Indian pastors freed: a powerful answer to prayer

Two pastors in Gujarat, India, walked out of prison about two weeks ago, free again to share the Gospel.

Badri and Ramu* had been arrested earlier in the week, accused under India’s anti-conversion laws too often used to silence Christians who share the Gospel. By the end of the week, however, the pastors were freed—walking out of prison thanks to prayer, solidarity and the unshakable courage that defines the persecuted Church.

After being abducted from their ministry work by members of a Hindu nationalist group, the pastors were first handed over to police and reportedly beaten. They were then transferred to a long-term prison facility where they waited and prayed—isolated, hurting, but of course never alone.

When the Christian relief organization Global Christian Relief learned about Badri and Ramu, they did what many of us do: they refused to let the pastors’ pain go unanswered. They collected the needed bail money and a few days later, the pastors were freed!

These pastors—unjustly imprisoned—are now free and continuing their Gospel ministry, supported by faithful believers in their local community.

This is what it means to be one Church, one family. When one part of the Body suffers, we all can do our part to respond.

These pastors stood firm under pressure, trusting God even from a prison cell. Today, they remain committed to leading others to Christ, no matter the cost.

Their story is a real-time reminder of how urgent needs arise in the lives of persecuted believers—and how the global Christian community responds with compassion and action.

*Names changed for security reasons
You can read the original story here, at Global Christian Relief.

She once ran with drug addicts and prostitutes; now she ministers to them!

While Sharon Dutra’s story is an American one, we share it with you because she shares this ministry’s heart for Jesus and for others. Her hardships and her tumultuous ‘life before Christ’ could all have happened in any country in the world—places where she also now freely shares her ministry and Bible Study books. Over the years, she has become a great friend, prayer partner and encourager of the ministry and of me personally.

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Sharon Dutra’s emotions ranged from wonder to worry and back again as she headed—voluntarily this time—into the California Institution for Women. She had shared a tiny cell at this women’s state prison in southern California with another inmate several decades ago in what proved to be the last stop in an already long series of arrests and incarcerations.

Like most who end up ‘on the wrong side of the tracks,’ Sharon’s early life reads like a dark thriller. Her mother left when Sharon was about five; her alcoholic, womanizing father had been married four times by the time she was 17.

Young Sharon, shuttled from one foster home to another, felt abandoned and alone. By 13, she resorted to drugs to dull the pain and growing sense of worthlessness and by 15, had run from her latest home to an even worse life on the streets.

In and out of various detention facilities in the years that followed, with each escape she learned more about ‘life on the streets’, while her self-hatred and contempt for others escalated.

Marriage with an ex-con and two children later, her life continued its increasingly dark and steep downward spiral. Hard-core drugs, near-death experiences, prostitution, homelessness, suicide attempts—all culminated in her thirteenth and final arrest.

“Because of my lengthy criminal record,” she explains,” I was sent to a women’s prison in Southern California, where I already knew some of the inmates from my time on the street.”

A view from Outside the California Institution for Women; photo: Tag Christof

That, thankfully, proved to be her ultimate conviction in more ways than one. While there, she read Al Capone’s Devil Driver, by and about George Meyer, the notorious crime boss’s chauffeur who had killed many people himself and ended up in prison, where he eventually traded in his life of crime for Life with Jesus.

The book helped open her eyes to the divine realization that God alone could help her out of her misery and pain and was right there with her, waiting to be invited into her life.

“I got on my knees and cried out to Him for over an hour,” she remembers, “weeping for all the wrongs I had done. When I got up off the cell floor, I was a brand-new person.”

A few weeks later, Sharon moved from 23-hour-a-day lockdown to the general prison population. She immediately began attending church, where the prison chaplain presented her with her very own bible.

“I read it for hours every day!” she recalls. “After a lifetime derailed by destructive lies, finding God’s truth felt like discovering a cool stream in the desert.”

“At first, I could hardly fathom that Jesus would love a sinner like me, much less that my sins were totally forgiven,” she marvels. “But the more I read, the more the Holy Spirit confirmed the shocking reality of the Gospel! I drew special encouragement from Joel 2:25, which speaks of God ‘repaying us for the years the locusts have eaten’.”

