Cancer Journey

A Journey of Fire

“Cancer was primarily a physical journey, as well as an emotional and spiritual one. I can honestly say that cancer has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me after my salvation. I’m in no way trying to make light of this disease. I’ve never been sicker before in my life, experienced more pain, experienced more spiritual attacks, or never been so close to death then when I experienced cancer.” - Pastor Bryan Varghese

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Pastor Bryan Varghese was first diagnosed with cancer in July of 2004 when he was 25 years old. His treatment included 4 cycles of week-long chemotherapy as well as several surgeries, including one surgical procedure that lasted over ten hours. After being in a period of remission for almost five years, the cancer had returned and had spread throughout his body. Once again, Pastor Bryan had to endure multiple surgeries and more rounds of chemotherapy. But even through all of that, hope was not lost. Pastor Bryan’s life and testimony are powerful proof of God’s immeasurable grace and incomparable love.

Cancer was truly a life-changing experience for him. While in remission, Bryan dedicated his life to full-time ministry. During that time, he traveled to India, and various cities within North America, speaking in different churches for special meetings, retreats, and conventions (both local and national), sharing what the Lord had done in his life. Bryan’s passion for his ministry was seen in everything he did. In 2007, he accepted the call to serve as Youth Pastor of Philadelphia Full Gospel Assembly. He was a loving older brother, a protective guardian, and a trustworthy confidant to his youth group, whom he lovingly referred to as “my kids.” Bryan was able to encourage and empower the young people of the youth group he started, “the EDGE,” to join him as he led mission trips to the nations of Guyana and Trinidad. Under his strong leadership, he guided the youth, helping them to grow in their faith and dedication to Jesus Christ. Watching them develop into young men and women of God, he was confident that whether or not he was with them, they would continue to be a living witness and lead more souls to Christ.

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Through all that he suffered, he never uttered a negative word. His warm smile and wonderful sense of humor stayed with him through it all. He trusted in his Savior until the end, for he knew that after he breathed his last breath here on earth, he would enjoying his first moment in Heaven rejoicing with God. The Bible verse that he lived by, that brought great comfort to him throughout all his trials and tribulations, was Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) which says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

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He was a loyal son and a loving brother. His love of playing the drums and rooting for his 8-time World Champion New York Giants football team never surpassed his first passion, which was sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. He left a legacy to all he met, both young and old. Through his words, his actions, and his life itself, he left an example for us all to follow. Those who knew him are left with a mission that lives on…one that inspires us to share the love of Christ with those around us, as Pastor Bryan did faithfully throughout his life.

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To learn more about Pastor Bryan, please listen to his powerful and life-changing testimony.

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“I totally know that God is in control. I’m trusting fully and completely that the Lord will work His miracles in and through my life and I pray that I can continue to be a witness and a testimony of His amazing grace.

In this life we may go through all kinds of trials and struggles, but when God is with us and He is on our side, there is an amazing peace and strength that we have as His children. I look at my life and all the things that I’ve gone through and the only way I would be able to go through those things and come out on the other side unharmed is by God’s protection, His love, and His strength.

I want you to know that it’s not by my might or ability or power. It’s because I have Jesus Christ in my life. He’s the reason that I am victorious and He is the reason that I can smile in the midst of all that is going on. I have a peace in my heart and in my soul that no matter what happens in this life, I know, without a shadow of a doubt that I will be in Heaven because of the amazing love and sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for me and my sins.

Cancer may seem bad but the disease of sin is much worse. Sin that is a part of all of our lives will slowly destroy us while we are here on this earth and then will fully destroy us in hell if we haven’t received forgiveness for our sins and accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day. When I accepted Christ as my personal Savior, I received the greatest healing possible, which was healing from the disease of sin. Now I know that no matter what happens to me in this life, no matter the journey that I have to travel, my life is in God’s hands and that one day I will be with Him in Heaven forever.

Knowing that I will be with him forever someday gives me an incredible peace and strength in spite of all that is going on. I pray that you find and experience the same peace inside of you. God Bless.” - Pastor Bryan Varghese

If you want to experience peace and have assurance that your eternity will be spent with the Father in Heaven, read the Gospel Journey and pray the Sinner’s Prayer.