In Service of the Most High

Ronnie, Haritha & Fiona Gootam Newsletter – January 2019

Contact Info:

Ronnie Gootam

P.O. Box 80

Kakinada, AP India 533004

Phone:

USA(H): 001-901-866-9271.

USA(M): 001-732-407-6977.

India(H): 011-91-884-236-3697.

India(M):011-91-970-407-6677.

Email:

ronnie.gootam@gmail.com

Find us on the web:

www.satyavanicoc.com

www.facebook.com/satyancoc

Overseeing Congregation:

Hickory Grove Church of Christ

1131 Hickory Grove Rd,

Almo, KY 42020.

Contact Info:

Larry Wyatt: (270) 227-2156

Marlin Pierce: (270) 759-9649

Hit the Ground – Start Running

We had the heavenly blessings of safe travels to our home town to

Kakinada. We reached on December 6th

, 2018. Just in time to attend

the last service of the concluding Polishing the Pulpit. Even though

we almost missed the lectureship the energy that I see each year at

the conclusion of PTP in Sevierville, TN is clearly visible in the eyes

and hearts of the people that attended the first ever PTP here in

Kakinada.

Over 3000 people attended and were encouraged by the word of God

that was preached by the sound brethren. The slogan for PTP is

“renew, refresh and recharge.” The people that attended were

certainly renewed in spirit, refreshed with doctrine and recharged

with zeal to stay faithful and win souls for the Lord.

I was in charge of selecting the topics for the speakers. I was also

aware that for a few years we have been fighting a false doctrine that

is affecting the church concerning the deity of Christ. Many among

the preachers of the Church have used the pulpits to claim that Christ

is not God and have snatched sheep from His Church. For this reason

I have taken up the task to use the lectureship as an opportunity to

defeat the false doctrine. The lessons that were chosen were

“Exposition of Hebrews,” and other topics that focus on “What is the

role of Christ in our salvation and our lives?” We were extremely

blessed to have Bro. Stan Butt take up the Hebrews and Tim Wilkes

II take up the role of Christ.

It has been reported to us that some that wanted to sow the seed of

their false doctrine also attended the lectureship and their falsehood

was exposed. One brother has said, “the teachings have pricked some

of them.” The goal of the lectureship was not sow discord but to

preach the truth, save souls and edify the brotherhood and which we

believe have done.

We also had our Indian brethren from 9 different states attended the

PTP. Some of the states these brethren live it is illegal to convert a

person into Christianity. But they obey God rather than men. In order

to encourage them the elders at Satyavani have decided to alter some

of the schedule and give them an opportunity to preach the gospel.

Brethren sang in their native tongues and praised God and invited the

brethren to visit them in their respective places. They traveled for

days to be with the brethren in Kakinada.

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

As soon as we arrived at Kakinada, we went straight to PTP. We were welcomed by MSOP alumni that were

speakers there. Bro. Tim Wilkes II and Bro. Joshua Holloway. Bro. Wilkes also conducted the graduation of

Fishers of Men program that he came and taught for 12 weeks. He attended along with his family and was about

to leave when we arrived. Bro. Holloway had just concluded teaching a lecture and learnt that we came and had

rushed to meet us at the gate.

Bro. Stan Butt was given the task to present the Epistle of Hebrews. Little did I know that he had taught this

epistle for three years before coming to Kakinada. He presented the epistle quite efficiently and to everyone’s

surprise on some occasions without notes or prior notice. He was also flexible when asked to prolong the lesson

beyond the lunch break as there was a delay in lunch being ready.

Bro. Joshua Holloway from city of Jay, FL accepted our invitation to come and be one of the speakers. I have

assigned him the study of James and study of Ecclesiastes. The attendees have told me that he preached his

heart out presenting those books. He also spoke in the bible class the following Lord’s Day. I had the privilege

to translate for him.

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

Bro. Kelley Ward from Texas did a tremendous job presenting lessons from the parables of Jesus Christ.Also

we haven’t forgotten to use able Indian brethren to speak and address the gathering.

Bro. Ernest Gill who travelled from Punjab, a northern state in India was tasked to teach on the Beattitudes and

he did a tremendous job presenting the gospel. He spoke in English and it was translated into Telugu.

