Return From A Tremendous Gospel Tour

Signs and wonders were our constant companions, much the way it must have been in Apostolic times. We felt the mighty hand of God every step of our 40 day evangelistic tour, through India anDuring our entire trip, we had to reconsider everything we'd heard and read in Christian news over the situation in India and Pakistan.

In India, we did everything that was usually forbidden to a foreign preacher. Posters with my name and country of origin were posted all over the main streets and malls; fliers with my picture on them and an invitation to services were distributed everywhere. I preached mainly in open air services, due to the numbers that came to the meetings - the church buildings couldn't hold them. Entire city blocks were closed for traffic, a platform was built and I, (a visitor with a tourist visa), was able to preach, sometimes as many as three times a day.

These activities are normally not allowed in India if one doesn't have a missionary visa. I didn't apply for a missionary visa, on purpose, knowing that I probably wouldn't have gotten it.

Sometimes I preached in exclusively Hindu neighborhoods, and once my platform was set up next to a Hindu temple. After the service, which lasted about four hours, during which the people in the temple also listened, they came to me, asked for prayer and gave their lives to Jesus. Many of them experienced healing, right there in the middle of the street. In these Hindu neighborhoods, the people sat, like sardines piled on top of one another, and when the alter call was made about 300 people stood up, in the presence of friends and family and accepted the Lord. I didn't preach religion, I simply told them about Jesus, prayed with them and left the rest up to the Holy Spirit.

Just as I had ended my sermon, and was praying for people in Bombay, in one of the greatest slums in India; a Hindu woman came by asked what was going on and would I pray for her too. I laid my hand upon her and God's power was so great, she began to 'squeal'. ''What kind of power was that, that just went through me?'' she asked.

''It was the power of Jesus Christ, who loves you and just touched you.'' I prayed that she would be set free from the many spirits of death that are prevalent in the Hindu religion, and the false teaching of reincarnation, suddenly she began to speak and praise God in new prayer language. And that just a few minutes after having heard of Jesus for the first time. After the service, she stood there radiant, a completely different woman. Her little daughter stood next to her, also unable to believe her mother's joy.

In the middle of Bombay's slum, another healing occurred in one of the tin shanties. A woman that had suffered from a plague of oozing lumps on her head, for over twenty years, was suddenly healed. Her husband searched her head for signs of them, but they were totally gone, in the twinkling of on eye. Both began crying and praising God for His mercy.

 During my 40 day missions trip, I preached about 140 times, either in churches, outdoors or even on rooftops, as in biblical times. Because they saw God's power in operation, people pushed and pulled to get to us, to be prayed for. From the very beginning of our trip, the services were packed. Sometimes, the rooms got so packed that no amount of sandwiching together could get another soul into the service. Then they hung loud-speakers out of the windows, so that the guests waiting outside and in doorways could hear the message too, and this for hours. And none of the Moslem neighbors were upset or outraged by this, on the contrary, they invited us for tea and sweets.

Those were powerful services.

 Andreas Krumbacher, a pastor from south Germany, who accompanied me in Karachi, Pakistan, commented, '''What we've experienced here, would be unthinkable in Germany.'' In the middle of the street, at 11:00 p.m. people experienced Jesus firsthand and the working of the Holy Spirit. They converted, were healed, filled with the Holy Spirit and were set free, (with loud cries), from demon possession. And that in a totally Moslem neighborhood, where the loud-speakers could be heard kilometers away. Every service in Karachi lasted 'til well past midnight. In Germany, the police would have hauled us all off the street, but here, in a Moslem country, the police and the military played bodyguards for us, (not that the Holy Spirit needed help, but it eased the local government's mind). I preached fully anointed by the Holy Spirit and protected by guards carrying awe inspiring machine guns. I felt completely sheltered in God.

 My heart's desire is, to be able to open up a few doors for people, here in Karachi, especially women, so that they can stand on their own feet, financially. I'd like to be able to provide sewing machines and sewing courses - help them to help themselves. A well functioning Indian sewing machine can be bought for less than 300€, (not electric, since one can never be certain that the electricity will function).

