Pastor Solomon
At the age of 22, Solomon Raju, a Hindu, married a young Christian lady. His young wife, Vimalakumari, prayed for her husband each day, and after they had been married a little while she invited Solomon to a Gospel meeting. The preacher that day spoke of heaven and hell. The Holy Spirit placed a realization in Solomon’s heart about hell – that he deserved to go there. That created a deep set fear that led Solomon to confess his sins and put his trust in Jesus.
With a new found happiness, hope and peace, Solomon set out to tell all his friends about the love of Jesus. He spent three years sharing the Good News with all the villagers in his town. All the while working as a bus driver.
In 1991, he was wrestling within himself as to whether or not he should leave his job to pursue ministry full-time. There is no money in ministry. But while he was praying in church one day, God showed him a vision based on Psalm 34:8:
Oh taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
He left church that day filled with joy and the knowledge that he should leave his job. He promptly did so and began doing ministry full-time in the Gajapatinagaram District!
Tribal people have a separate culture, practice animism, and live off the land.
The first church he planted – 28 years ago – has 100 members! He planted two others which have 60 and 40 members. All together, Pastor Samuel pastors 200 people in three villages.
Besides these three village churches, he also ministers in tribal areas. Many tribal people lack education and medicine. They live in huts and work the land. Pastor Solomon has made many inroads and relationships with the tribal people in his area. He takes them medicine and shares the Good News as he goes.
When asked how we can pray for him he answered: “I would like to pursue more ministry among the tribal people. It is always hard to find medicine for them, so you can pray God provides medicine to give to those in need. Also, please pray that the people of my villages and my tribal friends will come to know Jesus.”
Pastor Solomon is one of nearly two hundred men planting churches in India through Vision Nationals. We currently have 180 more men like Pastor Solomon waiting to be sponsored. If you are interested in sponsoring a church planter for $50 a month you may give online or email lauren@visionnationals.org for more information.
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