Baptism in Bombay

Baptism is the outward symbol that one has accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord by the transforming grace of God. Jesus was baptized by John, whom we call John the Baptist, since he must have performed many baptisms. Matthew 3:13-17 records the baptism of Jesus: 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. The church I attended as a boy had a tank behind the pulpit, and every month there would be a special baptism service. While in America baptism means that one wants to follow the example of Jesus, and one does not expect to be persecuted, in Eastern countries this can carry a huge price-even death. In most Asian countries, it means total estrangement from family and friends-and joining an entirely new community of brothers and sisters.

I have heard many stories in India how new Christians were totally disowned by their Hindu families. Baptism certainly carries a price unheard of by most American Christians believers. Such is the case in India. Last week Pastor Timothy sent me photos of their recent baptismal service held on the banks of the Arabian Sea which is quite close to our church and Childrens Home.

I usually arrived from New York in Bombay so I know the area quite well. Since the slum hut where Timothy lived has no toilet or running water, he would reserve a room for me in a small hotel on the shore. Since the city's raw sewage was dumped in the sea, it was clearly not a tourist beach. Risk for disease was great if one even waded in the polluted waters. Such enhances the story behind these photos. Clean water is such a rare commodity in many Eastern countries, so baptism in this polluted sea carries an additional risk! So I am overjoyed when I see photos like this, and I think of you who have given all these years to reach India with the good news of salvation.

You will certainly reap the harvest alone with our faithful pastors who have labored under dangerous and extreme conditions.

---Dr Johannes Maas

Under the shadow of your prayers and support, I am faithfully your servant for Jesus.

Sponsor a Widow
In India, many Hindus believe that if a man dies, his wife made the gods angry, and she is responsible for his death. Often the widows jump on the funeral pyre, and are burned alive. Others run away, and many who are left homeless on the streets are welcomed into one of our homes. They help care for the children in the Home, and those who are truly born-again become Bible Ladies, ministering to the Hindu women in their villages. When a husband is away from his home, village custom dictates that no man may enter the home, even if the evangelist is accompanied by his wife. But the widows may visit the lady, and have opportunity to lead the lady to Jesus.

Sponsor an Evangelist

PUBLISHED BY WORLDWIDE FAITH MISSIONS

AN OHIO NOT-FOR-PROFIT 501c CORPORATION W website : www.worldwidefaithmissions.org

PO BOX 8083, CANTON, OH 44711

DR JOHANNES MAAS, ThD, EDITOR Founded 1976

Most of you will never have the opportunity to witness for Jesus in a remote village in India. But through our sponsorship program, you may enlist a worthy evangelist in India to minister in your place. Many of our evangelists were called of God to minister to their own people while they were in our Children's Home. Now they need support in order to minister in a remote village where most have never heard the Name of Jesus, nor have heard the message of salvation. And you will share in their reward as they win souls for the Lord..

Volume 36, Number 9

Sept. 2012

Sponsor a Needy Child

Our Homes have many children for whom we have no sponsor. When parents die or are too ill to care for their child, the villagers will bring the child to one of our Homes. We never turn a homeless child away, but must use our small general fund to care for them until a new sponsor is enlisted. Please use this form to request a boy or a girl, or a Bible lady or an evangelist. We will send you a photo and case history, and you may write to the one you are sponsoring in India.

Sponsorship Form:
I will support a child at $18/month. I want a Boy Girl (Check one) Please select a native evangelist for me. I will send $25/month. Send me his name and photo. I will support a Bible woman (widow) at $15/month. I want to help feed the starving children in India I enclose $__________ My Name____________________________________ Address_____________________________ City________________________State______________Zip________________ Mail to: Worldwide Faith Missions P.O. Box 8083 Canton, Ohio 44711 USA Contributions are tax deductible

Pastor Timothy and his son (now assistant pastor) baptize a new convert