MEMORIES OF THOSE MULTIPLE MESSAGES I PREACHED IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS
Duke Jeyaraj shares his memories of the times he was privileged to stand in the pulpit of the NLAG Church Secunderabad which met in this venue for 28 long years and for the last time on 1 July 2018
MOVIE-HALL TURNED CHURCH – A SPECIAL PLACE TO BE PREACHING IN
On 1st July 2018, the wonderful local church I have been part of for over a decade, had its very last church service at the Millennium Gardens, Secunderabad. I have fond memories of this place. Following Pastor Younus’ invitation (based on Pas Chaitanya’s recommendation), as the Lord supremely willed it, I preached first in this movie-hall-turned-wedding-reception-place-turned church fecility in May 2002. I travelled from Delhi to Hyderabad to be able to do this. My first message was titled, “Solemn Facts About Salvation” (no video recording available). The event was the Youth Alive organised Summer for Jesus. My second message was on Why Jesus Can Be Our Greatest Friend (no video recording available). A young man in the audience came and met me after the message. He said that his idea of Jesus completely changed after this message. He is now a pastor in Singapore. The Third Message was on What Jesus Predicted About Our Personal And Planet’s Future (no video recording available of this message). The Final Message in that May 2002 trip to Millennium Gardens was from the book of Amos – What Shall I Do With This One Life of Mine? – A mission challenge (there are those in the fulltime ministry now who listened to that mission challenge in May 2002 about which someone said, ‘never heard such a passionate mission challenge ever’ making me fall flat at Jesus’ feet). I also did a session on Beating Sexual Temptation during this SFJ camp in the second overflow area of the Millennium Gardens. “I was there in this meeting. I decided as you challenged the audience that day to save sex for marriage as that was only ‘safe sex’ that ever was. God helped me to stick to that decision, despite challenges. Now, I am happily married!’ – this was one encouraging testimony I heard about that message for which I praise God and kiss Jesus’ feet.
IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS WITH MY WIFE THIS TIME!
In 2005, I was back in this pulpit to preach in a Youth Alive event, this time with my wife, Evan, who preached a message on Relationships that was long-remembered. I preached four messages including Finding Purpose in Life (which is herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOKdieuaFCE
)/Getting Hooked To The Book(listen to that message here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zYGJ6tv414)/Close Shave With Dave (which is here –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKyXDj0F4o0)/Do You Have It In You? (no recording available). The church was kind to put Evan and I in the posh Secunderabad Club during these meetings (We did not live in Hyderabad, then).
THE FIRST PREACHING INVITATION FOR THE G4 MISSION FOUNDER WAS TO GO TO MILLENNIUM GARDENS!
In 2006, the Lord led Evan and I to start Grabbing the Google Generation from Gehenna Mission – the G4 Mission – after we moved our based from Jabalpur to Hyderabad. I worked as a tent-making missionary, raising support for my own ministry, Paul-style. In Feb 2006, the first major invitation I received after I started my ministry was from Youth Alive. I spoke on True Romantic Love from the book of Song of Songs, message which is herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acOUDJuaOM4. Some of the youth in this service are now married with wonderful families enjoying ‘true romantic love’!!!
THE GOD WHO KISSES AND KILLS
In the year, 2007, while I worked in HSBC as a tent-making missionary, I preached in a Youth Alive camp in the same venue. The God Who Can Kiss and Kill was one unforgettable, signature Duke Jeyaraj message in that series. Here it is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51jwr-oSRcA. But this message came only after another message in which I preached about the great love of God titled, 11 S Words That Tell You How Much Jesus Loves You As He Went To The Cross to Die For You – a message you can listen to here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBIg_i90yLk&t=45s. Lots of youth gave their lives to Jesus that day. Another message in the same meetings was a mission challenge from Isaiah 6 which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_GGIhTmd90. There were folks in the crowd that day who are now doing the fulltime ministry!
PREACHING TO 5000 BELIEVERS IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS
In the year 2007, in the month of August, the Late Founding Pastor of this church, Rev. Earl Stubbs, asked me preach in the three Sunday Services of the NLAG Church that met here – the Millennium Gardens. I spoke on the topic of the perils of Procrastination and in what all areas the Bible teaches that we must not procrastinate, a message you will find herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jzjrumTIiM. People remind me of this message often as I move about in the ministry circuit. Once I was reminded of this message by someone as I went to a girls college to minister, long after I preached it. I got to preach in the Sunday Service in this location three more times, over the years (following Pas. Arlene Stubbs’ invitation). I preached from Malachi on Marks of a Backsliding Believer (it is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQkYcxxYpW8). One young woman working in a corporate company who heard this message put a public comment about this message this way: ‘a message that went straight to my heart’. I preached a character study message on Uriah the Hittite (Be a Soldier for Jesus in His Kingdom – not just a seatwarmer in a church). I preached on “Let Us” passages from the book of Hebrews (titled “Let Us” Exhortation for Lasting Spiritual Graduations which is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTsKY8fNdP8 as well. This message challenged some to join a extension Bible College program. God blessed each of these messages in an unique way to his hungry people – a crowd of about 5000.
