Continuing our series of articles introducing you to the leaders at IPC, this month we would like to introduce you to Onassis Jeevaraj.

Onassis serves on the Executive Team and Council of International Prayer Connect and is responsible for raising a strong prayer network in 8 South Asian countries. He has been associated with IPC since 2005, identified and encouraged by our previous Chairman, John Robb and given responsibility to facilitate prayers in the South Asia region since 2008.  He conducted the Global Children in Prayer Summit in Chennai in 2008, (45 nations and 200 delegates participated in this summit).  Onassis also facilitated the South Asia Prayer council conferences in Sri Lanka and Nepal. 

Onassis was born in the city of Chennai (Chennai is the city where one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Thomas, was martyred.)  His parents were nominal Christians and were not church goers. He used to go to church once in a while and had no knowledge of Jesus until he received the Lord as his personal savior when he was seventeen years old.

Onassis also serves as the India National Director for GO MOVEMENT.  His job is to envision the body of Christ, with the need to go for one-on-one Evangelism, ‘each one reach one’. He travels across the nation of India to meet with leaders / bishops / overseers of different denominations and to encourage churches to reach the nation.  His journey with God has been an interesting blend of learning stewardship and applying the Kingdom principles through the Marketplace and also through being an ordained minister.

WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK - www.win1040.org

Onassis’s journey in Window International Network started when he first attended their global prayer summit in East Malaysia in 2006. Now he is part of their network as a prayer mobilizer and trainer.  10/40 nations (those between 10 and 40 degrees north latitude) consist of 69 countries, close to 4 billion people, yet 90% of these nations have not been reached by the gospel.  As Chief Executive Director, he has social media and reporter teams that inform readers and contacts as to what is happening in the 1040 window.  They regularly send Emergency Prayer Alerts and daily updates of prayer targets covering the 1040 nations. He also takes teams to do prayer journeys to the most vulnerable countries as first-hand experience of prayer walking and intercession.

Tell us a bit about your story of what you did previously and how you got into prayer ministry?

At the age of 19 years, I committed to be a full-time servant of the Lord and involved myself in the local church as a Sunday School teacher, Youth Minister, leading many young people to the Lord.  At the same time, I managed my own Electrical Contracting company for 12 years with a successful career. I was huge tither and giver to missions. However in the years 1990-2000, business was challenging and I suffered losses and rising debts, and I had to ask several people to support me financially. I made a commitment then to leave the business only when I had settled all my debts.   After 3 months, God miraculously blessed my business beyond my understanding and I paid all my outstanding debtors, earned the good will of my market and clients and was again very successful.  In the year 2001 at the peak of my business career, I heard the audible voice of the Holy Spirit, telling me it was time to move to full time ministry. I quit in the year 2001 and closed my company. I was ordained as Pastor of Prince of Peace Ministries in Chennai.

In 2002I had an opportunity to meet Brother Patrick Joshua (a renowned Mission and Prayer Leader in India) and to steward for him during his prayer ministry assignments. One day he said that the Lord had told him that Onassis is the person who will assist him to initiate and network the churches in India for Prayer.  Hence, National Prayer Network was born. I had hardly travelled outside of my city before 2002!  God now helped me to pioneer National Prayer Network, connecting leaders of different denominations, missions, NGO’s , other prayer networks, business networks and to spark prayer by traveling to more than 400 cities and 30 plus nations. I led many National and International Prayer Initiatives, Conferences, Prayer Rallies, fasting Prayers, Prayer Walking, Teaching, and preaching in 100’s of churches across the nations.

Tell us about your family.

My wife's name is Joyce Esther, we have been married for 23 years and are blessed with 2 sons. Solomon is 22 years old and Simeon is 20 years. Solomon is completing his master’s degree in Human Resources and will soon pursue his carrier in HR.  Simeon is in his second year studying Engineering. Both live in Chennai, India.

Tell us about what you do to relax... any hobbies or sports?

I love traveling to new places and meeting new people. I like to spend time traveling alone and speaking to God. I get relaxed when I help someone in need.   My favorite sport is Cricket - I support Chennai Super Kings.

Who was the most inspirational mentor to you, and why?

Brother Patrick Joshua (pictured right).  He saw the call of God on my life, introduced me to the churches and gave me the platform to minister to big church leaders. I learned first-hand lessons in simplicity, patience and faith from this man of God.

What is the biggest challenge you are facing at the moment? How are you dealing with it?

The Covid surge in India is very alarming.  The government is doing its best, but the nation is facing one of its worst humanitarian crises in the history of our nation. We have lost many pastors and some of them their spouses.  We need more prayers. I am trying to help many of them practically and financially at this juncture. The situation is almost overwhelming. 

What’s your favorite scripture, and why?

Phil 4 :7- Peace of God and 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  The unending grace of God and His unconditional love is the foundation of my life, But for His grace and grace alone.

What advice would you give to someone considering getting involved in prayer?

• Prayer ministry is not a stage. It is done in close quarters, one may not get the credit, but then you will have the satisfaction of doing what God wants you to do.
• One needs to have a big heart to accept all kinds of people for mobilizing united prayer.
• One should sacrifice their Ego.
• The attitude of John the Baptist is one to hold on to - Let me decrease and Christ increase.
• Work hard and leave the rest to God.

Onassis’s Other Story:  www.saathchalo.org

Along the streets of Kolkata near Kali Ghat, a little girl’s eye caught my attention. I was there working and did not realize until I had seen this for myself that this little girl, who couldn’t have been more than 12 years old, was working too. She looked away immediately. As I kept walking, I kept turning around to look at what was going on. There were about 6 other little girls too. They were being accosted by men – large, burly, and rough. I kept walking, feeling helpless, unknowing as to what these men who, perhaps were fathers themselves, were doing. I heard that they were expected to service 20 customers during the weekend alone. I felt I had let that little girl down. I have replayed this a million times in my head, but I’ve also seen this repeated in real life as I traveled across our country and the world from Egypt, Lebanon, Afghanistan, South Africa and in several cities in India, the same stories are repeated. Girls, women, helpless, hapless crying for restoration of dignity, freedom and hope. A life – that’s a dream.
 
From the desperation of that helpless moment grew an inspiration for action – to do something about it – I knew that no woman or child should be violated. I also knew I could never counter this alone. Did you know, next only to the arms and drugs industry, trafficking is the most profitable business in the world?
 
The Kolkata episode was not a beginning, but it helped me understand what my purpose in life was – to see that every human being lives the life that they’ve been created to live – well, full of hope and opportunity. The desire to see people live to their potential was tempered from a very young age. I would always be moved deeply when I saw a poor person. I couldn’t do anything then.
 
Though we live in a free nation, the question remains are we really free? On the other, if freedom is for all, why do we still exploit our women and children? Why are families still living in slavery? Why does bonded labor and exploitation still exist? In a country that boasts of the top 5 richest Indians having half of the nation’s wealth, why is it difficult for us to alleviate poverty?
 
Saath Chalo seeks to bring together those that are asking similar questions and believe that we can end trafficking and bonded labour. The answers pop up as we come together and stand with each other, walking alongside those that have been affected and impacted by these horrific experiences. Saath Chalo is a movement – of students, of youth, of corporates, of business houses, of people like you and me - that will be a voice – a voice for those that are exploited, made vulnerable, oppressed and with no dignity. It will come along and be a bridge to restore hope and dignity, in their walk towards justice and regaining their destiny.

More info at: www.saathchalo.org

Onassis Jeevaraj – Executive Council Member
International Prayer Connect
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