Sunday, August 17, 2014

100 YEARS - CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE MADRAS PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY MISSION ( 1918 - 2018 )


The M.P.A Ministries began as a small Sunday School in 1918. It soon grew into a church and thus was formed the Madras Pentecostal Assembly which was registered on August 17th 1934 and completes 100 years in 2018 .


The M.P.A ministries has over the past 100 years been involved in multi-faceted ministries comprising of churches , orphan homes , schools , bible school , magazines , seminars , village evangelism , gospel crusades , film ministry , music tapes , bible correspondence courses etc


It is pertinent to note that the Madras Pentecostal Assembly was the first pentecostal church in Chennai . MPA also published one of the first pentecostal magazines in India in 1938 called the 'Balm of Gilead' and started one of the first pentecostal bible schools in India in 1950 called the 'Madras Bible Institute'.


We are deeply grateful to the Lord for upholding our ministry for the past 100 years. The Lord is faithful to His promises and has been our rock and foundation. We also remember with gratitude our founders and all those who have laboured before us . We also thank God all those who have supported our ministry with their prayers and resources.


We praise God for all the souls that have been saved and delivered during the past 100 years. We thank God for all the churches that have been planted , all the pastors who have been trained and released into the ministry , all the orphans who have been cared for , all the students who have been educated , all the songs that have been composed , all the people who have watch the gospel films , all those who have studied the bible correspondence courses , all those who have heard the gospel through the various outreach ministries during the past 100 years.

THE ORIGIN OF THE MADRAS PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY




THE ORIGIN OF THE MADRAS PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY

The turn of the twentieth century saw the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in various parts of the world. In 1901 a sister called Agnes who lived in Topeka of Kansas city in the USA was the first to be baptized with the Holy spirit. At the same time many in various parts of Europe also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

In India Pandit Ramabai and her group were the first to receive this blessing. But before that in 1903 ,Wales and Sweden had witnessed the Pentecostal Blessing. Two Spirit filled sisters from Sweden came to India in 1913 to see for themselves Pandit Ramabai group which had received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When they saw that the same anointing had been poured out upon these people in India they glorified God and wanted to go back to their country immediately to share this miracle of grace with everyone.

As they were waiting in the harbour to board the ship they heard a voice saying “Go to Guindy” and God gave them a vision of another group of people who had received a similar blessing. In that vision God had shown them a brother in particular. Upon enquiry they learnt that Guindy was in Madras. Thus led by the Spirit of God these sisters came to Guindy in Madras and rented out a house to start the ministry which turned out to be a great blessing to many.

At the same time a man of God called Jacob was doing the Lord’s ministry in Lloyds Road at Royapettah. Brother Jacob was left an orphan very early in life and his foster parents brought him up in the nurture of the Lord. At the age of eight he gave his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ and in course of time he obeyed the Lord in the waters of baptism. God baptized him with the Holy Spirit also. Filled with zeal he began the ministry in Royapettah along with Bro. Egbert, Bro. Gopal Daniel, Bro. Murugesa Iya, Bro. Somasunderam Doctor Dhyriam, Bro. Andrews and others. It was at first called “Believers Fellowship”.

The sisters from Sweden who came to Madras under the express guidance of the Holy Spirit spared no effort in finding out the man God had shown them in the vision. Soon they heard of a “Hallelujah Group” in Royapettah. When they came and saw Bro. Jacob they recognized that this was the very man God has shown them in the vision and they were delighted in the ecstasy of this wonderful meeting. Thus a fellowship was born with these Swedish sisters Bro. Egbert went to Ceylon and started the ministry. Bro. Murugesa Iya began to work for the Lord in Moolakothalam area.


THE HEADQUARTERS CHURCH IN ROYAPETTAH


The Ministry in Halls Garden at Royapettah grew day by day. The children of God began to pray for a permanent place for worship. In answer to their prayer the Lord made it possible for them to buy a piece of land in Thandavarayan street at Royapettah: Now that the land is ready the saints began to pray for a church building.