Bro. Tim Wilkes II had been tasked to teach on Christ being the author and finisher of our salvation. He touched

on topics in presenting Christ from the Old Testament and as well as in the New Testament books. This is the

most topics that pricked those wavering hearts that heard the Christ is not deity. Some have come to me and

said it had a ripple effect on people. Some have asked for manuscripts of his sermons in telugu so that they can

preach it to their congregations and also to defeat the false doctrine that Christ isn’t deity.

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

The thoughtfulness of the organizers of PTP about various tracts of lectures and for children of various ages is

highly appreciated. When we originally scheduled, the elders have decided to have three tracts here in

Kakinada, one for preachers, one for members and one for the ladies. But when the elders realized that we have

over 200 children come and we should not suffer the children from learning about God, the tract for preachers

was totally cancelled and instead classes for children was started. One of the very important lessons in MSOP

that is taught is “be flexible.” The teachers responded to the opportunity and the elder’s call to teach the

children and they did. The children attended and learned and were joyful that they have learned about God.

Sis. Sheila Butt, Sis. Georgia Butt and Sis. Ruth Ward took up the task of studying the Epistle of Philippians

with the ladies. My mother Kabita Gootam, my sisters in law, Sudeepa Gootam and Rachel Gootam along with

Sis. Suvartha (wife of an elder of the congregation) were assigned by the elders as the translators for the Ladies

class. Over 2000 ladies attended the classes. This was conducted on the roof top of the building. My brother

Robin Gootam has been in charge of all the arrangements for PTP. He has thought of every intricate detail in

making sure that those that attend are comfortable and focus on hearing the word of God and learning the most

of what they could. A sister in Christ thanked me for choosing the topic of Philippians for the ladies as it is the

ladies that were involved in the growth of the early Philippian Church when Paul preached. I have to thank Sis.

Nancy Ford for suggesting me that Philippians is a good book for ladies for such a lectureship as PTP.

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

The building was decorated beautifully with lights for the evening service for the duration of PTP.

Honor to Whom Honor is Owed

On the final night of the PTP many preacher brethren that my Dad was able to convert and help start

congregations in their respective places decided to feliciate him for his relentless service for the Lord and to

wish him a Happy 75th

Birthday. In this picture preachers from 4 different states in India honored him.

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

After all the busy schedule and responsibilities of hosting over 3000 people was settled down, we had a time to

take some pictures at the “photo booth”

Photo Booth

The following are the statistics of the first ever Polishing the Pulpit in India. It is my prayer that you have been

encouraged by these numbers that you see.

S. No. Item Number

1 Souls Attended 3,200

2 Ladies 2,000

3 Men 700

4 Children 500

5 States in India Represented 9

6 Speakers (Men USA) 4

7 Ladies Class and Children’s Class Speakers (Women USA) 3

8 Speakers (India) 5

9 States in India Represented by Speakers 4

10 Languages Preached 3

11 Meals served each day (3 meals each day) 7,000

12 Total Cost $ 15,000.00

13 Funds raised $ 7,000.00

14 Funds deficit $ 8,000.00

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

Celebrating 75th

Birthday of Dad

The next day which marks the 75th

Birthday for my Dad was a joyous occasion for all the Gootam family. We

arranged a thanksgiving meeting at our residence and invited friends, family and church to honor God for His

blessings upon my father and also use the opportunity to preach the gospel and reach to those that belong to

other religions.

It was attended by Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Jains as well people from various denominations. There

were a few atheists as well. Bro. Stan Butt delivered the message. After the thanksgiving meeting my dad has

cut the cake and we had dinner with all those that came. Over 300 meals were served that evening.

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

Visit to the Leper Colony

We also visited the nearby Leper Colony on the 8th of December. Bro. Josh Holloway and Bro. Stan Butt

addressed the gathering of about 40 lepers. Sister Sheila Butt and Sister Georgia Butt distributed their monthly

ration of rice and support to them.

But the most humbling experience perhaps happened during this visit for all of us when Bro. Holloway and Sis.

Sheila Butt and myself learned that Bro. John (that is responsible to preach to these lepers and bring them to

Christ and start the Leper Colony Church of Christ) had a stroke a few months ago. We decided to see him and

visit with him. Sis. Butt has told him that “the Lord will Bless you in heaven with many jewels in your crown”

but he replied, “Sister the Lord has blessed me in this life as well.”

