The Call_GEMS Eng Mag_Jan 2019

L L A C THE

December

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January 2019

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life‌ Revelation 2:7

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given. Isaiah 9:6 The Call

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To All Prayer Partners And Readers That the Lord May Lead you to be Overcomers In all Areas in this Year! ______________

GEMS Family The Call

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THE CALL Transforming Peoples to Transform Nations

Contents

From Bihar With Love Bro. D. Augustine Jebakumar

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Church Dedication at Piro, Bihar

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Medicos on Mission Trip: STORM Bhagalpur Missionaries Family Retreat: Vananchal Zone

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– 13 – 16

Persecution in Bahadu, Uttar Pradesh – 17 First Fruit of CSW Rehabilitation Project Proclaims Gospel

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Good News Shared in Word & Deed in – Christmas

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Christmas to the Prisoners

Published for 11, 13th Cross Street, New colony Chromkpet, Chennai - 44 Ph. : 044-22386031, 044-22380295

Published by GEMS Educational Media Services 14, Jeba Nagar, Vasanthapuram south, Near Vijaya Garden, Tirunelveli 627005 Ph. : 9488771655

Field office GEMS, Sikaria, Indrapuri - 821308 Rohtas Dist., Bihar , Ph. : 06184 - 234567 (Railway station & courier centre : Dehri on Sone) Website : www.gemsbihar.org

Gospel Echoing Missionary Society is a Christian mission organization that serves to bring about wholesome transformation in all the lives that it touches staying true to its motto ‘Transforming peoples to transform nations’. It touches the hearts of the people through the gospel of Jesus Christ and serves as a beacon of love and hope to the deprived, disadvantaged, exploited, destitute and homeless thousands fulfilling this vision through Spiritual, Educational, Medical and Humanitarian Services primarily in Bihar, other Northern States of India and beyond since 1972.

E-mail : gems@gemsbihar.org

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From Bihar With Love

Beloved Prayer Partners in Christ Jesus, New year greetings to you all in the name of the One who has caused us to see another year by going before us, making every crooked path straight (Isa 45:2), melting mountains like wax (Nahum 1:3), removing every obstacle (Micah 2:13) and making us to triumph in everything (2 Cor 2:14).

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It is possible that in the year gone by that you have experienced defeat in some areas, become stagnant in other areas or even turned back because of lack of growth in yet other areas. Nevertheless may I encourage you by praying that in this year the Lord lead you to forget all the past failures and enable you to continue the race of life being preserved by His everlasting presence?

May the Lord keep us from ever forgetting that we are under His care and that He does not allow us to be ashamed.

The people of God must be victorious in their daily spiritual life. The unchanging truth of the Bible is that him that overcomes enters heaven.

Attain, Retain and Move Forward Today, many attain victory, but are unable to retain 2

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it. Mary Kom who has won six championships in boxing has proved that age (36 years), being married and having three children are no barriers to success. She is intensively practicing for the upcoming Olympics. She considers all these six championships as foundations to winning the final medal – the Olympics. Likewise our goal must be ‘To be victorious in the final race’. We need to overcome in personal and corporate life until we see the fulfilment of Rev 11:15 – the kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of the Lord and that He reigns forever.

Not only should we fight for a greater prize we must endeavour to retain the victories already won. Each victory should become a stepping stone to another greater victory. Every king who has conquered a place will do his best to retain it, while at the same time marching forward to conquer more territories. Why then is the church lagging behind in this area? This applies to personal life too. It is vital to follow this principle of moving forward after conquering and trampling sin under our foot.

Suppose a person has overcome covetousness, he must ensure that not only does it not over power him and make him a slave again to covetousness but also that he uses this victory to overcome another sin. Know what sin is that you may win.

Unless covetousness is seen in the light of God’s word, it will not seem as a sin. Not seeing it as sin will make it impossible to hate it and to overcome it (1 Cor 5:11, Col 3:5).

It would be good if we can list the victories won in personal and corporate life in the past year and think and act on those The Call

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things that need to be won over this year. It will help us to attain holiness upon holiness and righteousness upon righteousness (Rev 22:11).

