In His Time.......... with P.Ramachandran

There are four important qualities any organisation must enforce, it its members need to have a sense of belonging. A church is no different. A church is peculiar because membership is voluntary and there are so many churches to choose from. If you are not happy with one you can always go to another. If we want to retain members and make them part of the church, the following qualities must be defined: 1.   Identity The church must have an identity to which all members can relate. An  identity  is the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and/or expressions that makes the  group. The identity  of the church depends on the  following: Vision/Mission Character - What level of holiness does the church  demand Teaching - Beliefs/Doctrines 2.   Transparency In the context of churches, transparency has two important components. The first is that the church’s finances be transparent, permitting congregants to see details about how their donations are spent, and the second is

If there is no fear of God on the exterior there is certainly no fear of God in the interior; but just because there seems to be a fear of God on the exterior, does not mean that you fear God in the interior 1 Samuel 16:7 - For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

We started out day at 5AM in the morning as we have three places to visit in Assam. All these are tuition centers in the villages. First we visited the centre in Pst Arvin's church. About 60 children adults and were present. The youths played games, taught them a song and Racheal shared a Bible story. I sharedthe Word for the older folks and closed in prayer. It was getting warm and humid. We were all getting soaked in our perspiration.  The second stop was Rimona. Here about 100 kids came for the program.  It was good to see Pst Gopal and other other church members. The youths had a lively program in this church. The last stop was at Pst Soban's church. Again the youths did a great job with the kids. I was impressed with the talents and abilities of our youths. They have potential and will take the mission work to the next level. To God be the glory.

On 12 Jun, we had the youth program conducted at the PEC School of Ministry premises in Dalsingpara.  More than 200 young men and women attended the half day conference. PEC youths, together with some youths from Jaigaon have ben planning and preparing for this big event. They had worship, games, song and dance performances. Most importantly the Word of God was shared to these youths. I took the first session and spoke on being the right example. I was sick the previous two days because of food poisoning. I was weak as I went on the stage to speak. Towards the end of my message I felt very weak and thought that I might collapse. After the message, I went to lie down and was knocked out for about 2 hrs. But when I woke up, I felt much better. Thank God. Jonathan took the second session and spoke from the Book of Easter, The conference was closed with an altar call followed by a round of thanks to the participants.  The feedback was that it was a great con

On 11 Jun we were supposed to do some sight seeing in Gangtok. But because of rain and bad weather, we had to cancel the trip. After our morning devotion and breakfast, we set off for our next destination, PEC Today in West Bengal.  We left Sikkim about 9:30AM. It was a long drive, up and down winding roads. Harini was not well. We had to stop a number of time for her. She was having diarrhea and running a slight fever. I was thinking if she should go straight to Jaigaon with Jeya, instead of coming up the mountain to Todey. I told Jeya we will decide at a resting point in Malbazzar.  Harini looking much better in Today At Malbazzar, Jeya gave some medication to Harini and the team prayed together for her healing. After 30 minutes, she was looking good and wanted to follow us. Praise God for healing in that difficult situation.  The drive up the mountain was tough through siding roads and tracks. But as usual, we were spellbound by God's amazing creation. The wea

Early Monday  (10 Jun) morning , we left Hyderabad for the airport. It was quite a rush but we made it in good time. Our flight to Bagdogra was uneventful.  Bishop Samuel, Pst Arun (PEC Church Planter) were at the airport to greet us. After a quick lunch, we proceeded to Sikkim. The youths enjoyed the scenery and the exquisite creation of God.  When we arrived at the Sikkim Checkpoint, I was shocked to see a long line of people waiting to get the entry permit. It will take us at least two hours to get to our turn. Thank God for favour. Bishop Samuel had a friend working in the office and we got ours processed in good time.  We went straight to Rangpo PEC. The descend down the hill was not so bad this time as some of the route has been paved. But it was still difficult for Jeya. Guess age is catching up. The youths loved the trail descend.  We had a great service there. The worship was vibrant and lively. Angel and Esther shared their testimonies, Rachael gave a sho

