Serving the Reigning Christ: an interview with Esther V. Shekher

Here is a woman from a Hindu background now passionately serving Jesus Christ. PneumaReview.com has the privilege to introduce you to Evangelist Dr. Esther Shekher and let her tell us about her ministry and her book, All the Commandments of God: Find Out the Secret to Inherit All the Blessings of God (Westbow, 2013).

PneumaReview.com: Please tell us about your ministry.

Esther V. Shekher: Calling of God…I am a Medical Doctor and a full time Missionary & Evangelist for the past 11 years. In 1989, the Lord, in His grace, enrolled me in His School of Training. He prepared me by taking me through numerous trials, especially the four major tests, namely, Character Test, Obedience Test, Word Test and Faith Test for the next 14 years. The tests got tougher and tougher and finally, to be honest before God, I felt like I was taking Ph.D. level tests in these four spiritual areas. Only by the grace of God, I could pass these tests according to God’s standard of righteousness. All glory to God!

Ministry Highlights

• Pastors’ Conferences…The Lord said to me, after preparing me for His calling for many years, in 2010, “Now you are worthy to preach to the Pastors and Believers of nations around the world.” The Lord Himself opened up opportunities for me to speak in Pastors’ Conferences. I ended up speaking in 35 Pastors’ Conferencesincluding National Chinese Pastors’ Conferences, National Methodist Pastors’ Conferences, AG Pastors’ Fellowships, etc., across Asia.
• I also spoke in numerous Churches of all denominations, Bible College, Prayer Revival Conferences, Women’s Meetings, Youth Camps, Rural Outreach, etc., in 5 nations – Malaysia, Singapore, USA, India and Sri Lanka, strengthening the believers and winning the lost to Christ. Praise be to God!
• Set up “Christ Rules Ministries” in 2008…The Lord enabled me to establish “Christ Rules Ministries” in 2008 to raise up fervent Intercessors and worthy Laborers for the Kingdom of God to win the lost souls to Christ.
• Established International Prayer Network (IPN) in 2010…The Lord gave me a divine strategy to start prayer cells through International Prayer Network (IPN) which I started in 2010 to intercede for the Salvation of every lost soul in Americaand in every other nation of the world. With the help of the Pastors and believers, so far, by God’s grace, I have started more than 7000 Prayer Cells in five different nations, namely, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, USA, India including Andaman Islands.
• TV Ministry: My TV messages are being aired on 2 television networks which cover more than 110 nations around the world.
• TV Ministry in USA in 2015:
  • Interview with Shana on Atlanta’s 57 WATC TV, Georgia on June 10, 2015.
  • Interview with Arthelene Rippy, Christian Television Network, Florida on June 15, 2015.
  • Interview with Dorothy and Russell, By the Book TV, WBPI, in Augusta, Georgia on June 26 and June 30, and on August 20, 2015.
  • Interviewed on August 19, 2015 on WGGS, Dove Broadcasting TV, Greenville, South Carolina.
• Prayer Ministry in USA…Since 2012, I have been preaching in several Churches in Stockton, Hayward, Galt and Bay Area in Northern California, and in Georgia. I have sowed the seed of prayer in the hearts of people and have started about 730 prayer cells to pray for the Salvation of every perishing soul living in these cities. I have also been preparing the believers for the soon coming Rapture.
• Publications…By God’s grace, I have written 2 books entitled, All the Commandments of God, Volume 1 and 2. The first book is a checklist of Jesus’ commandmentswith their rewards and consequences clearly explained, from the Gospels of Matthew and John, covering all the major topics in Christian faith. The second book is also on the same concept of God’s Commandments, taken from the Epistles of Apostle Paul, which will be published soon.
• Discipleship Seminars…I have been holding Discipleship Seminars based on my book entitled All the Commandments of God, using very interesting power-point presentations, to strengthen the believers in the Word of God.