She couldn’t help but share the astonishingly freeing Good News with others in prison, and soon picked back up her guitar-playing to lead in worship. Eventually, she also began teaching Bible studies for fellow prisoners. When finally released, she returned to her hometown of Santa Cruz, California.

“But the only people I knew there were drug addicts and prostitutes!” she recalls. “I wondered why God had returned me to this kind of environment. How would I overcome my reputation there? But God graciously gave me many opportunities to witness to those I had run with.”

She eventually returned to school, earned a registered nursing degree, and married. She and her husband Michael, through their Be Transformed Ministries, now help people from many backgrounds both come to know Jesus and become His disciples.

She began leading Bible studies while still in prison and continues to, now using books she has written herself to fill needs and answer questions she couldn’t find in existing materials. Her books (Be Transformed, New Beginnings, and Fishers of Men) have been translated into Spanish, Japanese and Farsi; many have been freely sent overseas (mostly for pastoral training) and over 35,000 of her books have been sent to prisons, jails and rehab centers across the U.S.

250 Bibles and 500 of Sharon’s books were shipped to Ghana to be used in Churches and Prisons. Here is a presentation in a Ghana prison

Pastors in South Africa gather after training with Sharon’s books

On her December return to the prison where she had met Jesus, Sharon shared her story with a roomful of hungry inmates—making new friends and several new converts before ‘escaping’ into the waiting arms of her husband outside the prison. They rejoiced together over all God had done and continues to do through their own and others’ lives redirected to the One who created them.

“After so many years on the run—from home, from authority, from life itself—I praise God for giving rest to my weary soul,” she explains. “No life is too broken for God to heal. I am living proof.”

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Christianity Today recently featured Sharon’s story (I Used to Run with Drug Addicts and Prostitutes. Now I Share the Gospel with Them) and Victorious Living has her story in their January 2022 issue.

Michael and Sharon Dutra with one of Sharon’s books

To see and hear Sharon’s testimony, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuH8U_dRdiw

To contact Sharon or learn more about her ministry, please visit:
betransformedministries.comor email her at: betransformed@betransformedministries

‘It never rains but it pours’: Ministry leaders need your prayers

Truth really can be stranger than fiction; so be forewarned dear reader/supporter, as we also put the old expression, ‘It never rains but it pours’ to the test.

Shortly after my own release from hospital (second stay this year, second of four surgeries) our dear Pastor Paul, Director of Bibles for Mideast, sent me a casual WhatsApp message regarding the recent death of his 98-year-old aunt. He was, he said, considering travelling to her funeral—a 200-mile bus trip along rough roads—and asked for prayer for guidance.

Two days later I got another message saying he had returned, and that he had also presented the Gospel message to three Muslim families. As I understood it then, all had accepted Jesus and Pastor Paul was back home.

The story becomes murky, however, because at some point—I am still trying to figure out the timeline and details—Pastor Paul was viciously attacked and captured by extremists furious he had evangelized the Muslims. Apparently one of the attackers, using Pastor Paul’s cellphone, began sending messages to several of his correspondents, myself included. They certainly had me completely fooled.

When a few days then went by with no word from or about Pastor Paul, I contacted Peter Haneef (who leads the Assembly of Loving God [ALG] Church, umbrella organization for all Bibles for Mideast churches).  He explained as much as he knew, beginning with how Pastor Paul’s family had become worried when he did not return from his aunt’s funeral. They then learned he had been attacked after evangelizing the Muslims, and was being held captive by his attackers.

The deceased aunt’s son—a politician with some connections—had heard that his cousin had been attacked and captured. He managed to discover where the captors were holding Pastor Paul, gathered up a group of political cadets to storm the place, and after a fierce battle, freed the pastor. They brought him back to his home, but his injuries were so severe his family took him to the hospital for care. His cellphone remained in the hands of his captors, but by then I knew not to believe any messages I got from Pastor Paul’s WhatsApp account.

