One-on-One with Leslie Keegel on Prayer for Sri Lanka

“Our highest priority has been to pray.”

Ed: Tell us a little about yourself.

Leslie: I am a church planter and a senior pastor of a multiethnic church in a suburb of Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. I am the President of the Foursquare Church in Sri Lanka. My wife, Belen, and I are church planters, having come to Sri Lanka 38 years ago, with a call to reach this nation with the love of Christ.

We began in our mission, called distinctly to live with the poorest of the poor in the slums of Colombo. The miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit was on display, and through that power and God’s faithfulness and compassion, many were healed.

As this occurred, people began to seek the Lord and his ways. The first church plant was in these humble beginnings. Out of our first church, many other churches have been planted, as disciples became disciplers and pastors were called to begin church plants throughout the land.

I’ve also been incredibly blessed to have been called to minister personally to those in the highest positions of power in the government. Miraculously, the Lord opened doors to me, even though I could never have imagined such opportunities, especially since I am often shy and uncertain. Yet in Christ, there is a work of faith and trust that has compelled me to be the prophetic voice to many cultures and people groups, both in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Ed: Tell me about the religious situation in Sri Lanka.

Leslie: We are a multi-religious nation: 70% of the people are Buddhist, 16% are Hindus, 8% are Muslim, 6% are Christian. The majority of the Christians are Roman Catholic. Each of these religions are steeped in deep tradition, and families have allegiance to the ties of their heritage.

To walk away from these traditions brings shame and dishonor. ...