• Seminars on End Times…I have been preaching on End Times and teaching the whole “Book of Revelation” using powerful power-point presentations, to bring the awareness about the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in the Churches.
• Social work: Started Gypsy Literacy Programs, Widows Ministry, Handicapped Ministry, Orphanage Ministry, etc., in Asia.

PneumaReview.com: Please tell us how God called you from a successful medical practice.

Shekher: Salvation Experience…I come from a Hindu background and I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of 18. During the course of my salvation experience, two facts became crystal clear to me – (i) Jesus loved me so deeply that He would even die for me. (ii) He hated sin so much that He would bear the suffering and shame of the cross to deliver me from that awful sin.

I understood at that early age that I too must hate sin and I started longing for Christ’s righteousness. After yearning for the anointing of the Holy Spirit for a year, God baptized me with His Spirit for about 3 hours.

Promise of God Fulfilled…Jesus Christ became my passion and I spent a lot of time talking to Him daily. He became my closest friend. While I was doing my medical training, one day, after crying out to the Lord for about six hours, longing to see Him, to hear His voice and to know His will for my life, the Lord promised me through the Scriptures (Acts 22:14) that I would see the Just One, hear Him speak and know His will. This promise came to pass seven years later, when I was in USA. Jesus says, “My sheep will hear My voice.”

Calling of God… I came to USA in 1989, as a young Medical Doctor, full of passion for Jesus Christ. After I finished my Medical Licensing Board Exams, I spent about 3-4 hours daily, praying fervently and listening to His Word.

On March 18, 1992, while I was pouring my heart to God in prayer, I heard His audible voice saying, “I died on the cross for you, what have you done for Me? Will you do my ministry until you have your last breath?” From then on, I heard Him almost every night, waking me up at 3 a.m. saying, “Stand in the gap and cry out in the middle of the night with agony for the perishing souls.” I have been obeying the Lord every day as He instructs me. He schedules my days. Our God is faithful in fulfilling His promises.

God molded my character over a period of eleven years by taking me through numerous trials, cave of afflictions. He trained me to ‘die to Self’ and to depend on Him instead of my own abilities. His awesome Presence, His precious Holy Spirit, like a ball of fire cleanses the temple of my spirit every day and fills me, preparing me for His Ministry.

Mission Trip…God called me as a full time Missionary and Evangelist. With great difficulty I finally let go off my lucrative job and obeyed His call. Since then I have been preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in many nations around the world for the past 11 years.

I had to change my medical career for a better eternal goal. Today, I am living a purpose driven life – a life which is a blessing to millions of people around the world. I am in the midst of God’s will right now.

PneumaReview.com: You founded a prayer ministry, the International Prayer Network, please tell us about this network and how it has opened doors to share the good news of what Jesus has done around the world.

Shekher: International Prayer Network (IPN): The Lord gave me a divine strategy to establish Prayer Cells through International Prayer Network (IPN) which I started in 2010, to intercede for the Salvation of lost souls in every nation of the world.

God called me and prepared me as an Intercessor and has given me the calling to raise up fervent intercessors and worthy laborers for the Kingdom of God. In my teaching, I connect the prayer strategy and the End-time information with historical, archaeological and scientific evidences, along with current affairs and then lead the congregation in intercessory prayer. I also teach how all the prophecies concerning the Second Coming of Christ are getting fulfilled before our very eyes, using beautiful powerful presentations to help believers discern the signs of the end times so that the believers would be burdened to intercede for the lost souls and cooperate with their Pastors when they start prayer cells.

The Lord, Himself, opened the doors and helped me to hold such seminars in numerous Churches and speak in 35 Pastors Conferences. With the help of the Pastors and believers, I have started more than 7000 prayer cells so far, in many nations around the world.

I have successfully implemented this IPN Prayer Strategy in USA, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Andamans, etc. By God’s grace, more than 7000 Prayer Cells have been established so far in these nations; 1400 Prayer Cells in Malaysia alone, during 5 mission trips; 245 in Singapore; 800 in Sri Lanka; 730 in USA; 4550 in India; 250 in Andamans, etc.