ANNOUNCING THE GOODNEWS TO OVER 1000 YOUTH IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS
Meanwhile I also spoke in the special events of Youth Alive such a Christmas Events for people of various faiths right in this venue – the Millennium Gardens.
In 2007, the year my daughter was born, I did that. I preached on the Uniqueness of Jesus talking about Formula One Car Racer, Michael Schumacher. I remember people coming to the altar to give their lives to Jesus. Some video memories of that magic day is herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ00fq9eXrQ&t=117s. The full Gospel presentation to a crowd of near one thousand youth is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcpfZ3NOGh0&t=31s.
During another outreach event of Youth Alive in Millennium Gardesn I preached from John 10:10: Jesus who came to Give Life with Capital L (the message is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtlVQz3QHtY).
TALKING ABOUT HOMOSEXUAL CAPITAL SODOM IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS!
I preached one time from what the Bible taught about the City of Sodom and Gomorrah in an event called, God of the City in the same venue, a two part message which is here,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCEFi7r_R2s%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DPYZ70od8s6c.
JONAH’S GO NAH, IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS!
I think it was in the year 2009, I preached a ministry involvement challenge message from the book of Jonah titled, “Do you hear the ‘Go nah!’ from Jonah?” (which is here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyX_LmN92Uc) during a special Youth Alive event/revival meeting. Two young woman have told me that they were challenged for ministry involvement through this message and are currently involved in ministry.
SUPER FRANK MESSAGE ON WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ON SEX IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS!
I also famously preached a super frank message in Youth Alive on What the Bible Teaches About Sex in 2007 in Youth Alive from same Millennium Garden stage which is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi3epucMers. A clip from this message remains my most-watched video clip in my Youtube channel which is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPiE2p30hWg&t=1s.
NOT JUST THE PROBLEM, BUT ALSO THE SOLUTION
As I always try to do, I talk about the solution, not just the problem. When Pas. Milton invited me to speak in a special 2015 Teens event in Millennium Garden called Fireproof, I preached on how to have victory over sin from Jesus’ fave book, the book of Deuteronomy which is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQW5kpFzsCk.
THE DIAMOND BLOOD IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS
I preached once in the Easter Eve event in Youth Alive, a message titled, The Diamond Blood. The blessings for youth, the blood of Jesus brought was put in the acronym, b-l-o-o-d in this message. The altar call time was particularly powerful. Relive those moments here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkKGg5ZTfeE. Another Good Friday-Easter season, I preached from the life of Pilate in a Youth Alive event which is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYkKPHLzKIA
(Pilate: His Life Explained For the Google Generation).
TEACHING YOUTH THE BIBLICAL WAY TO WISE LIFE PARTNER CHOICE IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS
In 2008, in the Valentine Day month I preached again in the Youth Alive event in this place. I preached from Genesis 24, a message that brought wise life partner principles to youth using Q and A format, a message which is here,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acOUDJuaOM4. Later on, the material I first presented from this stage would become a chapter in my 2010 Book, Straight Talk on Sex, Love, Marriage and More (released in 2018 by Word of Christ Publishers in an expanded form).
SPEAKING IN A WEDDING AT MILLENNIUM GARDENS
It was a joy for me to speak in a wedding in the same place – the wedding of Scoty and Mamta. That wedding message in which there were elements of Gospel for unevangelised corporates is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_sUMiGH0TY&t=193s
TEACHING WORKING PROS HOW TO BEAT TEMPTATION IN WORKPLACE AT MILLENNIUM GARDENS
I guess that it was in 2010 that I preached in the God At Work event in this venue titled, Beating Temptations At Work Like Joseph: His Secrets Put In J-O-S-E-P-H (Listen to it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ6fT535LYk). The outline which the Holy Spirit gave me for this preaching occasion, I have often repeated in my meetings India-over and beyond (Bangladesh).
SPEAKING IN A BIBLE COLLEGE BUNCH’S EVENT AT MILLENNIUM GARDENS
I remember preaching to a group of Bible College Students in a thanks giving event as they wrapped up their degree in the same place, a message from 2 Timothy 4 – What Paul Kept Doing Till He Was About To Die – a message you can find here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1BG-IkAAeg. Very encouraging words came during the dinner time of this program about this particular message from one of my spiritual heros and I was over the moon!
MISSION CHALLENGE FROM EVERY MAJOR BIBLE DOCTRINE AT MILLENNIUM GARDENS
Most recently (in 2017), I preached on how the ministry call comes from all the major Bible Doctrines, a message which is herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RprYO_s6jmg&t=53s. The altar call focus was on leaving comfort zones and going to places God wants us to go. There was a very good response.
BABYSITTING WHILE EVAN, MY WIFE, PREACHED IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS
When Evan preached in this venue in March 2008, I did baby-sitting. Datasha was just a few months old. Evan preached to single girls on the topic: Single and Hurting to Single and Being a Blessing To Others!
