Today’s Leader of Faith
Bro ABRAHAM (BURMA) JOSEPH, Openair Specialist
Home Call : 28 March, 1995.
Tireless Gospel Warrior, Prayer Warrior, Soul Winner, Church Planter, Brave Man, Co-worker of Bro. Bakht Singh.
Bro. Abraham Joseph (1914–1995) was a well-known servant of God from old times and was familiar to everyone in the fellowship. As he came from Burma (present-day Myanmar), he was popularly known as “Burma Joseph.” From the time of his Lord’s call, he had a burning heart for perishing souls, and with that burden, he engaged in open-air gospel ministry. Therefore, he had great expertise and experience in this ministry. Just as a soldier endures hardships in the army, he was recognized as a good soldier of Jesus Christ in the Lord’s ministry through his experience, particularly as an open-air specialist. Bro. Bakht Singh, having foreseen his life of toil, discipline, and talent, encouraged him to take the lead in gospel crusades conducted under the guidance of the man of God and in the processions held on the final day of Holy Convocation meetings. If anyone stepped out of line during open-air processions, he would firmly pull them back into order, even women, by holding their plait. He had no hesitation and never compromised. He would reprimand harshly if there was any deviation. Having come from a military background, he maintained the same military discipline in ministry and in every aspect of his life. Most notably, during open-air gospel crusades, his deep, roaring voice commanded attention as he gave instructions, sang lively and captivating songs, shouted various slogans with enthusiasm, and preached the gospel in a unique and impactful manner, drawing and influencing the crowds. His powerful voice needed no microphone. As he loudly proclaimed slogans like “Jai Bolo Khudavand Yesu Masih Ki Jai” and many other slogans in different variations, everyone would be stirred with zeal to proclaim the gospel. In every ministry, he continually encouraged others, bringing glory to God. Wherever he served, he not only strengthened the churches but also oversaw their construction, thereby expanding them. His messages were also mostly centred on the word “I will build My church.” His final ministry in Kadapa was remarkable. In June 1945, through RR Samuel, a resident of Kadapa, Bro. Bakht Singh started a church there by conducting a gospel crusade. The Kadapa church was the first in fellowship among all the Telugu regions. From 1971, for 24 years, the Lord used Bro. Joseph as a key instrument to expand the ministry widely by building many churches with Kadapa as the central point. He was a guiding leader for many churches. The weapon behind this was the special burden and responsibility entrusted to him by the Lord, his open-air gospel crusades. Through the talents given by God, he won countless souls for the Lord, established many churches, and many have enjoyed the fruits of his ministry. He knew nothing but to work tirelessly in the ministry. He never sought anything for himself. For instance, after noticing that he had been sleeping on the hard ground for a long time, Bro. Bakht Singh rebuked him and gave him 12 annas (72 paise) to buy a bed and pillow. Only then did he purchase them and sleep on them. From childhood, he had a hardworking nature and a deep sense of justice, and he would never tolerate injustice. This also made him somewhat quick-tempered. However, the Lord used all these experiences to strengthen him in his faith-based ministry, helping him endure hardships joyfully. No matter how many difficulties he faced in the Lord’s service, even during his final days of illness, he sustained them solely by faith.
