In the Arms of the Savior

Pastor Cherian Mathews peacefully transitioned into eternity on October 15, 2019 at 3:55 PM at his home in Bethel, Fatehgunj, Baroda, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

 

Pastor Mathews was born in Panaveli, Kottarakara, Kerala on January 31, 1937. He and his wife of 56 years, Grace, dedicated their lives in service to the people of Gujarat, India, and many parts of the world. A man of fervent prayer, vast faith, genuine humility, steadfast purpose, immense strength and contagious joy. He lived for one big purpose—to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ! His heart was always for the poor, downtrodden and the underdog. This was his lifetime calling, and he never retired.

 

God called Pastor Mathews and his wife Grace to Gujarat, India, in 1965. They moved to Baroda with their infant son, while Grace was carrying their second child. They did not know where they will stay the night they arrived in Baroda. Since that day until today, prayer was his only asset and the foundation of all his endeavors. He spent hours very early in the morning praying for the nations of the world. What started as a small church in Baroda has now blossomed into a ministry that has impacted the world – from India to Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Philippines, Peru, Cuba, Ecuador, Brazil, East and West Africa. Pastor Mathews oversaw about 1,400 pastors and served nearly 2,000 children across these nations. He also founded the Mathews Educational Trust, Alpha International School, Alpha Bible College, and M:28 Church Based Bible institute.

 

Pastor Mathews was a trailblazer and God used him to break through the stale traditions and prejudices of the prevalent church culture of his time. He went against the tide with a simple message of salvation for sinners and a heart for helping the poor. Contrary to the systems of caste, regionalism and cultural prejudice that divided people, he viewed everyone as equal, accepting people of all walks of life as his own and championing their cause. Ably supported by Grace, they made inroads from Baroda into the villages of Anand and Kheda district. Pastor Mathews was a close friend of Rev. Dr. Joshua C. Raj, one of the pioneers who launched the Gospel into South Gujarat. Together they witnessed the early revivals in Dang and Vyara districts, which mushroomed into hundreds of churches in the regions. Later he focused on church planting in twelve North Indian states. He practiced incarnational ministry by going and living among the poorest tribes and people groups and identifying with them in every way. It is believed that over a million people have heard the gospel through the mission in the nations over the years.

 

Pastor Mathews is survived by his wife Grace, five sons, one daughter and their spouses, and three siblings. He was blessed with 21 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was known as “Appacha” to his grandchildren. And he was known endearingly as “Pappa” by all. His legacy continues through his children, grandchildren and the countless others he inspired to become ambassadors for Christ.

 

Many have asked about giving in honor of his life. If you wish to do so, please direct your giving to the Alpha Grace Kids Project that was so dear to his heart.

Transforming Power Defies Human Explanation

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12niv

Many of the people groups we minister to have never had the opportunity to hear of the God Who loves them and gave His life for them. Access to God’s Word is very limited in the developing world. Since its founding, Alpha Ministries has purposed to share God’s Word with these unreached people groups on a larger scale every year because the transforming power defies human explanation.

Rani is a teenaged girl from a small village in South Asia. Her father earns a living as a food vendor. Rani and her family have always been devout in their traditional faith and maintain the various rituals, but their hearts were never filled with peace. Rani’s father was an alcoholic; and Rani was tormented by an evil spirit.

In the midst of this unrest, a frontline worker with Alpha Ministries met them and shared God’s word with them. When he asked them if they wanted to receive Christ, they prayed with the worker and were filled with peace that only Christ can give. Rani was delivered from torment and her natural curiosity motivated her to learn more about her Savior. She also had a desire to share what He had done in her life. It was a joyful day when she received a Bible of her own from our frontline worker.

Immediately Rani started to read and study the Word. She experienced the cleansing power of God’s truth and grew strong in her new faith. The Bible gave her and her family the knowledge and confidence to witness to their neighbors. Rani and her family now lead their neighbors in Bible study and prayer, through which they have witnessed many souls delivered from sin and healed from illness. They are extremely grateful for the ministry and Bibles that helped to change the course of their lives.