Since 2012, I have been preaching in several Churches in Stockton, Hayward, Galt and Bay Area in Northern California, and in Georgia, USA. I have sowed the seed of prayer in the hearts of people and have started about 730 prayer cells to pray for the Salvation of every perishing soul living in these cities. Praise be to our God!

God prepared me as a prayer warrior first, and I would humbly admit that praying much in the Spirit, has been the shortcut for my calling so far. I make prayer very simple. It is nothing but talking to our best friend, Jesus Christ.

By God’s grace, I am gifted to make ordinary believers into prayer warriors, by teaching them this divine prayer strategy with a beautiful power-point presentation.

If Churches in America follow this simple IPN strategy, not even one unsaved soul in our cities will be left behind without being prayed, for their Salvation.

IPN Strategy Information in brief:

I. God’s Perfect Will

• God, our Savior wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (see 1Tim. 2:4/NIV).
• The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (see 2 Pet. 3:9/NIV).

II. God’s Promise: “It is not by might, nor by your power but only by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts” (Zech. 4:6).

The Lord can revive any nation even in one day. God did bring revival in the city of Nineveh through Jonah, the Prophet (Jonah 3; Is.66:8). III. Our Mission “Christ Rules” was established to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, preaching the Gospel to the lost, making disciples and starting Prayer Cells to intercede for revival in every nation of the world.

We are in the last days before the Second Coming of Christ and every second we waste, we are losing about two souls to eternal hellfire.

Since Christ Rules’ primary goal is to lead the lost souls to Christ, we are seeking 100,000 believers who have the same vision. IV. God Given Vision

This is the closest vision in line with God’s perfect will for all men to be saved:

• Every Individual,
• Every Home,
• Every Street &
• Every City

Must be covered with prayer. V. God Given Strategy

1. To start Prayer Cells all over America.
2. To go and make Disciples all over USA through Discipleship Training Programs. (see Matt. 28:18-20)

VI. Prayer Cells as Lighthouses, in Millions…As God has promised, if two believers agree and sincerely pray for their city, then God will send forth revival in that city. (see Matt. 18:19)

These prayer cells will stand out like millions of lighthouses across each and every State, bombarding Heaven, continually sending sweet smelling incense to His throne-room, for God to send forth revival in America. Then we will see true revival breaking forth by His Spirit, even in just one day. (Jonah 3; Is.66:8) VII. Intercessors: We are looking for sincere intercessors to stand in the gap between the perishing souls and hellfire.

Qualifications of An Intercessor: A true intercessor should have intense burden for lost souls and cry out for them.

‘O Daughter of Zion,

Let tears run down like a river day and night,

Give yourself no relief,

Give your eyes no rest.

Arise, cry out in the night; at the beginning of the watches,

Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord;

Lift your hands toward Him;

for the life of your young children, who faint from hunger (i.e., for Salvation) at the head of every street’ (Lam. 2:18-19).

If we, who are saved, do not pray for our nation, God will make us accountable for the lost souls (see Jer. 2:34-35).

VIII. Implementation of Our Strategy…

1. Target: Our goal is to reach every unsaved soul in every State in America through prayer.
2. Local Prayer: Prayer can be effective only when the local residents pray for their area.
3. United Prayer: When we pray for every individual, in every home, street, city, state, then we can cover all the unsaved souls in USA with prayer. Individual prayers will not have as much impact as united corporate prayer for each city.
4. Your Rewards on Earth & in Heaven…

Scripture says that “He who wins souls is wise” and he will shine like stars forever and ever. (See Dan.12:3; Prov.11:30)

Your fervent prayers will bring a multitude of lost souls into the Kingdom of God. Since you are doing God’s will, His abundant favor and mercy will come upon you and your family. Churches in your local area will overflow with new members.

