The official history of South Indian Outreach is recent, but the heritage that allowed it to begin is much older.  The story really begins with Tim's grandpa, S.D. Barnabas.  Early in the century during the reign of the Wodeyars in the old Mysore state,  S.D.B. was a wrestler and body builder. Though he was physically strong, he was a very weak man inside.  He was a womainizer, addicted to alcohol and oppressed of various spirits.  Seems like a very shaky beginning, but the stories of all people before Christ usually are.

The life of S.D.B. changed in 1939 when he found Jesus as his Savior after hearing the sermon of a street preacher named Sanyasini Pennammal in Mysore.  Fresh and excited about his Savior he walked for 40 days to Vijayawada where the Apostle P.M. Samuel discipled him in the ways of Jesus.  After his salvation transformation, Barnabas traveled much of South India spreading the hope of Christ.   By the end of his life he had planted 40 churches, mentored many young leaders for ministry, started a school for the poor children of Mysore, and laid a foundation as a pioneer in many villages and towns where the Gospel hadn't been preached.

Tim's father, S.B. Samuel John, and late uncle, S.B. Prabhu, continued on the ministry of S.D. Barnabas.  They continued to oversee the churches and also added a second school in Mysore.  On one of S.D. Barnabas' trips to the United States, he returned with a wonderful North Dakota bride for Tim's father.  What a surprise that must have been! Tim's parents continue to live and serve in Mysore.

The life and legacy of Tim's grandfather, S.D. Barnabas, had a profound impact on Tim.  Shortly after coming to Trinity Bible College in the United States, Tim became aware that he would one day return to continue what his grandfather had begun.  In the spring of 2005 South Indian Outreach began as Tim returned to his homeland.