Bakht Singh of India: The Incredible Account of a Modern-Day Apostle

As a child of Mennonite missionaries in India,I was taught to revere Bakht Singh and admire his successful indigenous work. But, when I attended a "holy convocation," I found Bakht Singh himself hard to understand and the two language translation a real test of my patience. I recall reading some interesting testimonies in The Messenger, but always longed to have a more comprehensive perspective of both Singh's personal pilgrimage and his church building strategy. This is where T.E. Koshy's biography fills a desperate need in the body of Christ. It covers a broad range of Singh's spiritual pilgrimage. His upbringing as a privileged and devout Sikh, his embrace of Western education and culture, his eventual recognition of his sinfulness, his discovery of the Scriptures and his embrace of the new birth demonstrates a personal spirituality that clearly stands the test of his hyper-religious homeland. The book also covers all of the social dynamics of his conversion. He had to overcome his prejudice against Westerners, his reluctance to become baptized and his even greater reluctance to testify in public. Once his reputation is established he has to carefully navigate around his sense of loyalty to his natural family as well as his loyalty to his spiritual patrons. This latter issue becomes particularly acute when some of the national churches he has blessed react with jealousy towards his success. But, he continues to minister wherever he is welcome and his crusades seem to have had a profound ability to renew the Indian church in the midst of the maelstrom of the nation's move toward political independence. Not without coincidence, it is during this season that he is forced to assume responsibility for overseeing a truly independent church. He not only has the faith to succeed, but manages to do so by including people from many different caste and creed backgrounds. He also continued to love and fellowship with foreign missionaries. I recall attending a Sunday Service in Hebron in 1977. Even though I was only a college student visiting for the day, I was invited to share the noon meal in Bakht Singh's room. One indelible image I have from that encounter was how he entered an adjacent room where the cash offerings had been piled up in a pyramid in the middle of the floor. Singh stretched out his hands in an intense prayer of blessing and thanksgiving. Only when he finished were we free to sit down and eat. Whether the issue was managing finances or time, Koshy recounts numerous stories of his spiritual discipline and the rewards that it provided. Those of a charismatic bent would be intrigued to read of his success in ministering healing to the sick as well as his respect for prophetic utterances, some of which were delivered by unbelievers. As the church in 21t century India enters a new season of both financial independence and political persecution, I think it would be shrewd for all of its leaders to be reminded of the disciplines practiced by this fearless and fruitful 20th century apostle. T.E. Koshy's work is great service to the church and deserves to read widely. I also hope it inspires similar work by others.

This is the legacy that Br Singh leaves for us to follow and refrain from earthly possessions, reaching for the mark. Love each other Threshing our hearts as we love and forgive, and be Christ like

The man of God who is great example to live by faith and this book is wonderful picture of great ministry which was done by brother bakht Singh

The church needs to follow the example he set! As to how to conduct a worship service and how the people in Christ function together.

One of the most anointed, amazing books I've read in my lifetime.

Few people in the western church have heard of Bakht Singh, largely because he wanted his name out of the spotlight to place all the emphasis on Christ. However accounts like this are needed to challenge and inspire Christians around the globe who have found themselves complacent in their walk with Jesus. Besides chronicling Singh’s life from start to finish, the book is filled with stories to illustrate how all Singh’s success as an evangelist came from one thing: his complete reliance on God. I was particularly struck by the countless hours he would spend every day in the word and in prayer, and his emphasis that every local church was to be built on New Testament principles outlined in Acts rather than overemphasizing one particular format and structure (i.e., making churches accessible to those of any culture while not compromising the truth laid out in God’s word). As I read this book, I found myself asking, “What impact would we be making for Christ, especially in the western world, if we all followed his example as faithfully as Singh did?”

Very good biography

I am eternally grateful to have this book. I am an American who was blessed to be dedicated to the Lord as an infant by Brother Bakht Singh when he stayed with my family. I never knew until he passed away that this man had so much significance and was truly India’s equal to our beloved Billy Graham. Amazing.

Excellent book. Very encouraging.