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Remembering DB Abraham
In October 1990 three of
our fellowship here at Newbold visited India. They came into contact with
Pastor D B Abraham at Eluru in Andhra Pradesh. Subsequently Pastor “DB”
visited us at Newbold on two occasions, when he also shared the Word of
God with us. Mike Winch (and Bill & Janet Heap of Dovetales International
Trust) continued to teach at the Bible Schools founded by Pastor “DB” and
to preach in the churches he started at Eluru and in some of the other
places amongst almost 1,000 church-plants from the original fellowship,
as well as to share fellowship with him. Pastor “DB” was called Home in
November 2004 and the following was written by his eldest daughter Beulah.
Dear Saints,
Greetings to you all in the
precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
First of all, deep from our
hearts we express our thanks and gratitude for all of your earnest prayers
that offered for the family and the ministry especially for Dad since you
came to know he is very sick. We acknowledge Gods grace and through your
prayers and support only he could do whatever best he can. Joel and Malachi
have taken leadership responsibility to look after the ministry that is
entrusted to us.
Pastor DB Abraham
was born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India on 25th December 1948 on Christmas
day as eldest son to Samuel and Rebecca.
In the year 1968 on Good
Friday he joined Indian Naval force as a communicator. He was
married to Elizabeth in the month of February 25th, 1974. God blessed
this couple with four children Beulah elder daughter, Hephzibah second
daughter, Joel only son third one in the family and Tabitha younger daughter.
While he was in Navy he traveled
nearly 46 countries and he knows 13 languages. He was a very talented
and dynamic personality.
He was an extra ordinary man of God.
Life Testimony
He lived a life that was
normal in the world standards in Navy. There wasn’t much difference between
sin and virtue. Money, social status and recognition were of great importance
to him. And as such that made him a man of drink, dine and dance. The Navy
climate and situation were very favorable to it.
One thing is that this type
of living wouldn’t go far very long. Yes! Within it was all shallow and
empty. He tried different religions side by side hoping to fill in his
empty heart. But that did not work at all. What happened was a well accommodated
mannerism with people of all religions. To a Muslim he was a Muslim, to
a Hindu he was a Hindu, to a Parsee he was a real Parsee and to a Christian
he was a good Christian and so on. He was really dissatisfied, externally
very jovial but internally so miserable unhappy. No religion seems to solve
his problems. At one stage he behaved as an atheist. Hated the very notion
of God. He became Humanitarian. But this could not go very long.
On one Sunday something happened
to him he usually proceeding to the club. But he attended the Sunday service
unfortunately. The preacher straight came to him and began conversation
with him asking this question “Brother! Are you in Christ?”
He bluntly replied “that’s why he was here, Sir.” The preacher asked another
question to Brother DB “Brother Is Christ in you?” He answered
he have some personal problems. Brother DB escaped from that spot.
As usual he went to the club but the questions the preacher said kept on
hitting directly into his heart. The whole night he couldn’t able to sleep.
Another surprise waited for
him the next day. His wife Elizabeth living far away at home around 900
kms at Hyderabad wrote to him a letter. Elizabeth his wife accepted Jesus
Christ as her personal Saviour and surrendered her life to Jesus. She admonishes
Brother DB please “Make room in your heart for Jesus. Accept him
as your personal Saviour. Once Jesus comes into your heart you will have
real peace and joy. He will lead us to Eternal life.”
Brother DB was in full of
troubles and lot of confusion “Can Christ come into his heart”.
As usual he went to club and drank a lot but the questions repeatedly came
into his ears and troubled him very much.
He made a decision Is Christ
were to be a true God, a God come into the heart of a person God show up
himself to him.
The ways of memory were
carrying him to few incidents strange and miraculous happened to him some
years ago.
First incident
Once he was almost thrown
into the Congregation of seashore Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian
Sea called Gulf of Minar during a man over board exercise. He was just
there sinking shock of death upon him, helpless and man eating sharks around
him. All of a sudden a life saving rope falls into my hand. He was thus
saved. But who threw the rope he could not find the answer. On that day
Jesus showed me
“Son, was it not I that threw the rope to save you
from the sharks.” This answer was so convincing.
Second incident
Brother DB met with a house
fire accident. Some one clearly and loudly called his name. This made him
aware of the dangerous situation and he was escaped. The inner voice told
him “Was not I who called you by name and helped him to escape the
fire?”
Third incident
He was sinking in a swimming
pool. Three to four times He came for life breath then could swim no more.
He was helpless. He knew that death was nigh. There, in such horrible situation
He saw a young man. He has a long beautiful beard, the face was so lovely,
and He gently pushes him forward and forward. Now his hands could feel
the ladder in the pool. His hands helped him to climb up the ladder as
well. Came out of the danger and fell on the floor. Slowly came to full
conscience. But who the “Fellow” that helped me? Now the answer comes “Was
it not I that helped you out in the swimming pool?”
He repented all his sins
and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. In the month of August
11th, 1976 Pastor DB Abraham received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.
