A Story For His Glory
At the age of eighteen, I experienced a profound transformation that set me on a path to become a powerful instrument for outreach in the diverse and vibrant nation of India. It is a privilege for me to share the incredible journey that God has undertaken in my life.
I was born in the village of Leelagaruvu in Andhra Pradesh, where I am the eldest son among two siblings. Today, I reside in Dokiparru, a neighborhood predominantly inhabited by the Yadav caste within the Hindu community. Our home is situated on a modest piece of land about fifteen square yards, close to a pond. This property was allocated to us by the government, and we live in challenging conditions, grappling with poverty and limited prospects for improvement.
My father faced significant health challenges due to a condition known as seizures, which compounded our struggles in providing for our daily needs. One of my most humbling experiences occurred when I was twelve, as I faced the embarrassment of being unable to pay my school fees on time, resulting in being sent home by the headmaster multiple times. This disrupted my education and caused me to fall behind.
Despite my best efforts, I continued to pass each year with the grace of my teachers, but by the tenth grade, I had to leave school due to the increasingly difficult circumstances at home. A turning point came when a family friend, a compassionate Pastor, suggested that my father enroll me at Grace Gospel Church Bible College in Machilipatnam, located along the Bay of Bengal.
The college followed a rigorous schedule, starting with morning prayers at 4:30 a.m. and ending at 10:00 p.m. Initially, I found it difficult to adapt to the extensive religious activities, including Bible reading, classes, and manual duties, along with basic meals. After five months of struggling, I contemplated leaving, but one night, I heard a clear voice calling my name, “My son, Appa Rao.” This happened multiple times, prompting me to share my experience with my Bible teacher, who encouraged me to pray.
That night, as I prayed, the voice returned, stating, “My son, Appa Rao, I have chosen you before you were formed in your mother’s womb.” I understood that God was revealing His purpose for me—taking me to the corners of my nation to share His message with those who had yet to hear it. In that moment, I repented and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.
After a deep sleep, I was granted a vision of myself in a harvest field, where a figure dressed in white handed me a sickle to reap the harvest. Once I completed my task, the figure said, “Now go and rest.” I awoke feeling a tremendous weight lifted from my shoulders, filled with newfound joy.
By God’s grace, I completed my three-year course and graduated in 1995. That same year, I felt called to enter full-time ministry, specifically to reach the various tribes and slum communities of India, including the Yerukula and Yenadis. These remote tribes often live in underdeveloped conditions, and some still hold onto traditions that can be quite harsh, such as infanticide, believing it to appease their deities.
I am grateful to God for blessing me with my wonderful wife, Aruna Veerla, and our two sons. Our first son, Bhanu Prakash Veerla, was born on May 2, 1997, as a special blessing. Despite being born premature, he has committed his life to full-time ministry. Our second son, Vijay Babu Veerla , was born on April 28, 2000, and is currently looking for opportunities with Master of Computer Science and waiting for God Calling
Each day in our community presents challenges that can be life-threatening, but we strive to lead with faith. Our vision is to empower more individuals to reach every corner of India, sharing hope and love with those in need.
Pastor V.Appa & Aruna
Pastor. Bhanu Prakash
Co-Director
Brother. Vijay
Bethlehem Ministries exists to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the communities of India while meeting the physical needs of Orphans, Widows, Lepers, The Sick, and those with Special Needs.
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