I believe that the overcoming life is depicted in a nutshell in the seven letters the Lord sent to the churches in Asia Minor through the Apostle John. It is essential that we overcome in these things – Love (Ephesus), Truth (Smyrna), Doctrine (Pergamos), Identifying deceivers (Thyatira), Identifying death causing factors(Sardis), Obedience (Philadelphia) and responding to counsel and rebuke (Laodecia). I also believe that these are listed in the right order!

Love is the foundation of victory The Lord exhorts us that the foundation will shake where love is lacking (Rev 2:4, 5). Look at the Message Translation of 1 Cor 13, the love chapter of Bible: Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, The Call

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Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies If we make the above description of love as foundation of our life then it will not only be an unshaken foundation but also enable us to win victories and live an overcoming life.

Then we can retain the victories won, move forward and win more victories with the help of the Holy Spirit in areas where victory is lacking (Rom 5:5). May the Lord give us the desire and thirst for this!For example, someone who has passed the first step without giving up may have to give up a lot more to reach the next step. This is possible only when we can love others more than ourselves.

A disciple like his Master does not live for himself but gives up himself:Being tired as He was Jesus told the disciples, ‘let us go the wilderness and rest’ because they did not have time to eat as people were going in and coming out (Mk 6:31). But when He reached the other side by boat, there were multitudes that had come from all places waiting for Him. Immediately He was moved with compassion and He began to teach them(Mk 6:34) and then He fed them. He was concerned that the multitude should not become weary on their way back.

The Lord desires same attitude in us too.

Love does not yearn for an absent thing:We are living in times of utter materialism. So many sulk and die internally with longing for things they don’t have – ‘I don’t have what

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he has’. How many are not satisfied with what God has given them and live a life of discontent? And it affects them so much that they lose the love they already have making them unable to retain the victory already won.

Love cannot be confined by shutters said Valluvar. Love cannot be stored away or sidelined. Napoleon Bonaparte said of Jesus that ‘Christ founded His Empire upon love’. This love is reflected in the song by Bro. Emil Jebasingh: The Believers’ are a multitude; With oneness and unity in their attitude; Only love is among them always; May this be true in us today.

Lack of love prevents us from being united. Lack of love prevents us from seeking the lost. It also prevents us from partaking in the Father’s joy (Lk 15:32). Sufferings and persecutions should not quench this fiery love. Sword and famine must not crush it.

May the Lord turn this year into a YEAR OF LOVE as He captures us in the flood of His love!

Unshakable love on the Lord every day; Showering love on the others always.

As they push us forward everyday; We will flourish and be victorious each day.

May love be revealed in every dimension -family, church and corporate life. Let us not trouble others but be concerned about others in our approach. In spite of knowing who would betray Him, deny and run away from Him, and even fore telling about it to them, Jesus chose to stay with them The Call

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till the end. May this image of Jesus be seen in us (Mk 14:18, Lk 22:34, Mt 26:31 &Jn 13:1).

Let our service and offerings be based only on love. May the Lord help us to wear the eye glasses of love when we see every other person. Even an animal with five senses searches for love, but six sensed man is ruled by self and is struggling to exhibit and express love. This is possible only when self is crucified on the cross.

The word of God says that “He who has no love does not know God’’ (Jn 4:8). The love of God will be truly perfected in the person who keeps the Word of God. ‘‘By this we know that we are in Him. Let Him who says I abide in Him, walk as He walked” (1 Jn 2: 5,6).

As children of God we are constrained and called to proclaim and show the love of Christ to those who have never known or experienced it. This is the seal of our mission work. As we renew this every New Year, may it help us to work with joy and prayer.

In His Vineyard Bro. D. Augustine Jebakumar

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Fields Church Dedication Deoriya

Piro

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Church Youth Ministries Meeting for the youths of GEMS churches was conducted at Sikaria, Bihar in which 147 youths participated.

Bro.Abhishek, Deva(Bengaluru) shared the message.

In the morning devotions Sis. Rupalekha Jebakumar ministered and counselled the youths based on the word of God.

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House of Prayer Dedicated for the Glory of God in Piro of Bihar GEMS House of Prayer in Piro, Bihar was inaugurated for God’s glory. The church is in the PEACE 2 Zone of GEMS North Western Region.

The dedication service of the GEMS House of Prayer in Piro was conducted on 16th December 2018. Associate Director (Church Planting) of GEMS Bro. Rakesh Kumar dedicated the church with prayer.

