Mathetes Model Training Conference: National Conference of Master Trainers in Mathetes Model of Discipleship training was held from 6-8 August 2009 at St. Ann centre, Taranaka, Secunderabad. About 65 leaders from various states including Chattisgarh, Orissa, Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka participated in the training. The leaders were able to go through the 40 lessons that are good to train a new disciple. Those who attended the training all three days were awarded certificates. This programme was co-ordinated by Rev. Dr. J.N. Manokaran and Rev. Joshau Pillai. The material is in Tamil, Hindi and Telegu. It would be printed in other languages like Kannada, Oriya, Maharastra…etc.
Writers Vision Workshop: Writers’ Vision Workshop was held on 9th August in the city of Hyderabad. It was sponsored by Mahalife.com. Rev. Dr. J.N. Manokaran, Rev. P.J. Ramanathan and Mr. Rishi Paul were the resource persons.
Oddanchatram School of Leadership: From 9 to 13 November School of Leadership would be held in Missionary Upholders Trust Campus.
Global Cities Initiative: The conference is being held from 8-11 September in New York. Over 300 delegates from 80 plus cities around the world would be participating in the conference. Tim Keller, Luis Bush, Vishal Mangalwadi are some of the speakers. J.N. Manokaran would be leading Break Out sessions on Urban Trends.
Ministry Among Diaspora Peoples: A special seminar would be held at Tyndale University College and Seminary, Toronto (Canada) on 22nd September 2009. The presentation would be done by J.N. Manokaran.
Mission Educational Books: Mission Educational Books is celebrating its 20th anniversary in October 2009. Special discount prices books are offered to celebrate this occasion. A compendium is planned to be released with 25 national leaders writing on important challenges of missions in 21st Century. Pastors’ conference is being planned in few places. For more information, please contact: Rev. S.D. Ponraj This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The rest of mankind did not repentJ.N. ManokaranSwine flu created scare in the minds of people around the world. Earlier it was bird flu that scared the global population. Natural disasters of minor or major proportions keep happening around the world. What is the response of people to such plagues?“The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.” (Revelations 9:20, 21)False GodsWith God’s gift of creativity, human beings are able to design and define their own gods. The technological advancement provides tools for creating more such gods. Every day new gods are created to meet a particular need or superstition invented to ward of evil or tool developed to provide self confidence. The super market for spirituality abounds with products and commodities for every need, for every person in accordance to the budget a person could afford. With aspiration for more power to control their own lives, people start worshipping even demons. It is not worshipping, it is actually trying to appease the demons. Instead of repenting, human being invent some kind of spiritual ritual to ward off the evil. Violence – murdersAmong young people violence has become a life style. A majority of Americans feel that it is their right to own a gun. It is no wonder around five thousand youngsters loose their life in gang violence in US. Ragging, teen murders, suicides, domestic violence, dowry deaths and road rage are indication of violence in the modern culture. People are more driven by negative emotions like hatred rather than positive emotions like love. The tolerance level of people has gone down and so is the virtue of self-control. Occult practicesOccult practices are glorified, considered as science in several cultures. Human beings are always in pursuit of power and knowledge. Adam and Eve chose both, which resulted in rebellion and disobedience against the Creator. Today humanity is seeking power and knowledge, from any and every source. The source could be legitimate or illegitimate, it doesn’t matter. Occult is becoming widely acceptable, sometimes respectable and becoming part of modern civilization. Sexual immoralitySexual immorality needs no description. For postmodern generation, that is over exposed to sex education and drowsed in moral stupor; sex is merely a physical activity between two persons with consent and not commitment. It is like playing a game of tennis. So, premarital sex and extra-marital sex has become normal in the society. Worse still is homosexuals and lesbians having special rights and privileges. Robbing and looting Humanity is losing its moral value base that robbing and looting is way of life. Corruption in corporate world, pursuit of profit without ethics, politics without principle and just pursuit of power; media playing the role of false prophet has looted people economically, politically and socially. Human rights violations is a daily news from many corners of the world. Human dignity is robbed by forced marriages, rapes, bonded slavery, war, riots and terrorism. Children are robbed of their innocence. Call for repentanceGod is speaking to humanity, time and again. Plagues or swine flu or tsunami are God’s trumpet call for humanity to repent, forsake sin and follow righteous. Instead humanity seems to devolve deeper into moral and spiritual decay rather than pursuing righteousness. But, there are individuals who are wise, who reflect and understand to ‘kiss the feet of the Son’ and take refuge in Him. (Psalm 2:12) The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)
