Suresh Purra is visiting Mt. Olive. He is a Baptist pastor and missionary in his home country of India and in the United States.

• Why are you visiting the U.S.?

I am visiting Danny and Denise Tesseneer (of Mt. Olive), who are missionaries to India. I helped them incorporate into Indian culture. I wanted to come spend a week with them and to visit Alabama.

• Tell me about your job as a pastor.

I went to International Baptist College in Phoenix, Ariz. After school, I went back to India, and taught in a Bible college there. After two more years, I felt burdened to for church planning in India. I preach at Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church, and our vision is to plant churches in India. It’s a big population country, and we need more people believing in Christ. We started last year, and we’re seeing some good results. God is bringing good people into my life who have the same vision I have.

• Were you raised as a Christian?

Yes. My father became a Christian three years before I was born. He was a Hindu before that, and he was excommunicated from society for two years because of his faith. But, God also brought many people to Christ because of his faith. I didn’t have a personal relationship with Christ until 1997.

• Do you like north Jefferson County?

It’s a wonderful place. It’s green! Most of the places in Phoenix just had rocks. The people here are friendly and kind. I can’t believe how quickly time is flying.