PS: If Churches are interested in starting prayer cells, I am willing to implement this prayer strategy in their Churches and help them start prayer cells to intercede for revival in their cities.

PneumaReview.com: On your ministry website, ChristRulesNations.org, you share your testimony that you come from a Hindu background. As a Hindu, what arrested your attention about the God of the Bible so that turned your life over to him?

Shekher: Saved by Grace…I was born and raised up as a Hindu. When I was 18, my mother became very ill and the doctors could not diagnose her illness. Our Hindu religion also failed us and then, when some Christian believers prayed for my mother, she was completely healed by the power in the name of Jesus Christ. From then on, my father himself took us to attend Christian prayer meetings.

After hearing much about the love and the sacrifice of Christ, I finally accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior whole heartedly. Jesus’ love, compassion, power of healing and His sacrifice on the Cross for my sins drew my attention to the God of the Bible.

During the course of my salvation experience, two facts became crystal clear to me –

(i) Jesus loved me so deeply that He would even die for me.

(ii) He hated sin so much that He would bear the suffering and shame of the cross to deliver me from that awful sin.

PneumaReview.com: How can Christians effectively share, particularly with their Hindu neighbors, the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for sin?

Shekher: It is very simple to bring a Hindu to Christ. Hindus are generally very religious people. Most of them will readily accept Christ as one of their gods. You can simply explain to them the Salvation message – about the love of Christ and what He has done on the Cross for them to redeem them of their sins. Tell them that Jesus loves them no matter what and will accept them just as they are. Then, if you can, gift them the Holy Bible and encourage them to read the Word of God so that the Lord may speak to them.

You can tell them that the Holy Bible is the most read Book in the world. “B.I.B.L.E.” stands for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” and it is a love letter from God to mankind. The Bible is archaeologically, scientifically, historically, medically, mathematically and geographically 100% proven, word for word from the beginning till the end.

You can also make friends with the unbelievers, pray for their Salvation, show them love, care for them and then testify to them about Christ, their Savior, day by day. You might be one of the links God will use in their lives to bring them into Salvation.

When you testify to a Hindu, do not offend their religion. Do not get into an argument unless otherwise they are open for discussion and they want to know the truth. Only talk about your relationship with Christ and how He has changed your life.

Our good works cannot save us…Hindus believe in reincarnation and they believe that they can go to heaven by doing good works. Our good works can never nullify the sins which we commit in our lives but only by the blood of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed from our sins.

The Bible says that there is one life to live and then there is judgment to face. (see Heb.9:27)

If they are educated, wealthy Hindus, and if they question you about Christ’s divinity, then you may need to prove to them the uniqueness of Christ and His divinity.

Some facts about Jesus Christ which can help believers testify to Hindus or to any unbeliever…

• Jesus Christ is a historical man and not a mythological character.
• Jesus was 100% God and 100% man when He lived on this earth.
• Jesus’ birth divides the timeline (BC & AD). Today we are living 2015 years after His birth. Jesus lived on this earth only for 33 ½ years but He changed the history of the world.
• Jesus – The only sinless person who ever lived on earth. As a youth, while Jesus lived on this earth, He was tempted in every way just as we are – yet without sin.When He was condemned to death, out of envy, by His own Jewish people, even the Roman Governor, Pilate who judged Jesus said, “I find no fault in Him. I am innocent of His blood.”
• Medical Science proves- Life is in the Blood…We have 5 litres of blood in our body. If we lose 2 litres of blood in an accident, it has to be immediately transfused because life is in the blood. Bible also proves it. When we sin, our blood gets corrupted. Jesus died in our place and shed till the last drop of His sinless blood to redeem us from our sins.
• Jesus’ Death & Resurrection proven: Jesus’ death and resurrection were well documented because they happened during the Roman rule, which was then the world power. If Jesus had died according to the Jewish custom, He would have been stoned to death and we would not be having any proof of His death today but because He died under the Roman Empire, we have evidence today for His death and resurrection.

