Dale Nathan Duke Celebrates 80 Years of God’s Grace in the Life of His Missionary Grandfather,
Rev. A. Jeyaraj of Blessing Youth Mission
Over to Dale….
On June 1, 1947 (although, as per official records, it is January 1, 1946), as India stood at the historic dawn of Independence from British rule, Virudhunagar, a city in South Tamil Nadu, saw the birth of a hard-working missionary by the name of Arunachalam Jeyaraj (A. Jeyaraj). This missionary was my grandfather or, in Tamil, my Thatha. He was born into a humble family of nominal Christians. This household consisted of his father, Arunachalam (also known as Gnanayuir Samuel), mother, Grace Ammal, and six children. The six children, in order of birth, were Selvaraj, A. Jeyaraj, Solomon, Augustine, Gnanasekaran, and Leethiyal Lilly Rose.
Growing up in a rented house in Virudhunagar, grandad and his family lacked electricity during the initial years. As a result, they used hurricane lamps within the household, including for tasks such as studying. For cooking, his mother used Vuratti (dried cow dung cakes). My grandfather’s parents were extremely hardworking despite being engaged in menial jobs. His mother sustained the family by selling idlis and maintaining livestock to sell milk through the local dairy society, apart from carrying the enormous responsibility of raising six children. Thatha’s father, on the other hand, packed spices such as chillies, cardamom, and other items for domestic trade and export, considering that Virudhunagar was a prominent trade centre during British rule. Despite their financial constraints, they ensured that their children were well-fed and received a good education according to the standards of those times.
A distinct memory recalled by my grandfather was a treasured family photograph in which he sat on his mother’s lap, alongside his grandfather, Mr. Visuvasam, and his cousin, Mr. Shanmugam. A regular feature of the summer vacations involved him and his family visiting his grandfather in Pattakulam by bus. On one such family trip, my grandfather vividly remembers getting down from a bus at Malli Pudu and walking the rest of the way to Pattakulam. Along the way, his mother realised that he had lost his gold ring. Tracing their path backwards, they were unable to find it. My grandfather recounts that it was a huge loss to the family at that time.
Grandad’s education began at Subramania Vidyasalai, where he completed his primary schooling. He then continued his education at KVS High School. Due to a change in the education system during those times, my grandfather had to study the 8th standard twice. During this period, his neighbour, Mr. Jayabalan, used to sit beside him. One of Mr. Jayabalan’s sons later became the televangelist Dr. J. Alan Paul. His ministry is broadcast on a television channel known as ‘Blessing TV’.
Until the 8th standard, everyone studied a common set of subjects, after which students had to choose the field they wanted to pursue. This is unlike the present system, where students typically make such decisions only after Class 10. The options available then were restricted to engineering or a secretarial course. As a result, my grandfather chose engineering as his area of interest – a field in which he would eventually work before moving into full-time ministry – and pursued it during Classes 9 and 10. Grandad used to walk to school, which was about one kilometre from his home. I believe this was instrumental in building the energy and stamina that he continues to enjoy to this day by God’s grace. Most of the teachers in the school were Christians, including the principal. His Class 8 teacher was Mr. Dharmaraj, whose son later became the Bishop of the Tirunelveli Diocese. Mr. Manickaraj taught him in Class 9.
After finishing Class 10 in May 1962, Thatha had the option of either pursuing junior college (Classes 11 and 12) or joining a polytechnic, which was a three-year professional course. He chose the latter. He enrolled at S. Vellaichamy Nadar Polytechnic College in Virudhunagar, where he specialised in civil engineering from 1962 to 1965. The principal of the polytechnic was a Christian named Mr. I.S.A. Jesudian. One of Thatha’s classmates was Mr. Premkumar, who was also one of his neighbours. Incidentally, Mr. Premkumar’s sister, Mrs. Vinolia, later became a missionary with Blessing Youth Mission (BYM) – the same organisation in which my grandfather would go on to become a pioneering missionary leader.
FROM VOMITTING BLOOD TO BEING SAVED BY THE BLOOD!
After completing his polytechnic course in 1965, he secured a job as a Building Supervisor on the same campus, working on the construction of a new hostel building. At that time, my grandfather had not yet been saved by the Lord Jesus. Although he attended church, Sunday School, youth programmes, and even sang in the church choir at his mother’s insistence, he nevertheless lived life on his own terms, enjoying the fleeting pleasures of the world. This included visiting clubs to play cards and travelling with friends to different cities to watch movies. However, all of that was about to change very soon.