 We were in Karachi the evening before our outdoor service in Lahore, Pakistan. The local pastor had written me weeks before, that he expected 3,000 visitors, so he'd rented a football field for the open air service. When we arrived at 7:00 p.m., we were hardly able to get through the crowd ourselves. The police informed us, that between 9,000 and 10,000 people were waiting at the entrance. I began to preach at 9:00 p.m., so that by that time, many more had gathered. The loud-speakers were aimed at the side streets, >from which people kept pouring. After the alter call, as I prayed for the sick, the power of God was so palpable, that some people trembled, others shouted for joy. There were cheers of encouragement, as the sick tried out their healed limbs, doing knee-bends and motions that had formerly been impossible for them. When I asked, ''How many can already feel the healing power of God, about 3,000 hands flew up, and that was without counting the people outside of the stadium, that waited and listened on the street.

A few days later, the pastor from Lahore wrote; ''Brother Matutis, we miss you so much, everyone constantly asks about you, you must return. So much has happened, we simply can't express it in words.''

I keep getting mail from India and Pakistan, from people that thank us for our ministry, who've been strengthened in their faith and motivated to go on in the Lord. Pastors have written that they've gotten a new vision and faith for their country. On the entire trip, I spoke to more than 2,000 pastors at divers pastoral conferences, (we also supplied rice, chicken and chili sauce for lunch). The spiritual nourishment that we were able bring encouraged them enormously. Many of the pastors received prophetic words, new anointing >from God and some even sprang under the power of the Spirit, you should have seen it! Some pastors traveled more than 600 kilometers to visit the service and to experience God's presence.

 A minister serving a small congregation in a back-woods outpost, even sold his motorcycle in order to pay for train tickets, (they sat in the train for two days and nights ) , so that he and his family could take part in the services. We gave him the price of the tickets back. The people of India are hungry for spiritual nourishment. They long for the kind of spiritual nourishment that they had with us. The people of India and Pakistan would have loved to have kept us there, I could only comfort them with the promise, that if the Lord wills, I would return soon.

An Indian pastor wrote me, ''My entire congregation received the baptism with the Holy Spirit at your meeting, I have a completely different congregation, I hardly know them anymore.''

In Indore, an entire class of Bible-school students studying to become evangelists was baptized in the Holy Spirit. God be praised, that these young men and women can go out into missions fully equipped with a new dynamic from the Holy Spirit.

A pastor from Hyderabad, India, writes me after four weeks, ''My church is completely changed. Many hangers-on have become real Christians, they've stopped their hypocrisy. In my church, 25 people have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and 30 others have given their lives to Christ.''

 From Agra, a pastor writes, ''We were so blessed by your ministering, many were truly touched by God and many other healed.'' In that particular meeting, the electricity gave up its ghost three times, 'til I finally decided to preach in the dark. God moved in the dark, and without and electrical power, in this ''death city'', with its three major Moslem grave sites, (the most renown being India's most famous landmark, the Taj-Mahal,), too.

God used us mightily

 Wherever we went, we were right on God's time. We visited a leper colony, and the first thing that met our eyes, was a group of mourners. One of them had died, (he was Brahmin - a member of the highest Hindu caste), his widow, (also had leprosy ), stood near his corpse and cried, beyond comfort, because she had no money to bury him. I felt moved to pay for the burial. Afterwards, I preached to them and prayed with them. One is not supposed to touch lepers, because it's contagious, but I broke the Tabu and laid hands on every single one, as I prayed. Many were saved. Some even were baptized in the Holy Spirit. I was especially moved by a woman who prayed without hands; leprosy had eaten them away, she had only stumps for arms, that she raised up to God. Suddenly, she began speaking in other tongues. I was no longer ''disturbed'' by the sight of lesions, boils and the stumps for limbs, hearts and souls had been reached for the Lord, and just as importantly, He had reached them.

 At the evening service, the Indian pastor said that he'd never experienced that a foreigner even wanted to visit the leper's colony, much less lay hands on them and pray. Even he had never touched them. But, he said, ''Now I feel challenged to do the same.''

 In Calcutta, the director of the largest leper's colony in the world, (100,000 people), translated for me. He told me, that it isn't so much the Lepers themselves who need help, but their children, who are growing with them. Society doesn't want to have anything to do with them. Hindus will not use a path through which a leper has walked. They're ostracized.

 So much has happened...