The Lord moved the hearts of two sisters; namely sis. Dickens and sis. Robinson who came forward to help us with the necessary finance. By the grace of God the foundation stone was laid on 22.10.33 and the building was successfully completed in 1934 and our church was called “THE PENTECOSTAL MISSION” after this many other Pentecostal churches were started in the city and to our ministry began to be known as MADRAS PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY and it was registered with the government as a Religious society. Thus the ministry at the Head Quarters spread out in many directions. Thanks to the indefatigable endeavors of the super intending Pastor B. Jacob in the Lord’s vineyard.


After the demise of this wonderful man of God, Pastor N.G. John Vasu who was looking after the church at purasawalkam became the Superintending Pastor of The Madras Pentecostal Assembly ministries. During this period Late Pastor S.B. Daniel also was of great help in the ministry.

MPA BRANCH CHURCHES

The first Branch church was started at 10, Mookathal street in Bro. Charles’ home and when it grew it was shifted to Nancy street. In 1942 about 1.1 acre land with Government approval was obtained by the Mission in Kadhirvedu and a church was started there. In 1935 Bro. Rajarathinam donated 4 acres land to the Mission and a ministry was started in Pallavaram. As the work of the Lord began to progress rapidly at the Head Quarters we were encouraged to start branch churches. These pastors in the branch churches carry on the work of the Lord in spite of hard ships and opposition in their respective places. Our branch churches are spread over various parts of Tamilnadu as well as Andhra Pradesh.


BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE

The Bible Correpondence Course goes by the title of “NEW LIFE” comprising five lessons in easy to understand English and “Eternal Life” in the vernacular. This course is written by Dr.Aril Edvardsen. This was started in 1971 and by the grace of God it has become very popular with the non Christians and today we have more than 200000 persons on the rolls. It is a personalized service so to speak, which has attracted a good number over the years to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His saving power.



MADRAS BIBLE INSTITUTE

The Institute had its inception in 1950. Seeing the need for national trained workers the founders Pastor Jacob and Pastor John Vasu undertook this ministry. It was one of the first Pentecostal bible schools in India. The Lord wonderfully provided a separate building for this purpose. Though the beginning was small, the Lord blessed and the institute began to grow. Students who have studied here are now in different parts of the world serving the Lord. In India some of them are playing a leading role in the propagation of the Gospel. For fifteen years from 1952-1967 Rev. Andreason, a Swedish Missionary served as the Dean of the Bible Institute. Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu served as the Principal of the Madras Bible Institute from 1971-1995 during which hundreds of pastors were trained who are now serving the Lord in various parts of the country in various ministries as well as in MPA branch churches.

ORPHANAGES

In 1943 an orphanage was started by Mrs. Kirubai Vasu and it functions even today under the name of Robinson Orphanage at Pallavaram. The founders had a deep burden to care for the orphans. This project was started on a small scale with meager assistance but the Lord has wonderfully provided for the needs of the Homes.Subsequently Orphan Homes were started in Polal , Anakaputhur , Cheyyar , Royapettah , Ulundurpet and also in Andhra Pradesh. We are grateful to Intermission and International Gospel Mission for partnering with us. Many children who have gone through these Homes completed their high school studies and are now well settled in life. The children are given instruction in the nature of the Lord. Many have accepted the Lord as their saviour pray for this work which fulfils the text found in Isa. 58:7-11, James 1:27. The children are properly fed, clothed and educated . God has graciously provided accommodation in all these Orphan Homes.

SCHOOLS

A school by name P.A.M. was started in the Pallavaram campus which was later recognized by the Government in 1937. In 1945 the National Middle School was started in the other part of Pallavaram which was also recognized by the Government. By the Grace of God these two schools have proved to be useful to the people in the neighbourhood. .We have a wonderful opportunity for giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to them as they come to have secular education.

Pastor Jacob , Pastor John Vasu , Mrs. Kirubai Vasu , Pastor Chockalingam , Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu have served as the Correspondents of the School. Currently Pastor Stanley Vasu is serving as the Correspondent and Manager of P.A.M and National School since 1995.

