a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

As seen above the stories of healing, exorcism and other miracles in Pentecostal
mission in Rajasthan show the importance of pneumatological approach to people
of other faiths. Pentecostals’ engagement with others, particularly in their life
crises, motivates them to use their spiritual gifts to help their neighbours to meet
their needs. Pentecostals engage with people of other faiths, not necessarily with
the intention of conversion but on a compassionate dimension of the Spirit,
although such engagement may sometimes bring conversion. Therefore, the result
of this charismatic engagement, 93 whether healing, exorcism and conversion, is to
be understood as the work of the Holy Spirit, not as human achievement.
The story of Leela 94 and her family, who became followers of Christ as a result of
the friendship and hospitality of Praveen 95 and family, shows the importance of
the ‘theology of hospitality’ in Rajasthan. Praveen and family shared cooking
skills and expertise with Leela’s family, who was running a restaurant. They often
visited each other’s houses and had meals together. Gradually, Leela’s family
developed an interest in prayers, and they asked Praveen’s family to pray for their
business to flourish, and this happened. Consequently Leela and her family
became Christians. Praveen said that they neither aimed at the conversion of the
other famliy nor called them for prayer, but ‘it is the work of the Holy Spirit, and
we became an instrument for Him to bless this family.’ 96
93
Here the phrase ‘Charismatic engagement’ is used to mean the use of various charismatic gifts.
94
Pseudonym.
95
Praveen (pseudonym) and Family became Pentecostal from a non-Christian background.
96
Praveen (pseudonym), interview by author, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 05 May 2006.
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