• Jesus’ tomb alone is empty on earth; for He is risen and is alive today!
• Only Jesus proclaimed, “I am the Light of the world”. Many religions teach that God is love and God is light and point towards that light. But only the Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed “I am the true light which lights every man that comes into the world.” Until Jesus Christ, the light is invited into your dead spirit, your spirit lives in the darkness of sin. (see John 1:9, 8:12)

• Only Jesus gives us the power to overcome sin: Every religion talks about good morals to follow but only Jesus Christ, the greatest religious leader who ever lived on earth, gives us the power to overcome sin, Satan and the world, by giving us His own Spirit, the Holy Spirit (2 Cor.3:17). With this power of the Holy Spirit, one can be delivered from any addiction or bondage, such as, drug, alcohol, pornography, gambling, prostitution, lust, adultery, etc.

• Prophecies fulfilled: More than 300 Old Testament Prophecies about Jesus’ Divine Birth, Life, Ministry, Death & Resurrection, written hundreds of years before His birth, have been fulfilled in the New Testament of the Holy Bible.

Unique Teachings of Jesus Christ, the Greatest World Leader…

1. Jesus, a Jewish teacher and prophet, while on this earth, taught that the “Kingdom of God is within you” when people were flocking to the Temple in Jerusalem for worship, an outward sign of worship. What Jesus meant was that true worship of God is centered in the heart of man and not in the Temple at Jerusalem, for which many nations are fighting for years now. There is so much of violence and bloodshed over it.
2. Jesus taught us to love even our enemies, thereby condemning murder, violence and bloodshed due to racial riots, selfishness, deception, etc.
3. Jesus gave importance to women in His ministry, thereby teaching us that we should respect women, when women are oppressed and treated badly in many nations of the world, in this modern era.
4. Jesus loved little children, thereby teaching us to save the unborn babies who are being aborted in millions, every day, around the world.
5. Jesus taught that a Good Samaritan and a repentant tax-collector were better than religious but proud Pharisees, who were blinded to their Messiah, Jesus Christ. It is not the religion but relationship with Christ that changes a person from inside out. (Luke 10:29-37; 18:9-14)
6. Jesus did not care about nationality, race or color that He granted healing even to the gentiles and drew all men to Himself.
7. Jesus spoke with absolute authority that even the demons trembled at His Word; for Jesus is the true and the Living God.

PneumaReview.com: What obstacles have you had to overcome in the many nations where you have ministered? What difficulties do you face today?

Shekher: In the last 11 years, I have travelled a lot and ministered in many nations around the world.

In some of the nations where I have ministered, I encountered problems carrying Christian literature, such as, Bibles, books and magazines, Christian videos, CDs etc., for distribution but God miraculously helped me pass through those hurdles.

As a female preacher, I had to travel from city to city, which was quite difficult.

During my mission trips to different nations, there were accommodation and food problems also but, by God’s grace, I was able to adjust with these obstacles.

In one particular country where I ministered, God used me extensively to preach in different racial and denominational Churches, such as, Chinese, Anglican, Methodist, Assemblies of God, etc. Each Church gave me only 2-3 days of accommodation until their Church seminar lasted and then I had to move to another denominational Church and find some other accommodation there. This was because the denominations were not united. Finally, I rented a room in YWCA for almost a year, started 1400 prayer cells in that nation and accomplished my God given target for that nation. I did not give up because of the problems I encountered but found a way out and continued the ministry work.

I have learnt to be abound and to be abased and content at all times, regardless of circumstances, as a missionary and an evangelist. When the Lord prepared me, He changed me from inside out, so that I could adjust with any situation and learn to overcome any obstacle that came in my path. Fulfilling God’s will has become my food.