Mr. Muthuraj , Mr.George Mathuram , Mrs. Esther Rajammal , Mrs. Ahalya Jeyachandran have served as the Head Master and Head Mistress of the P.A.M School . Mrs. Thedora Samuel , Mrs .Florence Samuel, Mrs.Pankajam , Mrs.Lily Grace and Mrs.Aileen Arthur have served as Headmistress of the National School. Mrs. Theodora Samuel had helped in maintaining the orphanage and also served the School for many years in the pioneering period.


CASSETTE MINISTRY

We have composed new songs and released them at the annual conventions. According to divine guidance we decided to record them in cassettes with a two fold purpose in mind. Our first desire was that every Christian home should listen to good Christian Melodies which we sincerely believe would bring comfort to the sorrowing and strength to the weary. Every Christian home should sound forth Christian Melodies that Christians everywhere may be edified by our Songs with its spiritual content also that it might be a channel of reaching the non Christians for Jesus.. We have so far produced 14 volumes in Tamil and 1 album in English which are sung by christians all over the world by the Tamil speaking believers .

BALM OF GILEAD MAGAZINE

Under God’s guidance in 1938 , Pastor John Vasu started this magazine at a time when magazines containing spiritual articles were a rarity. It is an indisputable fact that The Balm of Gilead was the first to be published from among the Pentecostal Churches. The response it evoked was encouraging beyond our expectations and many were challenged to a deeply committed Christian life by the articles of the magazine.

The magazine had a healthy growth due to the earnest efforts of Pastor John Vasu who had a talent for writing out inspiring messages; And it proved to be a great blessing to the readers and letters of appreciation kept coming in; and we give all the glory to God and God alone. At the time of its inception the Mission did not have a printing press of its own and so it was printed at the commercial presses. But in course of time the Lord enabled us to set up a printing press in 1940.

After the demise of Pastor John Vasu, his wife Mrs. Kirubai Vasu undertook to run the magazine efficiently. As she was a teacher by profession she too had the ability to write clearly and inspiringly.To God be the glory for raising up men and God from time to time who shared the vision of the founder and carried on the publication of the magazine. After the home call of Mrs. Kirubai Vasu, Pastor Basker Dawson because the editor of the magazine, after that Pastor Prabbudoss Vasu became the editor of the magazine .

Many thousands have received the blessing of God through the messages printed in it, many others who made their contribution to the growth of the magazine included Rev. Andreason, Pastor G.N. Chockalingam, Pastor T.S. Thangaraj, Mrs. M. Appasamy, as Associate Editors. The magazine also contained very thought provoking articles by prominent servants of God. Articles by our branch church Pastors have greatly enriched the magazine.

Currently the Tamil magazine called ' spiritual truths ' published by Pastor Stanley Vasu continues to be a blessing to thousands.



EPILOGUE

We thank God for all that has been accomplished during the past 100 years . We give all the glory to the Lord . His grace has been sufficient for us. Kindly continue to uphold our ministries in your prayers. God bless you.

PASTOR B.JACOB - FOUNDER AND SUPERINTENDING PASTOR OF THE MADRAS PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY ( 1934 - 1951 )



In 1918 Pastor Jacob took a house in Halls Garden at Royapettah for a month rent of 50 paise and started a ministry among the children. His deep love for children; the simplicity of his life; his gentleness towards everyone earned him the title of “India’s George Muller”, Bro. Jacob was essentially a man of prayer and as a result the ministry of Halls Garden grew steadily and to accommodate the growing number of souls that had started coming it was shifted to a larger house in the next street and a church was started under the name of “Pentecostal Meeting Hall”. That was in 1923.

A very significant thing happened in 1926 where Bro. John Vasu a staunch Hindu by birth had conviction was saved and converted by the grace of the Lord. He joined himself with Pastor Jacob and together both of them started the ministry in many parts of the city according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Jacob was indeed a man of God with a burden for perishing souls. He resigned his job in order that he might be able to serve the Lord with all his heart and got involved in the ministry with a deep commitment; he was essentially a man of prayer and his prayer proved to be a great blessing to a lot of people. He was one who could bring down the presence of God thru prayer in almost every service and no one left the serving without being moved by the power of God and the strangers who attended the service got saved .

