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The Department of Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation held multiple programmes with Tamil Nadu Auxiliary, Calcutta Auxiliary, Northern Zone Auxiliaries such as Jabalpur, Allahabad and North West India.

WITH THE TAMIL NADU AUXILIARY:

On March 5^th 2022 a programme was conducted for Women and Youth in Nagercoil Town at Concordia Seminary, India Evangelical Lutheran Church campus for a training programme on ‘Church Relations and Resource Mobilisation’ with 120 participants. We are so grateful to the volunteers including staff and students of Concordia Seminary, local Pastors and Branch Leaders who also fully participated in the programme.

On March 6^th 2022, Bible Sunday was conducted in Tuticorin Town at six churches of the Church of South India. The response of the congregation members in these churches was remarkable. The commitment of the Tutikorin BSI Branch leaders, the volunteer-resource persons and the Staff of BSI was praiseworthy.

On March 7^th 2022, programme was conducted for the Visually Challenged People in Erode town. 24 Braille Bibles and 5 Audio-Tamil Bibles were presented to selected visually challenged persons in the presence of 30 visually challenged persons and 20 people who had donated for the Braille Bibles from the BSI Erode Branch. The talk from all the resource persons and melodious singing by the visually challenged persons gave us the satisfaction and the joy of giving for those who are vulnerable. May God continue to bless the ministry of the Bible Society of India as the agent for transformation of life especially for the visually challenged community and the faithful donors for Braille Bibles and Audio Bible.

We are truly grateful to BSI Tamil Nadu Auxiliary Sr. Secretary Rev. Moses Devadason, and BSI Staff Rev. D. Manogar, Mr. J. Suresh Kumar, Volunteers Resource persons – such as Rev. Dr. B.J. Premiah, Mr. D. Davis Martin, Mr. V. Premkumar and all the Branch leaders in Nagercoil, Tuticurin and Erode for their commitment to the Bible cause.

WITH CALCUTTA AUXILIARY:

On March 23 to 28, 2022, the CPRRMD conducted a very meaningful programme with the Calcutta Auxiliary. On 24^th and 25^th March, 2022 we had two significant events pertaining to Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation mandate such as Church Leaders and Auxiliary Committee Meet and The Cohort Initiative Programme (an initiative of special fundraising programme) where the Auxiliary Staff, Auxiliary Committee Members, Clergies from the Catholic, CNI, Baptist, AG, Methodist, Independent Churches, and Christian Business Entrepreneurs, Institutional heads and BSI well wishers and friends came together. The sharing and fellowship of these two days were very encouraging, where some of our participants were exposed to the ministry of the Bible Society for the first time and had made very promising commitment in our conventional and Cohort fundraising activities and continue to journey with us for the Bible cause in bringing the Bible closer to people and people closer to Bible for transformation of lives.

Church Leaders and Auxiliary Committee Meet and The Cohort Initiative Programme

On 26^th March 2022 we had a very important programme of opening of BSI Haldia Branch at Haldia industrial town. The programme was started with Project Implementation for the Poor Widows and Suffering Women by gifting Bibles to100 women from around 10 different churches in Haldia town for their spiritual growth and meditation on the Cross in a time when the Churches are observing Lenten season. On 27^th March we had Bible Sunday in different Churches with many new believers. The two days spent in Haldia were an eye opener for the BSI team to learn how the Bible lovers, irrespective of their social economic condition are eager to be part of the family of BSI and give their best for the Bible cause.

Various individuals were nominated and appointed as committee member of the branch. The newly BSI Haldia Branch Leaders are as follows:
i. Rev. Bapi Gorai (Presbyter Incharge, Haldia Presbyterian Church) was proposed and appointed as President for the Haldia Branch.
ii. Rev. Sital Ch. Samanta (Presbyter Incharge, Tamluk Emmanuel Baptist Church) was proposed and appointed as Vice President for the Haldia Branch.
iii. Rev. Abhijit Shome (Presbyter Incharge, Assembly of God Church, Haldia) was proposed and appointed as Secretary for the Haldia Branch.
iv. Ps. Anup Rana (Presbyter Incharge, Marquis Church, Geaonkhali Area) was proposed and appointed as Treasurer for the Haldia Branch.