During the British India era, when Burma was part of a unified country, his father migrated to Burma from Madras, married a Burmese citizen, and settled there, as job opportunities were good in Burma. Bro. Joseph was born to them on December 7, 1921. From childhood, he was highly energetic. After completing his education and preparing to settle down, the nationalization policies and rising anti-Indian sentiments, before India and Burma became independent nations, led to hostility against unrecognized immigrants, forcing many to return to India. Bro. Joseph was among those compelled to return. As he was unable to avail himself of the government-arranged transportation at the last moment, he had to walk for months through a dangerous forest to reach Kolkata. From there, he travelled by train to Madras, where he stayed at his relatives’ house. Wishing to marry their daughter, he was determined to settle down in life and secured a good job in the army. Although he was not yet saved, he had been a devout Christian from the beginning. Even during his time in the army, he showed a keen interest in Christianity and would take pastors to army camps whenever he met them, arranging for them to preach the Word. Similarly, in July 1946, while in Delhi, he happened to meet Bro. B.J. Paul. He took him to the army camp and arranged for him to preach the Word for two weeks. On the final night, the message on the raising of Lazarus deeply touched his heart and led him toward the assurance of salvation. However, he still had many unresolved doubts lingering in his mind. After some time, while on leave in Madras, he was walking along Purasawalkam Road when he saw a banner that read Jehovah-Shammah: Holy Convocation Meetings. He felt led to enter, marking a turning point in his life. It was December 1948, during the Holy Convocation meetings. After attending the meetings at Jehovah-Shammah and spending three days in fellowship, he went straight to the stage and, in a frustrated voice, said to the elder, Bro. Rajamani, “I have been waiting to talk to you, but no one has approached me.” At that moment, Bro. Philip, who was preaching, answered all his lingering doubts and prayed for him. He continued attending the meetings, growing deeper in God’s Word and strengthening his joy of salvation through the light of Scripture and the guidance of God’s servants. Eventually, he resolved to dedicate himself to serving the Lord in full-time ministry. Seeing his transformed life and the gospel he preached, the girl he intended to marry grew resentful and, in anger, rejected him, choosing to marry someone else. After this incident, Bro. Joseph remained alone in Madras, praying for God’s guidance regarding his future. Strengthened by the Word, he approached Bro. R.P. Dorairaj, expressing his desire to serve the Lord. However, Bro. Dorairaj advised him to continue serving the nation in the army and consider ministry later. But Bro. Joseph realized that serving God was far greater than serving the nation. With firm conviction, he resigned from his army job and fully dedicated himself to the Lord’s ministry.
Bro. Joseph served the Lord powerfully and with military discipline at Jehovah-Shammah. He took up every task diligently, like cleaning the entire premises, including toilets, preaching the gospel in the streets, and ensuring that all believers attending the Holy Convocation meetings could understand God’s Word. At railway stations, he boldly proclaimed John 3:16 in all Indian languages, dressed in a soldier-like uniform with a “Christ’s Warrior” cross badge, making a striking impression. With great zeal, he warmly welcomed people and led them to Jehovah-Shammah. There was nothing he could not do, nothing he did not do, and nothing he was incapable of doing. As a true military man, he could be called an “All-Rounder Champion.” Later, he was led to Elim in Hyderabad, where he gained further experience before being sent to serve the Lord. In 1955, he was first sent to Kurnool as an assistant to Bro. Philip.
On June 17, 1957, Bro. Joseph was married to Sister Beatrice, with Bro. Bakht Singh solemnizing the ceremony. She was the niece of Jehovah-Shammah elders, Bro. Dorairaj and Bro. Rajamani. Two days before the wedding, her younger brother passed away due to tuberculosis, but with unwavering faith, the family proceeded with the wedding as planned. Together, they served the Lord for His glory in various places, including 1. Vellore, 2. Bengaluru, 3. Vellore, 4. Kurnool, 5. Bengaluru, 6. Nandyal, 7. Anantapur, 8. Kadapa, and many other regions across the country. Finally, in 1971, he was sent to Kadapa, where he trained many believers and prepared them for the Lord’s service. He initiated VBS and Sunday Bible Schools, leading many children to the Lord. He established countless churches throughout Rayalaseema. He worked tirelessly and continuously throughout his life, never knowing rest. Even when afflicted with illness, he remained steadfast, without worry or concern, standing firm in unwavering faith and hope.
As he fell gravely ill and approached the end of his earthly journey, he joyfully sang the hymn of hope, “God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own….. He will not forget you. God is still on the throne”. With these words, he strengthened his wife and encouraged her in faith. At the age of 74, having kept the faith, he departed joyfully to be with the Lord. Even today, though it has been 30 years since Bro. Abraham Joseph went to be with the Lord, the fruits of his ministry, the testimony of his life, and the path he walked continue to serve as an inspiration and model for many.