Pastor. John Vasu, co-founder of the mission was an effective and eloquent speaker who was used to turn the hearts of many of the Lord Jesus Christ. He always preached the word under the anointing of the spirit of God, Pastor John Vasu was a powerful preacher and Pastor Jacob was a great prayer warrior and they complemented each other and together they built up the work of God effectively.

PASTOR N.G.JOHN VASU - CO-FOUNDER AND SUPERINTENDING PASTOR OF THE MADRAS PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY ( 1951-1962 )







THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF PASTOR JOHN VASU
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Pastor John Vasu was a legendary Pentecostal Pastor and a Visionary Leader. He was one of pioneering Pentecostal leaders in India recognised both nationally and internationally in his generation.


Pastor John Vasu was born on September 2nd 1909 as the eldest son in an orthodox Hindu family. He became a follower of Jesus christ at the age of 16. He received a call to ministry through a supernatural experience in which he fell into a trance and was taken to heaven.


He obeyed the heavenly vision and entered into full time ministry at the age of nineteen. He destroyed his educational certificates lest he be tempted to seek secular employment in any desperate situation. He travelled for a period as an itinerant evangelist in various parts of Tamilnadu and Srilanka.


He then joined with Pastor B.Jacob to found the Madras Pentecostal Assembly and later served as its Superintending Pastor.


He married Miss.Kirubai Conrad on 6.6.1941 and they had two children Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu and Mrs.Sheila Alwin.


Mrs. Kirubai Vasu was a highly qualified lady having completed B.A Lt and working as a Mathematics teacher. She resigned her job and joined wholeheartedly with her husband in the ministry, interpreting his messages and assisting him in every way she could.


Pastor John Vasu published one of the first Pentecostal magazines in India in English and Tamil in 1938 called the Balm of Gilead.


He also started one of the first Pentecostal Bible Colleges in India in 1950 called the Madras Bible Institute.


He also laboured much to promote unity among Pastors and churches and formed the first fellowship for the Pentecostal Pastors which has continued to bear great fruit even today as is seen in the growth of Pentecostal Pastors fellowships throughout India.


He served as the FIRST President of the All India Pentecostal Fellowship from 1957 until his homecall in 1962.


He served as the FIRST President of the Pentecostal Fellowship, Madras from 1956 until his homecall.


He was the FIRST representative of India in the World Pentecostal Conference Committee from 1949 until his homecall.


He was also the chairman of the historic T.L.Osborn crusade in Madurai in 1961.


He was great mentor of young leaders and encouraged them in the ministry and many of them have become outstanding Christian Leaders today.


Pastor John Vasu was an outstanding preacher of the word of God and was considered a Prince of Preachers in India in his time.


He travelled widely around the world in three Global Missionary tours between 1949 and 1962 in his preaching ministry and was a great blessing everywhere he went.


In one meeting , a pastor saw the cloven tongues resting on the people and in another meeting two children had visions of Jesus. He exalted Christ and expounded the Scriptures, charged by the power of Holy Ghost that by the very presence of God which filled the place , sinners and backsliders were drawn to the feet of Jesus and saints were richly blessed.


Pastor John Vasu cared deeply for poor and needy and laboured much for the welfare of the orphans and the widows. He took much efforts to establish schools for the education of the deprived and the downtrodden people of society.


He was a man of deep love and humility , soft spoken and a man of few words.



He was a celebrated resident of Chennai well respected by the society .He was appointed as a honorary magistrate by the Government.


In acknowledgement of his achievements he was awarded an honorary doctorate in America.


He went to be with the Lord after an untiring ministry of 33 years. To the end of his earthly pilgrimage , he was toiling hard in His vineyard, wishing to die in harness. It pleased the Lord to fulfill His servant's desire on 7th July 1962.


The Government of Tamilnadu honoured Pastor John Vasu by naming a street in Madhavaram, Chennai as John Vasu Street.


The family of Pastor John Vasu has continued to serve the Lord even to the third and fourth generation. His son Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu was also a great Pentecostal leader serving the Lord for 33 years until his heavenly homecall in 1995.


His grandson Pastor Stanley Vasu is currently leading the Madras Pentecostal Assembly.


Kindly uphold the family and ministry left behind by Pastor John Vasu in your prayers.