Opening prayer was conducted by Bro. Paul Abraham (Regional Director, NW Region) and Bro. R.P. Timothy (Zonal Superintendent, P2 Zone) welcomed the gathering. Bro. Gyanchand (Area Leader) led the congregation in praise and worship. GEMS Executive Director Bro. Emerson exhorted the people the joy of going in to the presence of God based on Psalm 27:4 and Psalm 84:1- 4.

The dedication service was attended by many missionaries and leaders and felicitated the ceremony. The dedication ceremony came to a close with prayer and vote of thanks shared by Bro. R.P. Timothy.

This field was started in the year 1985 and Bro. Peter Kumar served for 5 years and the field was closed for 10 years and again in the year 2001 Bro. Damodar served here for 8 years. Currently Bro. Virender Ram is serving here since 2008.

Pray for the GEMS House of Prayer in Piro that the lives of the believers and missionary will be dedicated for God’s glory.

Pray that this church may truly be salt and light to that place that the people may come to know Christ through the life and words of the believers.

Pray for the missionary family and the ministries in Piro to touch and transform all people.

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Ministry Among Students in Bihar Motivates Medicos through Mission Exposure GEMS STORM (STudents Out Reach Ministries) at Bhagalpur took medical college students for a mission exposure trip to Rohtas Hills and conducted medical camp.

STORM Bhagalpur field in-charges Bro. Kingston and Sis. Roseline took two medical college students and a doctor to GEMS fields in Bihar for mission exposure from 23 to 26 Nov 2018. Bro. Victor Alfred (PRO, GEMS) oriented the team about the ministries of GEMS and took them on a visit around the GEMS campus in Sikaria.

The team conducted a medial camp on the Rohtas Hills in the GEMS fields Kuba and Jonha on 24th& 25th through which 110 people were benefitted.

They participated in the Sunday service in GEMS Church at Kuba and encouraged the believers through songs, message and prayer.

They were challenged by the enormous medical need on the hills and inspired by the life and ministry of the missionary family of The Call

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Bro. Subburaj.

The team visited the GEMS field in Karwandiya, the GEMS rehabilitation project among the sex workers in AmritTola. The coordinator Bro. Kamaladas oriented the team about the project and they had fellowship with the project staff, children and the missionary family of Bro. Stephen whose testimony challenged them.

Dr. Ashok Kumar (Associate General Secretary, GEMS) explained the medical needs of North India and they were inspired by his testimony. The team met with the General Secretary Bro. Augustine Jebakumar and were greatly encouraged by his words and they were also motivated by their meeting with the Executive Director Bro. T. Emerson.

Pray for the medical team from Bhagalpur that visited the fields of GEMS that the inspirations and medical needs may envision them The Call

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towards missions.

Pray that they may pass on the vision and burden to other medical students and doctors and encourage them to contribute their skills.

Pray for the ministries of STORM Bhagalpur to continue to inspire and build many more students and graduates towards mission of God.

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Retreat Encourages Missionary Families to Press Forward Thru Trials GEMS Vananchal Zone conducted retreat for the missionary families of its zone in which all the workers participated and were exhorted.

The family retreat of Vananchal Zone missionaries was conducted at GEMS church in Pochra, Jharkhand on 12& 13 Dec 2018.

The meeting was organized by Bro. V. Paul (Zonal Superintendent, Vananchal Zone) and the meeting was encouraged

by Bro. Arjun Karmali (Regional DirectorInterim, Southern Region).

Bro. Gunasekaran (Director, HICHAL) and his wife Sis. Susi ministered to the missionary families with the theme verse Isaiah 60:1 and encouraged them to persevere and press forward amidst trials and tribulations.

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Pray for the missionary families of Vananchal Zone that they may be strengthened to serve the Lord faithfully.

Pray for the needed grace and anointing to minister and to overcome all trials and persecution.

Pray for the ministries of Vananchal Zone to touch & transform every Panchayat and place in its area through the gospel.

Tribal Believers and Pastor Threatened by SanghMembers and Police in Uttar Pradesh Believers of Bahadu, U.P. and GEMS missionary pastor were threatened by Sangh members to not hold prayers and Bibles and song books were seized by the police.