THE MIRACLE NIGHT MINISTRY AT MILLENNIUM GARDENS
Evan and I, were on this stage the some time in Jan. 2017 as Evan preached on “This Night Could Be Your Miracle Night!” (from the King Hezekiah-185000- soldiers-killed-in-a-night passage, a message you will find here –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z3dYD5HRbs&t=175s).
BLESSING EARLY MORNING ‘FASTING PRAYER WARRIORS’ IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS
It was my privilege to preach in the January-Feb. early morning prayers at this venue year after year. Once I spoke on the Blessings of Suffering which is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFKQOe_FZfU&t=37s. At an another time, I preached from the life of Judas (which is herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDtPnwX-lKU&t=5s). On an another occasion, I preached from Psalm 88 – the saddest Psalm in the Bible, a message titled, When Instead of Having Problems in Life, Life Itself Becomes A Problem, which is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmxLGNsHpEI(this January 2018). I have led in prayer for India and Youth post these early morning messages. The prayer time for Youth using the acronym y-o-u-t-h is here –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0PztZu4nvQ&t=36s. Most recently (Jan. 2018) I led in prayer for ‘the World’ (in early part of 2018) which is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7kaewlVv50.
SPEAKING TO YOUTH FROM ALL OVER INDIA AT MILLENNIUM GARDENS
In 2012, Pastor Valson asked me to share a message in the National Youth Convention of the AG in the same venue to about 1700 youth from all over India. I spoke on the Sins of the Youth (including Sexual Ones) which Proverbs 7’s Naughty Boy-Flirty Aunty talks about (a message that is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuxOUsbg0LM&t=276s). I remember the sight-for-sore-eyes scenes at the altar post that message.
A few years earlier to 2012, I guess the year was 2009, I spoke to a gathering of youth leaders/youth pastors/youth coordinators from all over India in the main hall of Millennium Gardens. My message was this: How Do You Take It Easy? Sleeping or Sweating? Listen to that message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71oaKlH_XyU
ANSWERING TRICKY QUESTIONS ENABLED BY THE SPIRIT IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS
In the National Youth Conference at the Millennium Gardens I also was part of a panel that answered the questions of youth. I remember answering a tricky question, “Can I watch porn just to learn sex technique which I will use only with my wife?” The answer I gave with the Holy Spirit taking control of my tongue is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy7mJGPzW_M.
SPEAKING TO A WOMEN-ONLY GROUP IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS ON HOW TO UNDERSTAND A TYPICAL MAN
Speaking in a Womens Only meeting in this venue on How To Understand A Typical Man was another unexpected preaching invitation I had. That message is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQW5kpFzsCk
PREACHING IN MILLENNIUM GARDENS AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR FROM 2005
The Lord ensured each time I preached His Word in this premises (from 2002 to 2018, a total of 16 years preaching continuously atleast once a year in this venue from the year 2005 till 2018), the Word did not return back void. It always accomplished the purpose for which it was sent as Isaiah 55:11 put it!
RESERVING THE BEST FOR THE LAST AT MILLENNIUM GARDENS
Of course, it was my dear wife Evan who preached the ‘last’ message (when the considered list is just we too) in this venue when she was invited by the Women’s Fellowship of this church to preach in the Women’s Sunday on March 2018. God blessed that message, a meditation of Jeremiah’s visit to the Potter’s field, immensely. That message is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-eKSmqALA. Only in heaven we will fully know how God gracious used this message to bless and encourage people, including the speaker herself! The messages of encouragement to her though WhatsApp/SMS/Facebook/Directly post this message over these month (till June 2018) are indeed countless.
WERE YOU THERE LISTENING LIVE WHEN WE MINISTERED AT MILLENNIUM GARDENS?
If you were there listening live to anyone of those messages we preached in this venue, the never-will-I-forget-you Millennium Gardens, WhatsApp us at +91-8886040605 or email us at emailduke@gmail.com and talk about that memory. We would be glad to hear from you. God bless you for taking the time to read this!
OUR SWEETEST MEMORY OF MILLENNIUM GARDENS
Before I sign off, let me leave you all with the sweetest memory of all for us at the Millennium Gardens. It was the 2008 baby dedication of my daughter, a miracle baby, the video clip of which is here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nl2fdamIAw&t=31s. I got to share about the miracle story of her birth and talk about my dream about how she would grow up and ask me one fine day, “Dad, how do I look in this sari?”
GRATEFUL TO THE UNSUNG HEROS OF MILLENNIUM GARDENS
I am grateful to Philip, the media head of the NLAG, Hyderabad, and the countless volunteers who helped record these messages which are among the ones of superior audio and video quality in my youtube message channel,www.youtube.com/visitduke that has seen over 3 lakh hits (though there are some videos here and there which were recorded by my wife/son/yours truly). If these videos were not professionally recorded, hitting the rewind button on these messages would not have been meaningfully possible.
(Duke Jeyaraj is the founder of Grabbing the Google Generation from Gehenna Mission, the G4 Mission. Find out more at www.dukev.org
or by liking www.facebook.com/dukebook).
