---
layout: default
title: "My Journey on a Thorny Way: The Lord Upholding"
categories: ["A. M. A. Ayrookuzhiel", "Books"]
description: "An autobiography by Rev. Godwin Shiri reflecting on his life journey, Christian ministry, social engagement, research, interfaith initiatives, and experiences of adversity and faith."
permalink: /amaa/my-journey-on-a-thorny-way-godwin-shiri/
publication_year: 2025
created: 2026-07-20
homepage_featured: true
---
***My Journey on a Thorny Way: The Lord Upholding*** (2025) is an autobiography by Rev. Godwin Shiri. Written as a personal testimony, the book reflects on his life journey and the difficulties he encountered, as well as his Christian faith and his engagement with social issues.
The book was published by Karnataka Theological College (KTC), Mangaluru, through its research wing, KATHRI. In the author's note, dated Christmas 2024, Shiri describes the autobiography as his personal testimony and an expression of thanksgiving to God for upholding him throughout his journey.
## Contents
1. [Background](#background)
2. [Life and ministry](#life-and-ministry)
3. [Social research](#social-research)
4. [Interfaith engagement](#interfaith-engagement)
5. [Publication details](#publication-details)
6. [References](#references)
## Background
In his author's note, Shiri explains that members of his family encouraged him to write his life story. He states that he eventually felt a strong urge to record his journey as a personal testimony and thanksgiving to God.
The foreword was written by O. V. Jathanna, former professor of Karnataka Theological College and former principal of United Theological College, Bangalore. The book also contains a message by H. M. Watson.
Shiri's author's note acknowledges family members and others who assisted in preparing the autobiography. He credits Veena and Vivek with encouraging him to write it, Sowmya and Nora with typing the manuscript, Veena with editing and suggestions, and Sadhna and Akash with taking an interest in his writing. He also acknowledges O. V. Jathanna and Anne Dayanandan for guidance and editorial assistance.
## Life and ministry
Journalist Manohar Yadavatti, writing about the autobiography, describes it as an account marked by Shiri's reflections on difficulties and adversity during his life and ministry. Among the episodes highlighted in Yadavatti's account is Shiri's involvement in a clergy movement seeking democratic administration and financial accountability within the churches.
Yadavatti also reports that the autobiography records the frequent changes of residence experienced by Shiri and his family because of changes in his positions and places of work. According to the account, the family changed residence twenty times over a period of thirty years.
The account also highlights episodes concerning Shiri's relationships with people outside his immediate family. One concerns labour activist Simpson Soans, whom Shiri reportedly offered the use of his old house in Pashikere without rent during a period of difficulty. According to Yadavatti, Soans and his family lived there for six years.
Another episode concerns Agnes, who came to assist Shiri's ailing mother when she was fifteen years old and subsequently became closely associated with the family. Yadavatti reports that the family supported her education and tailoring training, after which she obtained employment and became economically independent.
## Social research
According to Yadavatti's account of the autobiography, Shiri undertook a study of Dalit converts to Christianity in about forty villages of Siruguppa Taluk in Ballari district during the early 1990s. The research, conducted over a period of three years, resulted in the book *The Plight of Christian Dalits: A South India Case Study*, published in 1997. Yadavatti further reports that Christian Dalit groups submitted the study to the Supreme Court as evidence concerning the conditions of Dalit converts to Christianity.
Yadavatti also reports that Shiri undertook a study of urban poverty in Bengaluru in 1990, focusing on a slum in Viveknagar. This research resulted in *Our Slums Mirror a Systemic Malady*, published in 1999, which examined urban poverty and its relationship to patterns of development.
These accounts highlight Shiri's engagement with questions concerning Dalit Christians, poverty and the conditions of marginalised communities alongside his work in Christian ministry.
## Interfaith engagement
Yadavatti's account also highlights Shiri's involvement in interfaith engagement. In 1992, Shiri reportedly took the initiative in organising an interfaith seminar titled *Social Visions of Basava and Jesus* in cooperation with United Theological College and the Basava Samiti in Bengaluru.
According to Yadavatti, forty Christian and Lingayat scholars participated in the seminar, and papers presented at the event were subsequently published in *Religion and Society*.
## Publication details
*My Journey on a Thorny Way: The Lord Upholding* was written by Rev. Godwin Shiri and published by Karnataka Theological College (KTC), Mangaluru, through its research wing, KATHRI.
The foreword was written by O. V. Jathanna, and the book includes a message by H. M. Watson. The author's note is dated Christmas 2024. The book bears the ISBN 978-81-957915-4-5.
The author's note acknowledges Ralph Kotian and his team at the Balmatta Institute of Printing Technology (BIPT), Mangaluru, for the printing work.
## References
1. Manohar Yadavatti, ["My Journey On A Thorny Way-The Lord Upholding: An Honest Depiction and Sincere Introspection"](https://www.myarticle.in/2025/10/my-journey-on-thorny-way-lord-upholding.html), *My Articles*, October 2025, accessed 20 July 2026.
2. Manohar Yadavatti, ["My Journey On A Thorny Way-The Lord Upholding: An Honest Depiction and Sincere Introspection"](https://english.hindusthansamachar.in/Encyc/2025/10/20/Faiths-differ-but-manners-remain-the-same.php), *Hindusthan Samachar*, 20 October 2025, accessed 20 July 2026.
3. Godwin Shiri, *My Journey on a Thorny Way: The Lord Upholding*, author's note and back cover, consulted 20 July 2026.
