Lighthouse

Lighthouse IPCH Newsletter

Vol 1 | Issue 3 | September 2023

Harvest & Mission A Biblical Perspective

SAVE THE DATES Life & Faith Nov 3 - 5 Global Charity Pledge Nov 5 IPC Houston Fellowship Annual Convention Nov 10 - 12 Church Thanksgiving Dinner Nov 25 PYPA Anniversary Dec 23 21 Days Fasting & Prayer December Annual General body Jan 14

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Pr. Wilson Varkey

he Bible is replete with teachings and parables that provide profound insights into the Christian faith and the responsibilities of believers. One such passage is found in Matthew 9:37, where Jesus addresses His disciples with a message that encapsulates the essence of Christian mission and the urgency of the harvest. In this small article, we will delve into the context, significance, and implications of Matthew 9:37, shedding light on the profound lessons it offers for believers today.

The Harvest is Plentiful In the preceding verses, Jesus is portrayed as a compassionate healer, going from place to place, curing the sick and ministering to the marginalized. In verse 35, it is written, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” This sets the stage for the profound statement that “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” This statement underscores the vastness of the spiritual harvest awaiting believers. The harvest symbolizes the souls of people who are ready to receive the gospel and enter into a relationship with God. The use of the word “plentiful” conveys the idea that there are countless individuals who are spiritually receptive, seeking meaning, purpose, and salvation.

The Workers are Few While the harvest is abundant, Jesus highlights the scarcity of laborers. This scarcity is not just

1 – Harvest & Mission 2 – Mission 2:14 3 – Sunday School 4 – Children's Church & Nursery 5 – Youth Corner Updates

about numbers but also about willingness and dedication. In the context of Christian mission, the workers represent those who actively engage in spreading the message of salvation, sharing the love of Christ, and making disciples. Jesus’ acknowledgment of the shortage of workers serves as a call to action for His disciples and, by extension, for all believers. That means, believers are called to recognize the vast spiritual need in the world and respond promptly. Just as a ripe harvest must be gathered before it spoils, souls must be reached before they are lost to spiritual indifference or darkness.

But this cannot be done without proper preparation and prayer. Therefore, believers must engage in prayerful reflection asking God to send forth more workers into His harvest field. Prayer is a powerful tool in mobilizing and equipping individuals for the mission. Moreover, to be effective workers in the harvest, believers must be prepared and equipped. This involves growing in knowledge of the Word, developing spiritual gifts, and being open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 9:37 serves as a poignant reminder of the Christian mission’s importance and urgency.

It highlights the vast spiritual harvest that awaits, the scarcity of workers, and the need for believers to be actively engaged in the mission of spreading the gospel. In a world marked by spiritual hunger and searching, this verse calls Christians to respond with compassion, dedication, and a sense of responsibility, echoing Christ’s call to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).

In This Issue

5 – Men Pursuing God (MPG) 6 – Global Missions 6 – Building Expansion Update 7 – Kid's Corner 8 – Thank you Volunteers

Geiby George

God has given us an unique opportunity to be missionaries within our city limits to make a global impact by reaching out locally. Mission 2:14 creates a platform for us to bring our faith into action (James 2).

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ur Mission is to grow in our Diaper Distribution SUPPORT US! walk with Christ and serve God This is another way in which we are Donate by serving the people He places serving and showing love to our local During the week, you may drop off around us. Our vision is to build the communities. We provide diapers to diapers in the dox by the Church’s next generation of Christ followers families who are in need and who are Kitchen / Lobby Area. w h i l e t r a n s f o r m i n g o u r l o c a l struggling to keep their babies clean and communities. healthy.

Give Financially  Give Online to Mission 2:14 - add Mission 2:14 outreaches are open to all As per the latest statistics, 1 in every 3 Diaper Drive in the Comment Box age groups. We have volunteers from families are struggling to provide their  Check - payable to IPC Houston various ministries within our church babies with diapers. These diaper needs Memo: Diaper Drive w h o v o l u n t e e r d u r i n g t h e s e are not covered under Government  Cash donations are accepted as well opportunities to serve our communities. assistance like SNAP/WIC/food stamps.

Volunteer We also have volunteers from other Food distributions are hosted local Churches that come alongside us Lack of diapers has adverse health twice a month - on the 1st Friday to serve together. Several volunteers effects on families including rashes and & 3rd Friday of each month. from out-of-state have also served infections for children, and stress and along with us as they come to serve in anxiety on parents. Without diapers, the Houston area for their week-long babies are not able to attend daycare or Our volunteer check-in begins by mission trips. early education programs and mothers/ 3:30pm and our drive-thru food caretakers are not able to attend work distributions begin by 5pm.

