From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Ryder Kumar

Despising the day of small things?

A small church in the San Fernando Valley

“Lord, establish the living churches all over the world” was the prayer for the past 31 years. This was the burden laid on couple of young people in the city called Hyderabad, in India. Week after week and month after month and year after year they prayed for each country of the world not knowing how God was going to answer the prayers. I did not know that God would be leading me into many parts across the country to witness to tens of thousands and see churches established in most needed parts of the country. Sure enough the Lord began to show that He would not despise small things “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, …” Matthew 18:10

During my teenage I came to know the Living and loving God in a personal way as I accepted the Lord Jesus as personal Savior and Lord. Soon after this it was a real privilege to learn truths from God’s Word and God’s men like, Bro. Bakht Singh, George Verwer, Watchman Nee, Dr. A.W.Tozer, Dr. Oswald J Smith and others have made a great impact in my life for World Missions and Church ministry. The Lord began to show how He could transform lives to be used by Him and for Him even in the present case, which is so insignificant.

The way ministry began in Canoga Park, CA, U.S.A. is with small things. On August 1^st, 2001 the ministry was launched. During these five months, several hundreds of people were reached with the gospel, Bible studies in homes have been started, and regular Worship services are being held. Ladies retreat was conducted with expectation of much more during this year and years to come, if the Lord tarries. Ministry among the children has been started. Youth meetings will start from February.

People from East meeting for worship in the West and the people from West having fellowship with the people from the East makes it very appropriate to have the name of the church as East West Community church, SF Valley. It has been a unique experience in the San Fernando Valley to have a church like this with people from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Fiji, Iran, America etc singing in various languages like Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Telegu, Gujarati and of course English. This has been a experience of expressing oneness in Christ, crossing the barriers of culture and reflecting a glimpse of heaven – “…. From every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…” Revelation 7: 9.

The ministry of church planting began in faith. We want to march forward in faith believing and trusting in His promises. Here is a promise the Lord showed on Dec 31^st 2001. “ This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit…” Isaiah 37:30 b and c.

Thank you for visiting our website. We trust for His blessings upon you as you take interest in ministries, events and programs given in the website. May I take the opportunity to invite you to our church or write to me?

Rev. Ryder Kumar