It was on 23^rd March, we had a very meaningful time of interaction with the BSI Calcutta Auxiliary staff at a round table, sharing our experiences as staff of the BSI, the journey and commitment that we have. We also had a very fruitful time of understanding the CPRRMD mandate and the important part which the Calcutta Auxiliary is playing in fulfilling the many responsibilities given to the Auxiliary under the leadership of the Auxiliary Secretary Rev. Philip Bari.

On the evening of the 23^rd March we had a very meaningful Scripture Engagement programme with the Kolkatta City Slum Dwellers at Madar Tala Basti also known as “Caddiebasti”, as a good number of men are caddies for the two golf clubs that are nearby. The slum houses a little over 200 families and the area is densely populated. The women do cleaning or house work and the children attend local schools with much difficulty. In a very small house church hut we have gathered around 60 people, the commitment of the Christian community in this area is encouraging as they worship in this place on Sundays and some other time for Bible study engaging themselves with the Word of God. For all those who had received the Bengali and Hindi Bibles were so thankful to God and the ministry of the BSI as for them it was the first copy of the Bible to have as their own.    

The leadership of Rev. Philip Bari, Auxiliary Secretary, Calcutta Auxiliary and the team work of the staff, the support from the Auxiliary Committee members, Branch leaders, Pastors, Mary Jones Women Fellowship, Churches, Volunteers, Well Wishers and Donors are greatly commendable and appreciated.

TRAUMA HEALING WORKSHOP CONDUCTED IN JAIPUR ON MARCH 28 TO APRIL 1, 2022.

The Department of Church, Public Relations & Resource Mobilisation successfully conducted the initial Equipping Session of the Trauma Healing Workshop comprising BSI Northwest India, Allahabad and Jabalpur Auxiliaries in Gyan Deepa Pastoral Centre, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

There were 28 participants including BSI staff and volunteers.  We envisioned a healthy and vibrant community where anyone who is traumatized receives healing, support and attention they need to fully recover and reach their highest potential through the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s Word.

Core lessons like: “If God loves us, why do we suffer?” “What is the wound of the heart?” “Addictions” “Domestic Abuse” were dealt with during the sessions.  The participants were blessed and are now equipped to practice healing groups in their own context.

We are thankful to God for God’s protection and providence.

Every year March 8^th is observed as International Women’s Day to celebrate women’s rights and to inspire people to act for gender equality. The theme for 2022 is “Break-the-Bias”, which highlights the importance of challenging the gender biases in the interest of creating a more inclusive and gender-equal society across the globe. 

By following a very meaningful Order of Worship specially prepared by the BSI Ranchi Auxiliary for the International Women’s Day, the BSI Offices at the Central Office and in all the 17 Auxiliaries observed this day meaningfully throughout India. We pray that this special day of observance will have meaning in our ministry to ‘break-the-Bias’ in all walks of life.

Preethi Jacob, Literacy Officer, Bible Ministry: Global Mission Team, United Bible Societies

Resurrection refers to the “state of one risen from the dead.” 

Scripture presents conclusive evidence that Jesus Christ was in fact raised from the dead. Christ’s resurrection is recorded in Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; and John 20:1–21:25. The resurrected Christ also appeared in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:1-11). Easter acknowledges and recalls that Jesus defeated the powers of sin and death for all who believe.

The resurrection day account begins with a few ardent followers of Jesus, arriving to find an empty tomb, and a messenger. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices and came very early in the morning, that they might anoint Him. They however find the stone at the entrance to the tomb rolled away, and Jesus’ body not there. On entering the tomb, they are met by a young man, clothed in a long white robe, who announces that the Jesus of Nazareth whom they were seeking, who was crucified, was not there, but had risen from the dead. He invites them to come and see the place where He was laid. (Mark 16:1-6). 

