“When a heart becomes willing, God turns ordinary footsteps into a journey of purpose.”
Dedication
Some people live quietly in the world, while others live with a purpose that is much bigger than themselves. Dr. Jonnakuti Sekhar Babu’s journey is like the second one: it was hard, but faith made him stronger, and he kept going because he believed that every struggle could be a testimony when put in God’s hands. His story doesn’t start with comfort or privilege. It starts with the truth of life: a normal childhood, few chances, and the deep emotional scars that loss can leave on a young soul. But from those very depths came a strength that would one day change the lives of hundreds of people.
Dr. Jonnakuti Sekhar Babu grew up in a poor, middle-class family where both of his parents couldn’t read or write. He learnt the value of perseverance long before he knew what it meant. He was the youngest of three siblings and lived a simple, innocent life with a quiet determination that would later define his calling. He went to government schools when he was young and walked the same paths that most kids do. But everything changed when he lost his mother while studying in the ninth grade. It was a moment that changed everything for him and made him face loneliness much sooner than most people do. Not having a mother around to guide, comfort, and support him left a silent ache that would later turn into compassion for every child he saw who was having a hard time.
After finishing school and then his intermediate studies in 2006, he was at a turning point in his life. He felt lost, unsure, and weighed down by questions about his future that he couldn’t answer, like many young people who are looking for direction but don’t know where to start. But it was during this time of weakness that faith had a big impact on his life. He made Jesus Christ his Lord and Saviour, which started a change that no one could have seen coming. What happened next was more than just a spiritual awakening; it was the start of a new purpose.
One night, he had a vision that changed the course of his life. He stood in front of a large group in the dream and taught them clearly and with conviction. This vision felt holy, strong, and clearly meant to be. He asked God for help, and soon people God put in his life gave him the answer. Rev. Malipuri David Raj, his mentor from the United States, came forward to pay for his theological education. His cousin Kadimi/K. Sharon Srinu and Pastor Sundar Rao then helped him get started in the ministry. He got his Bachelor of Theology in 2011, then his Master of Divinity, and then more international certification from the Manthano School of Ministries in the US.
But being great isn’t just about having a lot of education. Dr. Jonnakuti Sekhar Babu’s life was truly shaped by his decision to use every blessing he got to be a blessing to others. He did ministry work through church programmes, youth camps, children’s gatherings, counselling sessions, conferences, and a powerful teaching ministry that moved many people. But his calling went far beyond the church walls. He was interested in the lives of orphans, families in need, pastors in remote areas, and women in tribal communities who had no help or voice. He didn’t turn his back on the pain he saw; instead, he walked towards it.
“Great stories do not begin with greatness—they begin with ordinary moments shaped by extraordinary grace.”
Phase 1: Where Light First Touched the Earth
There is always a starting point for a journey. Dr. Jonnakuti Sekhar Babu’s life began in a small, humble part of Andhra Pradesh, where simplicity shaped character and struggle shaped strength. He was born into a middle-class family and raised by parents who were illiterate but worked hard. His early years were marked by modest means, quiet surroundings, and the lessons of resilience that he learnt without saying anything. In contrast to many stories where good things happen to lucky people, his story began with very little, but it contained the seeds of a great future.
He was the youngest of three kids and had an older brother and sister. Being the youngest often means getting the most love, but it also means having to deal with expectations, being watched, and quietly learning the lessons of life. His parents couldn’t read or write, so they didn’t guide his education or help him get used to school. They gave him something much more important instead: values. They taught him the value of hard work, the honour of being honest, and the quiet bravery it takes to live a life of integrity even when things are tough. These were the lessons that would eventually shape his moral leadership.
He spent most of his early childhood in a small home with a steady routine and in government schools. He went to the local government school from the first to the fifth grade, like many kids who didn’t have a lot of money. Even though those classrooms were often crowded and simple, they were full of moments that shaped him—moments of learning, curiosity, innocence, and wonder. A lot of kids have big dreams for the future, but his childhood dreams were simple and based on what he saw around him.
Life moved at a slower pace in the close-knit community where he lived. People knew each other on the street, and childhood friendships were based on playing games, eating meals, and having experiences together instead of modern technology. That simplicity gave him comfort, even though the world outside was still far away and unclear.
“Some losses break us, but the right losses awaken the strength we never knew we carried.”
Phase 2: The Silence After Goodbye
There are times in life that don’t just pass by; they leave a mark so deep that the heart never goes back to its old shape. Dr. Jonnakuti Sekhar Babu’s defining moment happened when he was a teenager, when he was still innocent and the world was just starting to show itself. The death of his mother when he was in ninth grade changed the way he felt and changed the way his mind worked.
