In the early 1900s, in the village of Joiya, Punjab, British India, a boy named Bakht Singh Chabra was born into a devout Sikh family. Despite attending a Christian missionary school, he grew up harboring bitterness towards Christians. By his teenage years, Bakht Singh had torn up a Bible and embraced atheism.
From Atheist to Christ Encounter
In 1926, Bakht Singh traveled to England for higher studies in Agricultural Engineering. It was there, amidst the allure of a worldly lifestyle, that his life took an unexpected turn. While studying in Canada in December 1929, Bakht Singh received a pocket New Testament. As he read the words "Truly, truly I say unto you," he was deeply convicted. On December 16, 1929, at precisely 11:30 a.m., Bakht Singh encountered Jesus Christ in a transformative moment. He heard a voice saying, "This is my body broken for you; this is my blood shed for the remission of your sins." Trembling and in tears, he experienced a profound assurance of forgiveness.
Facing Family Rejection
Bakht Singh's newfound faith was met with resistance. Upon returning to India in 1933, he was rejected by his family in Bombay, who urged him to keep his faith a secret. "Can I live without breathing?" he responded. "I have given my whole life to Christ who died for me. I cannot follow Him secretly."
Ministry That Transformed India
In 1938, Bakht Singh began his ministry in Madras and Kerala, igniting revival and leading thousands to Christ. By 1941, he established his first church in Madras, called Jehovah Shammah. Bakht Singh became known for his deep insight into the Bible, which he attributed to "reading and meditating on the Word of God upon His knees."
His ministry expanded beyond India, reaching Europe and the UK by 1946. Despite facing numerous challenges, Bakht Singh relied on God's guidance and provision, never seeking financial help from others. His life was marked by prayer, dependence on God, and a passion to abolish caste distinctions within his assemblies.
Bakht Singh's legacy continued until his peaceful passing in 2000, leaving behind a movement of over 10,000 local churches. His funeral in Hyderabad was attended by approximately 250,000 people, a testament to the impact of his ministry. Bakht Singh's journey from skepticism to becoming one of India's most influential evangelists is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of Jesus Christ.
