Shepherd Serve and the Teaching Ministry of David Servant

Living With Leprosy... Temporarily

May 2008 Ministry Update

On the outskirts of Koratty, India, there's a dirt road that leads to a place of forgotten people. There aren't many visitors to this 56-acre compound, and as we step out of our car it doesn't take long before we're spotted. Shadows inside concrete buildings begin to shuffle out to greet us. Some are hobbling, others are using crutches, and many keep their arms crossed and their hands tucked under their arms. They're lepers. They're hiding gnarled limbs that are missing fingers and toes.

Although leprosy has for the most part been eradicated from the developed world, it still exists among the very poor, and India has more cases of leprosy than any other nation. Contrary to what is often thought, modern leprosy (Hansen's disease) is not the same as the leprosy mentioned in the Old Testament. Modern leprosy is easily cured with medication, but unfortunately many victims don't know about, or don't have access to the drugs that stop its progress. Consequently, lepers aren't treated until they've already suffered significant physical damage. Continued...

Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar
May 2008 Emergency Report

Many people are writing to ask if we have heard anything from our orphanages in Myanmar since cyclone Nargis hit. We are posting updates on the Orphan's Tear blog as we receive them.

Dear Pastor, Will You Repent With Me?

April 2008 e-Teaching

The greatest crisis that I faced in two decades of pastoring was not due to a disagreeable deacon, a financial shortfall, an egocentric worship leader, or a church gossip. Rather, my greatest crisis was due to an encounter with the Holy Spirit and God's Word.

It all began when I read the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation, which contain Jesus' opinion of seven churches in Asia Minor. I noticed that His opinion of some of those churches was considerably different than their opinion of themselves. The congregation at Laodicea, for example, considered themselves "rich" and in "need of nothing," while He considered them to be "wretched and poor and blind and naked" (Rev. 3:17). Quite a contrast.

I began to wonder what Jesus thought of my church and ministry. I knew He must have an opinion. To think otherwise would be absurd. He has an opinion about everything, and His opinion is always right. And it occurred to me that He would one day tell me His opinion. When I stood before Him, there would be no doubt in my mind what He thought of my church and ministry. Read more

Worth Watching

Follow along as David Servant travels around Israel and teaches through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. All twenty-one half hour episodes are now available to watch online. View the videos here.