Dr. Manoj Kumar Khatore (Founder) Part 1
MY TESTIMONY (Part 1)
I was born in a Marwarii [Rajasthani] family as the first child of Devi Prasad Khatore and Lakshmi Devi, after nine years of their marriage. I had a very successful school life and I was a topper in my class. I had a good reputation with my teachers and proved my caliber in extra- curricular activities as well. I belonged to an orthodox Hindu family and I used to read Hindu Scriptures. While in School I had memorized most of the Bhagavad Gita, by 8th standard. Sis. Namitha, a Hindu convert, whom I met at an entrance coaching institute was the first person to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with me. Her arguments about Christ’s divinity were not very convincing and so I refused to listen to her.
After completing my schooling I got selected for the B.H.M.S course [A Degree course in Homoeopathic Medicine]. In the college, I was involved in Campus politics and was elected as the Student Editor. The involvement in politics and the editing work burdened me and my studies declined. Slowly I lost focus in my studies and it affected my other activities as well. I couldn’t perform well in any competition I took part.
I was frustrated with the failures. Then, one of my friends suggested that going for a pilgrimage to Sabarimala could help me get deliverance and success. I took a fast for forty days [which I kept with all my heart] and went there. When I returned from Sabarimala my condition was even worse. I had a Behavior disorder. My parents consulted the traditional astrologer who suggested that I did not keep the fast with purity and my sickness was a punishment from God. This conclusion led to more frustration and anger. I lost all my faith in God. My sickness continued to increase despite the best efforts of my parents and the astrologers. I was depressed and hopeless. Finally I ended up in a hospital. I was shocked to learn that I was under Psychiatric treatment.
After taking the treatment for three months I came to know that I may have to continue the drugs life-long and my sickness could be incurable. Then, Dr. Achamma, one of my seniors in the college, invited me for a Christian Retreat conducted by an Evangelical Prayer Group. At first I refused to go for the meeting because I hated conversions but later, something from inside prompted me to attend the fellowship. During the course of the meeting I was introduced to a ‘Strange’ God who came to save sinners. Until that time I was a firm believer of Hindu God Krishna, who came to destroy sinners. I could not understand why the sinners needed to be saved. I was not aware of my sinfulness. I never thought that I needed to repent and ask for forgiveness.
After the three day retreat I got an inspiration to read the Bible. I wanted to know this strange God who became a man and died on a cross to save mankind from the punishment of their sins. One thing that touched me about Jesus was that even though He was forsaken by all and persecuted, yet he could forgive his enemies. I wanted to know how Jesus could say “Father, forgive their sins”.
The first day that I read the Bible I received a miracle from God. I used to smoke cigarettes whenever I felt lonely, depressed and forsaken. I didn’t want others to know about my habit of smoking so I used to smoke in the bathroom. On that day too I bought a cigarette and went into the bathroom to smoke. As I began to light the match I heard a voice telling me, “Son! Don’t do this because this is not good for you”. I ignored it and lighted the cigarette. But the voice became loud and strong and I was compelled to throw away the cigarette. I was annoyed and thought that I had this Hallucination because I had discontinued the treatment. Anxiously I reported this incident to Dr. Achamma. She comforted me saying “It’s the Lord” [who spoke to me]. A strange feeling came into my heart. I felt as though I was getting filled from inside, as though I had someone in and with me who cared for me. My heart was filled with a special joy and peace. For once, I felt that I had someone who could help me overcome my problems.
Then, I started attending the Evangelical prayer group regularly. God kept ministering to me and I made the decision to follow Him on September 29th 2002. I had no idea about which church to go. My Roman Catholic friends said that Mary and the Saints intercede for us, so we should pray through them and the Evangelicals told me that Jesus is the only mediator. I was confused. I prayed “God, please show me the right church and teach me the right doctrine”. I did not get any reply for many months but I kept reading the Bible.
In the mean while God revealed to me in a vision that I should give the only copy of the New Testament I had to my friend Rajesh who was a staunch Hindu and a R.S.S activist. I was shy to present the Christian book to my Hindu friend. So I made a condition with God in prayer that if I were to give the copy of the Bible that I had to Rajesh, God should provide me another one beforehand.
To my surprise the very next day, Dr. Felix, another friend of mine bought me a copy of The Bible. Our God is a living God! He discerns the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. I had no other choice left but to obey His command. After much struggle I presented the New Testament to Rajesh but was surprised to know that his younger brother was a believer too. Rajesh’s brother Lalu was a Pentecostal believer and His testimony that I heard from Rajesh’s mouth inspired me to take another step closer to God. As my relationship with Jesus Christ grew my depression problem disappeared. I was also delivered from all the bad habits and addictions. I cleared all my papers with good marks.
Once again my parents were happy for me and in the month of May 2003, during the summer vacation, my father bought me a Personal Computer. I liked chatting with people through the internet. Through the internet chatting channel I met Mr. Viji Antony, a Servant of God from Dallas, U.S.A. He is a Born again Christian from a Roman Catholic back-ground. God used him to clear my doubts about the Christian faith and doctrine. He used to spend hours a day teaching me the Word of God, the Bible. By the end of that month I was fully convinced and convicted.
After that I joined an independent church that followed the Biblical doctrines and took water baptism on June 21st 2003. After uniting with Christ I found the peace, the joy, and the purpose of my life. I completed my medical graduation in the year 2006 and am now involved in full-time service to the Lord. All by His grace and grace alone.