Food Distribution or school to further provide for the One of the initiatives of Mission 2:14 is family. our food distributions that we host twice a month. Through this initiative, The diaper distribution service has been our goal is to ensure that our neighbors a great blessing to the receiving families, have access to nutritious food. Since and we hope to continue to impact their Let us not become weary in June 2020, we have been partnering hearts and minds, as we also provide doing good, for at the proper with Houston Food Bank and other biblical literature in both Spanish & time we will reap a harvest local partners to help provide food for English, and Bibles, along with the if we do not give up. our neighbors. diaper supply.

We also partner with other local Galatians 6:9 churches and organizations that help us Diaper distributions are hosted on the in delivering groceries to refugee 1st Friday of each month. families and other low-income families in the surrounding communities.

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IPCH Newsletter

Beena Ninan & Ann Chacko

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Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

unday school began this year with the joyful news that few Sunday School building to have classes with a lesser number of 6th grade students asked their teacher how they can be students in each class. saved. The teacher told them about the ABCs (admitting, Each Sunday we begin with a Dive-in devotion session from 9:00 believing and confession) of salvation and the students accepted AM to 9:30 AM. During this time, elementary students up to class Jesus as their personal Savior. We are also reminded that we are 5, meet in the Children's Church area and students in class 6 and in constant warfare with works of the evil one. This is a call for all above meet in Fellowship Hall. Each Dive-in session is led by an brothers and sisters in Christ to cover every dear child in our organized and capable team of volunteers. Students disperse to Sunday School in your valuable prayers. their classes at 9:30 AM. They are taught Theme of Sunday school this year is to by dedicated and well-prepared teachers "be strong in the Lord" (Ephesians till 10:30 AM. Students up to class 2 6:10). We are reminded to put on the have to be picked up from their classes. full armor of God so that we can take Please check with your student regarding our stand against the devil's schemes the lesson they learnt, memory verse to (Ephesians 6:11). In addition, we have be learnt for the next Sunday and the to be able to stand our ground, and after books/other resources they have been we have done everything, to stand given. Elementary classes learn from the (Ephesians 6:13). We have to wear the ‘Radiant Life’ curriculum. Middle/High belt of truth, breastplate of school classes learn from the ‘Following righteousness, feet with readiness, shield God’ series of workbooks and IPC of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of Sunday School Association textbooks. the Spirit and keep on praying.

Some reasons to bring your child to Sunday School are, age This year, Sunday School has 18 classes beginning with Pretargeted teaching, positive friendships, bible that is relevant for kindergarten 3 year olds through Class 12, and Life Insights class kids, praying teachers, systematic bible learning, and it shows kids for those who have graduated from Sunday School. Each class that God's Word really matters. Requesting all brothers and has a number of children ranging from 11 through 26 children in sisters once again, to keep every dear child and teacher in your a class. We are looking forward to the completion of the new prayers.

“...be strong in the Lord” Ephesians 6:10

IPC Hebron Sunday School students with the Pastoral team, Sunday school leadership team and teachers Lighthouse

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IPCH Newsletter

Solly Thomas & Rebecca George

Betsy Abraham & Jincy Skaria

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hildren are one of the greatest blessings from God. Their love, joy, and curiosity fill IPC Hebron hallways with life and excitement.

Hebron Kids ministry at IPC Hebron operates with a vision for each child to know his/her identity in Christ and grow in their relationship with the Lord. It ministers to kids in grades Kindergarten to Fifth grade and is open for kids every Sunday during English Service. Betsy & Jincy, along with Pr. Chris is blessed to be entrusted with their care and spiritual enrichment of our children.  Belong: Creating a space in church where our children feel a sense of belonging.  Believe: Point our children to God and guide them in their journey to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Become: Teach and model to become Christ like in their day to day life.

Our kids and parents enjoy the ministry and it has been an integral part of our church’s ministries. We have a dedicated group of volunteers that help with ministry on a rotating schedule. Ministry volunteers include our young and energetic high school and college kids, who serve alongside young adults, parents which makes this ministry very successful. Children's ministry has become one of the entry level ministries in the church where our younger generation can plug in and utilize their God given talents to serve the church.

2023 Highlights Strawberry Picking We spent a day at Froberg’s farm filled with fun and excitement! Kids got to pick plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and time with their friends while parents enjoyed some much needed downtime.

