A Legacy of Faith: Jesus Lives Church 39th Anniversary Celebration
This past Sunday 6 Apr, Jeya, mom, Saro, and I had the joy of attending the anniversary celebration of Jesus Lives Church—our first time stepping into their new sanctuary. Pastor Jonathan Suppiah had warmly invited us, and it turned out to be a day filled with gratitude, memories, and divine encouragement.
During the service, Pastor Jonathan shared a deeply moving testimony. He recounted how my mother had played a vital role in bringing his late father, Apostle Rev. N Suppiah, and his mother, Sis. Letchimi, to the Lord. Back in the late 1970s, while visiting their home at the Naval Base, my mother faced opposition and hostility—Rev. Suppiah often shouted at her and warned her not to bring his wife to church. He has many bad habits and a very staunch believer of another religion. Yet, her unwavering love and faithfulness and prayer, eventually broke through. The entire family came to Christ. The Lord touched Rev Suppiah and he became a "new creation".
In his words, my mom was the "ladder" for his father's spiritual life. Rev Suppiah eventually moved out of PEC in obedience to God's call and started the Jesus Lives church. My mom was the catalyst for this church's humble beginning to what it is today. There were more than 150 members in the church today. He did not have much education but the Lord used Rev Suppiah in many countries, with "signs and wonders following". A tremendous testimony of the inward working of the Holy Spirit in transforming lives.
When a man is committed to the call of God, its not what he does but what God does through him.
I also remember how Sis Letchimi will always call me and say how much she is praying for our mission work and encourage us to go further. They have been such a blessing in our lives.
Even more personally touching was when Pastor Jonathan shared that I had taught him and his brother Pastor Joshua, the Bible and helped them memorise Scripture when he was just three years old. "Anneh will twist our ears when we recited the scriptures wrongly", he moaned, to the laughter of the congregation.
Today, on its 39th anniversary, Jesus Lives Church stands as a testimony to that spiritual foundation. He went on to tell the church how the Lord has used us in the mission field to plant so many churches in many countries in South Asia. We were truly humbled.
The service was a celebration in every sense—with joyful presentations by various groups in the church. In a deeply honoring moment, they placed a shawl over my mother, a traditional Indian sign of respect. Towards the end, Pastor Jonathan invited me to pray for the church.
All your hard works will not in vain.
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