 During an open air service in Madras, the Lord laid it upon my heart to take up a collection, for the foundation of a new church building. I did it, and gave the local pastor the money. Two or three days later, he sent me a message, stating that one of the Hindu listeners in the audience, had been so moved by God, that he wanted to donate a property that he'd just inherited, in a Hindu neighborhood, where up to that point, no land had been available to Christian churches. The property is so extensive, that the congregation can build a new church and a Bible school at the same time.

 One afternoon, I was privileged to dedicate a prayerhall, (it was according to European more a glorified garage), which a young couple donated. They too were so moved by the power of God, that they donated their(inherited) parent's house, which was near the church, and the village well; they chose to rent a small hut at the edge of town. The couple came to me, carrying four carpets, I asked them what I should do with them, and the translator explained, that these carpets were their beds, their sole possessions, and they wanted me to bless them. Tears filled my eyes as I blessed these people, ( that were so willing to give their very best), and their ''beds''. The anointing was so great in this service. The entire village, almost all Hindus, was there for this ceremony, and all were so moved by the presence of God. It was extremely difficult for me to witness how people could give up their entire wealth, and willingly remain poor for God's sake.

 In Patna, we met a poor brother, who had brought 14 children home to be raised. He explained to me, in tears, that he'd originally had 24, but he couldn't meet their needs and had, had to send the 10 oldest away. Even now, he was having difficulty feeding these. He's another person that we'd love to help.

 We were able to buy 13 bicycles for local evangelists, and present them to them. At the moment they are riding about in northern India, where very few churches are, and preaching the Gospel. If we'd had the means, we would have loved to present many more bicycles to the pastors and evangelists working there.

 We visited orphanages, preached in Bible schools, held children's church in the slums and helped the Christian slum schools. We also visited and supported slum churches, and encouraged the Indian and Pakistani pastors, that worked amongst the poorest in the world. A pity, there is too little room to report everything that happened in those 40 days.

 We lived and slept with the people, in their huts, sometimes right in the middle of the slum. They gave us their beds, and themselves slept on thin blankets, on the floor. We ate and drank with them, and no one fell ill. We experienced no attacks from fanatical Moslems or Hindus. Sometimes people stopped us on the street and asked us to pray for them. Once, we stopped to buy coconuts, and suddenly, the vendors entire family showed up, and asked me to bless his stand. We were his very first customers, the stand had been built just a few hours earlier, and he wanted his new business blessed, and while I was at it, I should pray for his whole family. I was more than pleased to tell him about Jesus and bless him, his family and business in the name of Jesus.

 In both countries, India and Pakistan, people respect God and people of prayer. In almost all churches, the doors and windows were open from all sides, everyone could look in, but there were absolutely no disturbances. We felt God's presence and protection in every service. There were more than 20,000 people on different internet lines, people in India and Pakistan, and at home in Germany (40 day fast), praying for this trip. Our journey began and ended well.

 14 years ago, the border between India and Pakistan was closed, I wanted to use the border between Delhi and Lahore, it was impossible during my time of preparation. On the day that I began my trip, January 19, 2004, a train made its first trip, back and forth between Delhi (India), and Lahore,(Pakistan). These two nations came together.

 God had given me the assignment to go to India and Pakistan, because these countries belong together in the spirit world and before God. In the near future, I'll be visiting Bangladesh also, (as part of God's assignment). I'm convinced that this trip released something, in the spirit world.

 Many were called to God's service in different ministries.

 In a church in Delhi, the Lord showed me that many sitting in the audience, would be called to minister evangelistically, via internet. I was astounded to find out later, that several dozen Internet engineers and specialists from Delhi, the capital, were present in that service.

 An internet specialist (about 40 years old), stood before me, with tears in his eyes, and said, ''I have wondered for years, what on earth can I do for God? I just sit at the computer all day and program stuff. I have pleaded with God, 'Use me', but I had never gotten a definite answer. Through your prophetic word, I know that this is my calling, and I'm accepting it. I'm going to be one of those internet evangelists.''

 It was so great experiencing God's blessing; especially when people got saved.