Mother’s day and Father's day Celebrations Our kids celebrated their wonderful moms and dads with a touching video, enjoyed donuts, coffee and plenty of pictures with dads at a decorated Photo Booth Graduation Ceremony As our fifth graders completed elementary school and graduated into middle school, we took a day to look back at all God had done in their lives and to acknowledge His blessings. We bid farewell to our Sixth graders with a special graduation party Hebron kid’s ministry is a thriving ministry in our church and we invite all of you to be part by supporting, volunteering and praying for ministry. We have more in store for our children in the upcoming weeks and months.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

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ursery is a small ministry but has a big impact.

We welcome babies from 18 months to 4 years old and have 2-3 volunteers per Sunday to watch over them. Our nursery is a safe and welcoming environment led by special volunteers who have a heart to serve the most precious gifts from the Lord.

Our church attendees have the opportunity to focus on the word while trusting in our volunteers to watch over their babies during service. This opportunity not only builds growth and strength within our children, but also the parents as well. Nursery offers age-appropriate toys, books, games, and entertainment to keep the little ones happy and active throughout service.

We currently have 10-12 consistent babies and 5-6 consistent volunteers, and the number continues growing as more families visit or join IPC, more parents utilize the use of nursery, and smaller infants have grown to be able to attend. Our current status of connecting with the children while keeping them entertained and engaged in activities has always been rewarding, but we know we can’t stop there. The future and safety of our children is always the first priority for us, and we are actively looking for ways to improve the nursery and keep it nothing short of outstanding.

Nursery will continue to research and use the support of our church to complete future goals of revamping, reutilizing, and redefining our room and activities to further grow our babies spiritual and cognitive growth.

We are currently in need of more volunteers to successfully run the nursery in the most efficient and safest way possible. Any volunteers with a heart to serve our little ones, and have experience with watching over babies or have the passion to learn, are more than welcome to sign up or contact Rebecca George (832-614 -9450) with any questions. Please continue to pray for this ministry.

IPCH Newsletter

Pr. Christopher Peter

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n the past year we have had multiple events, such as ‘Coffee House’, ‘Game Nights’, ‘Worship Night’, ‘Real Talk’, Volleyball Tournament, ‘Youth Retreat’ and etc. Some of these events had an emphasis of fellowship while still having an element of worship and word, while other events were strictly spiritual like worship night and some were rooted in being relevant to the issues we face in day to day like our ‘Real Talk’ with Dr. Dolly Thomas. All of these events were coordinated together with a number of youth within the church.

Community

Relevance

Spiritual Maturity

Our focus and vision for our Youth Ministry is to  Create community, a place where we could all gather together  Be relevant and applicable to the struggle we face in private and public  Grow spiritually and mature into the calling God has for us

We have also grown in our ministry of Small Groups ministry which meets biweekly, this year we were able to add three more small groups and will be adding a few more in the coming months. These small groups were intended for our youth to be able to do-life together, have accountability with each other, and build a sense of closeness within our church body.

As the year progresses we continue to have events and our small groups with an emphasis on our core values of community, relevance, and spiritual maturity. We will be seeking to develop our small group leaders, tackle current issues, and revive spirituality among the youth.

Upcoming events include ‘Life & Faith’ Conference, small groups leadership seminar, panel discussions, Thanksgiving potluck.

Alex Thomas

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en Pursuing God is a ministry focused on young men by connecting them to older men in the church, as well as to one another. The ministry has two aspects to it. One is a mentor-mentee pairing where 1 mentor meets with 1 mentee on a regular basis. The other aspect is the large group events where we meet as one large group to go through bible study, discuss topics that have a level of sensitivity, and come together for food and fellowship This ministry targets young men who are seniors in high school, or in college, or are single and in the workforce.

This ministry is investing into the young men during a time when they are making some of the most impactful life choices they'll ever face. This ministry helps refocus the young men to seek God and to build one another up, instead of trying to go through life by their own will power and strength. This focus on God and community helps build the next generation of servant-leaders who will in turn have a strong foundation to mentor the next generation.

We want to see men who are strong for their families, their church, and for themselves. This ministry should be a pipeline where young men know they belong, and as they graduate out of this ministry, they have the capacity and capability to pour back into the next generation. This, by God's grace, would be effectively a generational discipleship program.

