Publication: GMI Newsletter – July 2014
HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FULL TIME ASSEMBLY WORKERS
Roy T. Daniel, Bangalore
Operation Barnabas (OB) has been serving the commended assembly workers in India for the past two decades. One of the major areas of our concern had been of the medical need. Gospel Missions of India (GMI) has helped us to set up a Medical Fund to help many in urgent medical need. Last year we gave out nearly $20,000 to help some of the most in urgent health care need. Yet we could only do a nominal help to the requests coming to our office.
We found out that the need is great, and began to think of better ways to reach out to more, and use of our funds more efficiently. This has led us to explore a Health Insurance coverage for the full time workers and their immediate family members. As we prayerfully considered this option, the Lord opened ways before us and some, including a couple of Indian believers, have offered to sponsor part of this program.
We are aware of the fact that some of our brethren might find offence in this citing the living by faith principle. To such we do not want to argue, rather we do honor their stand and conviction. The reality is that many of our assembly workers are really struggling to find enough to pay their medical bills and some refrain from seeking medical assistance due to lack of funds. In most other countries, service organizations of the assemblies provide such insurance. We believe this is not contradicting any Biblical principles, but rather being prudent (Proverbs 6:6-8).
Our proposed scheme offers insurance coverage up to Rs. 200,000 per family per year. The annual cost would be around Rs. 6000 of which the beneficiary will have to pay one third of it and OB will cover the rest. If we could get more sponsors and donations from believers, we will be able to reduce the portion paid by the beneficiary. So, we earnestly encourage the brethren to consider this great need and become one of the sponsors for this program as it will be a great help to our full time workers especially when they struggle to take care of themselves and their families during severe illness.
NOEL MEMORIAL SCHOOLS
E.H. Noel, who was a Brethren missionary, not only had the vision of evangelizing India but also had the goal of uplifting the local community. He did this by starting schools and hospitals.
During his time in India, he has started 2 High Schools, 4 Upper Primary Schools and 12 Lower Primary Schools (though he started 24 schools, a few were not able to continue due to various reasons).
All the remaining schools are functioning well and providing free education especially those who cannot afford education in private schools. Students in these schools are brought up in the spiritual atmosphere and many became good leaders not only holding good secular jobs but also serving the Lord in different capacities around the world. All these schools are still continuing and providing education to the local community. The schools are still under the control of E.H. Noel Trust and titled to Stewards Association in India.
Though the schools have contributed much to the local and Brethren community, the buildings are in serious need of urgent repairs. In today’s standard, many of the buildings are beyond repairs and need to be replaced. It is incumbent upon us to provide better facilities to the students who come there to study in a Christian atmosphere. Many of us living in different corners of the world are the direct beneficiaries of these schools and it is our turn to give back to repair and rebuild these facilities which are still the valuable assets of our community and still having a direct contribution in preparing secular and spiritual leaders for the future.
Some of the facilities may need only repairs and others may need replacement provided the funds are available. The assessed approximate estimate is $431,000. This may look a huge amount, but it is nothing provided all the alumni of these schools rise up and rebuild these facilities. We encourage you to do that. If you are interested to help, those who are in USA and Canada can send the designated gifts to GMI and all others directly to Stewards Association in India, Bangalore.
WEB SITE UPDATE
We continue to update our new web site. We have added several e-magazines to the site recently. Please click here to view the latest magazines.
OTHER URGENT NEEDS IN INDIA
CHAKERI BRETHREN CHURCH, KANPUR, UP
Joy Singh Bishit and Ashish Singh Parihar
We are writing these few lines to bring an urgent need of buying a permanent building for the assembly. The assembly work started here in the year 1960. It was initiated by some Indian Air Force personnel in association with few local believers. It is pertinent to mention that several assembly evangelists were instrumental in the growth of the assembly. Since the beginning of the assembly, many members were the Air Force families who were there for only a short duration, a permanent place for the assembly was not practical for them to undertake. Right now the assembly is gathering in the house of Evangelist Varghese Abraham. The members of the assembly have unanimously agreed to build or own a building for the permanent gathering. To buy and build a new assembly building may cost approximately $50,000 and to buy an existing building may cost up to $100,000. We have already collected close to $7000 and we are seeking your support and prayer towards this great need.