BIRTH CENTENARY OF PASTOR JOHN VASU

To view pictures of the Birth Centenary Celebrations and to view Birth Centenary Souvenir visit the blog site given below

http://birthcentenaryofpastorjohnvasu.blogspot.com/






PASTOR G.N.CHOCKALINGAM - SUPERINTENDING PASTOR OF THE MADRAS PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY ( 1962 - 1971 )



Pastor G.N. Chockalingam who was wonderfully saved thru a glorious vision of the risen Lord Jesus took over the Purasawalkam ministry. The M.P.A. ministry also was being established in Andhra Pradesh. After the home call of Pastor John Vasu, the Royapettah ministry was taken over by Pastor G.N. Chockalingam who served as the Superintending Pastor from 1962 to 1971. After the demise of Pastor G.N. Chockalingam, Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu became the Superintending pastor and served in that capacity till he went to be with the Lord in 1995.

PASTOR PRABHUDOSS VASU - SUPERINTENDING PASTOR OF THE MADRAS PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY ( 1971 - 1995 )






PASTOR PRABHUDOSS VASU - A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
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Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu was born on May 25th 1942 in Rajahmundry Andhra Pradesh. He was the eldest son of Pastor John Vasu and Mrs.Kirubai Vasu , both outstanding Pentecostal Leaders of their generation. He was christened ' Prabhudoss Theodore Satyachoodan' which means the following : Prabhudoss-servant of God, Theodore-gift of God, Satyachoodan-bearer of the Truth.

He accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour at the age of eight in Sunday School. At 12 he was baptised in water and at 15 he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. From his youth he took an active part in the ministry .

He was a talented musician who could play the accordian , keyboard , guitar , violin etc. He travelled to many villages ,towns and cities , playing the accordian and preaching the gospel. His sermons have been composed as songs and recorded and produced in 14 volumes by MPA and are sung around the world by Tamil Christians.

He lost his parents at a very young age. He lost his father died when he was 20 and his mother when he was 24. He entered the ministry right after his father's homecall having just completed his Bachelors degree. He later did his theological studies at the International Bible Training Institute (IBTI) in England.

At age 23 he was ordained as a Pastor and at 29 he became the Superintending Pastor of the Madras Pentecostal Assembly Mission.overseeing about 100 churches , 7 orphan homes , 2 schools etc, under his care . He was also Principal of the Madras Bible Insitute and Editor of the Balm of Gilead magazine.

Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu was one of the most widely respected Pentecostal Leaders in India. He took an active part in interdenominational ministries serving as Secretary to the Pentecostal Fellowship of India (PFI) , Vice-President of Pentecostal Press Association of India (PPAI) and President of Intermission Industrial Development Association(IIDA).He organized many miracle gospel crusades and pastors seminars which was attended by thousands of people.

He was a soft spoken , friendly person with a ready smile for everyone and a good sense of humour when he was with his close friends. The simplicity and purity of his life was admired by one and all especially by fellow-ministers of all denominations.

He was a powerful preacher and a gifted teacher . His deep exposition of the word of God has won him acclaim throughout India and many parts of the world. Thousands have been blessed by his ministry of the Word.

He was a man of great wisdom and deep understanding . His wise counsel and patient spirit has solved many a great in the ministry. He was a veteran of the Lord's army . Ih his home call the church had lost a great soldier.


Until his homecall he provided godly leadership to the MPA Mission seeing much growth and blessing upon the ministry.


Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu died on March 3rd 1995 at the age of 52 during the Annual Convention of the Madras Pentecostal Assembly Mission when thousands of beleivers and Pastors from all churches of MPA Mission had gathered. It was indeed a very intense time of sorrow and uncertainity as Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu , the Superintending Pastor of MPA Mission died while the Annual Convention was going on.

Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu went to be with the Lord after an untiring ministry of 33 years. He left behind his wife. Mrs.Ruth Vasu and three children Stanley ( aged 23) ,Pamela (aged 21) and Ernest ( aged 12) at the time of his demise.

During his brief life span he was a spiritual father and a fountain of blessing to thousands of God's children all over the world.


