Founder’s Story

About Dr.Jonnakuti sekhar babu

My name is Jonnakuti, and I am from India. I was born and brought up in a middle-class family to illiterate parents who worked as daily laborers. We faced many challenges, including struggles for food and clothing. I studied in a government school where I received free education.

During my 9th grade, my mother passed away due to throat cancer. As a young boy, I couldn’t digest the loss. She was the first woman in my family to accept the Lord as her personal Savior.

I completed my 10th grade and moved on to Plus 2, but during that time, I drifted away from God. However, one day during a meeting, the Lord spoke to me, and I surrendered my life to Him. I didn’t know what to do—there was no one to guide me. I kept praying and asking God what I should do.

One day, I had a dream where I was standing in the midst of people and preaching. I held onto that dream and kept praying, longing to attend Bible college. However, I had no money. Finally, the Lord helped me, and I was able to attend Bible college. I completed my Bachelor’s in Theology in Ooty, followed by a Bachelor of Divinity through SETEAfter completing my theological education, I returned to my hometown, Kovvur, in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

I started the Abundant Life and Socio-Evangelical Mission, conducting children’s camps, youth camps, and other activities. I got married with Mounika Jonnakuti in 2014 and continued the ministry. Recently, we registered our Lighten Up Charitable Trust with the government to formalize our activities.

Received Honarary Doctarate from American Management university in Philanthropy and social services
I frequently travel from my hometown to a tribal area called Koyyalagudem, where we have rented a building to carry out our monthly activities. Each time we conduct an activity, we travel 100 km to Koyyalagudem.

When I was in seminary, I developed a strong passion for making disciples and sending them out to various areas, as Yeshua commanded in Matthew 28:16–20. In line with this vision, I started the Lighten Up Talmid Biblical Seminary, where I train men and women based on Hebrew roots.

Growing up poor, I understood the difficulties of poverty. Therefore, I wanted to start an orphanage. Currently, we are helping children by providing provisional kits. These children are orphans whose parents died during COVID-19. They live with poor relatives. We support 15 children and two elderly people who are bedridden. There is a need for these children to have an orphanage where they can live together, receive help, and benefit from good teaching. While they currently gather on specific days, we hope to one day have our own building where they can live with us permanently. For now, we provide them with food, snacks, and other necessities.