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The Story of My Vw Bug by K P Yohannan
K.P. Yohannan

K.P. Yohannan (1950 - 2024). Indian-American missionary, author, and founder of GFA World, born in Niranam, Kerala, to a St. Thomas Syrian Christian family. Converted at eight, he joined Operation Mobilization at 16, serving eight years in India. In 1974, he moved to the U.S., graduating from Criswell College with a B.A. in Biblical Studies, and was ordained, pastoring a Native American church near Dallas. In 1979, he and his German-born wife, Gisela, founded Gospel for Asia (now GFA World), emphasizing native missionaries, growing to support thousands in the 10/40 Window. Yohannan authored over 250 books, including Revolution in World Missions, with 4 million copies printed, and broadcast Athmeeya Yathra in 113 Asian languages. In 1993, he founded Believers Eastern Church, becoming Metropolitan Bishop as Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan I in 2018. Married with two children, he faced controversies over financial transparency, including a 2015 Evangelical Council expulsion and 2020 Indian tax raids. His ministry impacted millions through Bible colleges, orphanages, and wells.
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Sermon Summary
This sermon shares a touching story of a man purchasing a 1962 Volkswagen Bug from a young girl who was going to serve as a missionary in the Philippines. It emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities to show kindness, encourage others, and support those in need, highlighting how God orchestrates simple incidents in our lives for a greater purpose.
Sermon Transcription
I get people ask me all the time about the little car I drive. It's a 1962 Volkswagen Bug, older than maybe most of you watching this thing. Well, here's a story. Some 17 years ago, I was looking at the newspaper trying to find one of these old bugs, made, of course, in Germany. And there was this ad, the girl who was selling it, of course, she had it, 1962 bug, and cost $1,600. Well, I told my wife, Gisela, you know what, I like to call, and of course, and I called this girl, and she answered. I said, this car really runs? She said, oh yeah, of course it runs. I said, where did you get it from? She said, oh, my grandfather bought it and gave it to my father, and my father gave it to me. And I said, shall I look at it? Of course, you know, then Gisela and I, we drove about 15 miles to a McDonald's. Of course, you know, then she drove the car, and we just met there. And I was looking at the car, kind of, I said, you are asking too much for this, it's an old car. There was a pause and silence, and she kind of looked down and said, you know, I really need $1,800 for this, but if I can get $1,600, that's fine. I said, you asked $1,600, now you're saying $1,800. What's the story? Then she said, you know, I just finished my college, and I'm going to Manila, Philippines, to serve Christ. I want to be a missionary, while the story changes. And I asked her more about her life, and her commitment, and what it's all about. And I saw the enthusiasm that glowed on her face about following Christ and her ambition to serve Him. My wife and I looked at each other, and I took my checkbook and brought a check for $1,800. Then I told her, God bless you. Of course, you know, we exchanged a few more words. I don't know where she is. I'm so glad I had a small part in her going on with her life to serve God. Strange, isn't it? Incidents happen in our lives, so simple, nothing new, nothing big. But God actually directs and orchestrates. And I step into my little car. I often remember the face of the girl, and where she may be. And I say, Lord, please call a lot more young people to serve you. So you see, in your life, whenever God provides an opportunity to show kindness, say a few words of encouragement, give some money to help an orphan, or a missionary, or someone that you know that is going through some struggles. Somebody who tells you, you know, I just got a headache. I'm not feeling so well. Well, instead of saying, well, get some medicine and go to the doctor. You can say, can I pray with you? And you lay a hand on them and just pray for them. You'd be surprised how many incidents will happen every day. So Christian life following Christ will no more be kind of dissected and pieces, like dichotomized, but rather it's all one. Everything happens in our life. And it all brings joy and meaning. For our life, and for others.
The Story of My Vw Bug by K P Yohannan
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K.P. Yohannan (1950 - 2024). Indian-American missionary, author, and founder of GFA World, born in Niranam, Kerala, to a St. Thomas Syrian Christian family. Converted at eight, he joined Operation Mobilization at 16, serving eight years in India. In 1974, he moved to the U.S., graduating from Criswell College with a B.A. in Biblical Studies, and was ordained, pastoring a Native American church near Dallas. In 1979, he and his German-born wife, Gisela, founded Gospel for Asia (now GFA World), emphasizing native missionaries, growing to support thousands in the 10/40 Window. Yohannan authored over 250 books, including Revolution in World Missions, with 4 million copies printed, and broadcast Athmeeya Yathra in 113 Asian languages. In 1993, he founded Believers Eastern Church, becoming Metropolitan Bishop as Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan I in 2018. Married with two children, he faced controversies over financial transparency, including a 2015 Evangelical Council expulsion and 2020 Indian tax raids. His ministry impacted millions through Bible colleges, orphanages, and wells.