Adult Literacy Programme
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ – Is. 58:9
Our God is One who answers our prayers, and He is the very present help in trouble. Time and time again, it was proved in our mission work.
Sivaramaraju Peta is a village known as a stronghold of rigid Hindu ideology. The people there were firmly opposed to allowing any other religion or belief system to enter their community. It is also a central village that influences many surrounding villages.
In the early days, two of my associates and I left our vehicle outside the village and quietly walked in at night. Standing together in the darkness, we joined hands, prayed over the village, and dedicated it to the Lord in the name of Jesus. After that night, I carried a deep burden for Sivaramaraju Peta and the neighbouring villages. We continued to pray faithfully for that region for several years.
In time, God opened a door through a community development initiative—an Adult Literacy Programme sponsored by CityLife. Through this support, we were able to establish an Adult Literacy Center in the village. More than 60 illiterate adults enrolled, eager to learn. Among them was the 65-year-old mother of the village head.
As the program continued, the ministry at the center touched many lives. The village head’s mother, along with several others, accepted the Lord as their Savior. Encouraged by the transformation they experienced, they requested that we start a church in their village.
By God’s grace, a church was planted there. Today, it is a strong and thriving congregation in that region. From this church, several more churches have been established, and they are growing both spiritually and numerically. God truly answered our prayers and blessed the work of our hands.
Glory to God, and heartfelt thanks to CityLife for their generous support of the Adult Literacy Programme.
Wendy is a 12-year-old girl in the Children’s Home we run. She comes from a deeply religious Hindu family, yet soon after arriving at the home, she gave her heart to the Lord.
During summer and winter vacations, children with parents usually returned home to spend time with their families. When Wendy’s father came to take her home, she was reluctant. She explained, “My house is full of idols, and my parents expect me to worship them. I cannot do that.” After counselling her, we were able to send her home despite her hesitation.
Once home, Wendy learned that her 10-year-old younger brother had been missing for a month. Heartbroken, she urged her parents that night to pray with her for his safe return. Initially, her father was angry and refused, but Wendy held his feet—a traditional Indian gesture of earnest pleading—and began praying aloud with tears streaming down her face. Gradually, her parents joined in, praying with whatever words they could find, and they continued together until bedtime.
The next morning at 5:00 AM, there was a knock at the door. To their immense joy, their missing son had returned safely. Overcome with gratitude and conviction, Wendy’s father removed all the idols from their home, throwing them into the river, and both he and his wife accepted the Lord.
Because of his influence in the village, he became instrumental in bringing 32 other families to Christ. The local church grew so much that its walls had to be expanded to accommodate the congregation.
I praise God for answering prayers in powerful ways that not only bring personal miracles but also lead many to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
A young woman from our Life Church, Vizag, secured a teaching job in a remote village. Reluctantly, she and her husband moved there and discovered there were no churches in the area. They shared with me the urgent need for the gospel in that region.
We began praying for the area, and the couple faithfully ministered in Laxmipuram. Within a year, they had won about 10 people to Christ and invited us to come and minister there. We visited frequently and eventually planted a church in Laxmipuram. From that church, around 20 more churches were planted, some of which are supported by CityLife.
I firmly believe that prayers are never unanswered—they may simply take time and effort to bear fruit.
We are grateful to CityLife for standing with us over the past three decades.
Together, we are plundering hell and populating heaven.
– Divakar, Life Churches, India