The Call_GEMS Eng Mag_Oct 2019

THE CALL OCTOBER 2019

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House of Prayer Dedication Nagatoli (Rohtas)

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Youth Meeting 2 Sikaria

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THE CALL Transforming Peoples to Transform Nations

Contents

From Bihar With Love Bro. D. Augustine Jebakumar

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Nepal Flood Relief

Gospel Echoing Missionary Society

Polytechnic College First Convocation– 15

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Missionary Underwent Heart Surgery – Twice

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Persecution in Jharkhand

Second Floods in Bihar

MPTC Launched in NTPC, Madhya Pradesh –

28 Magahi Area Conventions in Bihar – 32 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)

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.

Website : www.gemsbihar.org E-mail : gems@gemsbihar.org

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From Bihar With love Beloved Prayer Partners in Christ

“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (Jer 12: 5). In the name of the LORD who challenges us thus, I greet you.

Whenever we see and hear of choruses that oppose us and of powers that want to prevent us, we begin to ponder and start questioning: Can we hold onto our faith? Will there be a day when we cannot worship the Lord; a day when we cannot pray? Will we have the strength to protect our faith? Will we not have the opportunity to use the talents that the Lord has given us? With more laws being framed, will I be subjected to more misery? Will I, along with others, be destroyed? From all corners of our country we hear such lamentations among many a Christians.

In such circumstances, I want to encourage you by reminding you about the lives of God’s people, Daniel in particular, who faced similar persecution.

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Faithful Men Face Persecution

He was one among the captured young men of Israel that was born into royalty (Dan 1: 3).

Generally, according to Jewish tradition, father’s name will be mentioned along with one’s name. The scriptures are silent about who Daniel’s father was or where he was from. It appears that his actual identity had been destroyed. Despite God’s multiple warnings through prophets to the Israelites on their sinful ways, they chose to not take heed, and so, along with Jerusalem everything was captured. Even the young men that wanted to live Godly lives were captured.

These were faithful men that wanted to protect their righteousness; through God’s strength they were eager to achieve things; they had been touched by God; no matter the situation they yearned to fulfil God’s purpose. They did not pray to be freed from prison, but only desired to fulfil God’s purpose from wherever they were. Change of place, change of governments, change of rulers, comforts of the government job, even change of names and exacting laws were not enough to stray them away from their commitment to faith!

Subtle Ways of Corruption

Daniel’s parents had given him a name that meant “God is my judge”. It is a Jewish custom to add God’s titles to one’s name. ‘El’ means God in Hebrew. His name, after being captured was changed to refer a Pagan god. ‘Belteshazzar’ means the protector of the hidden treasures of the pagan kingdom. Along with name change, to enable the change of language, there were incentives given to gain fluency in The Call

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the Chaldean language. Although language was needed to work for the government, there was more to it; it also was an instrument to teach their culture, their literature and their way of life. In the pretence of teaching language, it becomes an efficient weapon to destroy their faith and knowledge.

For example, when they say, ‘Learn Sanskrit’, it will encompass its spiritual scripture. When they say ‘Learn Carnatic music’, there are chances of its religion being forced into the opening lines. It will create circumstances of you reciting the names of their many gods! Food habits are getting changed.

What the Jews considered unclean and unholy were now acceptable and even considered healthy (Dan 1: 10).

Hence, their daily use items were made alien to them. Nevertheless, the Bible says that Daniel prospered in all his days (Dan 6: 28). How was that possible? He was made the ruler of Babylon (Dan 2: 48). He was able to implement his wishes (Dan 2: 49).

Those Who Know Their God are Valiant

Then again, during the reign of the Great king Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, he was completely forgotten (Dan 5: 11, 12). It is sad to see that such a man of intelligence and wisdom and of power, within a span of just two generations, even though alive, was forgotten completely. Nevertheless, according to Daniel’s interpretation of writing on the wall, the Babylonian empire came to an end in just one night (Dan 5: 30). Subsequently, during the time of Darius, who loved Daniel, cunningly, a law was passed (to imprison Daniel). He was caught on CCTV (Dan 6: 13). The cruelty The Call The Call

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of the law and its methods made even the ruler who decreed it uneasy. Though the enemy had the law on their side, they could not take away Daniel’s faith away from him.

During the reign of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel boldly proclaimed that only his God could reveal deep and hidden things and no one else (Dan 2: 22, 27) resulting in Nebuchadnezzar himself declaring in the end, “I praised the Most High; I honoured and glorified Him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation” (Dan 4: 34).

So had Daniel seen different rulers, different leadership styles, different false witnesses and laws against him? What was the end result? Neither his concealed identity, nor days when he was forgotten, nor the cruel law could destroy his righteousness, his commitment, his prayerful life, the love for his people, his connect with God and his gifts of grace.

