God desires a broken spirit: Rev. Richard Howell, EFI

Rev. Richard Howell, the General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India, was born in 1954 at Firozpur in Punjab. Having accepted the Lord in 1966 at the age of twelve, he dedicated his life for full time ministry since 1980.

Rev. Howell started as an Evangelist and then joined Allahabad Bible Seminary as a Professor of Theology and later headed the Seminary as a Principal from 1990–1996. In March 1997, he joined the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) and has headed the organization as its General Secretary ever since. From time to time, he has also served on the Governing Boards of various Christian organizations and seminaries in India.

Last Saturday, Rev. Howell was invited as the Chief Speaker in the Prayer Breakfast, YMCA, New Delhi, to testify the presence of the Living God who is working in his life.

“I remember my childhood, the times when my mother used to suffer from dizzy spells and nothing could cure her,” Rev. Howell testified to the vast number of believers that had gathered before him. “We were all very worried as the doctors did not find anything wrong in her even after conducting the medical tests.”

“Then it was around January 1966, that a Christian sadhu came to us and prayed for us and through the intercession of his prayers, my mother was miraculously and completely healed,” the Reverend continued with tears welling in his eyes. “That was the time when the unbeliever in me was changed into a believer.”

“I did not know even how to pray, thank the Lord for that,” Rev. Howell said. “For the sadhu prayed for me and during that moment I confessed all my sins before the Lord and surrendered myself to Him.”

“It is my mother who inspired me a lot, it is she who said to me, ‘Richard, from now I dedicate you to God,’” the Reverend testified to the rapt audience. “And, my mother, who was an unbeliever like me in the beginning, did not just stop at that. She, who worked as a Matron in the hospital, would testify the love and glory of the Lord to the patients in her wards. She also planted two churches in Firozpur.”

“We all carry hurt and wound in our lives. We are all broken people. Where do we turn to? What do we do?” the Reverend inquired. Citing Psalm 51, he said, “David turned to God. God desires a broken spirit. God desires humility. God desires a living sacrifice. Every moment of our lives, we must ask ourselves – is my life now a worthy spiritual offering to God?”

“Remember the story of Gladys Staines. Remember her indomitable spirit and courage,” the Reverend concluded. “It comes from being one and united in the Lord. Let us not be like the Prodigal Son in the Bible. Let us always remember that our identity lies in being one in the Lord and not by our deeds or efforts.”

A devoted husband, a loving father and a tireless servant of the Lord, Rev. Howell has always expressed his deep–rooted love for the Lord by serving in various capacities in various Christian organizations. Let us always pray for him so that he can be an inspiration to many who, like him, will turn to the Lord and dedicate their whole lives towards building His Kingdom on Earth.

Surojit Chatterjee