Saturday and Sunday were spent in Telangana State. On 8 Jun, after our first devotion, we set off for a church dedication in Kurnool State. The journey would take more 4 hours. On the way we stopped for breakfast at a highway restaurant. The weather was nice.  The church dedication was in a village called, Kotrai, Kurnool District. This church was sponsored by Bro Ajit and family. For some youths this is the first experience in an Indian village. The sights and smell were overwhelming for some. Bu they took it in good stride. A good crowd was present for the dedication. The Harini shared a testimony and Angel gave a short exhortation. Jeya shared the world. It was a long drive back. By the time we reached Hyderabad it was about 8pm. We went to Oris for dinner and returned to the hotel. On Sunday the youths joined the worship service in Rasoolpura. The reception was warm and it was good to see the people. The youths gave a special song item and Jonathan shar

Taken at Changi Airport before departure Finally after months of praying, planning and preparing, the youths arrived Hyderabad. This is the first mission trip for some. Arrival at Hyderabad As soon as they touched down, it began to rain "cats and dogs". The temperature which was hovering in the 40s dropped to a cool 20s. We got wet as we ran to our vehicles. But God answered the youths' prayer. They had been praying that the weather will not be harsh and the Lord responded as they set foot in India. Praise the Lord.

I arrived Hyderabad on 6 Jun early morning. Bishop Nehemiah was there as usual to pick me up. From the airport we drove all the way to Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh . The journey took a torturing 11 hrs through deep forests and hills. These areas are infested with Naxalities who are notorious for their terrorism. After this exhausting journey, I  don't  think we will try this route again. By the time we reached Jagdalpur, we were late for the church dedication. Had a quick shower in a motel and left for the church dedication. This is the first PE Church to be dedicated in Chhattisgarh. This is PEC’s 127th church building. More than 200 people gathered for the event. It was indeed an historic moment and another milestone in PEC’s mission work. We thank God for all that he is doing in the mission field. We also dedication a tuition center which is just located beside the church. This centre was sponsored by Bro Jeremy Ho. By the time the dedication was over it was abo

It's sizzling hot in the Indian sub-continent. Thanks God the temperatures, although in the 40s are not as bad as it was last week, when it was nearing 50 deg C.  Leaving tonight for Hyderabad. Bishop Nehemiah will meet me at the airport and we will travel about 8 hrson the road to Jagadalpur, Chhattisgarh. This will be our first church building in Chhattisgarh. Excited and looking forward. 

A testimony to share. There was  a particular need in NE India, that I needed to raise some money. I only managed to raise slightly more than half. The cost was in Indian Rupees. Last weekend I was in Klang. Someone handed a brown envelope to the pastor to be given to me. Don't forget this is Malaysia. In the brown envelope there were some Indian rupees. This was a shock as no one in Malaysia has given me Indian rupees before. But what was astounding was that there was exactly the amount I needed to top up.  Now how accurate can God be. I was simply floored. He lives To God be the glory.

While the world systems emphasis on "climbing, outshining and shoving up the ladder" to succeed, the Bible speaks about "going down, giving up, being the last" in order to succeed. James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Matthew 6:6 - But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 20:16 - So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

I had a good time in Klang over the weekend. Met my good friends Pst Stephen Chandra Mohan and his family. On Saturday I had dinner with some of the  leaders. It was so good to see them and share the goodness of God. God is doing some great things in this church. Many outreach programs and the mission work is fast expanding. Glad to be a small part of this process. , This morning, although I was prepared to share on  Jonah, I spoke on the “God who sees”, taken from Genesis 16.  I believe it was the prompting of the Lord. Many people came forward for prayer. When are are hungry for God, God always intervenes. When we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He always gives us the right words. To God be the glory. Journalling this as I sit in the departure lounge, waiting fir my flight. Got to go to work to Nite.