DAVID (Shivpal)

DAVID (Shivpal) - a man after God's own heart

David is one of the first Christian leaders to arise in this area and is from high-cast Hindu background. Since 1998 he has coordinated the work of TellASIA/Living Hope Alliance throughout 12 districts of an area known as one of the most backward and dark areas of the world. He is the director of one of TellASIA/LHA's Indian organizations, Jivit Asha (Living Hope) and Assistant Director of our other Indian agency, The Alliance.

David routinely puts himself in harm's way to protect persecuted Christians. He spends most of his time out with his people in remote villages, ministering to their needs and coordinating projects. Under his leadership, 19,000 desittute children learned to read and write in 2009, and most also came to know the love of Jesus. Over 500 village house-based churches have been planted and hundreds of leaders are bein trained. He is now starting an orphanage and will soon be constructing a fully self-sufficient Transformation Center. This will include an international-quality children's school and Vocational institute serving the poorest of the poor who cannot afford a good education. It will also include a Bible school preparing future Christian leaders.

Here is a video showing some of David's work:

DAVID'S TESTIMONY

David became a Believer through the miraculous healing of his mother from leprosy. However his father and brother were violently opposed to Christ. They subjected David to beatings and constant humiliation on account of his faith. His mother sold her wedding jewelry to send him to Bible School. After graduation, his father maliciously arranged his marriage with a non-Christian girl who was suffering from tuberculosis. Despite continued violence and abuse, David faithfully went out each day sharing the Gospel and pastoring village churches. Witnessing her husband’s passion and devotion to Jesus, his wife Renu also became a Believer. He had no money and no way to obtain treatment for her illness. It was October 1998 and David was crying out to God for someone to come alongside him to serve his people.

It was at this time that Leanna came to this area and was searching for a person to coordinate TellASIA’s work. There was an Indian missionary pastor in the city, and she asked him if he could recommend someone for this position. “Oh yes,” he replied, “My son would be perfect for this work.” The missionary was very eager for his son to work with TellASIA, as he knew that working for a foreign agency would provide good pay. The young man was very nice and a very good worker, however something just wasn’t right, and Leanna had to return to the pastor and say, “He’s not the one. Please recommend someone else.” The pastor was undaunted. “Very well, my stepson is there!” So the stepson tried out for the position, and did a very good job, but again Leanna sensed something was not right. A third time she went to the pastor. Now it was beginning to look a little like the Prophet Samuel and the Sons of Jesse, the prophet saying “These are all fine young men, but God hasn’t chosen them. Do you have any more sons?” Now the pastor was downcast. No, he had no more sons. However, there was this local guy  out in the field tending the flock of God, and at last he told Leanna about him. Leanna said, “call him in.” The moment their eyes met, before any words were exchanged, Leanna knew this was the one God had chosen.

Leanna provided medication so Renu recovered from her illness, and we moved them to a safe urban residence. He became the coordinator of TellASIA’s work in North India, traveling hundreds of miles by motorcycle, bus, and foot, persevering through incredible hardship and opposition. Thanks to his labors, there are now over 300 village churches and thousands of villages have heard the message of hope in Jesus Christ. Hundreds of children are receiving education and destitute ladies are being lifted out of poverty by starting small businesses. David also is always in the middle of any persecution that is happening. He is the first one to go to court in defense of any Christian who is being persecuted on account of their faith. He is truly “King David” for his people.

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