How was this possible? If we can know this in today’s world, we can also march along courageously and stand unperturbed by events. Let’s analyse this.

Knowing the Sovereignty of God

When Daniel explained the vision about the future to Nebuchadnezzar, he learnt for himself how God was going to unfold the future. He knew that weaker and timid governments would follow and a rock not cut by human hands “will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever” (Dan 2: 44). A man that seeks the

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everlasting will not worry about the horrors of the transient. It will neither scare him, nor make him lose his faith. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Heb 12: 28).

What was the message that Daniel received from Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream? - “the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people” (Dan 4: 17). Once the knowledge that “God Rules” seeps deep into us no situation can shake us.

The moment Daniel decided to protect his righteousness, “God had caused the official to show favour and compassion to Daniel” (Dan 1: 9). When a fearful situation arose, he urged his friends to join along with him to plead for mercy from God (Dan 2: 17, 18). He did not underestimate the power of individual or group prayer.

“Prayer is life, prayer is victory;

This is the law of Life”

Knowing God and His Word

Prophetic messages that he had heard (Daniel would have heard both Jeremiah and Ezekiel) and read in the scriptures not only encouraged him to pray, but also gave him clarity about time.“I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years” (Dan 9: 2). He had clarity that “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him” (Dan 9: 9). God Himself had said: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate The Call The Call

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and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exo 34: 6).

What about us today? We too have a word of encouragement: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb 4: 15, 16).

No matter who ruled, Daniel could say with courage: “I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before Your Majesty” (Dan 6: 22).

Today, the reason for our lack of courage may be that we are unable to let go of our weaknesses.“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Pro 28: 13).

Concern for the People

Visions and dreams and revelations about the future, weakened him many a times, making him lose sleep and comfort (Dan 7: 15, 8: 18, 10: 8, 9). Yet, above all Daniel had a deep concern for the people of God. He prayed, “Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from Jerusalem, Your city, Your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, Lord, look with favour on Your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make requests of The Call

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You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy” (Dan 9: 16 – 18). He did not dare to commercialise his gift of explaining visions (Dan 5: 17)

Even today, if the church were a witness, if it were the vessel carrying God’s presence, the place of God’s truth, if it understood that it was the salt and the light of this world, then no one can stop the change that will happen in this land and nation and its leaders.

“Believers that prayed like Daniel have died,

People standing at the holy gates have gone tired”

How true is this phrase!

May the Lord help us understand and encourage us to pray. May there be holy thought, fear of the Lord, and unity. This will help change the nation, giving us courage and strength. May the grace of the Lord be upon you all.

In His Vineyard, D. Augustine Jebakumar

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GEMS Leadership Training Sikaria

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GEMS Polytechnic

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Youth Meeting

Lohardaga

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Flood Relief in a Nepal Village Feeds the Hungry GEMS Nepal distributed food packets and food bags to a village that was cut off by floods and was without food for three days.

Water from the river entered the Basathpur village in Parsa District of Nepal and the people were without food for three days. On 19th July 2019, four people from GEMS Nepal team visited the village and provided 120 food packets.

Relief work was organized for this village, but on 25th July it was found that the bridge was broken and the relief materials distribution was delayed.

On 30th July the rain stopped and the villagers made a temporary repair on the bridge and the missionaries could take the relief materials to the village.

On 7th August 2019, the GEMS Nepal team visited The Call

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this village again and ministered among the children and the people.

P r a i s e God for enabling GEMS Nepal to help the flood victims of basathpur village.

Pray for rehabilitation and r e s t o ration of all the p e o p l e who are affected by rains and floods in Nepal.

Pray for the GEMS Nepal team to reach out to the needy people and to share the good news and good works.

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GEMS Polytechnic College Conducts the First Convocation The first convocation was conducted at GEMS Polytechnic College to felicitate and award the 99 students who

passed out of the college.

The first Convocation Ceremony of GEMS Polytechnic College (GPC) in Aurangabad, Bihar was held

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on 7thSeptember 2019 at GEMS auditorium in Sikaria.

Out of 99 students who passed out 67 students received their diploma degrees in hand and remaining as absentia.

After the academic procession, the event started with an opening prayer by the Executive Director of GEMS, Dr. Rajesh Duthie followed by the welcome address by Mr. Emerson, the Chairman of GEMS Board of Technical Education.

The Chairman of GEMS Polytechnic College and General

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Secretary of GEMS Mr.AugustineJebakumar declared the 1stConvocation open which was followed by the reading of the Annual Report by Mr. Ashish Daniel, the Director of GEMS Polytechnic College. In his report, he shared on the various accomplishments by the students, tie-ups made with 6 industries, research projects, 2 major funded project approval, placements in national and international companies, and the contribution by various resource people from industries and academia.