The women were encouraged to see the place where He was laid. To hear the account should have been enough, nevertheless, when they saw it, it gave them ground to stand on, which was even more solid than the testimony of an angel. “One eye-witness is better than twenty ear-witnesses; men will believe what you have seen if they do not believe what you have heard.” (Spurgeon). 

The resurrection of Christ sets Christianity and its God completely apart as unique and distinctly different from other world religions. The apostles’ claim about Jesus’ death was widely controversial, but it was because of their claim of what happened next that they were persecuted and martyred. The Jews were not offended so much by the cross as they were by the empty tomb. And yet, the proof of Christ’s resurrection is irrefutable. 

The resurrection proves that though Jesus died on the cross as a common criminal, He died a sinless man, driven only by love and self-sacrifice to bear the guilt of our sin. While the death of Christ on the cross was the payment, His resurrection was the proof that the payment was perfect and acceptable in the sight of God the Father. 

The resurrection of Christ defeated Satan and his lies and schemes, once and for all. Jesus rose to prove that He had defeated death, losing the pangs of death that could not hold Him (Acts 2:24).

God’s promise of everlasting life was fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection, making Him the first born from the dead (Colossians 1:18) for many others to follow. Jesus rose to also prove that He would one day judge all sins (Acts 17:30-31).

Jesus rose to prove that He would eventually return and make all things right, bringing times of refreshing and restoration (Acts 3:19-21). 

The resurrection of Jesus means that my sins are forgiven. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “if Christ has not been raised from the dead, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” Which means now that He is risen, never to die again, our sin problem is over. Just as our sin brought Him to the cross, the finished work of taking care of our sins brought Him out of the grave. Jesus rose from the dead for our salvation – a salvation which we could never achieve on our own. 

Jesus the promised Messiah suffered and died for all of the human race, and rose again, bringing many sons to glory (Acts 26:22-23, Hebrews 2:10). Jesus rose to prove that God is sovereign even over the worst evil, promising to work all things, including the most painful, difficult things of life for the good of His children. 

As we celebrate yet another Easter, we affirm the hope we have in the risen Lord, who wrought salvation for the world. When we see the place where they laid Him is now empty, we see that the Father did not forsake Jesus, we see that death is conquered, we see that we have a living friend in Jesus. Having seen and heard about Jesus’ resurrection the women had a mandate – “go and tell” That is the mandate for every disciple. 

In God’s perfect timing, the world will be rid of sin, its causes and consequences. Until then, as we celebrate Easter, let us pause beside the empty tomb, and consider what that glorious day will be like. A great time to accept Jesus, and the salvation He freely offered us when He bore our punishment and died in our stead. Let us share this hope, with others by obeying the mandate to ‘go and tell.’ 

Yes, Christ is risen … He is risen indeed! 

THE BSI THANKSGIVING PROGRAMME FOR THE FULL FLEDGED ERP LAUNCH ON APRIL 1, 2022.

• We Praise God that Tulu Audio Bible is now completed, and it will be released in April 2022.

• We Praise God that Ao Naga Audio Bible work is completed and on the 10th of April 2022 it will be released.Continue to pray for the Scripture engagement programme among the Tulu and Ao Naga people, and that these Audio Bibles will be a blessing to many as they hear God’s Word in their heart language.

• Uphold us in your prayer as we take up the recording of the Audio Bible in Tenyidie Language spoken by the Angami Naga people in North East India.

Kannada Inter Confessional Bible (CL) Re-Editing Workshop at William Carey Centre between 22^nd – 24^th February, 2022

With the providence of God’s grace, and the wholehearted dedication of the Translators of the Core Committee, the checking of the New Testament is progressing well. The committed Core Translator Team has intended for intensive translation workshops to keep up the time schedule within the frame of the planning project. We sincerely request for the continuous prayer support of our dear readers for this project.