Jacob’s story
Our hearts are broken. This morning, our dear brother, friend, and mission partner, Pastor Joshua Raju, went home to be with the Lord. While we know he is rejoicing in the presence of the Saviour he served so faithfully, his sudden departure has left a massive void in our lives—and an overwhelming weight on the young family he leaves behind in Anaparthi, Andhra Pradesh.
Joshua was not one to sit still. He was a tireless, energetic evangelist who poured every ounce of his life into the Gospel. Carrying forward the legacy of his father, Joshua faithfully shepherded the home church in Anaparthi while pushing out into unreached areas to plant churches in two neighbouring villages.
He didn't do this alone. Right after their wedding, Joshua and his wife, Geetha, went to Bible College together. Side by side, they studied, prayed, and built a life dedicated entirely to serving God's people.
Today, Geetha is facing a future she never imagined, alongside their two young children, Hadassa and Joy Richard.
Like many faithful servants on the front lines of mission work, Joshua invested everything he had into the ministry, holding nothing back for himself. Along with support from us at True Light Ministries International, Joshua stepped out in faith to build a permanent sanctuary for the church and a manse for his family to live in. Because of his sudden passing, roughly £15,000 in building debts remain unpaid.
Right now, instead of just grieving her husband and comforting Hadassa and Joy Richard, Geetha is staring at a mountain of debt. The very home she and her children live in, and the church Joshua poured his sweat and tears into building, are carrying this financial burden.
As his family in Christ, we cannot let Geetha carry this alone.
True Light Ministries International is stepping in to raise this £15,000—and hopefully more—to completely wipe out the building debt on the church and the manse, and to put a financial cushion in place for Geetha as she raises Hadassa and Joy Richard. We want to ensure that the roof over their heads is secure and that the ministry Joshua and Geetha built together can continue unhindered.
Joshua spent his life standing in the gap for others. Today, we are asking you to stand in the gap for his wife and children.
- If you can give: Every single pound goes directly toward clearing the £15,000 debt and securing the future for Geetha, Hadassa, and Joy Richard. No amount is too small.
- Add Gift Aid: If you are a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box. This allows True Light Ministries International to claim an extra 25% on top of your donation at no extra cost to you.
- If you can share: Please pass this page along to your church, your small group, and your friends.
- Most of all, please pray: Pray for comfort for Geetha, the children, Joshua’s mother, his older sisters, and Geetha’s family as they walk through this valley of the shadow of death.
Thank you for loving this family, for honouring Pastor Joshua’s legacy, and for being the hands and feet of Jesus in their darkest hour.
With gratitude and love,
True Light Ministries International
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