Crusade Report - Kudapah, India
After struggling so much with the political situation we had encountered in The Congo we were revitalized by the success of the crusade we held in Kudapah, India. Kudapah is a district city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city and the surrounding area combined hold nearly 300,000 people. It was estimated that the Christians comprised less than 3% of the population. That's exactly the way I like it. I desire above all things to preach the gospel to people who have never heard.
In these events there is always a tendency to get a little nervous. Especially when the crowd you are about to face is over 80% Hindu and the other 10% to 17% is Muslim. That's when I pull out the laptop and look at the photos of all the other crusades we have held. These photo's remind me of God's faithfulness to confirm His Gospel with miracles, signs, and wonders.
People came in buses and tractors that we rented. Beside the crusade grounds an entire lot as large as a football field was littered with the many different kind of vehicles we rented. People came from as far as an hours ride away. Local volunteers walked several kilometers from the road to promote the crusade and on the crusade days hundreds were standing at the designated spots along the road to come hear about the One who forgives and heals.
I've listened to my sermons. I've analyzed them. I've got to be honest, it's not my fancy preaching that causes a person to walk for miles and cram themselves into a little Jeepnee to ride for an hour. It's not my creative delivery that inspires them to leave the only religion they have ever known to follow Jesus Christ. Many make this decision knowing full well it could cost them their jobs and their family. No, it's something more than good preaching. It's the Holy Spirit working in their hearts. Faith comes from hearing but the miracles validate the message.
Over the course of the four day event we ministered the Gospel of Jesus Christ with signs following to over 150,000 people. It was estimated that over 80,000 gave their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ during this event.
We invested 20 some hours into the Pastors and leaders of this region. It will be their prayers and their work that will disciple these precious new converts. What an honor and a privilege it is to go to the nations. Soon we are heading to Liberia, El Salvador and India. Remember, we are going together! We are making a difference!
Your missionary evangelists,
Kenney & Neja Linhart