THEN—complete silence from Pastor Peter Haneef. Getting desperate for more information, I contacted Pastor Paul’s wife Mercy. She has had too many of her own  medical emergencies this year—hospitalized for heart surgery, and then later, for a stroke—so I wasn’t sure whether she would be well enough to respond. She thankfully was able to reply in her broken English to each of my numerous inquiries, and the blurry picture I managed to piece together follows.

Apparently, Pastor Peter had himself been kidnapped—on his way home from visiting his friend and co-leader Pastor Paul in hospital, I believe.

“He understood they were taking him to kill him,” Mercy explained. “He prayed to the Lord. He saw a police van behind, called again to Jesus, opened the door and fell out.” The police from the vehicle behind the captors’ of course came to investigate, and finding the injured pastor, rushed him to the nearest hospital.

So your prayers are certainly needed and appreciated: for Pastor Paul, Pastor Peter Haneef, myself and for the ministry as a whole: that absolutely no challenges thrown our way will deter us from seeking and following His Way, His Purposes, His Redemption.

We are all recovering, and we “know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Please pray especially for Pastor Paul, who is still on supplemental oxygen.

While the old adage may go, “It never rains but it pours,” we also believe the Holy Spirit can rain down as copiously to save, guide, heal and protect. Make it so, Lord!

Isaiah 45:8 – “You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the Lord, have created it.”

A beautiful version (with lyrics) of Holy Spirit Rain Down, a song released by Hillsong Worship of Australia in 1998 and sung here by Alvin Slaughter.

Cardiac surgeon says his young patient opened his own heart

Angela* had been a long-awaited addition to the family for a formerly Muslim couple now worshipping Jesus at an ALG (Bibles for Mideast) church near their home in North India. Born 13 years into their marriage, little Angela was only six when doctors discovered a serious problem with her heart. Blood clots were forming and interfering with her heart’s functioning, so her parents took her to a renowned cardiologist for further assessment.

After a thorough check-up, the specialist advised immediate open-heart surgery, but warned that it came with only a 30 percent chance of success.  

“What will happen if we don’t go for the surgery?” the concerned parents asked. 

“She will not live more than three months,” the surgeon answered.

After much prayer and consideration, the parents opted for the surgery.

“You do understand I can give you only a 30 percent assurance on her life,” the doctor reminded them. The parents nodded; they would stick by their decision.

The day for surgery arrived, and Angela was prepped for the procedure. She spied her surgeon getting ready too.

“Doctor Uncle, Doctor Uncle!” she cried out [an Indian expression showing her familiarity with the doctor—Ed.]  “I heard you will tear into and cut my heart!”

“Don't worry, my child,” the doctor assured her kindly. “I promise, you won’t feel any pain or discomfort.”

“It’s not that, Doctor Uncle! My mommy and daddy taught me that my Lord Jesus is living in my heart … and I do believe that! So Doctor Uncle, when you tear into and cut my heart open, please don't cause any pain and discomfort to my Lord, who sits there. Also, please, if you do see my Lord, tell me what he’s like!”

The caring doctor smiled at his young patient’s innocent—but surely ignorant—faith. As an atheist, he had long believed all of his success and accomplishments were his own doing, due to his own great intelligence and ability.

The operation finally got underway. But within 40 minutes, the young patient’s blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen levels all began plummeting. As good as he was, the surgeon could see his efforts would be in vain, so he handed the operation off to his junior associates. Better leave than admit failure, he figured.

Still, this little girl had gotten to him somehow. He headed for a quiet, empty corner of the operating room, sat down and slowly sipped some water.

Just what was it about Angela, and especially, her words? He couldn’t get those words out of his own heart and brain.

“Lord God Jesus,” he found his heart praying before it could properly register in his brain. “If You are true and really dwelling in Angela's heart as she believes and says, please do a miracle now in her life.”

Within moments, the younger surgeons rushed over to him.

“Doctor, we don't know what is happening! Her blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation levels are all miraculously heading to normal! Blood has just now started pumping in her heart!”

The senior surgeon leapt up and rushed to the child’s side, beginning to fathom the fact the Lord Jesus must surely have worked a miracle in his young patient’s heart. He took over the reins of the operation and four and a half hours later, could declare it a complete success.