Pastor Stanley Vasu is carrying on the ministry of MPA Mission. Pamela is married to Rev.Israel Jebaraj who is the director of Sharon Ministries and JTV ( http://jtv.org.in/ ) and they have two children Joanna and Joshua . Ernest is married to Ramya Beulah and they have a baby daughter Darlene Kirstyn. He has completed his Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and is serving the Lord in India Every Home Crusade. Mrs.Ruth Vasu is serving the Lord along with her children. Kindly remember the family and the ministry left behind by Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu in your prayers.


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A TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER : BY PASTOR STANLEY VASU
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This TRIBUTE was paid by Pastor Stanley Vasu in the memorial service held for his father Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu in March 1995. It was a deeply moving tribute during which many in the audience were reduced to tears as Pastor Stanley Vasu shared from his heart about the lessons he learnt from his father and also the lessons they learnt during their time of sorrow.



FOUR CHRISTLIKE QUALITIES I LEARNT FROM MY FATHER PASTOR PRABHUDOSS VASU
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One of my father Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu's favourite choruses was

' To be like Jesus
All I ask is to be like him
All through life's journey
from earth to glory
All I ask is to be like Him '


There were four christlike qualities in his life.

OUTLINE

1).SIMPLICITY

2). PURITY

3). BREVITY

4). TENACITY


THE TRIBUTE
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1.SIMPLICITY:

He led a simple life. He wore simple clothes . He was a simple man. At the beginning of his ministry he made a vow to God. " Lord whatever you give me I will enjoy , whatever you do not give me I do not want "

He used to say that all the land that a man needs is only six feet (i.e) for his burial . Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu did not use even that siX feet of land for his burial because he was buried in his fathers grave . So he shares that six feet of land with his father.

Whenever he attended public meetings he always made a quiet entry and a quiet exit. Even in his death , as the MPA convention was going on , he made a quite exit from this world . As he was in life , so he was in death.


2.PURITY:

He had a pure heart with pure motives. He used to compare Peter and Judas Iscariot.Peter made many mistakes .He denied the Lord. But his heart was pure and he was restored and became a great Apostle.But Judas was always very proper in his outward behaviour. He kissed Jesus when he really wanted to betray him. His heart was desperately wicked. So he went and finally hanged himself.

Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu had a pure heart. He had no hatred or enmity against anybody . He never plotted or did evil against anybody. He kept himself pure.



3.BREVITY:

There was brevity in his words and actions. He was a man of few words .But his words were words of wisom and understanding. His gestures and actions were also brief. His behaviour was always quiet and dignified.

There was brevity in his life as well.He lived a brief life but a rich and fulfilling one.He completed 33 years of ministry and died at the age of 52.


4.TENACITY:

He faced much opposition during his life just like Jesus did. Jesus once said " A prophet is not without honour , save in his own country and in his own house " Matthew 13:57

Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu went about his ministry with a fierce tenacity inspite of all opposition.

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FOUR TRUTHS WE LEARNT IN OUR TIMES OF SORROW
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In the days following the homecall of our beloved of our beloved father Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu, we felt like we were in the Garden of Gethsemane. We were constantly reminded of the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But through these experiences the Lord taught us four truths which helped us to endure everything.


OUTLINE


1) GOD'S PRESENCE

2) GOD'S PROTECTION

3) GOD'S PEACE

4) GOD'S PURPOSES


THE MESSAGE


1.GOD'S PRESENCE

We experienced the presence of God in a very special way. It was like a covering upon us. Pastor Prabhuoss Vasu used to explain God's grace like this . He said ' Grace is like a covering which protects you from the thorn. God may not remove the thorn but he will give you His grace to endure it' .

When Jesus was suffering on the cross , there were three types of people . One group was sympathising with Him. The second group was simply watching from a distance. The third group was actively working against him.

During our days of suffering we experienced the same three types of people. But inspite of all this , the Lord's presence was with us all the time. And that was more than enough.


2.GOD'S PROTECTION

During those days of suffering we felt like we were passing through fire. But we learnt one thing . When the Lord is with us no fire can harm us. The people who throw us into the fire may get hurt but as long as God is on our side no fire can harm us.The God of Shadrach, Meschech and Abednego is our God as well.


