By Priscilla Manoharan
I wonder if I am worthy enough to write about such a great man of God. With his death, Pastor M K Sam Sundaram has left a great void in Christendom. His life has inspired countless number of people in India and around the world. He was a shepherd who was able to draw people towards Christ with his powerful messages. Millions all over the world were touched by his sermons. He practically lived out the command in James 1:22 (‘Be doers of the Word and not hearers only) untouched by the accolades and honor he received from others.
H
e will hear his Master’s commendation when he rises in Christ. Jesus Himself will tell him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’ (Matthew 25:21).
He fulfilled an extraordinary mission entrusted to him only because of his divine interaction with His Lord and Savior. He lived like Jesus (Romans 12:18-20) He sacrificed his life like the grain of wheat mentioned in John 12:24. Through his sacrificial life, he raised many people for God.
Obituary: ACA Church’s Pastor M K Sam Sundaram enters glory
I saw him first as a 11-year-old girl. He was a 19-year-old youth then. My dad and his father were thick friends. I used to visit his father’s house on Doraisamy Road in Mambalam along with my dad.
I was associated with his ministry from 1968. In 1978, I underwent a major surgery. He came to the hospital on the eve of the operation and prayed over me. During the operation, my heart stopped beating for four minutes. I believe I came back to life because of God’s grace and the fervent prayer of the man of God.
He had enormous respect for his mentor and leader, Pastor G Sundaram. Till the day, the senior pastor was alive, I have never seen Sam Sundaram sit down in his presence. He would always stand and take instructions from the senior pastor.
He lived a very simple and Spartan life. He lived in a small one-room tenement on Abirami Street in Purusawalkkam. There was a cot, a table, chair, and a stove in that room; and behind the screen there was a commode. Although his lifestyle was simple, his was a significant life. He knew God had placed him as a shepherd to his church. Such was his devotion to the church that he tore his passport and vowed never to go abroad if it would make him skip his Sunday services. Only in the later years of his life, when he was seriously ill, did he miss a few Sunday services.
He built the church in the same place where his leader, Pastor G Sundaram, started his ministry. He remained true to his pastor’s vision. Although the existing church was built under his supervision, he did not lay any claims to being its founder. He was very clear that G Sundaram was the founder of the ACA Church.
He had compassion on those who were in the margins of the society – the brokenhearted, the hapless, and the despairing. He preached the Gospel to them till his last breath.
He was a faithful servant of God. The passion he had in his voice while preaching the crucified Christ enthralled people. He was always busy doing his Master’s job.
I salute this great man of God who lived a humble but exemplary life.