One day, after returning home from work, he coughed and vomited blood. Being concerned, his parents decided to admit him to a hospital. Since there was no adequate medical care available in Virudhunagar at that time, they admitted him to a government hospital in Madurai. The diagnosis revealed that my grandfather was suffering from an advanced stage of tuberculosis.
While undergoing treatment, he noticed two other patients with the same condition who vomited blood and passed away. Witnessing this, the fear of death gripped his heart. The doctors did not give him much hope either. He was advised to quit his job as a Civil Engineer since he could no longer handle the dust and heat associated with the profession. Besides, they advised him not to climb stairs or speak loudly. Along with prescribing medication, they recommended three years of complete rest. They also stated that, if possible, it would be better for my grandfather to be admitted to the Sanatorium Hospital near Madurai. However, my grandfather chose to return home. Depressed, having lost all hope of recovery and fearful of losing his job, he could not see any light at the end of the tunnel.
But little did my grandfather know that there was Someone who was the “Light,” graciously waiting for him at the end of the tunnel. As part of God’s supernatural orchestration, my grandfather came into contact with Mr. and Mrs. Varadachary. Interestingly, Mr. Varadachary worked at the same polytechnic institution where my grandfather was employed. Realising the seriousness of his deteriorating health condition, the couple invited my grandfather to meet with them. In his mind, my Thatha assumed that they might offer him some traditional medicine for treatment, considering that they were Brahmins.
However, when he met them, to his surprise, the couple shared their testimony of being saved by the Lord Jesus. They went on to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with my grandfather, quoting various Scriptures. By the grace of God, the Holy Spirit convicted my grandad of his sins and directed his attention to the Lord Jesus, who had sacrificially died on the Cross for the forgiveness of his sins. As he prayed the sinner’s prayer, his sins were forgiven and his soul was saved by the Lord Jesus. After the prayer, he believed that the Lord Jesus had granted him a new life and had filled his heart with joy and peace.
Later, quoting the Scripture found in Isaiah 53:5, “By His stripes we are healed,” the couple explained to my grandfather that the Lord Jesus had died not only for his sins but also for his sicknesses. Thereafter, with eyes of faith, they earnestly prayed for the Lord Jesus’ divine healing upon him. The miracle-working God did the impossible. He supernaturally healed my grandad of every life-threatening sickness in his body that very day, the 25th of August, 1965. By the grace of God, he has enjoyed good health to this very day. It stands as a remarkable testimony of God’s mercy, love, and compassion toward my grandfather.
Having received a second chance at life from God, my Thatha was able to rejoin his job as a Building Supervisor at the polytechnic institution. Thereafter, Mr. and Mrs. Varadachary discipled him by teaching him to read the Holy Bible, pray, and share his miraculous testimony with others, thereby witnessing for Christ. This ministry involved speaking in churches, street preaching, village evangelism, and dawn preaching.
Soon, Mr. and Mrs. Varadachary encouraged my grandad to follow the Lord Jesus in the waters of baptism, which he did in Virudhunagar itself. Moreover, they taught him about the Holy Spirit and encouraged him to hunger for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My grandad also began interceding for the salvation of his family members who were yet to be born again, and in due time, all of them came to know the Lord one by one.
In addition, Grandad was a regular member of CSI St. John’s Church in Virudhunagar. The youth revival programmes conducted there had a profound impact on him. Preachers such as Mr. Stanley Prince, Mr. Rajasingh Varrier, and Mr. S.B.R. Ebenezer, who frequently ministered at these meetings, played an important role in mentoring him during his spiritual journey. In fact, my grandfather often credits their painstaking efforts and guidance, second only to the Lord Jesus, as being instrumental in shaping the person he eventually became.
The following year, in 1966, my grandfather got an opportunity to work in Chennai at a hotel as a Civil Engineer. During his two-year stay in Chennai from 1966 to 1967, he grew tremendously in the Lord Jesus. His uncles, David Thangasamy and Manuel, introduced him to the church they were attending. This church was pastored by the revivalist, Mr. Paulaseer Lawrie. Through this ministry, he had opportunities to learn many spiritual lessons from the Word of God. Besides, he was able to regularly attend public night prayers and fasting prayers. Moreover, he actively engaged in weekend ministry by sharing his testimony in slums, on streets, and in churches as well. It was during one of these night-prayer sessions that the Lord bestowed the baptism and anointing of the Holy Spirit upon my Thatha, with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
It was around the same time, in 1966, that Mr. Paulaseer Lawrie prophesied that the Lord Jesus had called my grandfather into full-time ministry. Although my grandfather heard this prophecy over his life, he did not pay serious attention to it. But God had His own plans, as would soon become evident. After working for a brief period in hotel construction, grandad got an opportunity to work at the Ennore Thermal Plant, which was part of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). Due to the long commute involved, he resigned from that position and later worked as an Engineer for the construction of an acquaintance’s home. Overall, this period in Chennai was a fruitful one, during which he grew in God’s grace and ministry.
