My name is Sunil, after water baptism I took my name Simon Peter, I was born and raised in an aristocratic high cast Hindu family. Being from a high cast Hindu family my daily routine included visiting temples, worshiping idols performing rituals according to the Hindu system of faith. As I was growing, I experienced emptiness within myself. This feeling gradually increased.
When I entered young age, I was totally depressed and could never understand why I was depressed. I visited many Hindu Pilgrim places like Sabarimala (Kerala) etc. in search peace. In college I indulged all kind of pressures that my society had to offer. I started getting addicted to intoxicants. Though I tried to satisfy my senses with the treasures of this world there was a deep longing within me for something which I didn’t understand them. I got totally addicted to smoking and began to roam around like a lunatic person in search of meaning for my life. All my efforts to get some peace wherein vain.
In the meanwhile, I took up a job in company located at Coimbatore Tamilnadu. I lavished my salary in finding more pleasures. However, emptiness despair was still hunting. I began to contemplate suicide.
One day I noticed an advertisement about Good Shepherd Bible Training Center in a Newspaper. It caught my attention, and I got a motivation from my heart to join the training program. I had correspondence to the college authority about my problems. Very soon I got a reply from one brother, and he shared the gospel. I realized that I am a sinner and needed Jesus in my life to set me free from the guilt of sin and the emptiness that I experienced all through my life.
I received Jesus as my personal savior and Lord. From that day life was changed and I have been experiencing lasting peace and joy. On May 26th, 1994, I took water baptism in obedience to God’s word and proclamation of my faith to the world. I was forsaken by parents and other members for receiving Jesus.
In 1997, I got married to a born again Christian her name is Giji God has blessed us with three wonderful children. Jemuel 15 years. He is in ninth standard, Jemeema 13 years she is in 8th standard and Jackie 8 years He is in 4rt. Lately I have moved to Mumbai city with my family, and we are involved in full time God Ministry.
We have started an Independent Ministry registered by the name Hosanna Mission trust India. We have Sunday worship services, weekly prayer meeting, Fasting prayers & Bible teaching systems. Each day we experience Gods Faithfulness as we trust in the Lord for our provisions.
It is my vision to serve the Lord in whatever capacity possible. I wish to preach Gospel and plant churches. I believe that youths can be used enormously by God for which I wish to set up bible training centers to train them. I am praying fervently and waiting patiently for God’s time.
In the Service of the Master,
Rev. Simon Peter
Amen, God changes lives. Thank you for sharing this testimony. Being young, I can relate to
the emptiness fill. Only God can fill an empty heart. His love never fails.
I am so happy for you brother! Glory to God for His amazing work in your life. I too come from a Hindu background – from the Naagar community – a very high community. I got born again in 2001. But the difference is that I married an unsaved girl when I was a new believer, despite my pastor’s and church seniors’ warnings. After a 14-year long wait, I am still waiting for her salvation. I look towards Heaven for her salvation the way a farmer looks up searching for rain bearing clouds. But he looks skeptically, while I look by trusting God’s promises in His Word.
My 9-yr old son believes, but please pray if you have time, for my wife’s salvation. One’s ministry and life can take a different route based on who one marries. I love my wife and she is one of the most hard working women I have seen. But there have been many challenges. No matter how industrious one is, one needs Jesus as their personal Saviour. There is no other way of salvation. And there is no reincarnation. So the choice must be made in this life by people.
May God use you powerfully to accomplish mighty works. Incidentally, I too am in Mumbai.