ENTERING 2026 WITH GRATITUDE, FAITH, AND RENEWED VIGOR
Greetings to our beloved readers, partners, and friends in Christ,
As we step into January 2026, the Bible Society of India (BSI) warmly greets each one of you with joy, hope, and thanksgiving. We thank God for your continued prayers, partnership, and love for His Word, which have sustained and strengthened this ministry across the length and breadth of our nation. Your faithfulness is a living testimony that the Word of God continues to unite, inspire, and transform lives.
Thanksgiving to God for Leading Us into a New Year
We begin this New Year with hearts full of gratitude to our gracious God, who has faithfully led us through the days and seasons of the past year. The reopening of BSI offices across India was marked by a Thanksgiving Service with Holy Communion in all our offices on January 5. Amid changing times, challenges, and uncertainties, the Lord has been our refuge and strength. He has guided BSI with wisdom, protected our staff and volunteers, and enabled the Scriptures to reach people across India in diverse languages, cultures, and contexts.
Each Bible translated; printed, distributed, and read is a reminder of God’s abiding presence and unfailing promise. We give thanks for every donor, church, auxiliary, translator, distributor, staff member, and prayer partner who has walked with us in obedience and faith. Truly, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12).
Prayer and Praise for the Ministry with Renewed Vigor
As we look ahead, we do so not merely with plans, but with prayerful dependence on God. The New Year invites us to renew our commitment to the mission entrusted to us: to make the Word of God available, accessible, and affordable to all people, so that lives may be transformed and communities renewed in Christ.
We praise God for fresh opportunities before us—new partnerships, emerging translation needs, expanded distribution among children, youth, and the marginalized and deeper engagement with churches and institutions. We pray for renewed vigor, spiritual discernment, and unity among all who serve in BSI, both at the Central Office and across our Auxiliaries.
May 2026 be a year marked by:
– Deeper faith rooted in God’s Word
– Greater compassion for the poor, the young, the old and the unreached
– Stronger collaboration within the BSI family and with our global partners
– Bold witness to the transforming power of Scripture
– Peace with no war in our hearts and actions
Prayer for Peace for the World:
Gracious God, You are the source of peace and the hope of all nations. We pray for a world free from war, violence, and hatred, in this New Year and the years to come. Touch the hearts of leaders who are presently waging wars with other nations and contemplating to wage wars, guide them in the ways of justice, wisdom, and compassion. Heal divisions among nations and peoples, and replace fear with trust and understanding. May your peace reign in every land, and may all live together in harmony, dignity, and hope. Amen.
Prayer for the forth coming BSI Triennium Council in the Month of February 2026:
Gracious and Almighty God, we give You thanks for Your faithful guidance of the Bible Society of India. As we prepare for the Triennium Council in February 2026, we seek Your wisdom and grace upon every aspect of the planning and preparation. Bless all the speakers with insight, humility, and clarity, that their words may faithfully proclaim Your truth and vision. We commend into Your loving care all international and national delegates; grant them safe journeys, good health, and hearts open to fellowship, prayerful discernment, and unity. We also place before You all those involved in the Ecumenical Celebration of the BSI 215th Formation Day, the Mary Jones Public Lecture, and the cultural events on February 20th 2026. May the gifts of the speakers, artists, and organizers glorify Your holy name and strengthen the bonds of Christian unity. Amen.
We humbly seek your continued prayers that the Word of God to touch the hearts of all people and that every effort of the BSI ministry may bring honor to Christ alone. As the pages of the calendar turn, the Word of God remains living and active, guiding us into truth, justice, peace and hope. Let us walk together into this New Year with thanksgiving on our lips, prayer in our hearts, justice and peace in our actions, and renewed zeal for God’s mission.
With gratitude and blessings,
By Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi
A/D Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation
KERALA AUXILIARY
BSI Niranam Branch Ruby Anniversary & Christmas Carol
The BSI Niranam Branch joyfully celebrated its 40th (Ruby) Anniversary along with the Christmas Carol Service at Believers Eastern Church, Niranam Central, on 6 December 2025. Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Auxiliary President, delivered the inaugural address and Christmas message. Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham, former Auxiliary Committee Member and Presiding Bishop, St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India, also blessed the gathering with an inspiring message. We gratefully acknowledge the support of all clergy, pastors, and leaders, and extend special appreciation to Mr. Shaji Mathew, Alappuzha Central Region Coordinator & Niranam Branch Secretary, for his excellent coordination.
BSI Kottayam Region Christmas Carol
The BSI Kottayam Region Carol Service was prayerfully held at the Bible House, Kottayam, on 15 December 2025, under the leadership of the Auxiliary Secretary. Rt. Rev. Thomas Samuel, former Auxiliary President, delivered the Christmas message. Clergy, pastors, and branch officials from across the region participated. Dr. Sabu T. Thomas, Auxiliary Treasurer, and Adv. P. V. Cherian, Auxiliary Committee Member, represented the Auxiliary Committee. Choirs from various branches enriched the service with melodious carols. We sincerely appreciate Mr. George Mathew, Regional Coordinator, for his dedicated efforts, and Mrs. Mable Sam for compering the programme.
Staff Family Christmas Programme
The Kerala Auxiliary Staff Family celebrated Christmas and a family get-together on 19 December 2025 at the Bible House, Kottayam. Christmas reflections were shared by the Auxiliary Secretary, Dr. Sabu T. Thomas, and Adv. P. V. Cherian. Staff members and their families contributed joyfully through various programmes.
Christmas Carol at St. Peter’s CSI Church, Arpookara
The Auxiliary Secretary and family attended the Christmas Carol Service at St. Peter’s CSI Church, Arpookara, on 24 December 2025. We sincerely thank Rev. Dr. Shiju Samuel, Vicar of the Church and Vice President, BSI Kottayam West Branch, Mr. K. H. Jacob, Choir Master and Branch Secretary, and the entire congregation for their warm support and continued cooperation with the ministries of the Bible Society of India.