By 1968, my grandfather returned to his native place, Virudhunagar, and worked as a Civil Engineer under the leadership of Mr. R. Periasamy, the then principal of his alma mater, S. Vellaichamy Nadar Polytechnic College. During this two-year stint, which lasted until 1970, grandad joined the Virudhunagar Gospel Team, headed by Mr. Varadachary. Through this ministry, he enjoyed the blessed fellowship of fellow believers through regular Bible studies, prayer meetings, and ministerial outreaches. These outreaches involved travelling as a team by bicycle to many villages, from Virudhunagar to Sivakasi, from Sivakasi to Saattur, and from Saattur back to Virudhunagar. Many souls came to faith in the Lord Jesus. As a result, this phase was crucial in strengthening my grandad’s spiritual life.
After this, the Lord Jesus led him to Nashik, Maharashtra, between 1970 and 1971, where he worked for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) as a Project Engineer for the Housing Board. However, with no Christian fellowship available, the spiritual climate was quite dull. This made my grandfather feel lonely, and as a result, he began seeking opportunities in Christian organisations where he could enjoy Christian fellowship. Amidst this search, by the grace of God, he received two job offers as a Civil Engineer, one at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota that was highly paid and another at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore which offered a lower salary. Desiring a stronger spiritual environment, my Thatha turned down the first offer and accepted the second.
In September 1971, grandad arrived in Vellore. During his time at CMC, he met Mr. R. Stanley and C. Samuel, fellow civil engineers who were also working there. Living as a bachelor, he frequently opened his home for prayer meetings, which resulted in a fruitful ministry. Mr. R. Stanley and my grandad travelled extensively across Vellore, sharing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was around this time that they began praying and planning to establish the ‘Blessing Youth Mission’ (formerly known as the ‘Full Gospel Young Men Association’). Following the 1971 Blessing Retreat (which came to be known as ‘Blesso’ the following year), where there was a powerful move of God among the 300 attendees, they officially registered the mission as a society with the government, along with a few other pioneering leaders. My grandfather was appointed Secretary of the Mission, a role that involved overseeing the administrative work of the ministry.
During the latter part of 1972, the brother and brother-in-law of grandad’s future wife, Vimala, (my grandmother) visited Vellore to enquire about my grandfather, although he was unaware of this at the time. They received good testimony about him and gave their approval for the marriage, provided my grandmother was willing to accept my grandfather’s extensive ministry travels. In 1973, my grandfather and grandmother were engaged and married in Sivakasi. Interestingly, my grandmother had not seen my grandfather until the day of their engagement and agreed to the marriage proposal with the consent of her parents. They began their married life in Virudhunagar and had a humble start, with my grandmother rearing two buffaloes and selling their milk to supplement the family income. Before long, they moved to Vellore, a place where they have lived ever since. In Vellore, while Thatha served at CMC, grandmom served as a housewife.
A portion of their rented home functioned as the office of BYM for a few years. After completing his work at CMC from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., grandad would spend long hours working at the BYM office, reflecting the dedication and hard work he invested in serving the Lord Jesus during the prime years of his life. Although they were newly married, my grandparents found themselves moving frequently. This was during the period when their children were born – my dad, Duke Jonathan Goforth, and my uncles, Kingsley Joseph Ragaland and Prince Josiah Benjamin. Though life was sometimes stressful, they remained steadfast in their commitment to serve the Lord Jesus.
Inspired by the mission challenge given by Mr. Glady Ishwar Raj in one of the earliest ‘Blesso’ camps, BYM incorporated into its vision the sending of missionaries to various needy parts of the country to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1974. The first batch of missionaries, consisting of four people, was trained and sent to Sitteri Hills, Tamil Nadu, in 1975. Over time, churches and missionary quarters were established there.