Bro. John (seen in this picture sitting in a chair, his son Sudhakar standing behind him now works as the

preacher to the congregation) like the Apostle John is well in age and weak. But his spirits haven’t been

dampened nor his faith wavered. May he be a great lesson for all of us.

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

Street Gospel Meeting at Vilasa

The Brethren from USA took leave of us and returned to their places the next week. That does not mean the

labors for the Lord have stopped. My Bro. Ricky and I were asked to preach at a street gospel meeting being

conducted in a congregation that my father Bro. Joshua Gootam started many years ago. This small village,

Vilasa is about 1 hour from Kakinada. Like us the congregation is being served by the next generation preachers

and servants of the Lord. I preached on the topic “Abraham’s faith was tested.” About 200 people came to the

street gospel meeting. I preached the same sermon the following Lord’s Day in the congregation in Kakinada

for another 300 people.

Bible study with relatives

As my mother is from Orissa, we have a great number of extended relatives that speak a different tongue than

ours. It is customary in India that if the children are born to siblings, the children call each other brother and

sister. Likewise I have 3 younger brothers born to my aunt (my mom’s sibling). Their whole family decided to

visit us in December. They missed the PTP but my aunt was present when I preached that Sunday. If anyone

ever asked me, if I ever preached or taught anyone in a language in which I never read the bible, I would say

yes. I had the privilege to teach them the truth about God and His Church in Hindi, the Indian national

language. My uncle runs an independent denominational church and his daughter-in-law was raised in another

denominational church. But they were stunned to learn about the truth. On this occasion we were going through

a minor hurricane in the area. We couldn’t go out. What better way to spend your leisure time learning about

God in the comfort of the home with those you trust and respect? The seed is planted. Mom waters through her

literature ministry. God will give the increase.

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

What are our current needs?

A. Since prayer support is so important to the success of this mission, please pray for us fervently. We are

constantly reminded as written by James, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth

much.” (Jas. 5:16b).

1. Please pray for our continuous smooth running of our ministry. The government of India is

making up laws to try to stop mission works in India run smoothly.

2. On 7-9 January, 2019 we are conducting the first ever Lads to Leaders in India. We estimate

over 500 children to come and get encouraged.

B. Sufficient funds are required for us and for the Lord’s work.

1. We are about 40-50% short of monthly budget for the intended mission work.

2. We are seeking monthly commitment from individuals and congregations that are serious on

spreading the gospel to the whole world.

3. We are $8,000 in debt for conducting the PTP.

C. Mom’s surgery bill:

1. Earlier in year 2018 when my mother came to USA to help us with our newborn she was

diagnosed by the doctors to need a surgery.

2. Surgery was performed on May 31, 2018 on her neck-spine bones (C3-C4).

3. The travel insurance she had, denied her claim and the surgeon’s clinic sent us an invoice of

$12,122.12, which is attached along with this report for your consideration.

4. $6,820 has been collected and already paid by the Hickory Grove Church of Christ. We are still

short of $5302.12 to pay off the total bill.

D. Need for Bibles.

1. We are currently active in about 50 ministries that we do on regular basis.

a. Each of these ministries are focused on saving souls by evangelism, benevolence and

edification.

b. Souls when they are saved require a copy of the bible to grow spiritually.

c. Starting January there is an increase of cost of bibles by 10%.

2. We anticipate as we enter into the final quarter of the year and that we are going to be busy

serving the Lord there will be a huge need for bibles.

a. An estimated anywhere between 8-10,000 bibles or more will be needed by us by January.

b. We averaged 1,000 bibles each month of the year 2018 that were bought and given away

for free for those that have asked for a copy of the Holy Writ and those that completed

the Basic Bible Course by Bro. Ira Rice Jr. This could increase because of the programs

that we have coming up.

c. Each bible costs $3.50 (including shipping).

3. Please help us meet the demand for a soul that would ask for a bible.

How can you help?

A. If you know of any good congregations or faithful Christians that have a heart to give for His work please

recommend our works to them.

B. Please send your regular contributions to our overseeing congregation and make a note saying, “India

Mission Work – Ronnie Gootam.”

C. Plan a visit to Kakinada, India to do mission work with us.