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IPCH Newsletter

Johns Abraham

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e have witnessed growth in all stations in the last several AFRICA months. The Lord has given fruit in the fields even though the workers have to face various difficulties. The tally of the souls The Africa mission met some difficulties due to the civil war in Niger but saved in the different regions will be displayed on our mission wall and the missionaries are safe. Our bimonthly evangelistic seminars and drives into unreached villages continue. We have been able to print and the TV display in the days to come. distribute the Nabeel Qureshi books to reach out to lost souls there.

INDIA GLOBAL CHARITY The work in India is progressing well. The India mission trip will be this month. We plan to meet all ministers and visit a few stations in Rajasthan, The Charity wing of our church has been able to extend our helping hand Delhi, Jharkhand, and Bihar. Currently 17 church members are going on to Gilgal Ashwasa Bhawan, IPC retired pastors and widows. Every month this trip. The Sarguja Bible College will start its new semester this month. we have financially helped with an average of 2000 dollars for church and The Bihar medical clinic continues to see patients. The Kasaragod and parsonage construction, home construction, medical help and educational Bihar tailor institutes teach vocational students. The work in all 14 regions help to many in dire need. The nursing student scholarships have been of India is progressing well. This year we have helped in the construction disbursed. We have also collected the 1st year applicants for the new year of churches in Rajasthan, Champa, Rajnandgaon and Ambikapur. We 2023-24. The scholarship to one student in Belize continues and he have also renovated churches in Thiruvambady. A new region (15th extends his thanks to the church community. region) Hosdurg, Kasaragod was started in Kerala. 12 ministers are HOUSTON CHARITY supported to reach out with the gospel in this area. Our plan is to support this area currently for 3 years. If the work progresses well we will extend Our local Charity team has been very active with the Houston food bank our support for a maximum of 5 years. It is sad to say that we lost a young drive and distribution of food to the local community. Refugees have been helped with various essentials in their apartment complexes. The 32 year old evangelist who has been working in the blood drive has also been successful. Currently the Rajnandgaon area for the last 9 years due to kidney church has received an opening into attaining failure. The church has been able to set up an furniture, various home goods, diapers etc which educational fund for his 2 young children and will have been distributed among the local community continue to support his widow for at least a year. on a weekly basis.

MEXICO Casa Clinic has seen many indigent patients.

Mexico Mission has been very successful. We have Approximately 25 volunteers from church after added 2 more stations in Matamoros. The Social attaining orientation training have been spending Assistance Home has been completed and takes many hours in the running of this Clinic. care of 22 children. Our church has been able to fund the monthly running of this facility. The IPC Bible Training Center, Matamoros will HOUSTON EVANGELISM graduate 17 students on October 20. On September 20th, we made a pilot The local evangelism team has conducted weekend evangelistic drives trip to Reynosa, Mexico to Rio Bravo Ministries. We visited the children’s from member homes into the subdivisions around the city. This month home, schools, church and the blue school. If God willing, we plan a we have another drive scheduled in North Shore. The India Independence youth group trip to work among the children there. We visited the Rio Day event was conducted in Stafford. The apologist Abdu Murray Grande Bible Ministries (RGBM) at Edinburgh, Texas. Our team was able meeting was attended by many. Another such apologist meeting is to tour their facility- chapel, classes in session, library, radio station and scheduled for February next year. church. The goal was to meet international students from South America who are graduating within the coming year. This may open doors for us to All our global Mission and Charity is possible through each of your reach out to South American countries especially Honduras, Columbia, sacrificial giving. I thank the many volunteers who have dedicated their Ecuador and Bolivia. I pray that our church can plant churches in these time and efforts in reaching out with compassion. countries through these students.

Kurian Mathews  We are currently in the second round of questions

on our building plans from the city. All the appropriate people are working on answering the city questions currently.

 So far, four city departments have approved our

plans: H.A.S, Plumbing, City Planning, Electrical.

Still a few departments are left to approve, but they are all in the final stages of approval.

 Civil engineer is currently finalizing the site

drawings. We should have final drawings approved by the city in next two or three weeks, which will allow us to get started on site work.

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IPCH Newsletter

WORD SEARCH

BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Bible Trivia

Y Z Y A H Y Q Z X Q U D K L F T M R F T H O T E H O E U V N God Made People Help Adam and Eve find their way!

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GOLIATH BETHLEHEM

GRACE

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Jesus loves the children.

MOSES LAST SUPPER Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17

SERPENT

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DEUTERONOMY

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GALILEE

REDEEM

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All Rights Reserved. Free to duplicate for church or home use. Visit http://SundaySchoolZone.com.

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IPCH Newsletter

Thank you VOLUNTEERS