ZION GOSPEL MINISTRY (CHURCH)
Pastor PRABA SUBAKARAN

Sri Lanka has roughly 21,670,000 people and an annual population growth rate of 1.14%. The birth rate is 17.6 births per 1,000 people, and the death rate is 6.2 deaths per 1,000 people. Population density is highest in western Sri Lanka, especially in and around the capital. Sinhalese constitute the largest ethnic group in the country, with 74.8% of the total population. Sri Lankan Tamils are the second major ethnic group in the island, with a percentage of 11.2%. Moors comprise 9.2%. There are also small ethnic groups such as the Burghers (of mixed European descent) and Malays from Southeast Asia. Moreover, there is a small population of Vedda people who are believed to be the original indigenous group to inhabit the island.

Languages

Sinhala and Tamil are the two official languages. The constitution defines English as the link language. English is widely used for education, scientific and commercial purposes. Members of the Burgher community speak variant forms of Portuguese Creole and Dutch with varying proficiency, while members of the Malay community speak a form of Creole Malay that is unique to the island.

Religion

Buddhism (70.2%)

Hinduism (12.6%)

Islam (9.7%)

Christianity (7.4%)

Others (0.05%)

Buddhism is the largest and is considered as an “Official religion” of Sri Lanka under Chapter II, Article 9, “The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana”. Buddhism is practiced by 70.2% of the Sri Lankan’s population with most being predominantly from Theravada school of thought. Most Buddhists are of the Sinhalese ethnic group with minority Tamils. Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 2nd century BCE by venerable Mahinda Maurya. A sapling of the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka during the same time. The Pāli Canon (Thripitakaya), having previously been preserved as an oral tradition, was first committed to writing in Sri Lanka around 30 BCE. Sri Lanka has the longest continuous history of Buddhism of any predominantly Buddhist nation. During periods of decline, the Sri Lankan monastic lineage was revived through contact with Thailand and Burma.

Hinduism was the dominant religion in Sri Lanka before the arrival of Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE. Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka by Mahinda, the son of the Emperor Ashoka, during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. The Sinhalese embraced Buddhism and Tamils remain Hindus in Sri Lanka. However it was activity from across the Palk Strait that truly set the scene for Hinduism‘s survival in Sri Lanka. Shaivism (devotional worship of Lord Shiva) was the dominant branch practiced by the Tamil peoples, thus most of the traditional Hindu temple architecture and philosophy of Sri Lanka drew heavily from this particular strand of Hinduism. Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned the names of a number of Sri Lankan Hindu temples in his works.

Hinduism is the second most prevalent religion and predates Buddhism. Islam is the third most prevalent religion in the country, having first been brought to the island by Arab traders over the course of many centuries, starting around the 7th century CE. Most Muslims are Sunni who follow the Shafi’i school. Most followers today are believed to be descendants of those Arab traders and the local women they married. Christianity reached the country through Western colonists in the early 16th century. Around 7.4% of the Sri Lankan population are Christians, of whom 82% are Roman Catholics who trace their religious heritage directly to the Portuguese. Tamil Catholics attribute their religious heritage to St. Francis Xavier as well as Portuguese missionaries. The remaining Christians are evenly split between the Anglican Church of Ceylon and other Protestant denominations. There is also a small population of Zoroastrian immigrants from India (Parsis) who settled in Ceylon during the period of British rule, but this community has steadily dwindled in recent years.

Religion plays a prominent role in the life and culture of Sri Lankans. The Buddhist majority observe Poya Days each month according to the Lunar calendar, and Hindus and Muslims also observe their own holidays. In a 2008 Gallup poll, Sri Lanka was ranked the third most religious country in the world, with 99% of Sri Lankans saying religion was an important part of their daily life.

In March 2021, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara signed a cabinet order banning burkas and other face coverings, which now needs parliamentary approval to become law. This measure was proposed after a short-term ban on face coverings was activated during a manhunt in April 2019 to track down members of the Islamic State militant group that admitted to carrying out a series of attacks on churches and hotels on Easter Sunday of that year.

Name of Churches: ZION GOSPEL MINISTRY (CHURCH)
Number of Saved People:  300 to 400

Name of Pastor: PRABA SUBAKARAN

A WORD FROM PASTOR PRABA SUBAKARAN (TESTIMONY)

Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ!!

All the outset I wish to state I write this letter with a heavy heavy and humbly request you to refer Holy Gospel of  St. Mathew, Chapter 10 verse 22 and 23 before you read the contents   of this letter.

