For some reason, my parents picked a particular biblical name for me. In fact, each of my siblings and children carries a Western name, an Eastern name, and a biblical name. Late Dallas Theological Seminary professor, Harold Hoehner, was quick to quip, “Mmm … two pagan names and one Bible name!”

Such parental practice may have been merely traditional in south Indian Christian homes. I think it was also aspirational on my parents’ part. Would their son turn out like the Bible character?

To a small extent, I’d say, I did. I still am. And for as long as God will permit, I shall.

So when Dallas Seminary President Mark Yarbrough invited me, Bonnie, and our son Robby and his wife, Nathalie, to join important meetings in Rome at his expense, we went two days early to visit the historic city, including one territory outside Vatican geography but not responsibility: Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

This fourth-century basilica, built on the grave of the apostle, generates veneration among many given to Roman Catholic practice. We can engage in admiration of their commitment and imitation of their character, but neither Paul nor the other prophets and apostles would have remotely entertained human adoration. Paul not only would have refused such reverence, but Scripture also records him stopping a Lycaonian expression of erroneous idolatry, turning it into an opportunity to proclaim the living God (Acts 14:11–18).

To me, this beautiful structure was the most meaningful of all the sites. Probably because my middle name is Paul. How an ordinary grave became a major basilica reflects more the papal socio-political history and human yearnings than apostolic expectation in the face of deprivation, exile and martyrdom.

A sacred hush descends as I write this letter to you. I am deeply moved by the heritage of this heroic figure, who eventually died for his faith and work. During his second imprisonment, the apostle anticipated martyrdom (between AD 65 and 67/68). As one of Nero’s hated Christians, he was beheaded, and as a citizen, given a burial spot in Rome. His memorial tomb carries the honorable words Paulo Apostolo Mart (Paul the Apostle and Martyr). I was saddened also seeing Paul’s bond-chains that connected him to his prison guard.

Under a colossal early 19th century sculpture of the apostle, a Latin inscription reads, “Predicatori Veritatis, Doctori Gentium.” This phrase Preacher of the truth, teacher of the nations is drawn from Paul’s declaration and oath, “I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1 Timothy 2:7 ESV, oath formula underlined).

As I stood next to Paul’s self-description, his missional mantle overshadowed me. His ministry method claims me too. I do not know how, when and where I will die, but I wish to imitate, not venerate Paul, in his mission as a proclaimer—preaching the truth and teaching the nations that Jesus is “the one mediator between God and man” (vs. 5).

His ministry method? Pass the truth on to select, reliable Timothy-types, who will pass it on to others.

“Refurbished” is how I describe myself these days, with a “limited, extended warranty” (just like you). Hence, the Pauline parallel of personal proclamation and multiplication must continue in my life. In considering why I have been spared, Bonnie answered this morning, “To do even more!”

RREACH’s mission statement climaxes with promote the Lord Jesus Christ worldwide. In simple definition, “to promote” is to further raise to higher regard. That’s why our vision is to change the way large numbers of individuals think about Jesus, accomplished through media proclamation. We are increasingly stunned by the interest and response to the gospel from the youngest, densest, neediest region of the world. We are looking at what it will take to pursue 10x greater response from people 10x harder to reach.

In chemistry definition, however, “to promote” is to catalyze. That’s why our vision is to change the way large numbers of individuals hear about Jesus, accomplished through local proclamation. Paul’s itinerant works complemented his media work (writing letters and books) and multiplying local leadership.

For the first time since the pandemic decimated the world, RREACH is bringing back our complex flagship project to the US: the Dallas Global Proclamation Academy. We intend to host at least 25 “Timothies”—choice, younger pastoral leaders from 25 countries, for three weeks of pastoral training on the DTS campus. The June 9–29 Dallas GProAcademy beautifully coincides with DTS’s Centennial year (visit dts.edu/centennial). This project serves as a ministry engine at several levels—personal, local, national, regional, global—to preach truth and teach nations over the long term.

What a fruitful partnership the Dallas Global Proclamation Academy has been between RREACH and DTS since 2005. Recently, I received recognition for 40 years of seminary service. If you’d like to see my forlorn look—perhaps that’s what teaching long at a seminary does—while nice things were said, we’ll send you the video clip upon request on the response card. You may endure and enjoy with Bonnie and me.

Pray with us for the success of June. Give to it! It’s expensive for us (see response card), but also for participants—they need to come up with half their airfare. We invite you to attend a GPro Impact lunch (or dinner) and catch one of our fine master coaches on campus. Most importantly, plan now to join a glorious graduation banquet on June 29 as we send them back to their countries with training and zeal. Once again, we project a 100% return rate to their homelands.

Now back to the Rome visit. To make chitchat, Gianluca, our hotel concierge, asked what I liked most about his city. He was startled when I mentioned St. Paul Outside the Walls. Apparently, not many get there after seeing the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica inside the Vatican.

“Why?” he queried.

I replied, “Paul changed the world!”

“How so?” he probed.

I shared how Paul revised our understanding of God’s relationship with humanity. Much like his Roman ancestors, Copernicus and Galileo, who changed the cosmic paradigm to a heliocentric (sun-centered) universe, Paul preached and taught that eternal life was an unearned, free gift. I showed Gianluca Romans 6:23 (after all, we were in Rome) on my phone. He was stupefied. “Free gift? The church has never taught me that.” He remarked twice, “This is opposite what the church has taught.” A stunning personal discovery in salvation astronomy! I am keeping in touch with him.

Just as it cost Paul, applying the apostle’s model to us requires diligent, intentional activity at a personal price. In this point we all can measurably participate today in his mission, message and method. The need for truth in the nations doesn’t ever go away. Strategic and promising opportunities abound. We daily seek wisdom in the provision for what we must or not do. We sincerely ask the “should, would, could we consider” questions before making decisions of great consequence.

So I need and invite you to carry this personal cost of personal, biblical, and local proclamation all over the world. Together, we shall move the Pauline mantle forward, locally and worldwide.

In the Inexhaustible Vine,

P.S. I’ve just returned from a two-week, five-city ministry in my birthland, testing my limits and India’s limits, too. God’s graces covered me even as God’s purposes carried me. I shall pass it all on to others. But I seek your help for the rest of this year, the decade, and my life. “Will you join me? Prayerfully? Practically? Please let me hear from you at ramesh@rreach.org.