March 2023

Since my childhood, one of the sports that always make me excited is a Relay Race, and the most crucial part of the race is passing the baton from one runner to the other, then to the others. If anyone dropped the baton or had a difficult hand off, you would lose precious seconds that would be hard to make up.

In this short reflection, my intention is not to talk about how the baton is passed on to the next leader, but I would like to focus on the importance of passing on the baton to the next leadership as many good examples found in the Bible. Most of the stories of the passing of leadership baton in the Bible are between very close Leader (Guru) and Disciple/s (Shishya) for example: – Moses passed on the baton to Joshua, Elijah to Elisha, Jesus to his disciples, Paul to Timothy and Titus, in our modern day, the outgoing leader to the incumbent leader in various Government Offices, Institutions, NGOs, Churches, etc.
Biblical stories of passing the baton signify that God’s mission is on the move, alive and progressing in order to reach the goals, targets, plans, dreams and vision in the Mission of God.

The story of Moses follows God’s plan to hand the leadership baton to Joshua. As per the plan of God, it was Joshua, not Moses who would take the Hebrew people on the next leg of their journey to enter the land of Canaan (Ref. Book of Joshua). According to Deuteronomy 34:7, “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.”  In the case of Elijah and Elisha, God’s plan was to take away Elijah from the living even as he was in his prime life and passed the prophetic mission on to Elisha (2 Kings 2-4). The age of Elijah is not mentioned in the Bible when he was taken to heaven alive. However, many scholars are trying to gather information through research based on archeological findings in certain geographical locations to say Elijah could be 51 years old when he ascended to heaven alive. Elijah was from Tishbe in Gilead. The narrative in 1 Kings relates how he suddenly appears during Ahab’s reign to proclaim a drought in punishment of the cult of Baal that Jezebel was promoting in Israel at Yahweh’s expense. ( https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elijah-Hebrew-prophet )

When Jesus was ascended to heaven after his resurrection from death, as recorded in Luke 24:51, “Jesus leads the eleven remaining disciples to Bethany, a village on the Mount of Olives, and instructs them to remain in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit: “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.” He left behind his 11 disciples with instruction to remain faithful for greater glory of God’s great mission. Jesus must be only 33 years old when he was taken up to heaven.

Apostle Paul considered Titus and Timothy as his sons, his confidantes and his fellow missionaries (The New Testament – letters of Paul to Titus and Timothy). Paul taught them sound theology for the two friends to take care of the churches for their spiritual as well as physical nurturing. When the baton is passed on from one leader to the other, God intervenes and commissions leaders, as in the stories of Joshua, Elisha, Disciples of Jesus and the two close fellow missionaries of Paul, God releases a mantle over them. These mantles give them the ability to complete their mission.

On March 1, 2023, in Logos, the Central Office of the Bible Society of India, had a moment that witnessed “passing the baton” from the former General Secretary of BSI Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko to the new General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Kavito G. Zhimo with a symbolic action by handing over the “Holy Bible”, the baton, the most important instrument that contains the “Word of God”, the most powerful weapon to transform the world, the most important daily bread to nurture and nourish our spiritual growth, the basic source of life to draw wisdom and understanding to deal with our everyday’s life. The Vice President of BSI, Dr. Bijaya Kumar Pattnaik said the opening prayer and the President of BSI, Dr. (Mrs) Leelavathi Vemuri, with words of blessings and encouragement and with prayer inducted the new General Secretary to his official seat to take charge of the leadership responsibility as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bible Society of India. That was a proud and blessed moment for the new GS. The new GS was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Khelibo Ayemi. The GS and his wife are from the beautiful state of Nagaland in North East India. The Officers of the BSI, the Senior Management team and the BSI staff in Logos office were present in the induction service of the new General Secretary.

To have the induction service of the new GS may be understood as fulfilling the custom of the BSI, but, beyond this custom lies it’s theological, missiological and practical implications. As the Bible Society of India is built on the foundation of Missio Dei, God’s mission to make the Bible available, accessible and affordable for every tongue, every heart language, be it printed, audio, motion picture and sign language. With the baton in his hands, we look forward with prayer for Rev. Dr. Kavito G. Zhimo, to lead the BSI with new vigor, new dream, new vision and new goal to take BSI to greater heights.