 I can still see a Moslem, in Delhi, wearing a white cap, (sign that he is a Haddsch pilgrim, meaning he's already been to Mecca). I prayed for him, Jesus came into his life. What did he do? He slipped the cap off his head and stuck it in his pocket. He wasn't the only Moslem to do that, quite a number of them, upon believing on the Lord, stuck their caps in their pockets, they found that Jesus satisfied their need.

 In north India, while we held our church service, the whole village got together, it was a Hindu village. The news had spread like wild fire, that three Germans were in town. As Germans we were warmly welcomed where ever we went. Even the mayor came to the meeting, greeted us and stroked our feet - as is their custom. I knew that we had to prove to the Hindus that our God, Jesus, is greater and more powerful than all of their thousands of gods. I invited three persons to come forward, that were feeling great pain, so that they could received healing, in the name of Jesus. The mayor had a severely hunched over back, and he was the first to come forward. I touched him and - hallelujah - Jesus healed him on the spot. He straightened himself up, shook himself a bit, and asked, ''Where's the pain gone?'' He began marching, like an old soldier, up and down the aisle, among the villagers. He couldn't believe that he'd been miraculously healed! After that, they all wanted to be healed, but I told them that we would pray for the rest of them after I had spoken to them, because I had something very important to tell them about Jesus.

 There were many conversions and many were healed on this day, in this village. The mayor still can't believe what happened to him, and asked me to stay longer, because there were many more sick persons there, that needed praying for. Unfortunately, we had to leave, but I promised him, that I'd come back again. ''Good,'' he said, ''but it must be soon.''

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Dr.Johannes W. Matutis

TESTIMONIES

only from one City (only Madras - we were there only 4 days)

1. Evangelist M. Subash Chandra Bose, ACA Church, Chennai. The meetings were conducted in a grand scale. The pastors seminar was indeed a blessing. The arrangements for the meeting including the lunch were highly satisfactory.

2. Mrs. Mary Ponnammal, Glorious church of God, chennai. Rev. Johanness. W. Matutis prayed for my ministry in the villages. As he laid his hands on my head, I was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in Tongues. I Felt a new anointing and strength filling my soul. 

3. Mrs. Ruth Chellammal, Vice - President, Womens Association. Korattur, Chennai. The messages given by Rev. Matutis at the Pastors seminar and the convocation function were indeed a great blessing. I felt greatly strengthened in my spirit after hearing Rev. Matutis speak. I hope and believe that Rev. Matutis would visit India again.

4. Pastor. Seeralan Amos, Mizpah prayer House, Chennai-52. The Pastors seminar and the other meetings were a great blessing. It really encouraged me in my spiritual walk with the Lord and in my ministry. 

5. Pastor D. Wilson, Carmel Pentecostel church, Redhills, Chenni-52. The meetings conducted by Rev. Johanness W. Matutis were truly a great blessing to me. They touched me heart. I have learnt a lot of things by attending the Pastors seminar and the other meetings. The spiritual feed that I received by attending the meetings were truly Manna- like.

I intend to follow the examples of Pastor S. John Madhiyazhagan (co-ordinator) in conducting similar meetings in the future.

6. Bro. Mani Pragasam, Treasurer, Bible Society of India, Padi, Chennai unit.

The meetings attended by Rev. Matutis were arranged and organized very well. The messages that I heared in his meetings were very deep and had a very good impact on me. The arrangements for these meetings were more than what I expected. The lunch served after the Pastors seminar was really very good. 

7. Evangelist A. Vincent Luke Isaac, English Teacher Apostolic Fellowship Tabernacle, chennai.

The Pastors seminar that I attended on 2nd Feb 2004 was truly wonderful. The message delivered by Rev. Matutis really touched me. His message that Pastors form India and the rest of Asia would evangelize Europe and the United States. confirmed what God has been telling me for quite some time.

I'm the Educational Director of Glorious Bible College. I personally feel that should we have good infrastructure, for instance an auditorium, we could conduct Pastors Seminar for the Pastors in our area once in a month. Kindly pray that the Lord would open doors for us to do such a work.