In October 1976, Mr. Ponraj, who briefly served as a full-time Office Secretary in the mission office, along with a few other pioneering missionaries of BYM, made the mission’s first missionary trip to North India. Upon returning home, Mr. Ponraj felt burdened to do the Lord’s work in Odisha. After discussions among the mission leaders, it was decided that Mr. Ponraj Isaac, Mr. Ponnasamy, and Mr. Kanan Samuel, along with one family, would serve God in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Using this city as their base, they ventured into other towns across Odisha. My mom’s parents, who were among the earliest missionaries of the mission, also found themselves in Odisha after serving in Sitteri Hills, Tamil Nadu. They, along with their fellow missionaries, endured great hardships for the Lord Jesus. Although my grandfather was not directly involved in the mission fields, he regularly visited the mission stations from Vellore to receive updates on the work and encourage the missionaries to continue faithfully.
Since Mr. Ponraj Isaac had left for Odisha, there was a need for someone to serve full-time in the mission office. It was during this time that my grandfather sensed the Lord Jesus calling him into full-time ministry. At that time, CMC’s salary was nearly double that of BYM. However, with a leap of faith, he resigned from his job at CMC on October 2, 1976, and joined BYM full-time as an Office Secretary, overseeing the administrative work of the mission office. In addition, he served as the Finance Coordinator (Treasurer) of the organisation. Later, the founder of ‘Jesus Calls’, Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran, upon learning of my grandfather’s commitment to full-time ministry, wrote him a thoughtful and encouraging letter, conveying his best wishes, words of advice, and prayers.
An important detail to note is that my grandad informed grandmom about his resignation from CMC only after he had already resigned. Hearing this news, my grandmother was shocked and began to cry, wondering how the family would survive without a stable income, especially with my dad being only two years old and grandmom pregnant with their second child. However, after being encouraged and strengthened by her father and a few elders, including Mr. and Mrs. C. Samuel, she came to terms with the decision and chose to support my grandad on this journey by joining BYM herself as an office staff member. The Lord Jesus did not disappoint them. He faithfully provided for all the family’s needs, especially by enabling all four children to receive an excellent education and become well-settled in life.
During this period, the first printing machine was purchased and installed in the office for printing tracts. Regular camps, namely ‘Blesso’ and ‘Revivo’, were conducted every year in January and October respectively. Grandad spearheaded the arrangements for these events. After shifting offices several times, BYM was eventually blessed by the Lord Jesus with a permanent office in Vellore, which remains the headquarters of its mission work to this day. For many years, Thatha travelled to this office by bicycle. The office, which initially had only one typewriter, saw my grandfather typing countless letters that were sent across the nation.
Finally, in 1982, the Lord Jesus graciously provided my grandparents with a house of their own in Vellore. The house was initially very basic, with neither a compound wall nor proper plastering. On one occasion, my uncle, Prince Josiah Benjamin, received an electric shock when he went to the restroom because of the unfinished condition of the house. However, the Lord Jesus protected him from what could have been a tragic incident. Over time, the house was improved through the Lord’s gracious provision. It was in this house that my aunt, Ann Jessita Cherub, was born. She was an answer to the sincere prayers of my grandmother’s father, who longed for a granddaughter after being blessed with three grandsons. Sadly, by the time she was born in 1985, he had already passed away.
My Thatha regularly travelled to different mission stations and helped establish churches. Moreover, he often accompanied Mr. Stanley and served as his Tamil translator while Mr. Stanley preached in English. Their partnership worked seamlessly because, after years of ministering together, my grandfather knew almost exactly what Mr. Stanley would say next. These frequent ministry assignments meant that my grandmother had to single-handedly care for their four children, sustained only by the precious grace of the Lord.
The years between 1986 and 1992 saw BYM go through an administrative crisis. As a result, much of the administrative responsibility rested on my grandfather’s shoulders. Although the situation was difficult, God gave him the grace to navigate the crisis alongside other leaders such as Mr. Mathan Singh. During this period, he also witnessed his eldest son, Duke Jeyaraj, enter full-time ministry after pursuing his studies at Southern Asia Bible College (SABC) in the year 1998. Both Thatha (Rev. Dr. A. Jeyaraj) and Pama (grandmother Mrs. Vimala Jeyaraj) were very happy to send him for the Vineyard Work of God having dedicated him for the ministry, him being their first born.
With the arrival of the new millennium, grandad visited Hawaii and studied at the Haggai Institute for one month. Then, in 2003, I, Dale Nathan Duke, became my grandfather’s first grandchild. The following year, my grandfather officially retired from BYM. However, at the mission’s request, he continued serving for another two years. During this time, he prepared the staff manual and helped establish administrative procedures for the years ahead.