He slowly started preaching the gospel within Navy campus at Mumbai. He
has taken water baptism in the year January 11th , 1977 and filled
with the Holy Spirit. Many fervent believers’ joined hands with him
new souls were added. Thus he started doing ministry. He established a
church within Naval in an Island called Karanja near to Mumbai. Nearly
100 people became believers. Every day he shared gospel to at least one
person. From that day onwards till his death he was testifying about Jesus
Christ which ever place he went.
In 1980’s he came back to
Secunderabad (home town) with his wife and four children. He started doing
ministry till he went to Eluru. Later DB Abraham resigned to his naval
job in the year 23rd April 1983 on Easter day and took up the ministry
in full time basis as God called him to do this.
CALLING TO MINISTRY TO
ELURU
In the year 25th November
1985 God lead him to start the New Life Fellowship at Eluru with his wife
and four children. He came all in faith upon the provider to this small
town called Eluru. Of course a humble beginning and he struggled a lot
but today the NAVA JEEVANA SAHAVASAM (New Life Fellowship) has put forth
large extensive branches all over state of Andhra Pradesh.
God has given him two main
promises.
ISAIAH 43: 1-7 and GENESIS
12: 1-3.
Within 18 years of period
there are 700 plus churches established under the New Life Fellowship Association
Andhra Pradesh. There are 300 Pastors are working in this fellowship. More
than 800 people are disciples under the Leadership of Pastor DB Abraham
and he sends them to the field in different places of Andhra Pradesh and
India.
VISION
His vision was to establish
Bible colleges in four major cities of Andhra Pradesh. He reached to Hyderabad
New Life Bible College for Senior Pastors Training Program and Junior Training
Program started in the month of June, 2001. Three batches successfully
completed their graduation.
In the year June 2002, Ministry
Training Center has been established only for couples at Vishakhapatnam.
First batch successfully completed.
In the year 4th July 2001,
his beloved wife Elizabeth went to be with the Lord.
Eldest daughter Beulah got
married to Malachi on 17th June 2002. He had one little grand daughter
Mahima Betty.
PASTOR DB WAS CALLED TO
HOME
Pastor D.B Abraham was complaint
of multiple myloema since three years i.e. from 2001. Initially he suffered
with low blood pressure and with less percent of hemoglobin which later
diagnosed as a multiple myloema. Doctors administered him lot of drugs
like pills, injections and high-dose steroids chemo therapy and etc...
But above all he was enabling to keep himself survive for couple of years
only because of Gods abundant grace and through all your prayers. On July
4th, 2001 His wife Elizabeth left behind D.B and four children named Beulah
elder daughter, Hephzibah second, Joel third who is only son and Tabitha
younger one. We know how much difficult it is to bear and run the Life
without wife, moreover she was special gift from the Lord for D.B who was
very much like to involve in the ministry stand with her husband in times
of difficulties and joyous moments. As he is trying to forget the tragedy
all of a sudden Pastor DB came to know he is also suffering from dreadful
disease. But amidst of all these miserable situations he did not give up
his ministry in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Though the life became complicated
but he neither complaint nor murmur. He often states ‘I am fighting fit’
we are impressed and inspired to see his enthusiasm and zeal for the Lord.
And we are rededicated to serve the Lord completely. He has done his best
that he would do and achieve number of souls for the Kingdom expansion.
After a three year of period
the immunity in the body has come down completely and infection developed
due to his sickness. Finally LORD CALLED HIM ON 2nd NOVEMBER 2004 at 2:00
p.m on ‘All Saints Day’.
FUNERAL SERVICE: People
from Mumbai and our pastors from different parts of Andhra Pradesh had
come and conducted funeral service at Eluru town where he began humble
ministry and spread it to all over Andhra Pradesh and even sent some missionaries
to other parts of India. As Pastor DB taken to the burial ground great
procession followed District Leaders, Senior Pastors, believers and near
and dear ones. More than 3000 people came and paid their tribute.
MEMORIAL SERVICE:
The program started with praise and worship. Few testimonies. A special
song presented on life testimony of Pastor DB. The Lord had spoken to us
through his servant a special topic on Greek word ‘HINNEH’ which means
‘HERE IAM’. It indeed encouraged us all. Our Pastors comprehended something
of the magnitude of Gods work in the Church in our day. Message included
under prophetic anointing. God has promised new divine direction in order
to achieve greater things for the Lord. In response to the word ‘HERE I
AM’ from our side God also answers from His side ‘I AM HERE’. Thus topic
was vividly explained to the Pastors and believers and to the whole congregation.
More than 2000 people gathered to express their tribute to Pastor DB and
condolences and also comfort our family.
He called as an Apostle in
this era.
II TIMOTHY 4:7
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith.”
Now it is our turn to carry
forward the work of the Lord to Andhra Pradesh, India and many nations.
Joel and Malachi have taken
the responsibility to go ahead with vision through Pastor DB Abraham by
the anointing of the Lord.
Please pray for the family,
ministry, finances and for administration set up.
The ministry report will
be sent to you later.
Thanking you once again.
Yours in His Grace,
Malachi and Beulah
On another page on this website
you will find the final Ministry Report written
by Pastor D B Abraham at the beginning of 2004. We leave it on the
site as it gives insight both into his vision from the Lord and the ministry
he exercised.
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