The Convocation Address was delivered by Dr.Anand A. Samuel, the Vice-Chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology,Vellore. VIT was recently awarded the “Institute of Excellence� by the central government of India and under the leadership of Dr.Anand Samuel, VIT has consistently ranked as top private technical university in India by NIRF.

During his address he shared how one should not compare with others and feel inferior instead understand that he is created uniquely by God. He also emphasized on having a right attitude and not to panic when situation is tough, instead patiently utilize the God given potential.

He also stated that the Annual report proved that GPC was not less than an Engineering College and appreciated the various initiatives taken.

The Guest of Honour Mr.EarnestRavi, the Chairman of GEMS motivated the students to have discipline, determination and dedication to succeed in professional life.

The Chairman of GPC Mr. Augustine Jebakumar shared the burden God put in him to come to Bihar and The Call

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how God led him to start technical institutions to transform the lives of youths who in turn have the responsibility to transform the nation.

He encouraged the graduates to have passion and serve the nation sincerely.

The Principal Mr. RamgopalChalla read the list of diploma degree holders who

received their certificates from the Chief Guest and the Chairman.

The event ended with the National Anthem.

Click to watch the videos on the First Convocation of GPC The Call The Call

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Highlights – https://youtu.be/ ZnJ1O8MUsoQ Full Video – https://youtu.be/zgyewapCEXw

Praise God for this first convocation of GEMS Polytechnic College.

Pray for all the students who have passed out of the college to have fulfilling life and career.

Pray for the management and the faculty of GPC to continue to impart education and values in the students.

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Missionaries and Believers Held Overnight at Police Station in Jharkhand VGP was conducted at village Mahuatoli in which 80 people participated and on the last day the GEMS missionaries were arrested and kept in police custody.

G o s p e l program was conducted by PEACE 1 Zone at village Mahuatoli from 4-6 Sep 2019 through the help of a local believer.

PEACE 1 Zonal Leader Bro. Saravanan conducted the meeting along with Bro. Samuel Soyamber.

People participated enthusiastically and heard the gospel.

On the third day there was heavy rains and yet people listened to the gospel in the rains and committed.

After the meeting, a group of policemen came to the village and took the missionaries and a few believers to the police station and kept them overnight. The next day the Sub Inspector

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accused the missionaries of conversion and it gave them a chance to share the gospel. A group of RSS affiliates came to the police station and pressurized the police to file false cases on the missionaries. But by the grace of God the missionaries and believers were released before noon.

Praise be to God for His protection on the missionaries and believers.

Pray for all the people who heard the gospel in Mahuatoli to grow in the Lord.

Pray for the opposers to be touched and transformed by the gospel and the love of Jesus.  

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Pray for GEMS Missionary Who Underwent Heart Surgery Twice Sis. Karuna underwent heart Bypass surgery and after a month she developed infection and she had to undergo a second surgery.

Sis. Karuna w/o Bro. Pradip Chandra Das (Sikaria, Bihar) underwent heart Bypass surgery on 24thAugust 2019 at CK Birla Hospital, Kolkata.

A month after the surgery she developed pus in the chest. She was rushed to the hospital in Kolkata in a serious condition and was admitted on 26thSeptember 2019.

T h a t same evening at 7:30 surgery was performed.

Her chest bones had to be opened again and the pus cleared. By the grace of God, the infection did not spread to the bones. She is out of danger and on medication for healing and relief from pain.

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For

Pray for Sis. Karuna that she may completely recover from and the heart surgeries.

Pray that there may not be any infection and pray for total healing.

Pray that as a family to be strengthened and encouraged in the Lord during this tough time.

Pray also for Mr. Paul Raj (63) f/o Bro. Anthony (Badem, Magahi 2) who has had a severe heart attack in Rameshwaram and is awaiting medical advice and for Mr. Kanagaraj (72) f/o Bro. Johnson (Sikaria) who underwent heart procedure to fix pacemaker in Patna; pray for their complete recovery.

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Pray For People Affected by the Heavy Rains Floods in Bihar.

Heavy rainfall has led to flooding in 12 districts of Bihar and death of around 30 people, adding to the 125 people who died in flood related incidents in Bihar by the end of July. “ L a t e upsurge in monsoonal rain has led to incessant rainfall in over a dozen districts of Bihar with three of them capital P a t n a , Kaimur and

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Bhagalpur - being the worst affected. Situation in Patna is particularly bad with many areas submerged under 4-6 feet of flood water.

Patna has not seen such floods since 1975, both the people and authorities say. Other badly affected districts

are Araria, Banka, Munger, Muzaffarpur and Samastipur.

