In this blog, we would like to highlight one of our projects, i.e., Neerekshe (which means hope). Neerekshe is located in a small village, Muranpur, close to the city of Bengaluru.
Some of the ministry of Neerekshe includes:
- A school for poor children and hostels for boys and girls (many of them considered untouchables).
- Medical work and vocational training.
- A church plant in the village.
- A worker takes the gospel to nearby villages. Pray for his safety.
Here is a 6 minute video about Neerekshe: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=601147880034333
This work was pioneered and led by Shadrach and Gladys Peters. Sadly, on December 15, 2023 Shadrach passed away unexpectedly from a severe heart attack. Gladys is continuing the work there. Please pray that God will give her much strength and wisdom and enough resources to continue the ministry. Here is a tribute to Shadrach sent from Gladys.
Shadrach was born in 1945 to a poor family in Karnataka state. He was one of 9 siblings. He grew up in the village of Muranpur. His parents were illiterate.
Shadrach was blessed to be educated in a Methodist school in the city of Raichur. His parents could not support him, but the school provided free food and education. After graduation, he joined university.
While there he attended a gospel meeting and gave his life to Christ. He had a strong desire to know more about Jesus and to study the Bible. Every evening, he would spend time in prayer in front of the Church building where it was peaceful and quiet.
On obtaining his B. Sc. degree, he began teaching in a college in Raichur. Here, he met Gladys at a meeting organized by the Church Youth Fellowship. Gladys had been working as a staff worker with the UESI (similar to the IVCF in Canada)). They were married in 1973. They had both decided to live for Jesus, keep their home open for students and build the Kingdom of God. They used their meagre income to feed students, pay fees for those who could not, send students to Christian camps and so on.
Later In 1984, God led both of them to full time work among student in Karnataka state. They moved to Bangalore and opened their home to students who were built up in the faith in Jesus. Many of them went on to Bible colleges and some became Christian workers and pastors. Others served God in secular fields in leadership roles.
After retirement from student work, Shadrach and Gladys took up village ministry returning to Shadrach’s ancestral village of Muranpur. They established St. Peter’s School where children are taught the Bible along with other subjects.
A hostel for boys was built first, through donations from EHA Canada, as the school bus could not access some of the villages. Later a girls’ hostel was built.
Shadrach was a great visionary and sacrificially poured out his life for Christ.
Gladys is determined, with the help of God, to continue this work.
Some of us from Canada have visited Neerekshe and have been inspired and blessed by this couple. We feel privileged to be able to continue our support for this vital ministry.
For all the saints, who from their labours rest;
who to the world by faith their Lord confessed,
your name, O Jesus, be forever blessed:
Alleluia, alleluia!
You were their rock, their fortress, and their might;
you, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight,
and in the darkness their unfailing light.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Emmanuel Hospital Association Canada 