“BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM”
I am Dr. Samuel Bathiran born in Tamil Nadu, South India. My parents raised me in Christian faith and practice from my childhood. Since then, with my famiy, I attended baptist church for long period of time, and heared God’s Word there. From my childhood, I understood the sufferings of life. Since I am born in a poor family and under poverty, I learned the reality of life in the young age, and my parents were, indeed, suffering to raise us. I was taught the reality of life by God who controlls all of my life circumstances. It was in this context, my mother died in the year 2000. We met a great tragedy in the family at the loss of my mother. Another great tragedy we faced in our life was that, while I was a seminary student, my father got paralyzed and was not able to go any job, and the responsibility fully came on my shoulders. In this time, my family burden has increased more than before, and it was very difficult situation for me to take care my family and to continue my seminary education. However, one thing trully I acknowledged that God set a great responsibilty over my life. Years later, in 2012, my father died. In truth, due to the poverty of my family, I lost my parents since I was unable to provide their medical expenses. I carried the responsibities of my family from my young age. I really acknowledged that God had greater plans for all of my situations. I gradually began to understand His faithfulness as we read in Romans 8:28, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” And again all of my youthhood experiences remembered me the words of Psalmist, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.” (Ps 119:71)
Prior to my conversion, inevitably, I was living a sinful life. I heared God’s Word regularly, nevertheless, I did not take it much sincerely at many instances. It happened in my life that I got saved by Christ through His grace. The incident that motivated me to think more about God and His grace, was the crucial moment when my mother is about to die. In the year 2000, she died due to dog’s bite. We could not treat her in the hospital because of the financial crisis and poverty my family lived in. Prior to her death, she did one important thing that she communicated to God constantly in prayer which reflected her genuine christian spirituality. Even at the point of her death, she prayed to God praising Him for everything with all the sufferings. She died with prayer. This event deeply influenced my mind to think more about God and gradually strenthened my faith in God as I started knowing Him through His living and life-changing Word. Since then, my christian philosophical views began to develop in my mind with interpretation and application of christian scriptures. From this time onwards, whenever I study christian scriptures, I understood not only the meaning of the Word but also the significance of it. Realizing that I was a sinner in need of a Savior who can redeem me from my sins and condemnation of the world, I repented of my sins and placed my trust in Christ alone for my soul. As a matter of fact, I found in the Scripture that the sovereign God who touched my heart and opened my eyes to my need of a personal savior is Jesus Christ. From then, I began to grow in knowledge and understanding of what God through Christ had done for me. From this wonderful moment, I totally surrendered my life unto Christ. At this moment, I began to pray sincerely with all of my heart, and read Bible with all of my mind. Indeed, God redeemed me from the sinful ways. Whenever I prayed, I got peace in my life. Yet, I got more enthusiasm in my life for attending Church, participating in all of its activities and growing in Christ-likeness as a genuine disciple of Christ. At this instant, I boldly testify God as Psalmist says: “By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.” (Ps 71:6)
God who saved my life also has called me unto the glorious ministry. In few days later, I received my calling from the Lord. Before my mother died, she requested the church pastor to send me to a Bible College so that after my seminary training, I may serve Him as a pastor. After my mother died, when I heard this from the pastor, was not actually willing to go for the ministry because of my family situations. My father also desired me to be a servant of God despite of the situations we go through. But I denied my parents’ idea, and I was not willing to take any decision in my flesh and out of love I had on my parents. However, God called me in His time for the Ministry. While praying, I felt such feeling in my heart for doing God’s ministry. I believe that it is God who layed such a feeling in my heart. I confirmed this calling as the days go by, as I approach to study the holy words of christian scripture personally. Though my mother prayed for my conversion and my future ministry, and desired me to be a servant of God, I acknowledge that it was ultimately the sovereign plan of God who has foreknown and predestined me for His glorious ministry, even before the foundation of the world. In truth, He has seperated me from my mother’s womb for His heavenly service. “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace” (Gal 1:15) Since then, I gave my life whole-heartedly for God’s ministry, and committed myself for seminary training. At this stage, I prayerfully started preparing myself for the very important task that God has called me in His ministry. Since I realized God’s purpose about my life and ministry, and submitted myself unto Christ who has redeemed and changed my life, I have seen victories in several areas that were stumbling block for the Ministry. To Him be the glory! Always, this is my prayer: “But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.” (Ps 70:5)
God is faithful to this prayer. By His grace alone, I have been involved in ministry in various ways since 2001. As a seminarian, I learned much from God. He gave me the knowledge to understand His word, and favoured me to study His Word in Greek and Hebrew languages. In fact, by His grace alone, He taught me to teach biblical languages over five years. Besides my teaching work, God also called me for Pastoral ministry through which He favoured me to invest the tressure of His truth to different age groups in the Churches (Adults, Youth, Children…etc). I thank the Lord for His grace that helped me not to neglect gospel work at any point of time. When God’s Word brought transformation in my life, I began to evangelize many people via door to door evangelism, outreach work, street preaching…etc. “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cori 9:16) God reminds me this verse in all of my days ever since I commited myself for His ministry. At this point, going into the villages, telling the Good news, sharing my testimony, presenting His word, are all of which became a part of my life. Through my preaching in the villages, many came to know about Christ. In several places of Coimbatore Dist, I preached publically in the streets. I also preached God’s Word in various churches and led prayer meetings in various places. I always rejoice for preaching and teaching ministry to which our sovereign Lord has appointed me. “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” (Col 1:28-29) God called me to serve as a pastor to the baptist congregations in South India. I ministered the Word here provideing biblical counseling looking after all the church activities and most importantly outreach Ministry. God, by His grace, has given me opportunity to work in various capacities as Oversight Board-Member, Pastor, Administrator, Professor and Church Planter in Christian organizations, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur and globally via online. “I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day.” (Ps 71: 7-8)
By studying Calvin’s Institutes, I embraced reformed theology. Later by studying Puritans, I became student of Puritans. As to my seminary education, I hold a Bachelor of Divinity, a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology from Grace Baptist Seminary. I am also a graduate of The Log College and Seminary [ previously known as The North American Reformed Seminary] with a Doctor of Divinity in Puritan Studies (2014) and a Doctor of Theology in Reformed Theological Thought (jure dignitatis) (March 2016). I am married to my wife Sanatombi, and we are blessed with four children: Rachel Nganbi, Elisheba Rahel, Enoch Joshua and Melchizedek Joshua. Currently, I involve in providing seminary level education to the pastors from Puritan Reformed perspective; provide online seminary education with The Log College and Seminary [ www.logcollege.net ] and Puritan Reformed Biblical Seminary [ www.prbseminary.net ]. I serve God with The Log College and Seminary as Oversight-Board Member – Mentor. By God’s sovereign will, I am founder – director of Puritan Global Missions. To Him be the glory! The motto of Puritan Global Missions “Ardens Sed Virens” so trully reflects our life and Ministry. In midst of all situations, God’s hand guide us! Paul writes, “as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2 Cori 5:9, 10). My prayer and passion is that to see God is exalted in all the nations, and His kingdom is established globally everywhere! At present, as fulfilling God’s mission in ministry of Christ, I am longing and looking forward to be called by my Master, “good and faithful servent” on that great day of coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! Now, rejoycingly I can say “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cori 15:10). May all the praises be to His Holy Name for ever & ever!
In the Grip of His Grace,
Dr. Samuel Bathiran D. D., Th. D
Founder- Director
Puritan Global Missions