Manoj's story: coming to faith in Christ

The Discovering Jesus course includes, many warm testimonies of Asian people who have found faith in Christ. Here is the testimony from Manoj Ratathaiata which opens the booklet. It showcases how the loving, prayerful concern of a Christian couple, the welcome of a church, and the sharing of the gospel in an appropriate way combined to bring the good news into his life.

In 2007 I was living the high life. I was a successful businessman, buying and selling blocks of apartments throughout the country.

However, as I entered the New Year, my good fortunes took a downturn. As the credit crunch set in, my property business began to wobble. But this paled into insignificance as my two-year-old son was suddenly taken severely ill with breathing difficulties.

Though I was a born-and-bred Hindu, I had never really practised my faith. I always thought Christianity was something that was more to do with Europeans and Americans than with Asians like me. But at school I had learned a little about the Christian faith, and it had resonated with me.

But as my wife and I sat in the hospital with my son’s life slipping away before us, I had a powerful sense that God truly exists, and that He alone could help in our hour of need. All the while a Christian couple we had only recently befriended were praying for us.

On the fourth day the consultant came and told us our son was gravely ill—she seemed to be preparing us for the worst. An hour later, to everyone’s utter astonishment, my son suddenly sat bolt upright in bed. We had witnessed what could only be described as a miracle.

I agreed with my wife that we should visit our local church to say thank you to our friends for their prayers. But as I met for the first time with real Christians who loved me and cared for me, and listened to teaching about Jesus from the Bible, I began a journey which challenged my previous perceptions and beliefs about life. I felt called to re-evaluate my life, and new values and priorities began to take shape. I discovered that there was a God who loved all and died for all. Within just a few weeks I found myself walking to the front of the church to commit my life to Jesus Christ.

My business is no longer what it was. But what does that matter? When I found Jesus, I found a new purpose in life.

This is extracted from the booklet Jesus through Asian eyes now available from The Good Book Company.