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S JOSHUA AND THE GIANTS Born as a priestly Brahmin in India, Sai Krishna Gomatam has battled giants in his pursuit of Christ. SAI KRISHNA "JOSHUA" GOMATAM—MDIV CLASS OF 2016—HOPES TO CONTINUE ON TO A PHD. HE SERVES AT GALILEE BAPTIST CHURCH AND WANTS TO WRITE THEOLOGY BOOKS THAT WILL SPEAK TO A PLURALISTIC MINDSET AND THOSE WHO'VE COME OUT OF CULTS. HE AND HIS WIFE, JONES, ARE FUN-LOVING PEOPLE WHO ARE PASSIONATE DISCIPLE- MAKERS FOR CHRIST. HOLY INTERRUPTION Sai Krishna "Joshua" Gomatam grew up in the priestly clan in the Indian caste system. From an early age, he engaged in priestly duties and ardently pursued holiness. However, no matter how hard he tried to be faithful, he never felt freedom from the sin in his heart. Despite his many sacrifices and dedication to this lifestyle, it taught him what any law teaches us: it is impossible to be holy through human effort. Disillusioned and despondent, he questioned whether or not anything in this life was permanent. A major turning point came during his first year of college, when his friend's sister invited him to an evangelistic meeting sponsored by the local church and InterVarsity. At the meeting, they mentioned Blaise Pascale's concept of a God-shaped hole in his heart, and it made sense. He had to know more about Jesus. After a year of pursuing and questioning God, the Word of the Lord came to him, saying, "He will never leave me, nor forsake me." Sai Krishna finally had his answer to the question of permanence. Accepting Christ finally gave him the tranquility and holiness he had sought for years. Sai Krishna got the nickname "Joshua" from a traveling Christian preacher named Moses, who had hoped Sai Krishna would become his disciple. While that didn't happen, the name stuck, and it would foreshadow a life of fighting giants to pursue Christ. Joshua moved to a new town to get his masters degree in software engineering. When he discovered there were no other believers at his new school, he started a Bible study. Joshua was still a baby in his faith—not knowing how to pray or read the Bible—but he knew he loved Jesus, so he and his roommates studied the Gospels. Soon they, too, came to faith, and 25 people started coming regularly. Their lives began transforming as they followed Christ together. While he experienced victory on this front, the battle continued on others. The pressure from his family was intense and only increased when he married a Christian woman. Eventually Joshua's career as a software engineer led him and his wife from India to Denver. He had a passion for studying theology since the early days of his faith, and when a friend suggested he look into Denver Seminary, it was a revelation. However, this education wasn't possible until the Lord stepped in with the support of his church family at Galilee Baptist Church. They loved and encouraged Joshua and helped fund his studies. He graduated in May 2016 with a master of divinity. He hopes to continue his education. What giants still lay before Joshua? He doesn't know. But with the strength of the Lord, he will press on. 6 FALL 2016 saiko3p/iStock JalloM/iStock OSTILL/iStock