8. Bro. Raj Paul, Elder, Apostolic Christian Assembly, Chennai. "You ministered in our Church on 1st Feb 2004. You spoke about the importance of taking communion. You shared how a demon- possessed person was delivered after you placed a piece of communion - bread on that persons forehead when the devil refused to go and how that person was delivered from the devil. I realized the importance of not missing communion hereafter. I was impressed by your faith and God's presence that filled your meetings. I also feel that you are a person filled with God's compassion 

9. Pastor. Stephen Rajendran , ( 75 years old ) Vyasarpadi Church, Chennai.

I was deeply moved by the way the Pastors Seminar was conducted on 2nd Feb 2004. I feel that everything regarding the seminar was taken care of systematically. I feel that Pastor John Madhiyazhagan ( co- ordinator) needs to conduct many such similar seminars in the near future. I feel Rev. Matutis ministry has been such a blessing to me personally.

10. Bro. Kanagaraj, Jesus Blessing Ministry, Perambur, Chennai. My family and I were facing a lot of problems and troubles. Rev. Matutis visited my house and dedicated our ministry and prayed for me. God's peace and His presence now fill our home. I invited a lawyer to attend Rev. Matutis Meetings. Hefailed to attend. After seeing the Photographs of the meetings, he was so moved that he promised to give a plot of ground free for our ministry at Redhills, chennai. The amazing thing about this is that the lawyer happens to be an unbeliever. Praise God. Rev. Matutis also prophesied that God will enlarge and prosper my ministry in the years to come.

11. Miss. D. Gnanamany, Emmanuel Deliverance Ministry Prayer House Padi, Chennai:- The meetings conducted by Rev. Matutis were a great blessing. God. confirmed through his servant Rev.Matutis what I have been doing in my ministry. The Lord encouraged me prophetically through Rev. Matutis to preach the gospel and to save souls from damnation. The Congregation in our church were greatly blessed by Rev. Matutis Ministry. 

12. Bro. Gladstone, Elder, New Life Zion Apostolic church, Annanur, Chennai. My Church has never witnessed a meeting of this kind before. It was indeed a blessing. Many people were delivered when Rev. Matutis ministered in our church. A man with a disease in his right leg was healed when matutis prayed for him. Two people with Chest pain were miraculously healed when Rev. Matutis prayed for them. We felt God's presence in the meetings. We were blessed in a great way.

13. Sis. Deva Kirubha, Sunday School Teacher, Perambur, Chennai - 12. Meetings were arranged excellently. The meetings were a blessing to me. Expecting your next missionary Trip very soon.

14. Pastor. M. John Vedhachalam, Blessed Peniel Mission, chennai & Pr. Peter Srinivasan Halleluah, Prayer House, Chennai. The meeting in our church was such a blessing to everyone. The expectations of the believers were fully met.

 15. Rev. Daniel Damodharan and Pr. Madhan Immanuel, Immaneul Prayer House  Royapettah, Chennai. When Rev. Matutis laid his hands on a lady she was filled with the Holy spirit. A lady with Chest pain was healed instantly. A demon possessed lady was delivered. Gods power and presence were clearly seen and felt in the meetings.


16. Pastor. Arputharaj, showers of Blessing Ministries, Chennai-34. I have never seen such a meeting on this scale in our area. Certainly God's name was glorified.

17. Pastor. J.P. Anandaraj, Ponneri. God spoke to me and dealt with me through the ministry of Rev. Matutis.

18. Pastor. C. Samuel President, Lalgudi Pastors fellowship, Trichy District. I would be very happy if such a Pastors Seminar with Rev. Matutis could be arranged in our area. The Seminar was a great blessing for me. 

19. Pastor. C. Nesarathinam,Avadi, Chennai. The Pastors seminar was such a blessing for me. I feel very happy for having attended the seminar.

20. Mrs. Joyce Devakumari, Chennai. The message of Rev. Matutis at the Pastors Seminars was such a blessing. I also liked the worship led by the worhip team. 

21. Bro. David, Brethren Assembly, Chennai. The Pastors Seminar challenged me a lot. It was so useful for me. I feel very encouraged.

22. Bro. Zachariers Babu , Chennai. The Pastors seminar was indeed a Blessing. The Message by Rev. Matutis really touched me. 

23. Mrs. Agnes Malliga, Lady Evangelist, chennai. The Pastors conference was absolutely glorious. I believe the nation of India needs to be challenged with many such seminars of this kind.

24. Bro. Santhappan, Evangelist, chennai. Rev. Matutis message at the Pastors seminar went forth with God's power. The Pastors seminar was blessing for me. 

