this couple to a place called Nuzvid. It was a spiritually dark and unreached region in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Bro. Bhushanam obeyed God's call and moved to Nuzvid with his family. They suffered for the sake of the Lord. They were rejected and humiliated by the people. They went without food several times for over fifteen years. Yet, the Lord strengthened them with His promises. God began to show His glory and power through their humble hearts. When the Lord called Bro. Bhushanam to His glory on 9th January 1970, there were five Church congregations that he planted. But God continued to prepare the individuals to fulfill His mission. Fulfillment of His PromisesThe Lord prepared Bro. Isaac Bandi, the eldest son of Bro. Bhushanam Bandi, to stand in the gap. He has a passion to share the love of Christ in word and deed. He waited upon the Lord, fought as Jacob, for the fulfillment of the great promises given by the Lord to his father. The Lord granted a great assurance in his heart that he would see His mighty works. Flame of RevivalThe Lord started using him in a special way as a mighty soul winner. Hundreds of people were saved and baptized. Many believers followed his example of surrendering themselves for the great commission. They started planting Churches in places where God lead them. From 1970 to 2004, about 300 Churches were planted in 12 Districts of Andhra Pradesh state, and in the states of West Bengal, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Bro. Syam Bandi, the eldest son of Bro. Isaac, after finishing his theological training, has taken the responsibility of youth ministry and started a Bible college - Bethesda Theological Seminary. There are 25 students currently enrolled in the Bible college. The Bible college's vision is to equip the local students/believers with both biblical knowledge as well as practical training to reach the locals and to kindle the fire of revival to the unreached masses of India. Reaching the Poor and NeedyIn addition to these ministries, the Lord gave a big heart to Bro. Isaac and his wife Mrs. Siromani to show the love of Christ not only in word, but also in deed. They are helping the poor and the needy. Many poor children are provided with books, clothes and school fees for their education. Some old aged believers stay and dine with us on the Church campus. Mrs. Siromani is very active in evangelizing and encouraging women, and in making a difference in the lives of several children. Keeping the Flame BurningThe secret of the flame of revival is the time spent in fasting prayer every Wednesday and Saturday nights for over four hours, from the beginning of this ministry. This prayer time is for personal edification, spiritual enrichment and empowerment for outreach. Besides weekly prayers, the pastors from different places come together to the home Church every second Friday and Saturday to spend time in the presence of the Lord as Moses spent on Mount Sinai to hear the still, small voice of the Lord. Prayer is the mighty weapon that tears down the walls and opens opportunities. Prayer FocusPraise be to God for the answered prayers that brought change in the leadership in India. We need to avail this window of opportunity to prepare the laborers and to proclaim the gospel in every possible way. Join us on knees to accomplish these tasks before us to reach the world's largest unreached peoples. The highest priority is to
God can use everyone who is willing to accomplish His mission. Be part of what God is doing in the great land of India.
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