3.GOD'S PEACE

It was wonderful to experience God's peace in our times of sorrow. Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu often used this illustration while explaining God's peace. There were two paintings about peace. One showed a little bird singing happily in the midst of a peaceful village. The other painting showed a little bird singing happily in an island in the midst of a violent storm. The second painting depicted true peace.

Jesus said " My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives but my peace I give unto you".

We were able to experience that peace which passeth all understaning . We could not explain the peace that God gave us during such difficult times.


4.GOD'S PURPOSE

God is sovereign. Promotion does not come from the east or from the west but from the Lord. He lifts one up and puts down another . Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu used to say this often.

' Your duty is to remain in God's hand .If God wants to lift you up in His hand, then even if the whole world tried to pull it down, nobody can pull you down .But if people try to lift you up , you are in a dangerous position. Anytime they can drop you. The higher they lift you , the greater the fall and injury '


During our times of sorrow as we yeilded ourselves to his will , we found the Lord working out his eternal plan and purpose in our lives.

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PASTOR STANLEY VASU - SUPERINTENDING PASTOR OF THE MADRAS PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY ( 1995 - PRESENT )









BLOG : stanleyvasu.blogspot.com


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PASTOR STANLEY VASU
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FAMILY
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Dr.Stanley Vasu was born on 21st September 1971 as the eldest son of Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu and Mrs.Anusya Ruth Vasu . He is a third generation Pentecostal Pastor. His grandfather Pastor John Vasu was the Superintending Pastor of the Madras Pentecostal Assembly Mission as well as the President of the All India Pentecostal Fellowship and a member of the Pentecostal World Conference Committee. His father Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu also served as the Superintending Pastor of the Madras Pentecostal Assembly Mission as well as the Secretary to the Pentecostal Fellowship of India. Thus Dr.Stanley Vasu has a rich spiritual heritage.


EDUCATION
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Dr.Stanley Vasu completed his entire high school education at the Christ Church Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School . He won the silver medal in the high school examination with a centum in Mathematics. He also won the Scripture prize which was awarded by the Inter-Continental Bible Society whose patron is Her Majesty, the Queen of England. During his school days he took part in the All India Christian Youth Festival held in Calcutta and won the first prize in the preaching competition.

He completed his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Mathematics from the Madras Christian College ,Tambaram obtaining first class in both the degrees. While studying at the Madras Christian college he won the Elisabeth Miller Scripture prize . He also obtained the Religious Education Certificate awarded by the Christian Educational Council of Tamilnadu obtaining distinction in the New Testament.

He has been awarded the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Religion in 2002 and the Degree of Doctor of Divinity in 2007 by the Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary of Jerusalem ,Israel.In 1999 He was nominated as the ' Man of the Year ' by the American Biographical Institute based in North Carolina, U.S.A. He was awarded the 'Young Ministerial Acheiver Award' at the World Tamil Pastors Conference held in Singapore in July 2003.


MINISTRY DESCRIPTION
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In 1995 at the age of 23 Dr.Stanley Vasu became the President of the Madras Pentecostal Assembly Mission after the demise of his father Pastor Prabhudoss Vasu overseeing churches , orphan homes , 2 schools , , a free bible correspondence course in English and Tamil with over 200,000 registered students as well as serving as the Pastor of the Headquarters church .


SPEAKING MINISTRY
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Dr.Stanley Vasu preaches regularly in Headquarters church of the MPA Mission . He has also spoken in youth rallies , pastors conferences, spiritual growth seminars etc in different parts of India. Dr.Stanley Vasu has a great sense of humour which is evident in his sermons as well as in his personal conversations.

He has delivered lectures on leadership in some of the most prestigious educational institutions in India such as the Indian Institute of Technology (I.I.T) Madras, Loyola College ,Madras etc.



WRITING MINISTRY
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Dr.Stanley Vasu 's magazine in Tamil called 'Spiritual Truths' is sent to more than ten thousand Pastors and Christian Leaders.He has published several books and magazines on spiritual truths.His sermons are published regularly in the daily Tamil Newspaper 'Thinathoothu'.

He has also been appointed the Treasurer of the Tamil Bible Commentary Committee which is preparing a commentary on the Tamil Bible involving some of the best Tamil Bible Scholars from around the world . He is also one of the contributors to the Commentary and is writing a commentary on the book of Philippians. He also writes poetry as the Lord leads him which has been published in several magazines.


