Prema, Refined by Trials

Prema ("prem" means “love”) became a disciple about fifteen years ago in the Chennai Church in South India. Her faith was strong; she was known for her zeal and passion. She grew fast and became a full time intern. She soon married a young man who showed similar promise. They were trained in the ministry and sent off to lead the Coimbatore church. Everything was going so well.

Prema got pregnant with her first child. Unfortunately she suffered from high blood pressure, a very dangerous condition for an expectant mother. The medical care she received was inadequate. Sadly the baby died in her womb one week before her due date. It was devastating for a young wife out on her own leading a church far from everyone.

Prema amazed us all by her courage and fortitude. She grieved but she surrendered herself to God’s will and kept preaching the word. A couple of years later she gave birth to a son, followed by a little brother soon after that. At that point the church in Chennai was growing fast and the leadership asked Prema and her husband Madhan to return in order to help.

Life had more challenges in store for Prema. India is not safe for children in many ways. Her oldest son fell from the fourth floor of their building and miraculously survived. Her second son then fell into a water tank and almost drowned. Any mother would have panicked; most would have become over protective. Prema showed her strength again as she weathered those trials and kept preaching the word.

As the years went by Madhan and Prema came out of the full time ministry yet they kept their zeal and passion for God. A mission team had been sent a few years ago to the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. It is known as the City of Temples as it is an extremely religious place. The mission team had tried their best but had to be brought back to Chennai discouraged.

At that point the leaders in Chennai decided to ask Madhan and Prema to go and lead another assault on the Temple City. Madhan and Prema were not full time in the ministry any more. They had secular jobs, two children, and Prema was seven months pregnant with another baby.

They were true to their reputation of faith and went off to Madurai two years ago. God has done amazing things in that place. In the first year, with no full time workers, in an extremely religious place, God brought 51 souls into the church. Their second year is just as fruitful. Prema gave birth two months after moving there and has been a beacon of light to the women.

We are challenged by her faith and reliance on God. Prema is still young. One can only imagine how God will strengthen her in years to come.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love (prem), for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul”

If you know of stories of courage and faith please e-mail them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or meghna.thomas @dtoday.net