Reflecting on my Ordination

The last few days have been incredibly special for our family. On the 7th of June, by God's grace, I was ordained, and at the same time, many of you also got to meet our little daughter, Athaliah Stella Shemron. To begin this new chapter of ministry while holding this precious new life in my arms is a blessing I can hardly put into words.

As I reflect on the ordination service, my heart is full of gratitude, but also a deep sense of longing. More than anyone else, I missed Amachi Mrs Bhama Sunderaj, for whom I was the first grandson, and my dad, Rev. J. Saduri, my first pastor, my greatest inspiration, and one of the strongest reasons I am where I am today. I wished he could have been there physically. Yet, throughout the service, I felt his presence in so many ways.

I am grateful for my Sunday School and VBS teachers who first taught me the stories of faith. I remember the Bible quizzes, elocutions, sermons, essays, and countless competitions that shaped my thinking and nurtured my confidence. I thank the many colleagues and friends of my father from the Karnataka Central Diocese whose conversations, encouragement, and affection have accompanied me through the years.

I am deeply thankful to Rt. Rev. P. K. Samuel and Rt. Rev. Dr Vincent Vinod Kumar for their recommendations and support. A special word of gratitude goes to Rt. Rev. S. Vasanthkumar and Rev. Nirmala Vasanthkumar, from my childhood, helped shape my understanding of pastoral ministry, leadership, and what it means to serve God's people with humility. I am also grateful to Rt. Rev. Immanuel Dani, who ordained me and welcomed me into this new phase of ministry. I remember with gratitude the support of the officers of the diocese (Vice Chairman, Secretary, Asst. Secretary, Treasurer, Assoc Treasurer), the Ministerial and Executive Committees of the CSI-Karnataka Central Diocese and Diocese of Sambalpur, CNI.

My thanks also go to the classmates, friends, faculty and communities of United Theological College, North India Institute for Post Graduate Theological Studies, Serampore College, and Bishop's College. They taught me what to think, how to think, question, wrestle, and search for a deeper faith rooted in Christ.

I remain grateful to all the churches where my father served – the congregation, pastorate committees at various times, Sunday school, youth and women’s fellowships, friends, and well-wishers for their constant encouragement every time they said “you would be a pastor someday” or “I see your dad in you.” I am also grateful to the churches that supported my theological education through scholarships and to the congregations that welcomed me into their pulpits and allowed me to learn alongside them.

The National Council of Churches in India and the Student Christian Movement of India played a significant role in shaping my vocation and worldview. Their General Secretaries, executive secretaries, colleagues, and friends invested in me through dialogue, trust, and mentorship. The Solidarity Foundation and its leadership kept me grounded in the realities of grassroots communities and reminded me that ministry is not merely about the Church, but about justice, dignity, and human flourishing.

To my friends, relatives, and family members, thank you for every prayer, message, phone call, and act of support. To my mum (Mrs Vasanthi Saduri) and my brother (Vivian Samson), Metilda, Ethan, Adley and Chislon, thank you for carrying me through moments when I doubted myself. You have always been there, quietly and faithfully.

And to my wife, Rev. Dr B. Silpa Rani, I do not think I would have reached this day without you. Your encouragement, patience, theological companionship, and unwavering faith have sustained me in countless ways. During the ordination, when you laid your hands on me and stood beside me, something moved deeply within me. In that moment, it felt as though my dad was standing there too, blessing me through you. It is a memory I will carry for the rest of my life.

For me, this ordination marks a milestone. A step into pastoral ministry that I have been preparing for since I was 10 years old. This vocation I hold with extreme sincerity and commitment to the church and the people. This is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to serve God and people. I step into this ministry humbled by the many people who have shaped me and hopeful about what God has in store.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated, prayed, travelled, called, messaged, and shared in our joy. Please continue to pray for me, for my household, and for the journey ahead.

 

"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" — Micah 6:8.

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