Dr. N. Emil Jebasingh, founder of Vishwa Vani – an indigenous believers’ movement proclaiming the Gospel in India, passed away on Dec 19. He was 73.
Fondly called ‘Annan’ (elder brother), Jebasingh founded the ministry Vishwa Vani with a group of fellow believers on May 1, 1980. He is survived by his wife, Anandhi Jebasingh, and three children.
Reproduced below is a press release issued by Vishwa Vani:
Dr. N. Emil Jebasingh, a gift to the Nation, whose thirst for perishing souls bombarded many young men to pour their lives for the sake of Gospel. His 45 years of ministry life was the golden period in the history of Indian missions. He was fondly called as ‘Annan’ by all. Among the servants of God he had a unique place in preaching the Word of God, in His prayer life and humbleness. His pen was mighty while His speech transformed many hearts to do soul winning. He penned 135 songs which gave new life to missions.
He was born to Rev. Y.C. Navamani and Mrs. Grace Navamani on Jan 10, 1940. At the age of 17, He was lead to Jesus through Mr. P. Samuel and Mr. Jeevanantham. From the day he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior he obeyed the Last Commandment of Jesus Christ. He resigned the job as a professor in Pope’s College, Sawyerpuram and moved forward in the Lord’s work. He never turned back from then on.
On those days, he was actively involved in VBS (Vacation Bible School) ministries. His heart always pounded for the people who had not heard the Name of Jesus Christ even once. He was one of the founders of Friends Missionary Prayer Band (FMPB). He was also the Regional Director for South Asia of TransWorld Radio. He utilized Radio as a means to send the Gospel to many remote villages and many language groups of the Indian sub-continent.
He operated his ministry on the principle of Romans 15:20 “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.” He and his co-workers in Christ prayed and started ‘Vishwa Vani’ on May 1, 1980 in Rabbit Island of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. Mission fields were opened one after the other and the first generation believers flourished. In order to strengthen the first generation believers ‘India Believers Fellowship’ was started as a sister organization. The church bells chimed in many unreached villages through India Believers Fellowship. In order to uplift the social status of Indian people groups, he founded ‘The Good Samaritans’, ‘Vishwasi Sangati’, which transformed many needy families. He founded the ‘BLESS India – Vision 2020’ in order to unite the entire missions in India.
He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2000 (corrected. Editor). In the midst of his weakness he was strengthened in the Lord’s Word and was actively involved in the ministry for 13 years. He referred to God’s Word in whatever he did. His prayer life, active lifestyle, zeal for missions, love for brethren, kindness in helping others, loving every one equally without favoritism depicted the Savior of his heart – JESUS.
Please pray for Mrs. Anandhi Jebasingh, 3 children and their families – Mrs. Dennisa Davidson, Mrs. Shalini Patras, Mr. Andrew Jebasingh, 3,105 full-time workers of Vishwa Vani and the supporters of Vishwa Vani. May the Lord give His grace on all those and fill their hearts with peace.
