Dr. Gifferd Sathyadas
Albert Camus, a Nobel Laureate, once said “Life is the sum of your choices”.
Dr. Gifferd Sathyadas, was a brilliant Civil Engineer and Principal of several Engineering Colleges in his tenure as a secular professional. There are many accolades that he won and this would take pages for us to do justice to enlist his achievements.
However in the midst of all his academic and professional schedules, the Lord called him and he was humble and heeded the call. He was instrumental in setting up a mission, which he named as Golgotha Mission, which would serve as a reminder that mankind is indebted to the supreme sacrifice of Our Lord on that skull shaped rock, so that we could enter His Kingdom. The mission was to serve the lower strata of society, who have been oppressed, and in dire need of counselling. Someone had to lend a hand that could lift them out of their situation, which can be done only through administering the Word of God to their souls and provide some physical relief, until they could feed off the Living bread and waters that only Christ can give and sustain.
The mission was registered in 2001 by Dr. Gifferd, who shared his residence as a place where people could gather, worship, pray and share their burdens. Many are the lives who were enriched, fed and exhorted to lead a normal life. They were taught the battle skills to lead their lives and Dr.Gifferd gave a patient ear and all the support he could afford.
Though Dr.Gifferd was called to finish his race and rest in the Lord in 2004, his legacy continues and flourishes. The choices Dr.Gifferd made in his life has proved to be a blessing in many lives right to this day and will continue in the future, as we know it was established by the Lord’s call and reciprocal prayers.
Mrs. Leela Gifferd
The choices one make in their lives need the support and care of others as well.
Dr.Gifferd was the backbone, but his wife, Mrs.Leela Gifferd, a home maker and house wife, was his support in running and pushing the mission through all odds.
Many are the sleepless nights where she would stay up to counsel, provide provisions and medical aid to those who supported and prayed for the new born in Christ.
Here was a lady sincere in her heart and eager to do the Lord's bidding in her life, she never slacked and proved to be an example and could proudly say that the Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want. She asked the Lord and the Lord proved to be her Jehovah Jireh. Though Mrs. Gifferd also slept in the Lord in 2016, the fruits of her labour continue to bless and yield.
Bro. Manuel Jesudas
Manuel Jesudas has been the main pillar of the ministry through the decades. He has been committed to serving the Lord through out his life and is evident in his dedication to the ministry. Manuel has been the backbone and strength, oftentimes working tirelessly in the background to ensure that the message of the gospel can be spread. Whether it be on the field spreading the word or behind the scenes providing support through finances, prayer or counselling he has been faithful and dedicated to his Lord and His work.
Sis. Kavitha Vijaikar
Life is full of choices, Kavitha being the offspring of the Gifferds, chose to follow her parents' inspiration and calling.
She was a successful Professor of English Literature in the secular world, when she decided she would put her hand to the plough and never look back. She had always supported her parents in their vision and mission of Golgotha from its very inception. When the time was ripe she took up full time missionary duties and since 2008, has been tirelessly working with tribal communities and destitute women, doing her best to bring the Word of God and hope in people's lives; carrying Golgotha Mission to the next level.
Sis. Deepa Vijaikar
In the Bible, Joshua, Israel's leader after Moses made a choice for himself and his family, - "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord". The family made a choice and Deepa as a dutiful daughter accepted the Lord at a very tender age of 6 and witnessed to the world in the waters of baptism, and God honoured her commitment and she was baptized where Christ also obeyed His Father in the waters of river Jordan in Israel at 15. She has been serving the Lord in her own way and has endured hardships and joys of going out on arduous mission trips from the time she has been a child. She is the hope and torch bearer for Golgotha mission and is the future hope of taking the mission forward.