25. Evangelist Sam Pushparaj, chennai. I felt God instructing me at the Pastors conference. I learnt a lot about doing ministry after attending the Pastors Seminar.

26. Pr. James Ranganathan, Chennai. I was encouraged a lot after attending the Pastors seminar. Gods presence was definitely felt at the seminar. I admire the leadership qualities of Pastor. S. John Madhiyazhagan your chennai Co-ordinator. 

27. Pastor. Y.B. Abel, Chennai. I really enjoyed the poweful message of Rev. Johannes Matutis. I feel that truly Rev. Matutis is a man of God.

28. Pastor Isaiah, Church of christ, Ponneri. I have never seen such a systematic meeting in my life. God certainly blessed me. 

29. Mrs. Ruth Vasantha, Lady Evangelist, Chennai. The Pastors and Evangelists seminar was very useful to me. The Spirit of God spoke to me clearly. God spoke to me in a new and a wonderful way when Rev. Matutis spoke about the New Vine and New skin.

30. Mrs. Lilly Pushpam Lady Evangelist, Chennai. The Pastors seminar was truly a Blessing for me. I found it very useful too. 

31. Pastor. Inbaraj, Chennai. The meetings proved to be a great blessing thank you for having arranged this seminar.

32. Pastor. V. Samson Isaac, Faith Christian Church, Chennai - 53. Principal, Glorious Bible college, Chennai. The meeting was a blessing. I felt God ministering to everyone present at the Pastors conference and the convocation function. 

33. Mr. J. Thilagaraj Advocate,Chennai High Court. I was bestowed with the opportunity of participating in the programmes of Pastor Johannes Matutis here in Chennai. I witnessed the spiritual elation among the Christians of Chennai when Pastor Johannes Matutis declared that the day is not far away when powerful and proficient missionaries would rise from India and would propagate the words of Lord all through so called the western countries, redeeming countless souls. The social outlook of Pastor Johannes Matutis and his palpitating concern for the needy in the society were really touching.

Rev. Johannes W. Matutis ( Germany) Chennai meetings Report. from Pastor. S. John Madhiyazhagan

It is my privilege to write a report on Rev. Johannes. W. Matutis (Germany) meetings in chennai. I got in Contact with Rev. Johannes. W. Matutis through an email on 4th Oct 2004. I thank God for having helped me to get selected as the Co-ordinator for the meetings in chennai. We conducted a total of Twelve meetings in Chennai during Jan 31st and Feb 3rd 2004. ( 4 days ) Out of these two meetings were for Pastors and Evangelists.

In all the meetings we could see the hand of God: The meetings were backed up with a lot of team work. We conducted a fasting prayer on Nov.15, 2003 to prepare for these meetings. On Jan 24th 2004 a meeting of the working committee was convened to chalk out the strategy for conducting the Pastors Seminar and the convocation function successfully.

The Pastors seminar on 02.02.2004 was our first maiden venture as for as seminar or a conference for the pastors was concerned.

Rev. Johanness W. Matutis is a man of simplicity. After moving with him for a few days, I have a feeling that I have known him for a number of years. Rev. Johanness W. Matutis is full of compassion. When he prayed for a lady at a home for Leprosy patients . She was filled with the Holy spirit and spoke in Tongues. He personally laid hands on 52 lepers at the Leprosy colony and prayed for them. He paid the burial expenses for a Leper who had died on the day we visited the leprosy colony by realising their need.

He is a man of his word. He does what he says. The anointing in his life is very strong. The gifts of prophecy and healings were operated in the meetings.We thank Bro. Timothy and Bro. Lothar for their presence during the visit of Rev. Johaness. W. Matutis.

I thank him for appointing me as the Co-ordinator for his ministry in Chennai.India.

A thanks giving meeting was conducted on Feb 9th to thank God for making Rev. Johannes W. Matutis meetings a grand success. Nearly 50 Pastors and Evangelists participated.

Many have testified that the meetings were a great blessing to them. A few of these testimonies have been sent for your perusal to the glory of God. 

I would like to once again invite Rev. Johannes W. Matutis and his team to chennai in the coming years.

Pastor. S. John Madhiyazhagan