South India’s eminent Actress & MLA Jayasudha presented inspiring faith testimony in Chicago

Chicago IL: Smt. Jayasudha a reigning south-Indian movie actress and a prominent A.P. state legislator [MLA] captivated the Chicago audience with her profoundly soul-stirring testimony of her personal faith at packed pews of the Grace Lutheran Church in Westchester, Illinois on May 22, 2013. This community event of significance hosted under the aegis of United Telugu Christians of Chicago [UTCC] drew a great host of fans, guests, lay leaders and pastors to hear her awe-inspiring story that changed her life.

“I want to be like Mother Teresa and I want to serve the Lord” solemnly declared Smt. Jayasudha in her testimony narrative amidst resonating applause and pledged that she would like to embark on a journey of altruism to help the poor and the neediest with her Shine Development Trust charitable organization (India). Articulating her personal story of faith, identity and spiritual triumph, Smt. Jayasudha gave an overview and described how her life slowly evolved into a new-found Christian faith that stirred the depths of her mind and spirit.

Recalling the frightful incident of March 1985 that changed her life forever, Jayasudha narrated that while she was honeymooning in Thailand she and her newly married husband went on a water jet-ski ride and how in a split-second she lost grip and fell into the water not knowing how to swim. While in that full panic-mode, Jayasudha added that she screamed ‘Jesus’ in abject fear as she was beginning to drown and that’s when she encountered a white curly-haired, blue-eyed pristine figure that gently lifted her out of the deep waters and saved her from certain drowning; this she emphatically added that it was the divine face of Jesus Christ that appeared and saved her life. Smt. Jayasudha describing her innumerable experiences added that this life-changing experience and many other incidents in her life have led to a changed life of devout Christian faith. Recalling her convent kindergarten school days, Jayasudha said that she was always enamored by the figure of Jesus Christ.

Describing the birth of Shine Trust Development, Smt. Jayasudha said it was her passionate interest to help the poor and the most needy. Narrating the scriptural reference ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself” said this is her most favorite scriptural verse based on which she said she will embark on taking up humanitarian causes. Jayasudha declared that it is her long-term mission to open a Home for the Aged to help the senior citizens devoid of anyone in life.

Smt. Jayasudha acknowledged the role of Mrs. Vijayamma wife of late Dr. Y.S.Rajashekara Reddy, in facilitating the mission of charity she embarked on and how the help of former Chief Minister Dr. Y.S.Rajashekara Reddy was valuable in her mission. She lamented how vastly different it would have been if Dr. Y.S.R was alive today inferring she would have reached her goals of charitable mission in helping the poor and the most needy. This way, I want to serve the Lord concluded Jayasudha in her faith testimony.

The special evening of testimony with Jayasudha started with choir singing the praise & worship songs led by Sunny Mathews which was followed by a welcome address by Vasanth Charles. The opening prayer was offered by Surender Charles and Vijender Doma made announcements that outlined the plans of the Telugu Christian Community for 2013 and 2014. Mrs. Thara Chandran led the scriptural reading while Raju Pasumarthi rendering the reading of second gospel lesson. Mahala Johnson offered a special prayer invoking in memory of the victims of Oklahoma tornado victims.

Paying glowing accolades, Dr. Heyer Paul Devarapalli – introducing the celebrity speaker – said Jayasudha is a prolific actress and a public servant who can be defined in legendary terms. Dr.Heyer Paul who took the main lead in hosting the event thanked Jayasudha for her visit to the City for the express purpose of bearing her devout testimony. He particularly thanked Adam Dekkapatty for his important role in facilitating the visit of Jayasudha and thanked Emmanuel Neela, Rama Rao and Jeshar Abraham for their unstinted support.

Keerthi Kumar Ravoori who was joined by a conglomerate of lay leaders presented a special City Council Proclamation issued by the City of Chicago that acknowledged and applauded Smt. Jayasudha for her exemplary public service and for her devotion to charitable causes. In presenting the Proclamation, Keerthi Ravoori was joined by Dr. Heyer Paul, Vasanth Charles, Johnson Sukka, VIjender Doma, Surender Charles, Suresh Maddela, while Ms. Shaina Charles read the proclamation.

A special exhortation was delivered by Rev. Dr. John Christian Frederick Heyer Devarapalli, a free-lance preacher/evangelist who in his address said “the best way to worship God is to help humanity”. A group of Church pastors encircled Smt. Jayasudha and anointed her with prayer and blessings while the closing prayer was offered by Pastor Rajamani Gonu and the benediction was pronounced by Rev. David Vidyasagar. The event was followed by dinner provided the Green Chilli Restaurant sponsored by Emmanuel Neela, Rama Rao and Jeshar Abraham.