To start the day during the Morning Prayer in Logos at 9 a.m. before induction ceremony, the President of BSI, Dr. (Mrs.) Leelavathi Vemuri shared the Word of God. Her message from the book of Isaiah chapter 43: 1-7 was very encouraging for the staff of BSI even as our journey begins with God’s appointed and ordained new Officers of the BSI – the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and the General Secretary to move. The former General Secretary Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko welcomed all the new BSI Officers even as he laid down his office on February 28, 2023 as his last working day. After the induction service, the senior management team spent time with our new BSI Officers for a brief moment of introduction and exchange of pleasant words and blessings for each other.

By Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi,

Asst. Director

Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation

A blessed thanksgiving for Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko, the former General Secretary, BSI and installation service of Rev. Dr. Kavito G. Zhimo, the new General Secretary, BSI was held on March 2, 2023 at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Bangalore at 4.30 p.m. Imminent guests – Christian leaders, pastors, institutional heads, BSI officers, Executive Members, Auxiliary Secretaries, staff of central office, former staff, donors and friends of BSI were present.

 The service was conducted beautifully by the St. Mark’s Cathedral Presbyter-in-charge Rev. Dr. Vincent Vinod Kumar. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Prasanna Kumar Samuel, Bishop, CSI Karnataka Central Diocese and President of BSI Karnataka Auxiliary was the speaker for the event.  Bishop while thanking the former GS for his service and contribution to the BSI, encouraged the new GS and blessed him with a new strength and zeal to carry the BSI ministry to greater heights in the midst of our country’s challenging social and political scenario.

Dr. Mrs. Leelavathi Vemuri, the President of BSI installed Rev. Dr. Kavito G. Zhimo as the new General Secretary of The Bible Society of India in a very solemn atmosphere.

The President of BSI felicitated the former GS, Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko with great words of appreciation for his 12 years of service in BSI. Rev. Lyndan Syiem, Member – NEITAC and President, BSI Shillong Auxiliary felicitated Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko.  In response, Dr. Chacko spoke about his past, present and future as how God has led him. He thanked the office bearers of the BSI and the staff for their ardent support during his tenure in BSI. St. Mark’s Cathedral choir favoured us with a special song, this added to the flavour of the entire service. Few dignitaries were invited to say greetings and showered their blessings to the new General Secretary of BSI with a promise to have a closer partnership

1. His Grace Archbishop Peter Machado, metropolitan, Archbishop of Bangalore Diocese.
2. Rev. Asir Ebenezer, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in India
3. Rev. Rammawipuia Pachuau, Pastor, Bangalore Mizo Presbyterian Church, Mizoram Synod.
4. Dr. Julian Sundersingh, Ministry Resource Facilitator & Global Literacy Coordinator, United Bible Societies, Bangalore
5. Prof. Rev. Dr. Akheto Sema, General Secretary, Council of Baptist Churches in North East India, Guwahati, Assam

In response to the greetings, Rev. Dr. Kavito G. Zhimo thanked God for choosing him for the Bible Cause.  He assured in the presence of God and in the presence of God’s people that he will remain faithful to the calling and will take the Bible Society of India to greater heights. 

Imminent guests and dignitaries who graced the occasion praised and thanked God, and blessed the BSI for its remarkable ministry in bringing God’s word to people for over 212 years thus far.

The courtesy visit paid by the General Secretary of the Student Christian Movement in India, National office in Bangalore Mr. Inbaraj Jeyakumar and his National Staff to our new General Secretary Rev Dr. Kavito G. Zhimo on March 8, 2023 was greatly appreciated. In a very informal fellowship, we discussed the importance of sister organisations to come together for sharing of platforms to make the Word of God vibrant in our society and relevant in various pertinent issues in a time when the world is seeking peace and understanding – the very core value of life. We look forward to move together in a Public Square across India.

The BSI across its offices in Central and Auxiliaries observed the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022. International Women’s Day is a global day in celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. International Women’s day has occurred for well over a century, with the first International Women’s Day gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, International Women’s Day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.

