By Fr Mayank Parmar SDB

Kawant, April 25, 2025: A special evening of spiritual nourishment was organized by Sahayak Mata Parish, Kawant for the Christian faithful of Kawant Mission on April 25, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The event featured Brother Daniel Joshua (formerly known as Dr. Tapan Shah), whose powerful life testimony and preaching deeply touched the hearts of those present.

Brother Daniel Joshua, once a staunch follower of Jainism and a highly respected academician with a doctorate in Cancer Research from Sardar Patel University, experienced a profound transformation after encountering Jesus Christ. Leaving behind his career as a lecturer and dean at a reputed college, he embraced Christianity through baptism and has since dedicated his life entirely to proclaiming the Gospel.

The evening commenced with a soulful session of bhajans and hymns led by Ravji Master and his team. Their melodious singing set a prayerful atmosphere, preparing the gathering for a deep spiritual experience.

Brother Daniel began his talk by highlighting the first spiritual weapon every Christian must use in their life — the Name of Jesus. Through numerous examples from the Bible, he explained the immense power and authority carried in Jesus’ name, capable of working miracles and defeating the forces of evil. He also recounted personal experiences where invoking the name of Jesus helped him overcome spiritual battles.

Following this, Brother Daniel shared his powerful personal testimony of conversion. He described how, during a trip to Kerala, he was drawn to a church without any prior knowledge of Christianity. In that sacred space, he encountered the living presence of Jesus. This transformative experience led him to accept baptism and become a passionate witness to the faith. Although his decision was met with opposition and challenges, he persevered by God's grace, affirming that the journey was worth every struggle.

In his second major session, Brother Daniel spoke about the second essential weapon for spiritual life — the Word of God. Quoting extensively from the Bible, he demonstrated how Scripture provides strength, guidance, and protection. He shared how the Bible has become his constant companion and source of support, especially during moments of difficulty and confusion.

The evening concluded late into the night, but the participants felt so engrossed and spiritually uplifted that they hardly noticed the time passing by. At the end of the program, Fr. Mayank Parmar, SDB, the Parish Priest of Kawant, thanked Brother Daniel for generously sharing his life story and the Word of God with the people. A sumptuous meal, prepared by volunteers, was served for all the attendees.

Participants shared their heartfelt reactions after the event. Himmat Rathwa, one of the sevaks, commented, "The session was so inspiring that I wished it could have continued even longer!" Pastor Mathur Rathwa shared, "I was initially hesitant about attending, but I pushed myself to come — and now I realize it was a great blessing. I am truly grateful." Ms. Madhumalti expressed, "It felt as if the Holy Spirit Himself was speaking to us through Brother Daniel. His words flowed with divine grace." Pastor Ramesh Rathwa said, "We would be delighted to invite Brother Daniel again to our prayer gatherings to help our people grow even deeper in faith."

Indeed, the evening was a powerful and transformative moment of spiritual nourishment, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.