In 1972, Brother Narayan Paul resigned from his job at Hindustan Motors in Calcutta, West Bengal, and came to this region as a missionary. He initially stayed in Amadalavalasa and began preaching the Gospel to his own people, but did not see any results. Undeterred, he would travel by train and go from village to village, carrying his bedding and cooking vessels, tirelessly sharing the Gospel message. However, his efforts did not yield any converts during this initial period.
While cycling and preaching, Brother Narayan encountered the Saura people, an animistic tribe who practiced witchcraft, black magic, and sorcery. They lived in remote, hilly areas and grew crops on the slanted terrain. Many were alcoholics and practiced polygamy, and their villages lacked basic infrastructure like roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. Moved by their primitive conditions, Brother Narayan befriended the Saura people and continued to preach the Gospel to them, but they were initially resistant to his message.
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Undeterred, Brother Narayan made his residence in Seetampeta, the tribal headquarters, and began an assembly testimony among the Telugu people. He would use music and dance to attract the locals, and focused particularly on reaching the children. For 12 years, he labored among the Saura people, but did not see any souls come to the Lord.
In 1984, the first converts came to the Lord from the Eethamanuguda and Vondrajula tribal villages. This marked the beginning of the revival, and the assemblies that were started began to grow. Brother Narayan identified passionate believers among the first converts and trained them to reach their own people with the Gospel, raising up local leaders to care for the growing assemblies.
Brother Narayan faced many challenges in his ministry, including opposition from the government, who accused him of taking advantage of the tribal people’s innocence and engaging in mass conversions. He was arrested and interrogated but was ultimately allowed to continue his work. He also suffered from health problems, including recurring gastric ulcers that required multiple surgeries. The poor living conditions and lack of proper nutrition also took a toll on his body, but his love for the people never wavered.
Constructing assembly halls and supporting the native evangelists was another significant challenge. However, through the generosity and sacrificial support of brethren around the world, some of these needs were met. Unfortunately, some mission organizations also came to the region and lured away believers with the promise of church buildings and pastoral salaries, causing disruption in the assemblies.
To address the need for trained workers, Brother Narayan started the Cerith Bible School, which equipped local believers to serve in the growing assemblies. Many of the senior workers in the region were products of this school, which operated on a seasonal basis, training young men as needed.
Despite the many challenges, Brother Narayan’s evangelistic spirit was deeply instilled in the believers, and each assembly would actively share the Gospel with their relatives and friends. The Lord blessed these efforts, and thousands of people came to Christ through the ministry.
Brother Narayan also recognized the dire health needs of the tribal people, who were suffering from malaria and other water-borne diseases. He learned to treat simple fevers and started a small clinic to provide basic medical care, sharing the love of Christ with those he treated. Tragically, his younger daughter Mercy and granddaughter both died from the severe malaria in the region.
Throughout his life, Brother Narayan Paul lived a simple, humble lifestyle, and his message was always delivered with great love and compassion. He had a deep passion for souls and a tireless commitment to establishing assemblies. His example of prayer, passion for the lost, and unwavering devotion to God have left a lasting legacy among the thousands of believers he has blessed.
Brother Philip Timoti, the beloved son of the late Br. Narayan Paul, was called by the Lord at the tender age of 17 to dedicate his life to full-time ministry. Imbued with a deep passion for God’s word, he diligently pursued his studies in two distinguished Bible schools before joining his father’s ministry in the year 1995.
Embarking on his journey as an evangelist in Kotturu, Brother Philip Timoti not only preached the gospel fervently but also imparted his knowledge in the small Bible school initiated by Br. Paul. His unwavering dedication and commitment to spreading the message of God’s love led him to establish a strong presence in this region.
Since 2020, Brother Philip Timoti has been stationed in Kotturu, overseeing and nurturing two assemblies. His boundless energy extends to reaching out to tribal communities, where he tirelessly teaches and preaches the divine teachings. His primary focus remains on empowering local leaders, ensuring that the assembly’s legacy flourishes and endures for generations to come. Brother Philip Timoti’s vibrant spirit and tireless efforts exemplify his unwavering commitment to advancing God’s work and spreading His word with unyielding enthusiasm.
Brother Philip Timoti, the beloved son of the late Br. Narayan Paul, was called by the Lord at the tender age of 17 to dedicate his life to full-time ministry. Imbued with a deep passion for God’s word, he diligently pursued his studies in two distinguished Bible schools before joining his father’s ministry in the year 1995.
Embarking on his journey as an evangelist in Kotturu, Brother Philip Timoti not only preached the gospel fervently but also imparted his knowledge in the small Bible school initiated by Br. Paul. His unwavering dedication and commitment to spreading the message of God’s love led him to establish a strong presence in this region.
Since 2020, Brother Philip Timoti has been stationed in Kotturu, overseeing and nurturing two assemblies. His boundless energy extends to reaching out to tribal communities, where he tirelessly teaches and preaches the divine teachings. His primary focus remains on empowering local leaders, ensuring that the assembly’s legacy flourishes and endures for generations to come. Brother Philip Timoti’s vibrant spirit and tireless efforts exemplify his unwavering commitment to advancing God’s work and spreading His word with unyielding enthusiasm.
