Reverend Jonathan Sharma Tells of Journey to Save The Lost

Although the journey of Reverend Dr Jonathan Sharma has been a long and difficult one, his perseverance, hard work, and dedication have certainly paid off.

Last month, Mr Sharma graduated from the Evangel Christian University of America and received his doctorate from the Fiji College of Theology and Evangelism in Buabua, Lautoka.

Rev Sharma’s late mother, Joanna,was from Lautoka. He was born in Leicester, United Kingdom, and later travelled back to the Pacific to preach the Gospel in Fiji. “

I was born and brought up as an only child after my father left us. Yet, I still had a mother who loved me unconditionally and who, like all single mothers, weathered the storms of life, making tremendous sacrifices for their child,” said Rev Sharma.

“I saw her pick herself up time and again, even though she had debilitating health and depression.

“This took its toll on both my mind and my heart. Even though I was written off as educationally disabled, like any child, I had a dream that one day things would change.

Yet, unbeknownst to me, a change was about to take place that would alter the whole course of my life,” he said.

In June 1990, his mother was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer.

This was the end of his world—the most emptied feeling he had ever felt, knowing that he had lost the only person who ever loved him.

“But it was in this emptiness that Christ revealed Himself to me in the pages of Scripture, in which I desperately sought hope, comfort, and strength.

And as an unbeliever, this is what I found in the words of John 14:7–6. I gave my today and my tomorrow, my everything, to Him

as my Lord and Saviour.

The same one my mum did as a teenager in Lautoka Gospel Hall, through the Ministry of the Brethren missionaries

of that time.”

Second family Rev Sharma reached the second chapter of his life in August 1991, which he refers to as transitioning from a lost soul to a saved servant.

He added up against what seemed to be insurmountable odds; his mother, an airline nurse, and the young Rev Sharma then travelled over 28 hours from England to Fiji.

This was his first trip to his homeland and his mother’s return after more than 26 years.

Within a month, she was able to meet all her relatives before her demise.

Rev Sharma was then adopted by his mother’s sister, Savita, and her husband, Narayan Nair.

“God took my mother home and gave me a father on earth I never had.

Together, they brought me up with much love and learning in the things of God and His word as a student at the Fiji Bible College in Buabua, Lautoka,” he said.

“It would be here that God would use me as His servant as a lecturer and an academic dean for more than 25 years.

And with this comes the privilege of training fellow pastors and Christian workers in various countries.

A wife and friend Something he never saw coming when it finally occurred. He liked to describe this as moving from walking alone to walking in partnership.

He shared that God not only gave him a father and a mother, but also a wife, Sabrina Khan-Sharma, a humanitarian lawyer, whose inner

beauty matches her outward beauty.

“Through a mutual friend and coworker in the ministry, our paths crossed. I never thought that it would be in Fiji that I would meet a fellow Brit who would become my better-half.

I have been blessed ever since, not only with a wife who loves the Lord but also with a heart of care, compassion, and commitment,” he said.

When they first met, she was already fully dedicated to her ongoing evangelistic ministry, which involved distributing mercy boxes and hosting workshops for underprivileged women in Fiji and abroad.

Mission work In 2020, Mrs Khan-Sharma worked things together so that they were able to have their own little Bible training centre in Nadi,

called The Word Institute, where she also operated her law firm, taking inspiration from Proverbs 37:8–9.

“She has and continues to teach me so much through her words and her tireless and selfless work,” Rev Sharma shared.

“Indeed, so much of what I am now able to do as minister of a church in New South Wales would not be possible without her.”

They have a son, Jason, who is also committed to their mission work.

“God knew I needed a helper in life and a co-minister in the Lord’s work, and he provided her for me.

Together, as a family, our journey continues for Jesus and His glory.”

It has been Dr Sharma’s lifelong dream to attain a doctorate; however, things always came up that required his attention.

“My wife helped me with time management and managed our home,” he said.

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj