The Media and Special Audience Department of the BSI celebrated Christmas with the Auto Drivers in Bangalore on December 12th, 2020. There were 70 auto drivers. The participants shared as how the BSI Gospel tract transformed their lives. God was so gracious to us during the lock down, we were able to distribute 25 thousands tract. Every passenger who boards the auto will pick a tract and gets engaged with it. During the programme Mr. Caleb Martin Hilton, Associate Director, Media & Special Audience Department shared the Word of God.
ANDHRA PRADESH AUXILIARY
Rt. Rev. Dr. E. Pushpalalitha, Bishop Nandyal Diocese releasing the new Telugu Bible. Rev. John Vikram, Auxiliary Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary was the chief guest during the CSI Nandyal Diocesan Clergy Christmas. He also shared the Christmas Message
BSI STAFF CHRISTMAS VIRTUAL PROGRAMME
BSI Staff Christmas programme was organized virtually on December 21st, 2020. Last Christmas was a difficult year which shared grief, hope and compassion through the Christmas faith. Rev. Fr. Faustine Lobo, PRO, Karnataka Region Catholic Bishop’s Council was invited to give reflection on the birth of Christ. The Scripture portion was taken from St. Luke 2:1-7. Rev. Fr. Faustine in his sermon compared the times of Jesus’ birth with today’s context, which was very apt for the situation. He reinstated that Christ is the source of hope. The William Carey Centre, Book Room, Warehouse, Karnataka Auxiliary and the Logos performed with special Christmas songs and skit. It was a blessed time.
Similar celebrations were held in our Auxiliaries and the Translations Centre at Shillong
BSI STAFF NEW YEAR SERVICE
Planning the BSI Staff New Year programme began with a simple idea and a prayer: every new day, each new month, each New Year offers a fresh start. Everyday God provides when we face uncertainties; God’s mercies are new every morning. So the BSI decided to celebrate with a focus on God’s faithfulness. On January 4th, 2021 we had a virtual New Year Service. Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko, General Secretary, BSI brought the Word from Revelation 2:1-8 focusing on verse 5 “Behold, I make all things new.” It was a timely message of hope encouraging us to renew our commitment for the Bible Cause and closer relationship with God. Overall it was solemn service attended by all the staff of the BSI Central Office and the Karnataka Auxiliary.
Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko General Secretary, BSI
The story of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus is told by Luke in three places in the Acts of the Apostles in chapters nine, twenty-two and twenty-six. In Acts twenty-six, Paul, a prisoner awaiting to be sent to Rome for trial looks back on his life and ministry and tells King Agrippa, “And so, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the heavenly vision”. The heavenly vision on the road to Damascus influenced his whole life and ministry.
DIMAPUR AUXILIARY – MINISTRY AMONG THE VISUALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN
The BSI Dimapur Auxiliary had a wonderful time with these blind children. Though they cannot see with naked eyes their superintendent said that they see spiritual things with spiritual eyes. They are very prayerful. They speak good English and Nagamese.
They said that they are very happy to receive Bible. They said that they wanted to read the Word of God but didn’t have anything. So they requested others to read for them and they imitated them. We explained what BSI does and they are so thankful to BSI. We had prayer together.
BIBLE SUNDAY WERE OBSERVED
The Odisha Auxiliary has started travelling across the state of Odisha in observing Bible Sundays. This is the first visit after the lock-down due to Covid 19 Pandemic. As the Churches are opening for corporate worship, pray for God’s protection and for the safety of our staff members.
Rev. Mathew Skariah, Auxiliary Secretary, BSI Kerala Auxiliary felicitated the new Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church, Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma
REVIVING THE BSI PETLAD BRANCH, GUJARAT
We thank and praise God for enabling us to revive the BSI Petlad Branch. BSI Branches through Mary Jones’ Fellowship play a very important role in the ministry of the Bible Society of India through Mobilizing of prayer and finance. The BSI Gujarat Auxiliary reaches the entire state of Gujarat with 60 active BSI Branches
We met at the Salvation Army Corps under the leadership of Major Aravind Parmar, DC, along with other leaders of other denominations in Petlad, Anand District, Gujarat. It was an initiative to revive the branch and it was such a joy to see people coming together for the Bible cause even during the pandemic
APPOINTMENT
We are happy to inform you that Rev. Philip Bari has been installed and inducted as the new Auxiliary Secretary of the BSI Calcutta Auxiliary on December 1st, 2020 during a very well organised meeting / service. Rev. Philip Bari has a Bachelor of Theology degree from Buntain Theological College, Kolkata and Master of Divinity from Southern Asia Bible College, Bangalore. He is an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God Church and has a vast experience in Christian ministry. He is married to Mrs. Sabrina Bari, a home maker. They have two daughters – Karen Bari and Kyrah Bari.