The Body of Christ - One Body with Every Member Functioning, Johnny Bhojwani

Ephesians 4:16: “Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love.”

I praise the Lord Jesus Christ for His Word - the Bible. As an Indian, I was brought up in a Hindu family, but at the age of twelve, I became a Christian. My sister and I were faithful to read the Bible and pray, but never really understood the word of God or how He operates. I continued in this way for most of my teenage years, hoping one day I would better understand God's plan. After finishing high school in West Africa, I came to the United States to attend college. As a young foreign Christian college-student, I was seeking fellowship with other believers. It is truly hard to be a Christian on your own to, read the Bible, pray, and seek the Lord. I realized the only way I could do these things is with the help of other genuine believers. As I went from one denomination to another, and even to the non-denominational meetings, I had no peace or joy. This was because all I saw was a superficial, objective worship that was no different than what I experienced as a Hindu.

In July of 1993, I remember asking the Lord if He truly had a group of people who just loved Him and His Word. Shortly after such prayers, the Lord led me to meet with the local church through some dear believers, who I met in college in Irving, Texas. I vividly remember the first meeting I attended in July of 1993. I was invited to attend a gathering of young college Christians, who met with the local church in Irving. As I walked into the house, I was warmly welcomed and there was a very clear sense of peace within me. Many believers came up to me and introduced themselves and were very keen to know me and how I came to the Lord. During this meeting, almost everyone had an opportunity to share how they enjoyed the Lord in their experience. Although there were some elder brothers there, I noticed that everyone was participating in the meeting. This was quite refreshing to me because I was able to enjoy each one's story. I left that night quite joyous within, although I was curious, since this was not a typical Christian college meeting. So my curiosity led me to meet often with some brothers I met that night.

In this way I was introduced to the local church and the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. I had many questions about the practices of the church and each of my questions were addressed by the Bible and through the experience of the brothers. After getting into the ministry of Witness Lee and Watchman Nee, I was really impressed by these dear brothers and their clear exposition of the Bible. Witness Lee's ministry unveiled so many mysteries that were hidden from me and which I had questions about for a long time. I was really happy that the Lord had heard my prayers and led me to a group of people that truly loved the Lord and His Word. The most amazing thing about the local church and the ministry of Witness Lee was that the truths were not merely in the ministry books but were actually being practiced in the local churches. This was a real delight for me to experience. In November of 1993, I decided to visit my family in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa, so I took some time off from school and left the United States. The brothers in the local church in Irving, Texas told me that there was a local church in Lagos, Nigeria. I was overjoyed when I heard this. When I got to Lagos, I met with the local church there and I was so touched to see that the brothers and sisters in Africa were enjoying the Lord Jesus in the same way I was in the United States. Unfortunately, I was often limited by transportation and time to meet with the local church in Lagos. Due to personal reasons, I was unable to return to the United States for a period of four years from 1993 to 1997. During this time I realized how much I needed to be with other believers to go on with the Lord. The brothers in the local church in Irving, Texas never forgot about me. One brother in particular would call me on the phone at least once or twice a month to see how I was doing and to encourage me in the Lord. He often shepherded me through these phone calls and later I found out that he never stopped praying for me. In fact, he would often remind the brothers and sisters to pray for me and my return to the United States, which they did faithfully during the four years I was gone. Anyway, four years later, (because of the prayers) the way opened up for me to come back to the United States. My dear brother in the Lord picked me up at the airport and was overjoyed to have me back.

Since then I have been meeting with the local church and have never doubted that this is truly of the Lord. I guess the real test of a healthy church is to see how the members are doing. Each member participates and the whole church is encouraged to speak and function in the meetings (1 Corinthians 14:3). Whether it is a prayer meeting, or a small meeting in a home, a college age meeting, or the Lord's table, every member of the Body of Christ can share and enjoy the flow of Christ from other members. This to me is truly the church.