INTERNET SERMONS
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Dr.Stanley Vasu's Internet Bible Studies are read around the world .These articles are used in sermons , publications , radio programs ,cell groups etc in different parts of the world. All the sermons of Dr.Stanley Vasu are available on the following link https://www.sermoncentral.com/contributors/dr-stanley-vasu-sermons-6233. These sermons have received more than 3.5 million views


TELEVISION AND RADIO MINISTRY
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Dr.Stanley Vasu has spoken weekly on the half-hour television program 'SPIRITUAL TRUTHS' on BLESSING TV during the period 2006-2007 which has a potential audience of over 30 million people . He had also produced and preached in the daily television program 'Dhyana Neram' on Raj Digital Plus television during the period January 2000 to June 2001.

Dr.Stanley Vasu has preached in the weekly radio program for youth called 'Valibur Muzhakam' produced by Feba radio as well the Sunday worship program called 'Aradhanai Velai'.


MUSIC MINISTRY
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Dr.Stanley Vasu plays the keyboard and has sung in Christian tapes and also leads worship in church.


INTER-DENOMINATIONAL MINISTRY
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Dr.Stanley Vasu has also served in various interdenominational committees . He has served as the Secretary to the National Association of Pentecostal Theological Institutions (NAPTI) .He is also a member of the committee of the Chennai Full Gospel Ministers Fellowship and a member of the Apostolic Council of the Synod of Pentecostal churches of Tamilnadu

He has served as the Treasurer of the Every Tongue and Tribe conference which was held in January 2006 which brought together for the first time in the history of India , beleivers from every tribe and language in India who have been reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dr.Stanley Vasu has a developed intimate and meaningful relationships with most of the Christian Leaders in India including Bishops , Evangelists, Pastors, Missionary Leaders and Organisational Leaders. He has organised Christian Leaders Prayer Breakfasts where some of the most influential Christian Leaders have come to together for Prayer and Fellowship.


INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY
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Dr.Stanley Vasu has had the privilege to meet and enjoy fellowship with several international Christian leaders such as Dr.T.L.Osborn , Dr. Morris Cerullo ,Dr.Reinhard Bonnke, Dr.Peter Youngren , Dr. Franklin Graham son of Dr.Billy Graham ,Dr.Pat Robertson , Dr.Richard Shakarian, Bishop Samuel Doctorian , Dr.Dean Hirsh ,the International President of World Vision , Dr. Loren Cunningham ,founder of Youth with a Mission , Dr.Luis Bush, Dr.Peter Wagner , Dr.Ed Silvoso, Dr.Kong Hee and many others. He has ministered internationally so far in America , France, Norway ,Sweden, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Oman, Indonesia , Israel , Jordan and SriLanka.



Dr.Stanley Vasu has a threefold vision for his life.
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1)To reach the youth of this generation for Jesus Christ , raising them up as a force for Jesus developing them to their fullest potential in serving Jesus.

2) To impact the intellectuals and the influential people of society in a creative and credible way with the power and the reality of Jesus Christ which in turn could impact the people under their influence.

3) To strive for the unity of the Body of Christ among the various denominations and ministries and bring the Christian Leaders into a loving relationship with each other to work together for the rapid expansion of the Kingdom of God


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Dr.Stanley Vasu lives in Madras with his mother Mrs.Anusya Ruth Vasu and his brother Ernest. Ernest is married to Ramya Beulah and they have two daughters Darlene Kirstyn and her baby sister. Ernest has completed his Masters degree in Business Adminstration (MBA) is serving the Lord in India Every Home Crusade . His sister Pamela is married to Rev.Israel Jebaraj and they have two children Joanna and Joshua .Dr.Stanley Vasu celebrated his 48th Birthday on September 21 st 2019. Kindly uphold him in your prayers.

Visit Blog: http://38thbirthdayofpastorstanleyvasu.blogspot.com

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Contact :

Pastor Stanley Vasu
P.O.Box 662
Chennai-600014
INDIA

Telephone : 91-44-2835-2409