House prayer and Sunday worship is conducted at the house of Mr. Rajendra Prasad in Bahadu of Sonbhadra District. Bahadu is 13 kms away from Dudhi in the GEMS Sonebhadra Zone / Southern Region.

While GEMS missionary Bro. Virendra Gond was praying for the believers on 30th Dec 2018 (Sunday), two men came to the house and threatened him and forced him to stop the prayer. Half an hour later two policemen and more Sangh members came and threatened the believers and the missionary.

On Monday, 31st Dec 2018, policemen from Dudhi Police Station forcefully entered the house of Rajendra Prasad and The Call

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took away the Bibles, Song Books and Calendar. The believers were also told to come to the police station on Wednesday.

When Rajendra Prasad, Manilal and Keval Prasad went to the police station on 2nd January 2019, the SHO and policemen of Duddhi P.S. threatened the believers that false charges under Section 107 and 116 will be filed against them, if they continue to pray or worship Lord Jesus Christ.

The believers shared their testimonies of how the Lord Jesus transformed their lives and that they follow Jesus not by force or allurement, but by freewill.

The police also told that if the missionary Bro. Virendra would ever enter into the village, he would face dire consequences and that if his arms and legs were to be broken, they wouldn’t take up the complaint.

The police have shared false information that Section 144 and 151 has been brought into effect in Bahadu village and so the Christians should not gather together.

Bro. Virendra was called to the village for a meeting called by the Tribal leaders of Bahadu on 6th January (Sunday). When he visited, he was strictly warned to not come to the village to conduct prayers. It The Call

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was found that the Village Pradhan and the BDC were also behind the opposition.

Pray for the opposition & persecution which the believers and missionary are facing in Bahadu.

Pray that they may be strong in the Lord and not to be disheartened.

Pray for the closed doors in Bahadu to open that the people may freely worship & pray and minister.

Pray for the village leaders, Sangh members and the police to know the truth of the gospel and to be touched & transformed by the Lord Jesus Christ.

First Fruit of GEMS Rahab Project Proclaims Gospel thru Christmas Program

One of the beneficiaries of Rahab project, that rehabilitates the children of sex workers, arranged Christmas program to proclaim the gospel in his village.

Christmas in AmriTola, Bihar Guddu Kumar is a first fruit of the GEMS Rahab Project in AmriTola village in the Rohtas district of Bihar. The project rehabilitates the children who are born to and in the villages of women involved in prostitution, the community called Natwar.

His life was transformed through the gospel of Jesus Christ and he went on to study in Timothy Bible College. Burdened for his people, he himself arranged a Christmas program The Call

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and invited Bro. Rakesh (Associate Director, GEMS Church Planting) to share the good news.

Christmas in Maharashtra GEMS House of Prayer in BattisShirala shared the good news in a Christmas program conducted on 21 Dec 2018 through which 600 people heard the gospel.

Pray for the people of AmriTola and other villages where people are involved in immoral work.

Pray that the gospel may reach all such villages and may bring about wholesome transformation.

Pray for the ministry in Maharashtra and in BattisShirala to reach and redeem the people with the gospel.

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Good News Shared During Christmas thru Words and Good Works in Villages and Cities Gospel was shared in various places during the Christmas season by GEMS in Bihar, Jharkhand, Nepal and in other States.Christmas in AmriTola, Bihar Christmas Milan at Daltonganj C h r i s t m a s program was conducted at Daltonganj in Jharkhand from 8-10 Dec 2018 through which more than two thousand people heard the gospel and the Christians were revived.

Though the program was planned to be conducted in a ground, permission was not given; so the meeting was held inside the Town Hall.

Gospel and revival messages were shared by the Executive Director Bro. Emerson, Bro. Rakesh (Associate Director, Church Planting), Bro. Praveen Das (Zonal Superintendent, Sonebhadra) and Bro. Cornelius.

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The meetings were organized by Bro. Naveen David in consultation and guidance of Bro. Arjun Karmali (Regional Director-Interim, Southern Region) and Bro. Peter Jayaraj (Regional Director-Designate, Southern Region).

Christmas on the Hills Staff of GEMS English School at Nabinagar spent the Christmas eve and the Christmas day on the R o h t a s Hills.

