Anita Kapila
1 How did you become a Christian?
Growing up as a Hindu I used to pray to the Hindu ‘gods’ but never felt I got any answers. When I became a Christian through other Christians witnessing to me at university, I now knew Jesus answered prayer. For a few months I was reading the Bible and then eventually had a dramatic experience of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power which propelled me into a lifelong journey of witness for Jesus.
2 What lessons have you learnt since that you would want to pass on to a younger Christian version of yourself?
Immersing yourself in service, Bible study, and church life are all important aspects of spiritual growth. And having good Christian friends will help your growth as a Christian. I would also say that your work is a very important avenue for witness; people that you come into contact with all matter to God. It is your front line.
3 How would you describe your prayer life?
My prayer life is probably like everyone else’s prayer life, it is not very satisfactory. But I do pray, and I find it easier to pray with other people like my husband, or my friends. If I’m asked to pray by non-Christians I pray straight away or offer to pray with them on the spot. One thing I have done in every workplace I’ve been in is join a workplace prayer group, and if there wasn’t one already I set one up. I don’t think I’ve got it completely right, but you just have to get on with it. Currently I am finding this podcast very helpful https://podcasts.apple. com/gb/podcast/prayer-where-to-start-and-how-to-keep-going/id1563174839
4 Which two or three Christian books apart from the Bible have most influenced your faith?
Well I’m not really a big reader, to be honest with you. One book that was helpful early on was Lonely but Never Alone by Nikki Cruz, which I bought for 10p in a car-boot sale. The Lifewise Guide to Work by Jim Dunn was a book which helped transform my attitude to work.
I love The Tale of Three Trees, which is a children’s book about God using the three trees in magnificent but unexpected ways, the way He works with us. I relate to its call to serve God with who you are.
5 Who or what have been your biggest Christian influences?
The biggest influence has been working through all the Navigator Life Change Series of Bible Studies on each book of the Bible over the years. Going to church week by week and being prayed for by my mentors have also helped me to grow.
6 What are the main challenges you believe Christians face today?
The main challenges that Christians face today are holding godly opinions about various issues, that people don’t necessarily agree with. As a teacher I have to deal with Gender Identity debates in a neutral way. I think sometimes Christians have to stay quiet because the Biblical viewpoints are so different from the way society is moving. The way that I handle it, is to love people first as people, then allow them to work things through with God themselves. It’s only really worth speaking when people are ready to hear, otherwise we are only speaking to ourselves.
7 What encourages and what discourages you?
When going through a difficult time I find it easy to think God doesn’t love me or I must have done something bad. But I have been thinking recently about how such a view undermines the fact that Jesus has already taken my bad stuff on the cross and therefore bad stuff happens regardless of me simply because I live in a broken world.
What encourages me most is seeing answers to prayers in non-Christians’ lives.
8 What makes you laugh?
A good TV comedy, such as the Channel 4 classic IT Crowd.
9 What would you want to say to the wider evangelical world?
Stand firm in His word and be yourself. Your front line is wherever you are, so take every opportunity to witness His love.
10 Which Biblical person do you most look forward to meeting in glory and why?
Can I pick two, please?!
I’d like to meet the apostle Paul, because he sounds like me, an evangelist; he and I would have a lot in common.
But I also relate deeply to Joseph, as his story resonates with mine: his family difficulties, his dreaming, and being raised up to serve God’s purposes.
