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Seminars & Training General Akola City Ministries Report
Seminars & Training General Akola City Ministries Report
Akola City Ministries Report
Akola City Ministries ReportAkola School of LeadershipPastors and leaders from the city of Akola and from nearby districts came to Alliance Conference Centre on 17 November to participate in the unique school of leadership. This was the first of its kind for the city leaders. They came from various churches, mission agencies, and Non Government organizationa. The delegates were from: Christian & Missionary Alliance, Agape Fellowship Foundation, Church of North India, Christian Believers Assembly, Believers Church, Green Pasture Ministries, India Every Home Crusade, Rays of Hope International Ministries, New India Church of God, Mission India (Nagpur), Church of Lord Jesus Christ, New Life Fellowship, Anugraha Ekathmik Gramin Vikas Sanstha, and several Independent churches.Dilip Sardar of Agape Fellowship Foundation organized this leadership training. “I repent and ask forgiveness as I was like the Elder Son of Luke 15,” said one senior leader. A senior pastor said, “I never realized that Evangelism as a process but just as a programme.” The devotion about the slave girl inspired and challenged many leaders. “Now I understood the levels of leadership. I will raise leaders in the first and second level to grow the church.” One leader thanked for including Spiritual warfare in the curriculum. “I learnt the method of bible study, which would change my life,” commented one lay leader. “How to share the testimony was useful. I will teach my congregation to do that,” said one young church planter. “I will not be just accountant but steward of God’s resources, commented one woman leader. Rev. J.N. Manokaran and Rev. P. Joseph Ramanathan were the resource persons. Dilip Sardar translated the teachings from English to Marathi. On the last day (19 November) certificates were awarded for all those who completed this training. Professionals – Nurses Retreat (20 November 2009)Special retreat for nurses was organized on 20 November 2009 at Church of North India, Akola. 52 nurses, including twelve nurses who travelled from the city of Buldana (one hundred kilometers from Akola) and twenty other professionals gathered for this retreat. It was organized by the Nurses Fellowship of Akola. Rev. Dr. J.N. Manokaran and Rev. Ramanathan were the resource persons. “The story of slave girl in Naaman household inspired me, and motivated me to be a spiritual leader n my work context,” said one senior nurse. “I have the message of hope for the patients in the hospital,” said one young nurse. Another nurse shared: “I will forgive and would refuse to take revenge.”“Methodological bible study guide was helpful to me,” was response of several nurses. Many were amazed to learn simple way of studying the Scripture. “I will use the four steps guideline while making disciples,” was the response for the session in which the four step process of disciple making was taught. The story of mid-wives in Exodus provoked many delegates to think. Some nurses commented that their thinking pattern changed after hearing this bible study. “In the future, I will stand for truth and righteousness”. The study on spirit, soul and body helped many to understand the total human being. “We are different than the world. We have our own values. I can demonstrate those values through my life,” was a bold decision by one of the delegates.Personality analysis was an eye-opener to many delegates. “Now I can understand the patients and their needs well,” was the response of one of the delegates. “I will not fight and keep grievance in my mind. I will understand others.”Many echoed the sentiment: “The time of seminar was short; it should be for at least two days.” Some nurses said that it was a life changing experience. Akola Youth Rally – 21 November 2009About 70 young people from various churches gathered in the Alliance Church on 21 November 2009. The Youth Retreat was first of its kind in the history of Akola Christianity. There were students from Junior college, professional colleges, young couples and few professionals. Rev. J.N. Manokaran spoke on the life of David, who had courage to face Goliath. The identity, faith and zeal of David were provoked by Goliath. He responded by rejecting criticism, rejecting tradition and working out creative method to face and defeat Goliath. Rev. Ramanathan spoke on discipleship from the Gospel of Mark. In the afternoon the delegates were divided into five groups. They discussed the passage in Luke 19:1-10. (They were give five questions). Later each group presented their findings and discussion. Personality Analysis Seminar – 21 November 2009Many young people were eager to understand about their own personality. About 25 college students gathered together for this special seminar. They were taught on Body, Soul and spirit. Rev. Dr. J.N. Manokaran taught them about the inner man. Then, using a personality analysis tool, analysis was done for all the 25 students. After they did the test, they were taught to understand the four types of personalities: Thinker (Cautious), Encourager (Supportive), Achiever (Dynamic) and Motivator (Inspire). Then each personality style strengths and weakness were taught. The Inter-personal skills based on the personality profile also were explained. All the students felt they were empowered and benefitted. Akola Writers’ Workshop – 22 November 2009The Akola Writers’ Workshop was held on 22 November at Church of North India, Akola. Around forty delegates gathered with great eagerness to learn. Rev. J.N. Manokaran spoke on Seven Mind Moulders and Writing as mission. He gave several bible passages to help the delegates the importance of writing. Rev. Joseph Ramanathan spoke how to interpret the bible to the present generation. He provided insights for understanding the Scripture and interpreting in the Christian writings. Then Rev. Manokaran led the session, “What next?”. Many delegates responded well and shared. “We have just started a new magazine, delegates could contribute Christmas messages for the magazine,” shared one editor. “I will start writing poems,” said a woman leader. “I have started a blog, and would write God’s miracles in that,” shared a young man. “I will start a website,” shared another young man. “I will register for a course on journalism,” shared one social worker. Then it was proposed to start a Christian Marathi Magazine for nurses. It was estimated that there were 4000 Christian nurses in Maharashtra.
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