Bro.V.Devadoss		Sis.Vahitha Devadoss
	Click here to read the testimony of Bro.V.Devadoss		Click here to read the testimony of Sis.Vahitha
	Testimony of Bro.V.Devadoss          Here

I heard the call of Jesus - Bro.V.Devadoss     

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. Jer1:9 (NKJV)

 Birth and family background:-                            

I was born in a God fearing Christian family in the city of Sivakasi, popularly know as little Japan on 23^rd Feburary 1960. My paternal grand father Mr.Jebamony was a teacher in Sivakasi. He was much interested in the choir activities of the church. He took a leading part, when Ragland Memorial church was built. My father Mr.Vethamony served as a sanitary inspector. He was much interested in the choir activities of the church and glorified God through singing. My maternal grandfather and grandmother Mr. Joseph and Mrs.Amutha Joseph were serving as missionaries in IMS. They had the honor of serving among ‘Pazhiars’ after the very first IMS Missionary Mr.Moses Muthumalai. My mother Mrs.Joy Vethamony was a God fearing spiritual lady specially noted for her generosity.

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I am persuaded, now lives in you also” II Tim 1:5 (NIV)

 Early days:-                                                                                                      ^ Top

Though I have a fine family background, I was unfortunate to lose my mother for ever on this earth; for she was taken to her eternal home 40 days after my birth. I never knew the face of my dear mother. I was brought up by my stepmother. When I become a youth, I was far away from God, being entangled in the vanity of the world. Even my father began to hate me. In the year 1975, at the age of 16, I was driven out of the house. Though I had much desire to continue my college studies, it all came to an abrupt end. There were many to pity me, but none to have compassion on me. I was longing for love but there was no one to love me and to take care of me. So I was wandering aimlessly, doing odd jobs to satisfy my hunger.

 The days I craved for love:-

Finally my elder brother sent me to Coimbatore, to work under a wholesale businessman. I worked very hard, though my job was a difficult one. I earned some money. People around me preferred me not out of love for me but out of their love for money which I could earn through my hard work. But my heart was longing for true love.  Often I used to go upstairs and cry out to heaven saying “Amma, Amma,” thinking about my mother. Whenever I came across loving families, my heart craved for real filial love. When I found there was no one to show me real love, I hated my very existence and took the extreme step of ending my life by taking a bottle of poison, but in vain. But from this time my employer also began to dislike me.

New Life in Christ:-                                                                                           ^ Top

I left my job and was wandering in the city of Coimbatore without peace of mind. One day I met a good lady Mrs. Packiamammal. She introduced me to her son Mr.Moses Samson and I stayed with them, helping them in his business.

One Sunday they took me to the church where Pastor. Joel Ananadaraj is ministering. I was just sitting in a corner looking here and there. There were many college students attending the church service along with some professors. When the word of God was preached, suddenly came these words towards me “The Love of Calvary is greater than any love that the world can give you.” God began to speak to me through these words. I stood on my knees with tears and asked our Lord to fill me with his love. The Lord gave me the vision of Calvary and filled me with his abundant love. I felt that all my physical weaknesses had gone and I become a new creature. The Lord filled me with his joy and peace.

One Sunday during worship time I heard through prophecy, “Devadoss! Who is that Devadoss?” I thought it must be somebody else. But suddenly I was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The words of prophecy came towards me revealing my past failures and also the future plans that God has in store for me.God spoke to me saying “I will give you one tribe of people I will give you an apostolic ministry just as Paul. I will bless you, and you will be a blessing to many people” I was thrilled when I heard this.

 Ministry confirmed:-                                       ^ Top

I was growing spiritually under the care of Pastor. JoelAnandaraj. Even after God called me by name, I was putting off the call for ministry. I thought I could earn a lot and help some ministry financially. In October 1981, the Lord spoke to me directly while I was attending one FMPB Gideonites meeting. I was challenged through the life history of the English Missionary Ragland who came to Sivakasi 125 years ago. People did not accept him and threw stones and cow dungs at him. Yet he patiently bore all the atrocities and preached the gospel. At times he had to beg food on his hat and fill his stomach. He died a martyr in the sand of Sivakasi. But today there stands in the same sand the mighty CSI Ragland memorial Church. “Just because Ragland offered himself to die as a grain of wheat, you have grown up to be a grain of wheat which has life.  Are you willing die as a grain of wheat so that many more in this country may have life everlasting?” “You are that Ragland”, Thus came the challenge. “Do you truly love me?” “Then minister to my sheep”, again came the Lord’s call at ‘Santhia time’ I couldn’t but offer myself to serve as missionary in FMPB. From 1982 to 1985 I served as missionary in North India in the tribal regions of U.P. and Bihar after sufficient training. 

Blessed with a family:-                                        

God blessed me with a loving wife on 8^th July 1985. My wife Sis.Vahitha Devadoss had been serving with IMS in the state of Orissa. Within a few days after our marriage God gave us a vision of serving among a tribe of people who used bows and arrows. On 14.07.1985 we had a marriage reception in Coimbatore. There again God spoke through prophecy that “I will bless you by giving you one tribe of people”. It is said often, “Behind every success of a man there is a woman.” It is really true of me because God has given me the most suitable life partner. All these 20 years of our married life. My wife has always being a part and parcel of our ministry, bestowing on me her love and affection and guiding me in all decision making. God has blessed us with three children, Titus(17), Shalom (15), Shekinah (13), All praise and glory to Him alone.

Missionary work through IMS:-                                                                         ^ Top

After marriage we decided to carry our missionary work through IMS. To our great surprise, we were asked to survey a new missionary field in Gujarat, where the Bhil Adivasi tribes live. These are the people who use bows and arrows. We felt doubly sure that these are the people among whom God has called us to minister. We happily served these people for five years with our headquarters at ‘Thuthiya’ a famous IMS field in Limkeda Taluk. In five years God helped us to win 1000 souls and 5 native evangelists. We give all glory to Him alone.

 God’s distinct call for a distinct ministry:-            

 In the year 1990 God distinctly spoke to me about the salvation of the Bhil Adivasi Tribe and He gave me distinct plan of approach to the ministry among Bhil Adivasis. God’s plan is to bring the gospel of Christ to the bhils through their own tribal people. When I spoke about this to my wife, she disagreed. But I told her, God who spoke to me will also speak to her, in a few days God gave her a clear vision of our ministry. We informed IMS about our call to serve in a distinct way. After submitting all accounts, we left ‘Thuthiya’ and proceeded toward ‘Jhalod’ another district where the gospel of Christ had not been preached.

In the meantime God helped us to undergo a special training for social and economic upliftment of tribals conducted by Efficor. Its director Dr.C.B.Samuel encouraged us greatly and helped us to undergo the training successfully. We are very thankful to Efficor and its director.

It is marvelous to think how God had planned and prepared a poor couple for a great ministry among the Bhil Adivasis. We are ever grateful to the great missionary organizations IMS and FMPB for laying the foundation for missionary activities in our lives. We are thankful to all our missionary leaders who were a source of inspiration for us. 

Our dedication:-                                                                                           ^ Top

John was a missionary who served among tribals in pacific islands. These are the words inscribed in his grave. When John landed here there was no Christian and when he died, there are no heathens. When we read the biography of John, I and my wife dedicated ourselves to the service of the Bhil Adivasis. Our only wish and prayer is this. ‘Every one of the Bhil Adivasis should become a Christian before we are taken to our eternal home.’