Dr. R. Augustine Joseph
A 14 year old boy, sitting in the pews of an old Church in a small village in Tuticorin District of Tamilnadu, suddenly saw as he was singing, a divine vision. Lo! The Pierced Palm of The Crucified JESUS appeared before him with blood dripping all over. Shuddering on seeing the twitching Hand of JESUS, he sprung up from his stall and rushed outside the Church. He purposed in his heart that he would search and find this LORD JESUS who was bruised for our transgressions (Isaiah 53: 5). With this Holy Grail in mind, he ran towards the red sands of Theri Kaadu, a vast desert land, 15 kms off Tiruchendur. In this 12,000 acre span, he searched vigourously for His Maker. Walking back to his home daily to a small village at Mukuperi, this short boy would often stumble with his teary eyes and red sand covered hairs. People who beheld him strolling home, late at night would often mistake him for a wayward drunkard. But this never deterred his persistence in finding The LORD (Hebrews 11: 27).
His family mistook him, his friends deserted him, his teachers jeered him, his peers avoided him; but his only aim, ambition and desire: I NEED JESUS!
Finally after 3 and half years of toiling and weeping and rolling in the desert, JESUS appeared to this 17 year old little boy on the 18th of July 1972. This young boy saw The LORD JESUS with his own eyes and this earmarked his wonderful ministry which was seeded inside him that very day by The LORD JESUS.
This young boy was none other than late Dr. R. Augustine Joseph.
Born and brought up in a Christian family, Dr. R. Augustine Joseph was the eldest of 6 children. This is the main reason, he was and is still called fondly as, “Annan / Anna” (brother) by everybody. His father was late Mr. Rajamoni and late Mrs. Davamoni who were keen in putting a firm foundation for his love towards The LORD JESUS. At a very young age, Annan was an active participant in the choir at CSI St. Mark’s Church, Mukuperi. He never skipped Church and was the finest organist back in his time.
After his maiden encounter with The LORD JESUS, he submitted himself into being “A Doulos for CHRIST” [Doulos: in greek – Slave].
Born into an educational family, with his father and mother in the teaching fraternity, Annan was erudite in the Holy Bible along with his academics. With double Ph.Ds adorning his cap, Annan had also cleared his TNPSC Group I Exam and was selected to the rank of a Deputy Collector. Also at this stage, he was a green card holder since he held a significantly high post in World Mission.
But a man who has seen GOD and who has vouched to follow in His Footsteps, will not heed to his own thoughts, intentions and ambitions. Annan let GOD orchestrate the map of his life on earth and let Him have his way (Isaiah 64:8).
The LORD JESUS finally let our Annan land in a small post in the Department of Registration, Government of Tamilnadu. Though his worldly life was microscopic in nature, his spiritual life pinnacled. Being a man who had seen The LORD JESUS, he was bestowed with all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12: 8 – 10).
At an early age, he started to minister in Churches all across Tamilnadu. Speaking on various topics, the topic of “The Gifts of The Holy Spirit” topped them all. Not only was he theoretical on “The Gifts of The Holy Spirit,” since he possessed them, his sermons involved exercising the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. People were called to the dais and their lives were transformed through Annan. He was fondly called as “Varangal Specialist” (Specialist on The Gifts of the Holy Spirit) by Bro. David Jeyakaran, Director – JESUS the Crucified Across all Nations.
He could take up any verse in the Holy Bible and preach it in various ways in various Meetings. Bro. Elwith A Jr, Administrator – JESUS the Crucified Across all Nations Ministries recalls, “Mama (Uncle) usually said that one can break the word into 7 layers. Each layer will taste better than the previous. He lived according to this saying of his.” Annan would preach every sermon, preparing them before the Heavenly Hosts and after rehearsing them before The LORD JESUS. Such a sweet communion he had with all of Heaven.
On 4th of October, 1997, at a residential Camp at Coonoor, Nilgris, he received the directive of The LORD JESUS to start a Vision / Ministry as a Prophetic School which magnifies the Crucified JESUS over everything in this world. Hence on that day, the Vision of “JESUS the Crucified Across all Nations” was conceived.
By realizing this vision, JESUS the Crucified Across all Nations had its first fasting prayer on the 30th of December 1997 at Christhukula Ashram, Courtallam, Tamilnadu. From then onwards, monthly fasting prayer meetings were introduced. Along with the same, residential camps were conducted once in 3 months, wherein Annan would share the Word of GOD, pray for every participant, heal them of their infirmities and prophesy to them about the intent of The LORD for their life.
Many sheep were added to this fold, established by this shepherd under the directive of The Good Shepherd JESUS CHRIST. Some sheep ate good grass provided by the shepherd and grew and begat many small lambs into the fold, while other sheep ate the good grass and tried to subdue the shepherd. While some sheep revolted, some sheep cried. But the shepherd was always looking unto The Face of The Good Shepherd JESUS who was guiding him, in all his ways.
The Ministry flourished for The Glory of GOD and miracles after miracles knocked on the doors of all the people who were attached to this Ministry. The LORD JESUS moved mightily through dear Annan, Dr. R. Augustine Joseph and signs and wonders were performed through The LORD JESUS through his hands.
This man of God, who obeyed The LORD JESUS and stood faithful in his calling and in all the missions given to him by GOD entered into His Glory on December 08th, 2007. Hundreds of people came to pay homage and thank GOD for the man who stood in the gap to intercede for them.
Even today, people gather every year at Annan’s crypt in his native place of Mukuperi, each year to praise The LORD JESUS for the exemplary life of this man, whom the world was no worthy!