CHRISTIAN BRETHREN ASSEMBLY ROURKELA, ORISSA
P.C. Samuel
The assembly was started in the year 1989. God blessed the ministry and several got saved and a worship service was started during 1991. Rourkela is a steel city and we do not have any assembly work in this district.
Lord answered our prayers and enabled us to purchase a plot for the construction of an Assembly hall. The land is already registered in the name of Steward Association in India. The approximate cost of building a hall is $9000. We cannot raise this amount alone and we bring this need before you for your prayer and encouragement.
BRETHREN CHURCH JORHAT, ASSAM
M.G. Rajan
The Assembly work was established here with the help of few believers who served in the Defense services in the year 2007. Then God added new souls from the local community and the assembly and another assembly was started in the New Sonuwal in the year of 2011 which is about 23 KM from the Jorhat. The ministry is growing at both places.
Since the beginning of the assembly, we are gathering in a rented house with lot of inconveniences and limitations. So, we have been praying for a suitable land to build an assembly hall. Lord has enabled us to buy a land which enable us to build the assembly hall and the residence for the evangelist. Majority of the believers here are from economically poor background and not in a position to raise sufficient funds to build the assembly hall. The estimated cost to build the assembly hall and the house is $25,000.
EMMANUEL BRETHREN ASSEMBLY, KANKER
Elias O.S, Shalu T. Ninan & Sagu Ram Kuldip
Serving the Lord is truly a great opportunity in life. In spite of troubles and difficulties, God is doing His work through us. The Lord led us amazingly thus far. Now by the Grace of God, 40-50 people, of whom over 20 baptized believers gather in the town assembly and the other in a village called Dabena where 20 people gather. People from the surrounding villages have heard the Word and we are in touch with them.
The Children’s ministry, Emmanuel Boys home, is functioning well. It is a joy to see 11 children getting to know the Lord and studying well at school. The boy’s home is under Emmanuel Karuna Society as the government requirements. More children are interested to come, but there are many requirements to be fulfilled which needs your prayer and support. Anyone burdened about this ministry can sponsor the children and help us with this ministry.
PERSECUTION
Madhya Pradesh – Two of assembly evangelists were brutally attacked by the anti Christian elements on June 14, 2014.
According to the news, Evangelist Robin Masih and Sushil Robert were returning from a wedding reception at Manpur. After the reception they gathered at a believer’s house for prayer before dispersing, when a group of around 15 extremists surrounded the house. They checked their bags, found Bibles, and tore them. Then the evangelists were beaten repeatedly with sticks. The two evangelists were able to escape the violent mob and from the violent beatings. Please pray for the believers in this area as the majority of them are first generation disciples of Christ. They are pained but continue to be strong in faith. We need to pray for believers all over the country, particularly those who are actively involved in evangelism because it seems that there is a new wave of persecution all over.
Chhattisgarh – Our believers in the Sirisguda Brethren Assembly, Bastar are continuously facing harassment from the local civil authorities who are pressured by the anti Christian groups. They were denied of basic necessities of food and supplies which were rationed by the local civil authorities. Also they were not giving caste certificate which is required for their children in the school. The anti Christian group seriously threatened the believers with consequences. The local police is involved and is trying to solve the problem but no avail, and ten of our believers were badly beaten. One believer was very badly beaten and his hands were pulled out of joints. When the ambulance came from the hospital to carry the injured one, they were not allowed. Then the police came and took the injured to the local hospitals. Please pray for the full recovery of these brethren and also they get their food supplies uninterrupted from the local authorities.