7 staff along with the Secretary & Principal went on the hills on 24 & 25 Dec 2018; three children below three years of age were also part of the team.The Christmas Program created opportunity to share the Christmas message to the villagers and CRPF cadres.

In the night of 24th Christmas gospel program was arranged in Jonha Village and the team shared the gospel to the villagers through songs, action songs for children and message.On 25th Christmas Program was organised in Kuba. The team stayed at Kuba and the programs w e r e organised by Bro. Subburaj (Area Leader, Rohtas Zone).

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church at Kuba and of the GEMS Hindi medium s c h o o l presented Christmas m e s s a g e t h r o u g h cultural programs.

All the school staff contributed and bought & gifted woollen blankets to 70 poor old people of the Hills. Those people also attended the Christmas Program.

The ministry on the Hills motivated the staff to share the love of Christ in words & deeds, challenged them to be grateful for all the facilities, to be content The Call

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and inspired them to live for Christ and His kingdom purposes and not for self.

Nepal

Christmas programs were conducted in Jeetpur and Hetauda on 23rd& 24th Dec 2018. More than 700 people heard the good news.

Associate General Secretary of GEMS Dr. Ashok and Bro. Purushotam shared the Christmas message.

In spite of the anti-conversion law by the grace of God the open air meeting could be conducted. Two newspapers carried report of the Christmas programs.The children of GEMS OPP at Jhapra performed cultural programs based on the Christmas theme.

GEMS English School at Mahwal The GEMS English School at Mahwal shared the good news on 22 Dec 2018 through the Christmas program.

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GEMS STORM at Bhagalpur GEMS STORM Bhagalpur conducted Christmas program in BudanathMusahar village on 23rd December in which 100 people attended. The program was initiated by Bro. Kingston and his wife Sis. Roseline Juliet.

The action songs were performed by STORM medical college students for the Children and the birth of Jesus Christ was explained by Sis. Angel from the verse Isaiah 6:9.

New action songs were taught by Sis. Roseline Juliet also conducted games for the Children. The Children expressed their performance joyfully.

The Christmas cake cutting was done by the village children and Bro. Rahul, key person of the village; gifts and dresses were distributed to the children. Dinner was given for all the villagers and ended the day with prayer.The medical college students were very much encouraged by doing ministry among the needy people.

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G E M S Bhagalpur conducted Christmas program for theNonBelievers on December 25th in which 55 people attended.

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of the Lord Jesus Christ was shared to the neighbours through the Christmas program in the evening. Cake cutting was done by one of the neighbours Mrs. Swathi Pranav along with kids and refreshments were arranged for them.

The STORM team had interaction with 6 youths and shared about Jesus Christ and his love and also shared their testimony. As a Christmas The Call

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gift New Testament was distributed for the participants.

Pray for all the people who heard the gospel through the Christmas programs conducted in Daltonganj, Rohtas Hill, Nepal, Mahwal, Bhagalpur and in other places.

Pray that the people may be reminded of the gospel truth that they heard and to be convicted in their hearts and to commit their life to Jesus to be transformed.

Pray for an effective follow up in the respective places to lead the people to become disciples.

Prisoners Proclaimed the Good News During Christmas in Bihar

GEMS House of Prayer in Karwandiya shared the gospel through words and deeds to the prisoners of Sasaram Jail.

Jesus said, “I was in prison and you visited me… Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:36,40) Christmas program was conducted in the Sasaram Jail by the GEMS church at Karwandiya through which the gospel was shared to 800 prisoners. Children and youths of the church performed skits and cultural program.

Bro. Suresh (Regional Director, Central Region) shared the gospel message. Blankets, sarees and snack were distributed to the prisoners. The program was organized by Bro. Stephen Rajkumar, the missionary pastor of Karwandiya and Bro. PC Johnson (Zonal Superintendent, Sikaria) and Bro. Reuben The Call

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(Zonal Superintendent, B2) participated and encouraged the program.

Pray for the prisoners in Sasaram Jail that they may receive true peace and deliverance through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray that they may think over the truths of the gospel that they heard and may commit their life to Christ to be touched &

transformed.

Pray for the prisoners, their families and especially the women prisoners with children to receive the right rehabilitation and needed support.

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Sunday

Children’s Worship Service at Sikaria, Bihar

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