Biennial Report 2001 – 2002
The Church as an instrument of God has beedn called to actively proclaim and participate in God's Mission. We strongly committed to have a wholistic understanding and practice of Mission to the proclamation of Gospel by Word and Deed within this overall commitment we affirm the centrality of Evangelism. The Church exists for Mission, with this understanding we are working towards the goal of Building the God's Kingdom. I praise God for the growing interest, concern, and participation of the congregations in the work of the Board of Mission and Evangelism of our Diocese.
1. Missionaries and Mission Centers
Our Madras Diocesan jurisdiction is widely spread in six districts in Tamil Nadu. (i.e. Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Villupuram, Cuddalore Pondicherri and Chittoor District in Andhrapradesh. Within our Diocesan jurisdiction there is no church in hundreds of villages. Our great concern and vision is that not a single village is left without the church. The works of our Missionaries are to be appreciated. With great vigor and speed our Diocesan Missionaries are working to reach all the villages in our Diocesan area. There is a great response for our ministry, people are longing for peace, love and healing from the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Missionary Selection and Trainings
For many years we had 25 missionaries only working in our Diocese. By the grace of God we were able to appoint 70 new Missionaries in the last two years. They were given full-fledged training and sent to the Mission Field. Totally Ninety Missionaries are working in Mission Fields. God so richly blessed our Mission work and doing things in Mighty ways.
We have monthly meetings of our Missionaries to receive their reports and evaluate the work and send them with guidance, which is helpful, and a source of encouragement to do the ministry. Refresher courses were also conducted regularly.
We had three days (28.9.2001 – 31.9.2001)-training programme for our Missionaries at Shalom Retreat Center, Elagiri. We had another two days training programme on 15th and 16th March 2002 at CSI Synod Center, Chennai, all the missionaries attended these trainings and richly blessed.
3. Promotional Work
In the 3rd week of June 2001 and 3rd week of March 2002 our Diocesan Missionaries participated in the worship services of city/ town congregations. They shared their work experience and burdens of the ministry. This created great awakening in our congregations. Many churches burdened to participate in the Diocesan Ministry. Many Churches have come forward to sponsor diocesan Missionaries.
4. Mission Festival 2001
We as a Diocesan family celebrated Mission Festival throughout the month of July 2001. Theme for the Festival is “ You are the Living Epistle of Christ”. Based on the theme memory verse competitions, Lyric Song competitions, and variety programs were conducted. Mission Sunday was observed on 1.7.2001 is all our churches. Mission Festival celebrated in nine different centers (i.e.)
- St. George's Cathedral, Chennai (07.07.2001)
- Church of the Jesus the Lord, Tambaram West (14.07.2001)
- CSI Christ Church, Kanchipuram (14.7.2001)
- St. Andrew's Church, Chingleput (15.07.2002)
- St. Paul's Church, Pondichery.(15.07.2001)
- St. Andrew's Church, Arakonam (21.07.2001) CSI Church, Sholinghur (21.07.2001)
- Goudie Memorial Church Tiruvallur (22.07.2001)
- Foster Memorial Church, Nagari (22.07.2001)
By the grace of God we were able to raise Rs. 17 lakhs through the Mission Festival 2001.
5. Mission Festival 2002
Theme for the Mission Festival 2002 is” Let us Proclaim the Gospel of Peace” We celebrated Mission Festival 2002 at St. George's Cathedral, Chennai and in eight different centers in the rural areas. This is the only occasion when whole Diocesan Family came together. Our people's participation enriches our fellowship and unity. God blessed our effort and helped us to raise Rs. 18 lakes through the Mission Festival 2002. We are grateful to each and every one of people who actively participated and generously contributed towards the Missionary work of our Diocese.
6. Baptisms and the Church Planting
The Grace of God and untiring work of our Missionaries added many believers into the Church. Every weekend we go and participate in the Baptism Services in the Mission Field. In the last biennium God richly blessed our Ministry. More than 4000 people were Baptized and added into the church and 56 new congregations were established. We put up thatched shed in the following 30 villages, Arambakkam, Othiyur, Verakuppam, Mosur, Karuveppampatti, Pudhunagar, Thirumangalam, Mambakkam, Vellacheri, Madhuramamangalam, Annathur, Venkatapuram, Seethapuram, Arunthathipalayam, Kadripalli, Vendundalam, Mylapore, Thiguvapudur, Kizhur, Chinnababu Samuthram, Ariyapakkam, Polivakkam, Sirunai, Odalakuppam, Kodambakkam, Nallavengnapalli, Mankattucheri, Allippukulam, Goundapalyam. In other centers believers are worshipping under the trees and in the houses.
7. Church Involvement and Participation
I am delighted to say that Missionary work of our Diocese is wholeheartedly supported and encouraged by the churches and institutions, in our Diocese. All the Missionaries were provided bicycles, which is contributed by our city congregations especially Zion Church, Chinthadripet; St. James Church, Ayanavaram; Church of Jesus the Lord, Tambaram West contributed five cycles each. We are grateful to all the Churches that contributed for the cycles. The new believers were provided Bibles. We are grateful to the Churches and Institutions who have contributed towards the distributions of Holy Bibles to the new believers. Our city Churches' fellowship groups viz. Youth Fellowship, Women's Fellowship; Men's Fellowship visited our Mission Fields, involved in the Ministry and encouraged our Missionaries. We request the Churches to continue to support our Missionary work by own a Missionary as your Church's Missionary, Pray for the Diocesan Missionaries, to share your resources by sponsoring a missionary and by building new Churches in the Mission Field.
8. Our Future Plan and Vision
- To evangelize 100 more villages every year.
- To establish 50 more new congregations every year.
- To construct 20 more new churches buildings in the Mission Field every year.
- To go beyond the Diocesan jurisdiction and do ministry.
- To mobilize more people and congregations to actively participate in the Missionary work.
This Mission is God' Mission. The Holy Sprit empowers us. In submission and commitment to the Great commission we took mission as the top priority of the church. Continue to uphold the Missionaries of our diocese who are serving the Lord with commitment and sacrifices under the difficult situations. I Praise God with a sense of Gratitude for the way in which, he is guiding us all through this biennium. I am also thankful to our Beloved Bishop for his vision, inspiration and support given to us in our Ministry.
B. Charles Prabakaran
Director
Rev. S. Jacob Selvan
Rev. G. Paul Dayanandan
Associate Directors
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