Rev Asung Pharung Khapai’s Ordination Testimony

 

Rev Asung Pharung Khapai (MA Intercultural Studies, 2019) has been ordained by the Tangkul Baptist Churches Association on 26th January 2025. Below is his faith journey as he recalls how the Lord has led him all the way.

I grew up in a farmer’s family in a small hill village of Northeast India Manipur. My parents raised me in a Christian home with 6 siblings, but I was never serious in my Christian beliefs. I encountered Christ in the year 2000 through the study of the Gospel of John. I came to realise God’s unfailing love for me. Things were so different with new experiences and new journey of my life. I realised I was totally a new person in Christ. From the time I gave my life to Jesus, I started reading His Word, attending Bible studies and maintaining my quiet time regularly. With my earnest prayer and commitment, I enrolled in a Seminary for my theological education in my home country. I enjoyed learning God’s word, and getting to know Him more and more as I studied about Him.

         From then on, there was always an open door for me to serve Him in different ways. I am a songwriter -singer and served as a worship minister for many years. The more I served Him the more I felt the burden for lost souls increased in my heart. But the ministry was quite challenging and that led me to go for higher studies to be equipped further. In 2014, my wife Nim and I enrolled at Singapore Bible College to grow and learn. We welcomed our firstborn, Yunri Anna, into the world in Singapore during my studies. But our bliss was short-lived. Two days later, my daughter had to undergo the first of three surgical procedures to repair her ‘intestinal malrotation’ [twisted small intestines]. We went crazy watching our baby’s tiny body covered with tubes. With the emotional and financial strain, I lost focus and took a break from my studies. I never imagined that God’s curriculum for me would begin in a hospital ward. God came through and taught us lessons of faith we would never get in a classroom.

After a season of rest, I chose East Asia School of Theology (EAST) in Singapore for higher studies with my family to be equipped together for God’s kingdom work. It was a fresh new start, not only for me, but also for Nim as she gets to meet new friends at Partners In Ministry (PIM) course where she was equipped for the ministry. The learning curve was tough but we made it. We graduated in 2019 with the “head, heart, and hands” model. We are back to our home country now. We have been facing all sorts of life’s crises and ministry challenges. We were amid heavy riots between the two communities where we witnessed gunshots, burning houses and loss of many lives since 2023 till now. There was a big flood that lasted for almost two months that had affected us in many ways. The Lord has taken us to many places but, He who has called upon us has been faithful and we experienced Him deeper and deeper.

Nim and I have three children. Our daughter Yunri Anna is 10, second son Masan is 8, and our youngest daughter Tharyik Selah is 4. They have all started their schooling. We are currently pastoring a church (although church building is at risk), teaching and training young people, engaged in Media Ministry,  and running a Community Library to impact young minds as a gateway for sharing the Gospel. After 12 years of ministry experiences, including the moments of deep spiritual reflection, consistent guidance from mentors and spiritual leaders, and a growing sense of responsibility to serve the church, the Lord has led me to the step of ordination. It was a huge milestone in my ministerial journey to move on with  greater responsibilities. I was ordained and recognised by the Tangkhul Baptist Churches Association on 26^th January 2025. I am deeply humbled and I fully dedicate my life to serve Him for the rest of my life.

Philippians 1:29 has been a great reminder and encouragement in our commitment for the ministry. “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.”

Prayer Requests

1. Pray for God’s wisdom to love, feed and lead the church well.
2. Pray for our church building which is at risk.
3. Pray for the good health of our family.