SANKESHWAR MISSION HOSPITAL
Abraham Mathew, Chairman
Shankeshwar is a small town in Karnataka, close to Belgaum. Sankeshwar Mission Hospital (SMH) is still functioning with the purpose for which our Lord enabled the Christian Missionaries to start in the year 1923. Many men and women of God served the Lord through this Hospital as Doctors, Nurses, etc. Many have gone to glory and some are retired in their old age. Many have come to know the Lord through SMH ministry. Now two lady doctors and connected other staff are working. It is a 25 beds hospital Around 500-600 patients are now treated in OPD every month but can attract 3000 more per month. We have now restarted village clinics around Sankeswar. Every Friday and Monday our medical team visits villages and conducts medical examination and provides medicines to the patients at concessional rates. The villagers are very happy and satisfied. The local civil authorities are co-operating with us. Please pray for the Hospital ministry and village clinic ministries. People of different villages around Sankeshwar are hearing and knowing the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ. Kindly support this wonderful ministry.
We need to strengthen and revive our Mission Hospitals in the present socio-political situation and SMH is a good candidate for that. We are in urgent need of Nurses and Doctors. For more information, Abraham Mathew, Chairman, SMH, PB Road Dist.
Hukkeri, Sankeshwar 591313, Karnataka. Phone: 973-161-0343
NORTH INDIA BIBLE INSTITUTE(NIBI), ALWAR, RAJASTHAN
T.J. Joseph
We praise God and thank Him for yet another year. He has granted us to be faithful witnesses for Him. With Apostle Paul we can also say that my God shall supply all my physical needs of NIBI but also kept all the students, most of them who are new to this extreme climatic conditions. The brethren, who were scheduled to take classes, came and stayed in the Institute, some for a week and other for a fortnight, in spite of their busy schedules. We are indebted to all the saints who upheld the Institute in their valuable prayers.
God willing, the next session of NIBI will begin in July 2014. We look forward for dedicated young men from our assemblies to be admitted on the One year Hindi course, Two year Diploma course and Three year B. Th. Degree program. Encourage the young men from the Assemblies to avail the opportunity to learn and prepare themselves to be used of God in their own respective places as He leads. Free board and lodging will be provided as the Lord enables. Request to our prayer partners, please continue to pray for this valuable ministry and strengthen our hands to fulfill the task.
CHATTISGARH ASSEMBLY BIBLE TRAINING INSTITUTE (CABTI)
Shalu T. Ninan and Sibu Thomas
CABI started on July 1, 2009 with 8 students. The 5th Batch will start during July 2014.
All the students who were enrolled have completed their programs and 5 of them are in full time ministry now. The prayerful support of the believers are requested as we start the next batch from 1st of July 2014. All these years the institute was run from the residence of Bro. Sibu Thomas. It is time for the Institute to have its own place. There is a team of spiritual brethren committed to the functioning of this ministry. Please continue to pray for this great venture for the extension of His kingdom.
HOPE ACADEMY OF THEOLOGY AND SCIENCES (HATS), BHOPAL
A.J. Abraham, Shijil Samuel & Biju M. Jose
With immense joy we present you the ministry of HOPE Academy. This is the 5th year of HATS ministry. Over the past 5 years God has enabled us to equip few young men and women from the Brethren Assemblies across India in theological disciplines with the non-theological understandings needed to apply a Christian perspective and commitment to their life in the world, including their spiritual and professional lives. We had been able to successfully blend practical career oriented ministry skills, theological studies, and life transforming aspects in to all of our courses. This is a balance which we believe each student needs in order to be most effective in their future ministry and service for Christ. The 7 member qualified residential faculty team and their families provide HATS students family atmosphere with mentored spiritual, academic and residential life. God has been gracious in every aspect. Time and again we testify of His faithfulness in the glorious ministry He has entrusted to us. Thank you so much for your love and care.
If you have any questions, please call as us at 586-247-7924 0r 586-306-5669
Yours In Christ,
Gospel Missions of India,
P O Box 1043, Warren, MI 48090
Website: www.gospelmi.org
Email: gospelmi@wowway.com
Canadian brethren can send their gifts through MSC Canada, 101 Amber Street, Suite 16, Markham, Ontario L3R 3B2, Canada for the tax receipts. Those who are in USA can send gifts to GMI or through CMML, P.O. Box 13, Spring Lake, NJ 07762. You may send designated or undesignated gifts.
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