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incidents.” (Source: India Today, https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/as-flood-drownsdrought-hit-bihar-it-s-a-warning-for-nitishkumar-1604750-2019-09-30) Read the flood updates of July 2019: GEMS Churches and Houses Flooded and Lives Lost in Bihar and Nepal –http://news.gemsbihar.org/2019/07/ gems-churches-and-houses-flooded-and.html GEMS Churches in North Bihar Flooded Due to the Heavy Rains – http://news.gemsbihar.org/2019/07/ gems-churches-in-north-bihar-flooded.html GEMS fields and churches in these places are under water.

GEMS House of Prayer, Bihar Sharif GEMS House of Prayer, Jehanabad Pray for all the places in Bihar which are affected by the heavy rainfall and floods.

Pray for the people who are displaced and lives disrupted; pray for their rehabilitation and restoration.

Pray for the necessary relief to reach the affected places and people in time.

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Power to People of Power Plants thru MPTC in Madhya Pradesh MPTC was launched in Vindhyanagar of Madhya Pradesh to equip & empower the believers to do missions in their Marketplace and in Missions.

GEMS Southern Region and it’s Sonebhadra zone launched MPTC (Missionary Preparatory Training Course) at Vindhya Nagar on 24th August 2019. The orientation program was conducted at the Christian Community Church in the power plant township.

Many power stations are around this place and the aim is to empower the believers here to become missional in their life and purpose.

Bro. Praveen Das (Zonal Leader, Sonebhadra) and Christian Community church leaders were instrumental in inviting the people and organizing the program. Bro. Suresh Silas (Asst. Zonal Leader) made the necessary arrangements for the program.

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The orientation program began with a time of praise and worship led by Sis. Alma Grace. To set the tone for MPTC, Bro. Mariyosh Joseph, Associate Director-GEMS (Kingdom

Building Ministries) shared from the word of God on how to live a “Chirst-centred life”, highlighting the contrast between living for one’s own self and for God. Introduction to MPTC, its importance and overview of course The Call

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curriculum was shared by Mrs. SumithraJayaraj through group activity.

The participants were divided into groups to discuss their views about “Missional Living� and representatives

from each group shared their view to the gathering. This could open up the minds of people and give a picture about The Call The Call

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MPTC.

Followed by this, a Model MPTC class was conducted by Bro. Peter Jayaraj (Regional Director, GEMS Southern Region) on the topic “Great Commission – Go into all the World”, to depict how each class would be conducted in interactive-learning model.

Bro. Mariyosh shared few testimonies of how MPTC has been instrumental in equipping and empowering people to be actively involved in missions and led into a time of commitment and prayer after sharing from the word of God.

Around 25 people signed up for the course from Vindhyanagar and nearby plants. A trainers training program to train facilitators to run the course is planned.

Click to know more about MPTC –http://news.gemsbihar. org/2016/05/mptc-teaches-kingdom-living-and.html Pray that right facilitators may be identified at Vindhya Nagar to facilitate the MPTC. Pray for the Trainers Training program and for the signed up candidates and facilitators.

Pray for all the MPTC centers in India and in other nations to fulfill God’s purpose in this training.

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Convention Motivates Magahi Believers of Bihar to Seek the Kingdom of God Area Conventions were conducted at Biharshariff (Magahi 1) and Manpur (Magahi 2) in the theme ‘Thy Kingdome Come’ and 475 believers participated.

Biharshariff Convention

The Magahi 1 Zone Area Convention was conducted at Biharshariff from 24th to 26th Sep 2019 in which 250

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believers participated from seven fields of Magahi 1 zone.

Bro. John Nagendran (Orissa) was invited as the

Guest Speaker to this convention and he shared messages based on the theme verse from Luke 11:2. Bro. Nandlal Soren (Area Leader) made the arrangements for the convention. Bro. Jaganlead the gathering in praise and worship.

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Bro. Dayanand Singh (Zonal Leader, M1), Bro. Rakesh Ravi (Zonal Leader, M2) and Bro. Jagan (Asst.

Zonal Leader, M1) also ministered the word of God and Sis. Julie ministered among the

women.

Manpur Convention

The Magahi 2 Zone Area Convention was conducted at Manpur from 18th to 20th Sep 2019 in which 225 believers participated.

Bro. Ramashankar (Area Leader) made the arrangements. Bro. Praveen Das (Zonal Leader, Sonebhadra) was invited as the Guest Speaker.

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M2) also ministered the word. Youth sessions were led by Bro. Karan and Bro. Sanjay ministered among the children.

Pray for all the believers who took part in the Area Conventions of Magahi Zones.

Pray for them to seek the Lord and to grow in His righteousness.

Pray for a revival in the Magahi region through these believers that it may lead to the transformation of these places through the gospel.

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