How God Is Transforming Lives Across Northern India
A Revival Drawing National Attention
Recent coverage by major newspapers and news channels has drawn attention to the movement of the Holy Spirit across North India, particularly in Punjab.
One major newspaper reports, “A wave of revival is sweeping through the northern Indian state of Punjab, drawing heavily from the global Pentecostal movement and stirring contrasting responses: a deep sense of belonging and hope among participants, and unease among those observing from the sidelines.”
Citing research by a Sikh scholar, another major newspaper reports that “more than 350,000 Punjabis have converted to Christianity in the past two years.”
Another report states, “Christianity is growing rapidly in Punjab. The official 2011 census recorded Christians at about 1.26% of the state’s population, or approximately 350,000 people. However, Christian leaders and media reports estimate that followers may actually represent 10% to 15% of the population.”
A further report notes, “Home churches and small prayer halls are drawing thousands of people in Punjab, including Dalit Sikhs who regularly attend services without formally converting to Christianity. Some estimates suggest that the number of these churches has increased by 15% to 20% over the past three years.”
Twenty-Eight Years of Outreach and Discipleship
These reports reflect what we have witnessed firsthand: the Holy Spirit is at work, drawing people into the Kingdom of God. Since 1998, Exciting Word has served unreached areas of Punjab (and nine other states) through outreach programs that carry God’s love to villages and communities across tribal and caste lines. Our summer, Christmas, and Easter outreach programs have helped establish thousands of prayer groups and house churches. We have also trained more than 8,000 men and women through our house-church leadership program.
Testimonies of Transformation
Manpreet Singh: From Addiction to Pastor
We met Manpreet Singh, a young postgraduate, while distributing literature at a drug rehabilitation center. He had lost hope, attempted suicide several times, and sustained severe liver damage. After our team shared the gospel and the hope found in Jesus, he asked for prayer. By the Lord’s grace, he overcame his drug addiction. When he returned home, his parents recognized the change in him and invited a pastor who lived 35 miles away to lead a prayer meeting in their home. A gathering of seven family members soon became a weekly meeting. Within a year, attendance reached 100, and 31 people were baptized at the group’s first baptism service. Over the next eight years, the house church grew to more than 1,000 baptized members. Once trapped by addiction, Manpreet now serves as its lead pastor and guides thousands to the Lord—one small part of the revival.
Manjit Kaur: A Life Changed Through Prayer
Manjit Kaur, a 21-year-old college student from a lower-caste family, once ran away after an argument with her parents and spent the day with a friend. The friend took her to a Bible class led by one of our house-church leaders. After the three-and-a-half-hour session, Manjit asked me to pray for her. As my wife and I laid hands on her and prayed, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues and worshiping the Lord. She later encouraged 11 relatives to attend a nearby church every Sunday.
A Father’s Healing and Expanding Ministry
She explains, “We have not missed a Sunday since 2018. My father’s health was worsening each day because of a weak heart, and doctors said he had only a few months to live. The church prayed earnestly for him and for our family. During that time, he found comfort in the promises of God’s Word. Eight years later, he is not only alive but actively serving in ministry and working to reach 191 villages in his county.” Today, he leads a village church of more than 300 believers and has established 114 house churches and prayer groups in nearby communities. He continues working to reach 77 villages with no Christian presence. He, too, is a small part of the revival.
Rohan: From Medical Prognosis to Worship Ministry
At a public meeting in 2010, a couple brought their six-year-old son, who had been born with a tumor on his spine. They said he was expected to live only a few more years. Doctors had recommended major surgery that the family could not afford and warned that he would still be unable to walk. After hearing their story, more than 500 people raised their hands and prayed for the boy. Although it was nearly midnight, they continued for more than 30 minutes—some standing, some kneeling, and others weeping on the ground—as they prayed for healing in Jesus’ name. For many, it was their first Christian gathering, their first time hearing the name of Jesus, and their first time praying.
That boy, whom doctors said would live only a few years and never walk, is now 22-year-old Rohan. He is a widely known worship leader who draws thousands of young people to worship the Lord and serves as a vessel in His hands. He also composes Christian music with his father. Rohan says, “My testimony may or may not influence people, but our God-given music is touching thousands of young lives.” He, too, is a small part of the revival.
Praveen: From Investigation to Faith
Praveen, an officer with the Punjab Police, was assigned by a senior official to investigate conversion cases filed by Hindu radicals. During the inquiry, he formed a friendship with a pastor who later invited him and his wife to church. When they attended several weeks later, they were deeply moved by the Holy Spirit and asked the pastor to pray for them. Although married for nine years, they had no children. Praveen explains, “My wife was unable to bear a child, and my family pressured me to leave her and remarry. I could not accept that, so I transferred to a distant town to escape their pressure. There I met the pastor. The church prayed for us and welcomed us like family every Sunday. Through their prayers and the Lord’s favor, God blessed us with twins, and we now have three children.” Today, Praveen serves as a visiting pastor, ministers in several churches, and leads prayer groups in police camps. He, too, is a small part of the revival.
The Ongoing Mission
The stories in this report represent only a small glimpse of what God is doing throughout Punjab. Behind every statistic is a transformed life, a strengthened family, a new prayer group, or a growing church. While much work remains, the evidence of God’s grace can be seen across the region as believers continue sharing the gospel and serving unreached communities. Each testimony reminds us that revival is not merely a headline but a reality being lived out through ordinary people whose lives have been transformed by Christ.
A Scripture for Revival
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”
Habakkuk 3:2 (NIV)
Just as the prophet Habakkuk prayed for God to renew His work in his generation, we pray that the Lord will continue to move powerfully throughout Punjab, North India, and beyond, bringing hope, transformation, and salvation to many.
A Prayer for Revival
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the lives that have been transformed, the families that have been restored, and the communities that have been touched by Your grace. We praise You for the work You are doing across Punjab and throughout North India.
Lord, continue to pour out Your Holy Spirit upon this land. Draw men, women, and children to Yourself. Strengthen pastors, house-church leaders, evangelists, and believers who faithfully share the gospel. Give them wisdom, courage, humility, and perseverance as they serve You.
We pray for those who are searching for hope, those who are burdened by sickness, addiction, loneliness, or despair. May they encounter Your love, experience Your healing, and discover the saving hope found in Jesus Christ.
Bless every church, prayer group, and outreach ministry. Open doors for the gospel in unreached villages and communities. Raise up a new generation of disciples who will love You, serve others, and boldly proclaim Your truth.
May revival continue to spread from home to home, village to village, and region to region. Let lives be transformed, hearts renewed, and Your name glorified throughout Punjab, North India, and beyond.
We ask all these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.