REV. A. S. J. D. V. PRASANNA KUMAR

Rev. Dr. A S J D V Prasanna Kumar heads up Harvest Ministries, which had its beginning in 1989, with a strong emphasis on evangelism and discipleship and a vision for community outreach ministry. There are currently 36 rural churches under Rev. Prasanna's covering, as well as 23 who relate to Glory to the King Ministries International through him.

Rev. Lynn Fowler with Rev. Prasanna Kumar and his wife in 2001."

Tribal and Street Evangelism

Evangelisation of tribal areas and slum areas in the cities is given a high priority. Teams of volunteers take tracts door to door, and counselling and cottage prayer meetings are organised to strengthen the new believers in their faith. Open air meetings are regularly conducted in the villages and on street corners, and generally almost the whole village turns up to see what is happening.

Around 80% of India's population live in the villages. India has some 700,000 villages, many of which have yet to hear the name of Christ. Harvest Ministries sets out to evangelise and plant churches in as many villages as possible.

Ministering in a village. (The "haystacks" are houses.)

Children's Home.

Whilst going around the villages, the team saw the plight of orphan and destitute children and felt the need to start a children's home. There the children would be provided with food, shelter, clothing, education and health care, and most importantly be given the opportunity to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The home began in a rented house caring for just five children, and grew to care for more than 60. At present there are 20 children in care, with ages ranging from 9 to 16 years.

Medical Camps

Harvest Ministries conducts medical and eye camps in conjunction with Christian doctors to provide medical treatment, including cataract operations, to the elderly and sick. Transport, treatment, medicine and spectacles are provided free of charge.

Help for the Poor

Other programs to help the poor and needy include: feeding programs, leprosy outreaches, and the provision of saris to widows.Recently the Lord has laid it on Rev. Prasanna's heart to reach out to HIV/Aids patients. They are now taking care of 110 patients, providing them with food parcels on a monthly basis.

Distributing food for AIDS patients.

Bible Training.

Rev. Prasanna Kumar has a vision to train women for the work of the Gospel, pointing out that the very first evangelist was the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well. Women of Joy is a specialised evangelistic training program for women, providing both a foundation of Biblical understanding and the ministry skills to spread the Gospel. This year 30 students are training. Through this school many women equiped with the Word of God and they are learning how to do evangelistic work. One former student's husband died recently in a accident. But this women is dedicated for the ministry and she started a church, and soon had 30 members in the congregation. She says, "You know even though I lost my physical husband, God gave through this Women of Joy a very big church family."

Teaching a women's Bible class.

Indian Christian Research Seminary and Theological College offers more formal training, with Bachelor of Theology and Master of Theology degrees. Currently 42 students are studying through this college.

Rev. Prasanna is looking for support particularly for the HIV/AIDS ministry. If you would like to help with this outreach, you can donate using the PayPal button on this page. After you have sent your donation, please contact us and tell us that the money is to go to Rev. Prasanna.