I have learnt to overcome lot of trials and tribulations which came along the way in the overseas ministry, without murmuring. I did not quit but had the ‘never give up’ mentality and endured all kinds of sufferings for our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ and am still striving to move on inch by inch, moment by moment and day by day.

I am explaining all these problems which I have been facing as a missionary, for the benefit of those who do not know the problems the missionaries encounter in the mission field.

Present trials in America… I am in USA now, according to God’s will. God has given me a huge target of lost souls to reach for Christ. I am moving towards that goal.

God is calling us all to do greater things than Jesus Christ Himself but we need to totally ‘die to Self’ and 100% depend on Him, for the Lord to open the right kind of ministry opportunities and for Him to entrust us with the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual warfare…If Jesus is our Hero, then there is a villain named Satan, the destroyer of our souls. Satan fights with Jesus for every soul. Since my calling is mainly to win multitude of lost souls to Christ and start numerous prayer cells to intercede for the salvation of the unsaved souls, I have a fierce battle against Satan, our enemy.

The Lord has trained me enough and has empowered me in the last 11 years, to put up a daily fight against Satan, to deliver the souls from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light. In addition to facing physical problems as a missionary, I am also battling against Satan for perishing souls.

I have to die daily to my own desires, goals, ambitions, schedule, etc., because the Lord schedules my days, every day, early in the morning. In order to yield to His schedule, I need to die 100% to my schedule.

To achieve the huge task that is ahead of me, I need lot of intercessors and worthy labourers, who have the burden for lost souls, to work with me in Christ Rules Ministry. Please pray for me, my family and Christ Rules Ministry.

PneumaReview.com: Why did you write All the Commandments of God?

Shekher: Grace of God… It is purely God’s grace that He considered me worthy to write this book entitled “All the Commandments of God.” This book was conceived into my spirit by the Lord God Almighty Himself. The Commandments are the desires of God’s heart; His instructions for us to live a pleasing life before Him.

Back Story…I have heard numerous messages over the years on “Blessings of God.” It is true that our God is a God of blessings, He cares for us, He gives us peace and prosperity but we should not see Him only as a Santa Claus who provides us with all that we need.

After I preached a lot of sermons, I observed that the Scriptures very clearly say that if we diligently obey the voice of the Lord our God, to observe carefully all His Commandments, then the blessings will come upon us and overtake us. For example, the Lord promises that you will be the head and not the tail, you will be blessed in your coming in and your going out, your barns will full, you will lend to many nations but will not borrow, etc. but only when you obey the Lord’s Commandments(see Deut. 28:1-14).

Finally, in desperation, I sought the Lord, inquiring, “What are the Commandments that we ought to obey to inherit Your blessings, Lord?” This question was burning in my heart, and praying much in the Spirit for years enabled me to get a revelation from the Lord. The Lord started revealing to me the Commandments hidden in the Word of God.

Whenever an instruction of the Lord is followed by rewards or consequences, and sometimes both, it is a Command. Some Commands are without any rewards but we still need to obey them because God says so. This is how this book came about.

Nothing is more important than obeying the Commandments of God and thereby receiving His blessings. The rewards highlighted in this book will entice the readers to obey God’s Commandments so that they can walk in the blessings of God, for example, good health, peace of mind, deliverance from bondages, etc.

PneumaReview.com: How can people become connected to your ministry and the International Prayer Network?

If the Lord leads any ministry to contact me, I am available for preaching in Churches and for holding Prayer Conferences and Seminars to teach Jesus’ Commandments brought out in my books All The Commandments of God Volume I and II. I can also teach on end times” and the whole Book of Revelation with beautiful power-point presentations and help churches start prayer cells.

If believers, pastors, churches, evangelists, missionaries, intercessors, volunteers, etc. are willing to join with us to implement this God-given vision and divine strategy to start prayer cells across America, then they can contact ChristRulesNations.org for further details.

Originally published at PneumaReview.com in November 2015, later included in the Spring 2024 issue.