From 2005 onwards, God gave my grandparents the grace and strength to travel overseas for ministry opportunities after retirement. In 2005, they made their first overseas ministry trip together to the United States. Later, in 2007, my grandfather attended the ‘Asian Mission Conference’ in Turkey and, on the way, visited his second son, Kingsley Joseph Ragaland, who was then living in Bahrain.
In 2009 and 2013, my grandparents made two more trips to the United States, with return journeys that included ministry visits across Europe, including the United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and France. The Sri Lankan Tamil Church, in particular, played an instrumental role in inviting grandad to preach. Meanwhile, his daughter, Ann Jessita Cherub, got married and settled in New Zealand. As a result, my grandparents began making regular visits to both New Zealand and neighbouring Australia.
My grandmother, having retired from BYM in 2008, started a ministry of writing books, especially focusing on the women found in the Holy Bible. Her zeal for the Holy Bible has resulted in her conducting weekly Bible Studies for women in her neighbourhood.
In the year 2011, BYM wanted to conduct a retreat for retired missionaries and had promised to underwrite some of the expenses for it. However, at the last minute, they suddenly cancelled the retreat. By that time, however, the retired missionaries had already booked their tickets for the retreat. At that point, my grandfather was approached regarding whether an alternative arrangement could be made. So, with limited time left and being a man of action, he speedily raised funds for the retreat by the Lord’s provision and successfully conducted it.
Thereafter, with a vision to continue fostering fellowship and support among the retired missionaries of BYM, my grandad, along with other senior retired missionary leaders, started an organisation called the ‘Brook of Cherith Ministries’. This name was inspired by the story found in 1 Kings 17, where the Prophet Elijah, who, being weary and in need of rest (resembling the retired missionaries seeking rest), stayed by the Brook Cherith and was eventually fed by the Lord through the ravens. Similar programs, like the retreat, have been conducted regularly, with the most recent being held in December 2025, which I attended. A number of retired missionaries of BYM assembled there for a time of fellowship and received Christmas gifts.
For a person who, by the sheer grace of God, has hardly suffered any major health setbacks since God’s miraculous healing of his tuberculosis, my grandfather did face a life-threatening bike accident in 2025. Although Thatha sustained a serious injury to his spinal cord, by the grace of God, there was no dislocation of any bones. During the three months of bed rest that followed, God gave me the opportunity to take care of him at different periods. In the process, I was also able to discover God’s special calling upon my life, which was to serve the Lord Jesus in full-time ministry.
Today, my grandfather continues to serve actively, even in his later years. He operates from a dedicated office attached to his residence, where he provides consultancy services to churches and Christian organisations, particularly in the areas of administration and finance. Besides, drawing upon his experience in civil engineering, he also assists in evaluating building plans and monitoring construction projects for churches, especially across southern Tamil Nadu.
Beyond his formal responsibilities, he takes a genuine interest in helping different people, including missionaries and the downtrodden, in various ways. One recent instance I remember was when he was informed about a retired missionary’s health condition and the urgent need for medical assistance. He swiftly took the necessary steps to help him. By God’s grace, the missionary received the required treatment, and the entire medical bill was waived, bringing immense relief to him and his family.
Overall, my grandfather has had a miraculous testimony that clearly displays the transforming power of the Lord Jesus. From a young man facing a life-threatening disease to a faithful servant of God who has spent decades advancing the Lord Jesus’ Kingdom, his journey reflects what God can accomplish through a life surrendered to Him. Throughout the greater part of his lifetime, serving the Lord Jesus has remained his highest priority, often requiring sacrifices of many worldly pleasures that many would find difficult to make. People who know him well will always remember him as a man of action who would go the extra mile for any given task.
As he completes 79 years of God’s goodness and enters his 80th year in 2026, my grandfather remains firmly convinced that he has been sustained thus far, purely by the grace of God. He continually remains grateful to the Lord Jesus, who saved him, healed him, and guided him through every season of life. As his grandson, it is my earnest desire and prayer that I too would carry a powerful testimony for the Lord’s glory and continue the legacy of building the Lord Jesus’ Kingdom that my grandfather began in our family.
(Dale is the eldest son of Duke Jeyaraj and Evangelin Duke; This writeup was compiled following, Dale’s visits to Vellore to visit his grandparents. Dale audio recorded lengthy conversations he had with his grandparents, Rev. A. Jeyaraj, and Mrs. Vimala Jeyaraj, to write this essay. His training in essay-writing as a former student of St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi, definitely helped in this process. Dale now joins the M. Div. program in South Asia Insititute of Advanced Christian Studies. Rev. Dr. A. Jeyaraj can be reached via WhatsApp on his personal phone number, +91-9443245017)
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