Losing a parent is always hard, but losing the person who guided you through your teenage years is a wound that speaks for itself in silence, withdrawal, and a deep longing that no one else can fill. His mother was the emotional centre of the family and the first person to teach him about spiritual life. She took him to church and helped him grow in his faith. She was calm, steady, and protective. There was a hole in their lives that routine and family structure couldn’t fill.
The house he went back to after she died didn’t feel the same anymore. Every corner held a memory, every object reminded him of a habit she had, and every morning felt like a reminder of someone who was no longer there. Grief settled quietly inside a young boy who didn’t know how to express his feelings yet. It was there but not seen. He didn’t cry loudly or show his pain in public. Instead, he learnt how to carry it, how to fit it into the corners of his days, and how to keep going even when every step felt heavy.
He also changed the way he interacted with the outside world after she left. School used to be a simple part of his day, but now it felt different. He would sit with classmates who were talking about homework or playing around during breaks, but his mind kept going back to the pain he was learning to hide. Teachers saw a student who always showed up for class, but they couldn’t always see the tremors inside him. He slowly started to realise that life was asking more emotional strength from him than it did from most kids his age.
“When the road ahead is unclear, stillness becomes the classroom where destiny begins to speak.”
Phase 3: A Boy at the Crossroads
At some point in every young person’s life, the world grows faster than they can understand it. That point came for Dr. Jonnakuti Sekhar Babu when he finished his 10th grade in 2004 and moved on to the next level of his education. He should have naturally moved on to Intermediate studies, but for him, it was full of doubt, unanswered questions, and a lack of direction that often comes with growing up without professional guidance at home.
He chose the science group at a government college, and this led to a time when his personal and social expectations quietly clashed with reality. People knew that the science stream was hard, organised, and strict. He carried something heavier than books with him to class and when he took tests: a lingering sense of uncertainty about the future. He didn’t know about career options, and his family didn’t talk about or understand higher education. His father was a simple man who was patient and didn’t know much about school. His older siblings could only give him limited help because they were busy with their own lives. The end result was a young man on the edge of adulthood with no clear path to follow.
At this point, the world around him started to change. Some of his friends wanted to be engineers, others wanted to be doctors, and still others had dreams that were shaped by the jobs of their parents. But to him, the future felt like a road with no signs or markers that went on forever. He felt like everyone else was moving forward while he stayed still because he didn’t have any direction. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it; it was that he didn’t know how.
The years in between also required emotional strength. He was still dealing with the effects of losing his mother and learning how to live in a world where emotional support was hard to come by. Even though a lot of time had passed since she left, the emotional shadows were still very close. He went to class, took notes, and did all the other things that students do every day, but inside he felt like he was looking for a place to fit in. The loneliness that had set in during Phase 2 turned into self-reflection. He thought hard about life, where he fit in, and what he should do with his life.
Note of Thanks
Dr. Jonnakuti Sekhar Babu expresses his heartfelt gratitude to every individual who has stood beside him throughout his life, ministry, and mission.
He first honours the memory of his beloved parents—his father, Jonnakuti Gangaiah, and his mother, Papa—whose sacrifices, values, discipline, and love continue to guide him every day. Their blessings remain the foundation on which his journey of faith and service is built.
He extends deep thanks to Bro. Valiyaveedu Nelson Antony, Correspondent of Holy Angels EM High School, Kovvur, for his continuous encouragement, guidance, and support. His involvement has been instrumental in strengthening and expanding the work of the Lighten Up Charitable Trust.
He also conveys sincere appreciation to his mother-in-law, Venkata Lakshmi, and father-in-law, Venkateswararao, whose prayers, love, and blessings have always uplifted him and his mission.
Profound gratitude is offered to Rev. M. David Raj, whose generosity in sponsoring his theological studies opened the door to his spiritual calling. His life-changing support will always be remembered with honour.
Dr. Sekhar Babu expresses heartfelt thanks to Pastor Ch. Sundarararao, Rev. K. Sharon Srinu, and the entire team of Sharon Prayer House, Dommeru, for their spiritual guidance, prayers, and constant encouragement throughout his ministry.
Special appreciation is also extended to Rev. Dr. Pastor Mallipudi Martin Luther of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Rajahmundry, for his mentorship, support, and contribution to his journey of leadership and service.
He also gratefully acknowledges Way High Way Church, Rajahmundry, whose fellowship and support have been a great source of strength in his spiritual growth.
A warm note of thanks goes to Bro. Vinod and Bro. George, whose uplifting friendship, prayers, and support have encouraged him in many phases of life.
Finally, Dr. Sekhar Babu offers his deep gratitude to all families, friends, mentors, and financial supporters who have stood with him. Their kindness, prayers, and generosity have made it possible for him to serve communities, uplift the suffering, and fulfill the vision God placed in his heart.
This journey has been shaped by each one of you, and he remains deeply thankful for your presence in his life.
Thank You
Dr. Jonnakuti Sekhar Babu