Miracle Ministries

Church ministries headed by charismatic and controversial figures gain a devout following In Punjab

- Ashwani Sharma

IT was a regular Sunday morning at Jalandhar, Punjab, but quite an unusual day at Khambra. After sporadic spells of mild rains, on this morning, the sun rose on this quiet village to bustling and vivid scenes. Barely a 23-minute drive from the city, the setting is perfect. An upcoming church-said to be Asia's biggest and fastest growing Christian ministry-was immersed in the conspicous fervour of the devout unlike the ancient churches scattered across Punjab. A large congregation had gathered on the church's sprawling courtyards. Prayers echoed in the air like a sacred symphony, punctuated by the fervent chants of "Hallelujah, Hallelujah" that rent the air, amplified by giant loudspeakers. The chants kept growing louder in the day. The music blared, its beats syncing with the palpable energy of the crowd of worshippers.

The village located on Nakodar road has a Sikh gurdwara and a temple in the vicinity. But on that day, it looked as if all roads were leading to the Khambra Church that is fast emerging as a beacon of spirited devotion.

Every month, hundreds of people, mostly from the socially and economically weaker sections (Dalits as well as turbaned Sikhs), opt to be baptised at the Church. The ministry also runs an online facility. The ministry's marriage bureau fixes up matches for Christian couples, even facilitating visas for youths, who are unable to go abroad through private immigration agents.

Spread over an area of 100 acres, this Church of 'Signs and Wonders', gained visibility only a few years back with Pastor Ankur Narula, a non-Christian born in a Punjabi Khatri family becoming a central figure. Pastor Narula provides spiritual healing to people through prayers and physical touch. Son of a Jalandhar-based businessman, Jeevan Narula, a.k.a. Ankur (Yoseph) Narula, 40, is a computer engineer, who took to Christianity in 2004. His decision was influenced by a pastor, who helped him to break free from drugs and depression.