Hi namasthe my name is Sangeetha Alexander wife of Mark Alexander who came to Northern Ireland to study at the Belfast Bible College 10 years back. As you can see I am from India which has a population of 1.1 billion, there are 29 states and 22 official languages and also 1650 other languages and dialects.

Christianity was brought to India by ST Thomas the disciple also known as doubting Thomas he preached the gospel in southern part of India. Christians have lived in Kerala for almost 2 thousand years.

Catholic and protestant missionaries brought Christianity to India almost 200 years ago as a result the percentage of Christians is 2.5 per cent which is about 25 million people however the unofficial figures is 5 per cent or 50 million praise God for that.

Being a Christian is not a problem in the 4 southern states as long as you do not take part in evangelism how ever missionaries, evangelists and pastors in small towns and villages face a lot of precaution. My father’s grand parents were Hindu converts and were brought to the lord through the work of missionaries. My mother’s grandparents were brought to the lord by CMS missionaries and Amy charmihcal an northern Irish missionary was also involved in bring people to Christ in the same area of my mothers grandparents.

The church is growing in spite of the persecution especially the assembly of God churches, the largest city church is in Chennai with 50000 people and the second largest church is in Bangalore with 20,000 members

The church my father served in Bangalore had 1500 members every Sunday. Many churches support missionaries in North India as most Christians are from southern India, churches are involved in mission work either by sending missionaries or supporting mission work one church in our city in Bangalore supports 98 missionaries and want to make this figure 100 next year. people have learnt to give sacrificially to missions and evangelism. Being a Christian is not easy in north and east India as the Hindu political parties called BJP have started programmes to reconvert Christians to Hinduism and the using of threats and violence is common.

My great grandfather came from a family of Hindu priests however my great grand father wanted to join the army so he came to Bangalore which is a big city, he was also searching for the true God as the Hindu gods did not give him the peace he desired in his heart. He went to the mosque but Islam did not fill the void in his heart. finally he met the missionaries of the London mission society was convinced that Jesus was the true lord and saviour and became a Christian.

My great grand father and my great grandma reached out to the Hindu family members with the gospel.

A few years back my grandmother and her brother estimated about 200 family members became active Christians because of the influence of my great grand parents..

I accepted Jesus as my saviour at 10 years of age, I always wanted to serve the Lord, There have been failures, difficult times and also happy times in my life but the Lord has never failed me nor forsaken me, there have been times I cried out to the lord where are you and sought the lord and He answered me with his peace in my heart knowing that he was and is within me, I am now going to conclude with the song the potters hand, as this song is close to my heart sometimes the lord melts moulds us breaks us and then leaves on a self till his appointed time and then fills us with his glory, let us recommit our lives to the lord as we read the words of the potters hand

“The Potter’s Hand”

Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Saviour

I know for sure, all of my days are held in your hands, crafted

into your perfect plan

You gently call me into your presence guiding me by Your Holy Spirit

Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through Your eyes

I’m captured by Your holy calling

Set me apart, I know you’re drawing me to yourself

Lead me Lord I pray

Take me, Mold me, use me, fill me

I give my life to the Potter’s hand

Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me

I give my life to the Potter’s hand

You gently call me into your presence guiding me by your Holy Spirit

Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through your eyes

I’m captured by your Holy calling

set me apart, I know your drawing me to yourself

lead me Lord I pray

Take me, Mold me, use me, fill me

I give my life to the Potter’s hand

Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me

I give my life to the potters hand