I come from a humble family (Hindu Priest) and I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior 31years ago and have been involved in the ministry of the past 12 years. I’m married and have 3 daughters with the eldest being 21 years of age l am 44 years old and during the time of war l relocated to Colombo with my family from my native place Batticaloa and presently living in a place known as “KIMBULAELA’ for the past 22 years

This area is a place where all types of criminal activities take place and most of the people who live there are alcoholics, drug addicts and involved in other nefarious activities Under the situations the merciful Lord has been so gracious towards me and I started a Ministry known as ZION GOSPEL MINISTRY (CHURCH) and this Ministry has be in existence for the past 12 years. In the year 2019 my family and I had to face strong opposition from the people living in and around this area .However, with all these issues we were able to continue in taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Non believes. All Praise and glory to our Father and Lord Jesus Christ as many Muslims and Buddhists have come to know the Lord and we have a membership of approx 150 persons.  We mainly focus on children and youth Ministry. On the 12th of December last year 3 Muslims, 4 Buddhist and 1 Hindu were baptized and recently there were 5 Muslim families worshiping. Many drug addicts have been saved and they are members of this church. While the church is growing and as per the scriptures, St Mathew Chapter 10, verses 17 to 23 we are subject to various obstacles. M family and I have to face many problems. Many times  I was assaulted  and my wife and daughters have been intimidated in various ways. They say that we cannot have a Church in this area and there were attempts to damage the building. The believers were beaten during the Christmas/New Year Services and they did not allow us hold the Services.

My wife who was one of the victims sustained injuries and as a result of same we were compelled to seek the assistance of the Police from whom we did not receive any sort of justice whatever. they even advised to stop all functions in the side area since this area is very dangerous and  the youth  living in an around  the church are up to various illegal activities and it would be difficult for the Police to provide security and in view of having 3 daughters it is better that we vacate. This was the “solution” I received from the Police.

My desire is that my family and l should not face any problems as l Care for the people in the area and still have the passion to continue  the Ministry in this locality, l urge you Brother and and other believers to uphold us in your prayers.

I have never appreciated anyone for financial assistance in the past and in order to run this Ministry l used to a three wheeler (tuk tuk) in the nights and that income I was able to look after my family and the church. In the meantime since it was not advisable to run three wheelers at the night l opted go for 4 wheelers and got a vehicle on lease and to pay the rental started running the vehicle for 4 days in a week and the other 3 days in the ministry since of late i find even the income I receive is not sufficient to pay the lease and to meet other commitments.

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ, my immediate action is to find a house elsewhere to keep my young daughters and wife safely. My financial position is such I’m unable to think of anything. To tell you frankly I’m a bruised and wounded person. I will not left or abandoned the Ministry at any cost. But for the moment until such time l overcome this situation, I seek your assistance in whatever way you could taking into consideration my daughters and my wife. Most importantly please uphold the ministry in which I’m involved and my family in your prayers.

With peace and prayers

Yours in his service,

Thank you

God bless you

Building owned or rented: unauthorized Owned Property

Some Testimonies:

  1. Sister Iltha, a 58 year old Islamic family resident of our village, was a drug dealer and a seller. She was sick and the doctors abandoned her. In her death bed Gospel was declared and she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior and received the Holy Spirit.
  2. Brother Tiron and sister Gayathri, a Hindu family living in our village with four children. Tiron is addicted to drugs and alcohol. So all his income is spent on alcohol and drugs. When the food needs of the children cannot be met the Gospel was declared to them. And they accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour. And now they are the believers of our church
  3. Brother Anthony, a Roman Catholic who lost his wife and suffered from fits illness with his three daughters. He received some Gospel tracks through one of our church believer. Then he received the love of Jesus Christ and was healed.
  4. Sister Larina, a 35 year old Islamic family member in our village with three children. Her husband was a drug addict and was unable to run his family. In his death bed the Gospel was declared to her husband and he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour and received the Holy Spirit.
  5. Brother Ramakrishnan was admitted to the psychiatric hospital for 3 years. While he was in the hospital he was declared GOSPEL through special hospital ministries. Now he has been recovered completely and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as God.

Ministry Area

Village outreach ministry:

No of villages targeted to reach:
10 already reached targeting 50 more

Details of people living in these villages:

Village consists primarily of Tamil, Singhalese & Buddhist, under privileged factory workers working on daily wages. Some of these are working as daily laborers. Some are involved in illegitimate work.  

Resources needed for outreach. 
Literature: Gospel Tracts, Bible Singhalese & Tamil

Manpower: 15 workers working with me

Vehicle: Need for a 4 Wheeler for Hospital Ministry. [ we had one but lost it to the lease company due to shortage of funds] 

Children Ministry:

The most important ministry of our church is the ministry for children. There are more than 4000 children in our village, who have been deprived of the protection of their parents since childhood and addicted to various drugs, they are not educated enough, who steal for their hunger and commit many more crimes. Besides so many financial problems we offer them lunch every day except Sundays to satisfy the children’s hunger and to express God’s love to them as a ministry.

Street Children/ Abandoned Children

The most important ministry of our church is the ministry for children. There are more than 4000 children in our village, who have been deprived of the protection of their parents since childhood and addicted to various drugs, they are not educated enough, who steal for their hunger and commit many more crimes. Besides so many financial problems we offer them lunch every day except Sundays to satisfy the children’s hunger and to express God’s love to them as a ministry.

Small Scale Projects That we Do:
Our villages are daily workers and can start small scale industry with them. For example,

  1. Sewing centre
  1. Canteen
  1. Small retail business with the local products.

Hospital / Mental Hospital Ministry

Jesus FILM Show