In another village, 23-year old Santlal had grown up partaking in the rituals and ceremonies of his family’s faith. Sadly, his family’s liquor business had turned him into an alcoholic. He could often be found in a drunken state, fighting with his wife and causing turmoil in his home.
That changed one day when a frontline worker was in his village sharing God’s Word and distributing Bibles. The worker encouraged everyone to read of the transforming power of Christ. Santlal took one of the Bibles home and began to read. He could not stop reading it day or night. The power of God’s word worked in his heart and he experienced peace for the first time in his life.

Suddenly, he had a desire to go to the church and testify about the changes in his behavior. When Santlal and his family attended church, he told the believers he wanted to learn even more. The frontline worker led him in the sinner’s prayer and began to teach him more from God’s Word. Everyone around him could see the changes in his life and behavior. He decided to leave his liquor business and stopped drinking. He cleansed his home and was greatly affected by the apostle Paul’s letter to Ephesians which helped him to become a better husband. His eyes were opened to the sin in his life, so he confessed his mistakes to his wife and reconciled with her.

Today, Santlal and his family believe upon Jesus are living a blessed life. He shares how if he had not received the Bible, he and his family would have been lost and troubled. He is grateful for God’s Word in his life.

There are so many ways the faithful prayers and financial blessings from friends like you are impacting lives all across South Asia! Thank you for standing with Alpha Ministries. #UntilAllHaveHeard.

 

 

NEVER THIRST AGAIN

Monsoon season across south Asia kept us very busy this summer distributing bottled water, food and other supplies, and doing general relief work. It was baffling to see so much water flooding streets, homes and businesses—all the while knowing that not a drop of it was safe to drink. People formed long lines, sometimes waiting in knee-deep flood waters, to receive the bananas and bottled water we offered.

Many times I thought of Jesus’ words, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). We prayed that they would hunger and thirst for the Living Water and the Bread of Life!

We are deeply grateful for your support that allows us to fulfill the mission of this ministry. Since our beginning over 55 years ago, we have impacted more than half a million lives through our five key ministry avenues: Evangelism, Discipleship, Ministry to Children, MAPS Persecution Relief and IMPACT Projects.

We couldn’t do it without the dedicated help of our Hope Partners—friends who faithfully stand with us through prayer and financial support so we can minister to others. As we read in Hebrews, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (13:16). We are so grateful for those who live out such verses as messengers of hope to a broken world.

Though many are desperately waiting to hear about Christ, it is becoming much more difficult to share Jesus in many regions of South Asia. Believers often face intense pressure and persecution. Please remember to pray for safety and protection for all of our frontline messengers, our teams and families.

These testimonies show the difference you are making!

Bibles for New Believers
The transforming power of God’s Word defies human explanation. Santlal was born and raised in another religion, but his family’s liquor business led him to become an abrasive alcoholic. One day, one of our frontline workers went to Santlal’s village to share Bibles. Santlal took one and could not stop reading it day and night. God’s Word did a deep work in his heart and he experienced peace for the first time in his life. He took his family to church so he could testify about the change. The frontline worker lead him in the sinner’s prayer and began to disciple him. Santlal left his family’s business, stopped drinking, removed temptations from his home, and learned to be a better husband. Santlal testifies that he and his family would have remained lost and troubled had he not received that Bible. He is grateful for God’s Word in his life.

Impact Conference
“I am thankful to the Lord for enabling me to attend my first Impact Conference. It is because of Alpha Ministries that today I have a strong relationship with my Lord.” – Daniel

M:28 Institute
“I was blessed immensely by the teaching at M:28. I came to know in-depth about salvation and many other aspects of Christian life. I feel well equipped after this Bible training and want to give heartfelt gratitude to those who made it possible.” – Anil

M:28 Institute 
“The M:28 training has helped me to go to mission fields with my husband and be a witness for the Lord.” – Lokeshwari

Thank You for your Partnership that helps Alpha Ministries fulfill the great commission!

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
(2 Timothy 2:2)

Fruit that Remains

“I’m not afraid of failure; I’m afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.”

—William Carey, the father of modern missions

 

The heartbeat of Alpha Ministries is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with every unreached man, woman and child. As Scripture asks, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14 NKJV).

Our primary focus is the “10/40 Window,” an area stretching from North Africa to China that extends from latitudes 10° to 40° north of the equator. More than 3.2 billion people live in that region and 95% of them do not know Jesus. With the help of caring people like you, Alpha Ministries goes to these unreached areas, sharing the Good News, training and equipping ministers, and planting churches where no church exists.

I am amazed when I talk to the people attending crowded conferences in foreign lands. I meet hundreds of them who have come to know Jesus Christ because of the labor of a native frontline messenger. The work of these dedicated men and their families is yielding much fruit…fruit that remains! I am overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving whenever I encounter a young missionary in such meetings who tells me, “I follow God because you helped my father follow God.”

If you know me, you know that I rejoice whenever I see a young man or young woman who has come to follow Jesus into freedom—out of the bondage of sin. But when I hear that the fruit of sharing the Good News and training one man to reach villages in his region has led to his household coming to Christ, as well as hundreds of people around him, I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. The men and women we train mature and pass on that knowledge to younger generations and see lifelong effects. The power of God’s Word continues to open doors for our frontline messengers to share the hope of the gospel in a vast array of strategic settings.

Our recent Lanji leadership training conference was a tremendous success with over 1200 people in attendance—twice the number they were prepared to host. More than 100 people were prepared to be baptized as a result of this conference. Many made commitments to become a VM1000 member to help us reach our goal to minister to 100,000 new villages. Over 60 people engaged in leadership development.

Friend, God moves in mysterious ways and His ways are always perfect. God does not send everyone to the mission field, but everyone can partner in the work of missions in one way or another. Thank you for faithfully supporting missions by praying, sending and perhaps even going. May God continue to make His calling strong and sure in your life and sustain the great work that He has placed in our humble hands. We are grateful to be used in His harvest fields to reach the unreached of the world!

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”
― Abraham Kuyper

For Those Who Believe

For Those Who Believe…

The statistics are clear. We’ve heard the appalling truth and have been made aware of the heart wrenching accounts of men, women, and children who have been forced to suffer through atrocities both blatant and subtle simply for living out their lives as followers of Jesus Christ. We’ve attended the church services where missionaries have come and expounded upon the issues they face on the frontline on a daily basis where their friends and communities are threatened with attack and fear tactics. We’ve seen the Facebook links shared where new evidences of systematic efforts to silence Christians by major world governments have been made apparent as an attempt to silence Christians through means of discrimination, neglect, torture, and even death. For those of you who believe in Jesus Christ as your savior, we want to challenge you with a very important question: “So now what?” If you’re anything like us, this may seem like a daunting, overwhelming, and impossible question with which you may be tempted to shy away from answering. We’re thankful that you’ve found yourself at our blog and pray that you leave encouraged, inspired, and prepared to take action.

 For Eternity to Come

When thinking of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, we at Alpha Ministries can’t help but joyfully look to the eternal glory that is to come. Scripture reminds us in the book of Revelation that, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” While we can look around and daily experience the heartache, trials, and pain of our fallen world, we are also able to look to God’s word and find comfort in the fact that this life is a prologue, merely introducing the eternal story of glory, freedom, and perfect peace that is to come. While abundance in following Christ is most certainly found on this side of Heaven, and our eternal security in no way excuses us from striving for justice now, we are encouraging you to take this season to pause and express our gratitude to God for the place that He is preparing for us. With this mindset now at the forefront of our thoughts, we can actively engage and challenge ourselves with how we can step in and take action on behalf of our vulnerable brothers and sisters.

Stay Informed

While this idea of staying informed as a way to come alongside Christians facing persecution seems obvious and minimal, we truly cannot overemphasize how important it is. Imagine having your human rights stripped from you, losing your home, and being violently assaulted all because of your faith and the world not having any idea of what was happening to you. The thought is intolerable! By taking the first step to willingly invest in being in “the know” regarding issues that the global church faces in hostile places around the world, you are making real progress in real intervention happening on behalf of those who desperately need it. We highly recommend visiting https://www.persecution.comfor up-to-date news and resources regarding Christian persecution. You can also follow along with our blog, ministry, and subscribe to our newsletter!

Pray Earnestly

Even more so than staying informed, lifting up those in need through diligent prayer is an active form of intercession that persecuted men and women treasure and are always quick to ask for. While many of us are unable to spare additional financial resources, earnest prayer is a sacrifice of what you are able to give that honors God and makes true difference for those in dire situations. Scripture is clear regarding the way God views our combined efforts as believers in prayer and intercession in Matthew chapter 18 when it says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Exile from their communities, scorn from their families, and even threats of death from their governments are all daily battles that persecuted Christians around the world face and are active prayers points that you can refer to.

 

Advocate

We know to stay informed and to diligently be praying for those facing persecution around the world, but what else can be done? While actively going and serving these vulnerable people groups directly isn’t always a viable option, you can support those who are through vigorously advocating! Without being informed, how can anyone give to help? By speaking at your church, sharing what you know with your friends and family, and allowing the issue to not be locked away in your mind, you will be able to raise awareness, stir hearts, and create a lasting change. There is always more to say in this conversation, and by dedicating time to actively engage and advocate for those who can’t for themselves, you are playing a crucial role in impacting their lives. Scripture tells us in the book of Proverbs to ““Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” We at Alpha Ministries take this mandate seriously, and encourage you to do the same!

 

For those of us who believe and have accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we have a responsibility to stay informed, pray without ceasing, and advocate on behalf of those who are unable to defend themselves. While we may not always be able to lend over our time and resources, there are active responses we can diligently be engaging in on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world. For more information, subscribe to our newsletter and be on the lookout for our continuing blog posts!

New Year // New Reflections

 

Happy New Year!!!

 

For us at Alpha Ministries, 2018 was a year covered by the fingerprints of God and one that was immersed deeply into His sovereign plan of provision and grace for our lives. Over the course of the past 12 months, we as an organization have experienced our fair share of highs, lows, valleys, and mountain tops and are certain that all of you reading this have as well. Yet we know that in every second of the past year, God has orchestrated the awe inspiring successes along with the unplanned (and often unwelcomed) setbacks. At the end of 2018, we have made it a point to look back, take some substantial time to reflect, and to set our expectations high on all that God has in store for 2019! We’d like to share with you some of the incredible victories we have experienced this year through the various ministries and programs we have in place around the world while also providing you with some possible goals you may want to take on for yourself. We’re excited you’ve found your way here to our blog and hope that you leave encouraged and excited for a new year!

 

The Statistics…

 

2018 was a huge success concerning the “numbers” produced through our different projects and ministries. While we understand at a fundamental level that our identity and effectiveness does not lie solely in the large numbers based on production, we praise God for the positive results we’ve experienced and want to share with you, our faithful partners, the incredible impact that has been made!

 

In 2018…

 

  • The IMPACT conferences that were held equipped 7,271 Frontline Messengers and Christian leaders for more effective evangelism.

 

  • A total of 51,690 individuals heard the gospel during a one-on-one encounter.

 

  • 8,768 home groups are actively in operation.

 

  • 1,200 needy children are being provided monthly care and nurture through believers care.

 

  • A total of 37,721 children attend CBC (Children’s Bible Class) across Burma, Nepal and India.

 

  • A total of 119,823 tracts, gospel portions, and other pieces of evangelistic literature were distributed.

