Today’s Faith Message
Bro. APPAJI, HEBRON, Silent Pillar,
Opening Prayer : 23 May 1957,
The date on which he dedicated his property for the Lord’s service, Appaji’s Treasure – Lord’s Pleasure
Bro Sanjeeva Jnana Appaji, respectfully addressed as “Appaji”, was widely known to everyone since the 1950s. He was a great man of faith and was recognized by all as a humble servant, who sacrificially offered his own property, which is now the present Hebron, for the Lord’s service. He is known for his unique qualities: a generous philanthropist, a passionate lover of music, a steadfast believer, a guiding example to fellow believers, and a silent yet strong pillar of support. He was always selfless in whatever he did for anyone at any time. Though he held a high position in the Nizam government and was much older than Bro. Bakht Singh, he remained humble and gentle, showing great respect and obedience to Bro. Bakht Singh. He showed the same obedience and gentleness toward the other servants of God, demonstrating his faithfulness to the Lord experientially. By faith and discernment, he understood the needs of the church in those days and extended generous support. In this way, he became a guiding example and inspiration to the fellow believers. According to the word in Mark 9:41 – “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward” , if even a cup of water has a reward in heaven, then how much more eternal treasure must Bro. Appaji, who acted in faith and offered his inheritance for the Lord’s service, have laid up in eternity, like the apostle Barnabas who actively served in the New Testament church established by the Lord? Through his silent yet living act of faith for the Lord’s church, the Lord used Bro. Appaji as an instrument to assist Bro. Bakht Singh in laying the foundation of the Hebron church in Hyderabad on September 24, 1959. By the grace of God, the House of the Lord was completed in a very short time and was dedicated unto Him on December 25 of the same year.
Bro. Appaji’s forefathers had been permanent residents of Hyderabad since the time of the Nizam. His father’s name was Sanjeevayya. Born in an affluent family in the 19th century, he was the oldest in age among the early believers from the fellowship. He served as the secretary to the Prime Minister, who was second in command after the Nizam King in the Nizam government, and was already retired at that time. Owing to his experience of working with several prime ministers and his trustworthiness, he earned a great name and reputation in the government. He was blessed with a son. Soon after the Centre of Ministry was moved from Jehovah Shammah, Madras to Hyderabad on September 25, 1950, a major turning point occurred in the life of Bro. Appaji. One day, as several believers dressed in white garments and carrying Bibles were going to a meeting, Bro. Appaji who was already in his old age noticed their Bibles and, eagerly followed them to that meeting. Gradually, day by day, he began to understand more about God through clear explanations, and by the grace of God, he accepted Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior through the message of Bro. Bakht Singh. Just a few days after his salvation, on Sunday, December 24, 1950, during the first Holy Convocation held in Elim, Hyderabad, he testified in the waters of baptism before the church. He was very fond of listening to music and playing musical instruments. He joyfully played the violin for Holy Convocations and other church gatherings during his time. In those days, congregational singing continued to be an important part of the meetings. To enhance the quality of the songs through music, he purchased several musical instruments from England. Among them, the most notable were two (Paris Reeds) leg harmoniums, one of which he gave to Bro. Bakht Singh and the other to Bro. Martin. In this manner, he was always attentive to the needs of the church and responded appropriately as the Lord led him.
In the year 1955, Bro. Appaji was persuaded by the Lord and expressed his desire to offer his house and the entire premises for the service of the Lord to Bro. Bakht Singh. The man of God declined, advising him to either give it to someone else or sell it. However, he did not give up and kept persistently pleading with Bro. Bakht Singh to accept the land. After praying for two years, the man of God was finally convinced that Bro. Appaji had truly been led by the Lord through a divine calling, and in 1957, he officially accepted it for the Lord’s service. Due to certain legal constraints that were in force until 1957, Bro. Appaji was unable to offer his entire property as a gift all at once. As a result, a portion of his property, his former residence was sold for ₹25,000 through a sale deed, where he personally bore all the expenses. Since the church had not yet been registered as a legal entity at that time, the property was officially registered in the name of the servant of God, Bro. Bakht Singh. By 1958, all legal hindrances had been resolved, and the remaining land was also registered in the name of the servant of God through a gift deed. Later, in 1971, Bro. Bakht Singh transferred the entire property to the newly registered organization in the name of “The Society of Trustees of Indigenous Churches in India”, on behalf of the church.
— John Michael, Rajahmundry