A few days later, feeling well and almost herself again, Angela had a few questions for her surgeon.

“Doctor Uncle! Did you happen to see my Lord Jesus when you cut into my heart? Did He say anything to you?”

“My dear child,” her cardiac surgeon answered, close to tears. “Over the last 30 years, I have opened many, many hearts. But, my precious little patient, you, YOU, were the only one who opened MY heart to see Lord God Jesus.”

Angela, now 18 and with a perfectly-functioning heart, is in university studies and doing well.

Please keep her and her continuing witnessing efforts in your prayers. Please also pray for the surgeon. While he knows and believes in the Truth of Jesus, he has kept his faith mostly hidden due to fear of retribution.

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*name changed for security reasons

Sunday miracles and salvations in Bangladesh!

After their Sunday worship service yesterday, Pastor Masood and a number of youngsters in his church divided into four teams (partly to help properly ‘socially distance’ in this time of Covid) and headed out to nearby villages to share the gospel and distribute bibles.

The pastor and the two young men with him felt drawn to a woman sitting by herself in front of a house. They approached, gave her a sample gospel and began sharing about Jesus. As soon as she heard the name of Jesus, she shouted angrily at them and threw away the gospel leaflet.

Alerted by the noise, neighbors began appearing and rebuked the pastor and his team for annoying the woman.

Just then, her disabled son, about 18, also appeared, crawling on his knees through the home’s door to his upset mother. He listened to all that was going on.

When the angry neighbors surrounded the pastor and his team members with the intention of attacking them, the woman’s husband joined the scene, making his way to the front of the crowd. He grabbed what he could of the bibles and gospel literature, threw them away, and began brutally beating Pastor Masood and the two young men with him. The pastor fell to the ground under the blows.

Suddenly the disabled son spoke up. “Father they are our Lord’s people! They speak the truth. Please don’t beat them!”

The boy’s father, mother and all the gathered neighbors seemed stunned, gazing in disbelief at the disabled boy. His mother practically fell to her knees in front of Pastor Masood, reached out and then held on tightly to his leg, crying aloud for forgiveness.

Her husband, now suddenly motionless, gazed at Pastor Masood as if he were some divine being.

The pastor of course had no idea what was going on. In hushed, reverent tones, someone told him the disabled young man had never, ever, talked before. No wonder all were awestruck!  Pastor Masood consoled and calmed them with the peace of Christ, and then shared some of his own experiences with Jesus.

Crawling towards the pastor on his knees, the son asked for prayer. Pastor Masood held his hands by the young man’s head and prayed. As he did, the boy slowly straightened until he stood tall at his full height.

The amazed villagers could barely believe their eyes. They feared even getting near the pastor and his team members, murmuring among themselves that surely they came from heaven.

The pastor assured them he and the youngsters with him were simply servants of the Lord Jesus. He then shared the gospel more fully, explaining how Jesus was crucified to save each and every person from sin and death. Jesus is the mighty healer, and the miracles they had just witnessed were by His hand.

When he asked the people to accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord, everyone agreed! They also arranged a prayer meeting for that evening, and many attended and were healed and saved. By the end of Sunday evening, the whole village of about 120 people had joined the Kingdom of Jesus.

Please pray for the ministry of Pastor Masood and his church. He and his team continue distributing bibles, and we thank those of you who helped in acquiring those. 

While we have already sent them 3,000 bibles, they now need another 7,000 Urdu bibles. Please pray for them, their ministry and for all the people who have newly accepted our Lord Jesus as their Savior.  No doubt they will now face persecution from other villages, all Muslim.

 [You can read our earlier stories of Pastor Masood’s often dangerous work in northern Bangladesh here: Urgent prayer request for pastors and believers in northern Bangladesh, Important update from Pastor Peter Haneef on attack in northern Bangladesh and LATEST UPDATE from Pastor Peter Haneef on attacked pastors and believers.]  

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If you are able to help us buy bibles for Pastor Masood’s and other’s work, please click here:
BLESSING Bibles for Mideast