In LOGOS, we had Rev. Thabitha Joseph, Presbyter-in-Charge, CSI David Memorial Church, Bangalore in LOGOS, Mrs. Jane Immanuel, FMPB Missionary in William Carey Centre, Bangalore as guest speakers. Rev. Remlalfaka, the Auxiliary Secretary in Aizawl Auxiliary, Rev Dr. Yiepetso Wezah, the Auxiliary Secretary in Dimapur Auxiliary, Rev. Gershombhai Kristhi, Auxiliary Secretary in North West India Auxiliary, Mrs. Susamma Johnson, staff of Kerala Auxiliary in Kerala Auxiliary, Rev. Brajendra Kumar Kauri, the Auxiliary Secretary, Odhisa Auxiliary as our speakers for the day. In the Telangana Auxiliary, women staff led the worship and individually shared their experiences about how they manage the Home and Work place together everyday. It was a blessed time of mutual learning through the experiences shared by the women staff along with the Order of Worship prepared from the Central Office.A time of confession, faith affirmation and intercessory prayer were part of the service. It was a blessed time to celebrate women whom God created equally in God’s own image for God’s glory.

Like any other year the BSI, in all our offices in central and auxiliaries observed the World Day of Prayer 2023 on 3 rd March in a very special way by following the Order of Worship prepared by The World Day of Prayer Committee of Taiwan.

This year’s World Day of Prayer was focused women’s issues specifically from the country of Taiwan. The worship began with a greeting “Pîng-an”, a Taiwanese phrase, which means “May God grant you peace, a peaceful relationship with God and with one another.” The worship led us to understand the struggles of women through their stories and how women are interconnected to each other and with creation, irrespective of the country of our origins. We praise and thank God for giving us the platform through international net work of the World Day of Prayer to share, to witness and to pray for each other around the world.

Women convention organised by Mary Jones Women’s fellowship of the Aizawl Auxiliary was held on February 5, 2023 at BCM Central Church, Aizawl with great success. Hundreds of Women from various church denomination participated in the event. We thank God for the wonderful contributions of Women through the ministry of the MJWF.

128 th Maramon Convention, a Christian convention in Asia, is held at Maramon, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India annually in February on the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Kozhencherry Bridge. It is organised by Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. This convention was first started way back in 1895. The Bible Society of India, Kerala Auxiliary participated every year by putting up a Book Stall with all varieties of Bibles, which is a great blessing for many to buy Bible/Bibles of their choice of print and different versions in different languages.

We had a very meaningful Scripture Engagement and distribution program in the Middle Andaman, Mayabunder Port among the Karen Community. The program was arranged in the Mulla Baptist church Webi, at Mayabunder Port on 8 th January, 2023. We could distribute 150 Karen Bible to the very needy believers, those who cannot afford to buy a Bible among the different churches. It was a blessed moment for them to receive the Word of God in their own heart language. They are so grateful to the ministry of Bible Society of India and have assured us of their prayer and support. An elderly woman said, “I have received the best gift (Bible) of the world and will be always indebted to BSI.”

The church leaders and elders were also very happy about the kind of ministry BSI is doing among the people of our country. We thank God and all the leaders of central office for their continue prayer and support for our Auxiliary.

We had a good time with the visually challenged people at Cuttack and Bhubaneswar on 2nd Dec, 2022 & 3rd February 2023. They were very happy to receive Braille Bible, Audio Bible and Calendar for visually challenged, for which they were waiting eagerly. We could distribute these materials after sharing a few words of encouragement from the Word of God. Their joy and happiness had been clearly seen through their expression. They also thank God and the BSI for the materials provided with free of cost for them.

Testimonies
Mrs. Jhunu Rani Digal : I am Jhunu Rani Digal from Phulbani, Odisha. I have completed my PG in Shailabala Women’s College, Cuttack, now I am under training in the skill development program of Blind Association at Bhubaneswar. I am very happy and thankful to the Bible Society of India for giving me the material for my further studies freely. When I was doing my BA in Shailabala Women’s College at Cuttack, I accepted Jesus, took Baptism, and got an Audio Bible. I used to listen with my family and help others to listen. After a long time, I got a new Audio Bible player today, so I am grateful to the people of Bible Society of India and those who
helped us to get it. It will help me to grow in my prayer life and with the word of God.

Mr. Limo Bhuyan : I am Limo Bhuyan from Gajapati Dist, Odisha. I am doing my Higher Secondary Education in Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. I am happy and thankful to God and the BSI for these precious Braille Scripture and Audio Bible, which will help me grow in my spiritual journey.