“Jesus said to Simon Peter, ’Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ’Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ’Feed my lambs.’”
John 21:15

Many years ago, a young boy named David was sent to an IGL children’s home by his father, a pastor and church planter. David’s father hoped he would grow up to dedicate his life to the Lord’s ministry, but, little did he know what God had in store for David and the number of lives he would impact.

During the 10 years he was in the home, he lived under the care and guidance of Rev. Samuel Stephens’ father, Rev. Rajah Stephens. After completing his grade school education, David felt called to become a pastor and completed a three-year theological course through the IGL Bible School that operated in those days.

After completing his pastoral training, Pastor David moved to northern India where he served for six years as a fulltime pastor to a local village and simultaneously taught at an IGL children’s home. During those years the Lord continued to impress upon him the call to work among children through John 21:15, “Feed my lambs.” Over time, he became increasingly passionate about this calling, which he attributes in part to his upbringing in the IGL children’s home. The verses he memorized, the songs he learned, the missionary stories he read, the prayer and general discipline, he believes have played a significant part in shaping and grooming him for ministry. Finally in 2007, the Lord opened the door for him to begin his fulltime ministry to children.

Pastor David currently ministers to more than 8,000 children in 16 schools throughout Southern India. He visits the schools to offer counsel, teach Scripture and disciple the children through Bible classes, retreats and camps. Since the beginning of his children’s ministry, 3,000 children have made the decision to accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

Many of the children Pastor David ministers to come from staunch Hindu families. After attending Pastor David’s programs, the children often return home reciting Bible verses and singing Christian songs. While the parents are often initially displeased, some have come to accept Jesus as Savior after seeing true transformation in their children’s lives!

Recently, the Lord has led Pastor David back to his hometown to reach the children there and assist his mother with her ministry. He began leading a small group of 25 children and now has a goal to reach 10,000! Pastor David also mentors the pastor who trains the teachers for IGL’s Children’s Gospel Club (CGC) program.

“I want to serve the Lord till the end. And I want to raise the next generation for Him. This is my one goal; my only desire. I have learned that God uses our weaknesses, our missteps, our challenges and every circumstance no matter how bad, to fulfill His purposes… so I never give up.”
– Pastor David

PRAYER REQUESTS

• For open doors in new villages to start more children’s ministries.
• For Pastor David to reach 10,000 children.
• For the children who are under his care to grow up to become influential Christian leaders like Pastor David.