What is your vision for the Church here at New Hope?

My vision is to lead the church to be a Holy Spirit-filled church. We aim to be a happy, healthy and hospitable church family serving God and the community. We can achieve this by becoming a motivated, modern and missionary church in the 21st century. We, as a Spirit-filled church, desire to pursue God’s will and His purpose in our lives by the grace of God and through the power of His Holy Spirit.

How did you begin serving God in your life?

I had a calling from God to serve Him that began when I was 12 years old. Fast forward, after my studies at university, I gave seven years of service to Operation Mobilisation, a radical and fruitful international Christian organisation. I spent my time following the lifestyle of Jesus and his disciples, focusing on servant ethics. 

What motivated you to do theological studies?

Having completed a master’s degree in Commerce, my faith and intellect intertwined to develop a desire in me to pursue theological studies. As a result, I completed a Bachelor of Divinity in India, followed by a Bachelor of Theology from Spurgeon’s College in London. Now, I am completing my Master’s in theology, continuing this passion.

Tell us about what happened next

While in the UK, God put a calling and a dream in my heart to do God’s work here in England. We moved to the UK as a family in 2003, and my initial years in the UK were humbling and challenging, trudging and striving through life. I initially worked in sales in-store. In these years, I served as a Deacon at Parkstone Baptist Church in Poole and joined the Baptist Union of Great Britain in 2006. 

How did your ministry start and develop here in the UK?

Having rich experience working as an evangelist, missionary, Bible teacher, and pastor in India, I pulled these experiences in my UK pastoral ministry which began at Buckland Road Baptist Church in Poole, where I served as a Minister in Training for three years. Then, I moved to Westgate Baptist Church in Bradford, serving as their pastor for four years. I was called to the pastorate at Nansen Road Baptist Church in Ipswich from 2013 to 2021 before becoming pastor here at New Hope in July 2021.

Tell us about your family

My family has provided essential and unique work to the churches we have served. My wife Esther is a full-time Registered General Nurse at a local nursing home and helps in the church in many practical ways. The children we are blessed with are our eldest daughter, Angela, son David, and daughter-in-law Kelsey Anand. They have also helped our churches through their gifts and talents. It has been a great privilege when, as a father and a pastor, I could baptise all three and then see them continuing with the Lord. They have all left the nest now but visit very often.