 

  • A total of 31,800 Bibles were given to individuals who were eager to read the scriptures in their own language.

 

  • A total of 35,643 New Testaments were distributed to seeking hearts.

 

  • A total of 14,014 people made decisions for Christ through various outreach programs.

 

  • A total of 2,851 people were baptized by Alpha Churches in Asia.

 

  • A total of 1,398 new villages were reached and church planting/stations were established.

 

  • 76 elderly senior saints received support, which included food, support and other medical help.

 

  • 286 jackets for children were distributed.

 

  • 15 families that suffered because of persecution were relocated in 2018, majority of them were in partnership with Voice of the Martyrs.

 

  • 19 children received educational scholarships to secondary schools and college for further studies.

 

  • 12 living clean water at each well.

 

  • 14 church buildings were constructed.

 

  • 515 people attended the Church Based Bible Institute.

 

  • 736 Bible in a Backpack

 

  • 274 graduated from M28 training

 

  • 610 pastors were given care packages.

 

  • 800 families received relief aid during floods and other natural calamities in Burma and India.

 

  • 600 helmets were distributed

 

  • 97 Small battery operated PA system

 

  • 2 bathrooms were constructed through “A Bathroom for every family”

 

  • 1000 M28 Pastors Library were distributed

 

  • 4vehicles were given to frontline workers

 

  • 3 sewing machines given through VITAL project.

 

  • 64 bicycles and 55 motorcycles were given to frontline Messengers

 

  • Thousands upon Thousands of people received clean drinking water through 40“Water Huts” located in different regions of North India during summer’s intense heat droughts where no water was available.

 

In 2019…

 

As we are finishing off this first week of 2019, we at Alpha Ministries are waiting expectantly for all that God will do in the new year. While we trust in Him fully to provide for our needs and to continue his transforming work within us, we still believe it to be necessary to set personal goals for ourselves that are focused on growing and becoming more and more like the people God has called us to be! As you continue to ponder on your new year goals, we’d like to share with you two character traits you may want to consider growing within yourself this new year!

 

Become A Listener

One of the greatest ways that we as followers of Christ can convey to a lost and hurting world that they have intrinsic value to God is by taking the time to deeply listen to them. Can you a recall a time in your life when, during a season of suffering or heartache of your own, you felt genuinely listened to as you worked hard to articulate your thoughts? The experience was one that we are sure deeply ministered to your soul. Throughout Jesus’s ministry, he regularly took the time to stop and listen to the outcasts of society and those down and out in their difficult circumstances. In Mark 10, Jesus takes the time to listen to the blind man, Bartimaeus, while in Jericho. Locals of the area at the time scorned Bartimaeus for reaching out to Christ. Scripture says, “Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” Mark 10: 49-52

Can you imagine the feeling Bartimaeus must have had that day? While we may not be able to give the blind back their sight, we do have the opportunity to listen to our neighbors, our coworkers, and our family members. Rather than idly thinking on what we will say to them next in a conversation, we can pause, hear out those who come to us for compassion, and then hear them fully. Watch and see the power behind the ministry of becoming a good listener can do.

 

Become A Giver

Let’s be clear, we completely understand that starting off a new year with a spirit of giving is not always our first response after spending so much of our resources over the holiday season. Coming out of what seems like an entire month of lavish giving, stricter budgets and new year savings plans are often on the forefront of our minds. While the temptation to cut back on our charitable giving is often in full force during the month of January, we want to encourage you to not let up! Scripture tells us, in the book Matthew, “(Jesus said) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We at Alpha Ministries deeply believe that we cannot out-give God. Over the years, we have seen the incredible provision of God as we choose to step out in faith and give even when our budgets and bank accounts may advise otherwise.

As we continue to move full-steam ahead into 2019, we ask that you consider how you can be a part of the incredible work God is doing around the world! We look expectantly to all that God has in store for you this new year and can’t wait to join you in discovering more of His faithfulness in 2019.