NEW BRANCHES FORMED

BSI Perunkadavila Branch, a new Branch formed in South Zone of Kerala  in Trivandrum South Region at Irumbil CSI Church on 8th January 2023. Rev. John Evans presided the meeting. Rev. Jacob Antony Koodathinkal, Auxiliary Secretary gave the inaugural address. Rt. Rev Dr Austin Paul, Trivandrum Region President gave the key note address.

Committee was formed with members from various churches.

Rev. John Evans, President; Mr. Rose Chandra Das, Secretary; Mr. Livings Kumar, Treasurer and representatives from youth & women were also selected as committee members.

BSI Peechi Branch, a new Branch formed in North Zone of Kerala in Thrissur Region on 17th January 2023. Mr. M C George, Regional Co-ordinator presided the meeting, Auxiliary Secretary gave the inaugural address.

Committee was formed with members from various churches.

Rev. Reji Yeshow, President; Mr. Thomas M. M., Secretary; Pastor Ben John, Treasurer and and representatives from youth & women’s wing were also selected as committee members.

Clergies and pastors from various churches graced the occasion in both Branches. Appreciate the hard work of everyone behind the successful formation of new Branches.

WHITE CANE DISTRIBUTION

A one day programme was organised by the Bible Society of India Kerala Auxiliary in association with the Kerala Federation for the Blind, Kottayam District and NSS Unit of CMS College, Kottayam at CMS College, Kottayam. The program was in connection with the birth anniversary of Mr. Georgekutty Karapparambil, one of the pioneering workers and Former General Secretary of the Federation. Our Marketing Officer, Mr. George Philip K. spoke on the occasion and distributed white canes to the visually challenged participants. Participants who attended were from the different parts of the state.

1. When I survey the wond’rous Cross
On which the Prince of Glory dy’d,
My richest Gain I count but Loss,
    And pour Contempt on all my Pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
    Save in the Death of Christ my God:
    All the vain Things that charm me most,
    I sacrifice them to his Blood.

3. See from his Head, his Hands, his Feet,
    Sorrow and Love flow mingled down!
    Did e’er such Love and Sorrow meet,
    Or Thorns compose so rich a Crown?

4. His dying Crimson, like a Robe,
Spreads o’er his Body on the Tree;
Then I am dead to all the Globe,
    And all the Globe is dead to me.

5. Were the whole Realm of Nature mine,
    That were a Present far too small;
    Love so amazing, so divine,
    Demands my Soul, my Life, my All.

The 4^th stanza is omitted these days. In the final stanza, some modern variations substitute the word “offering” for “present”.)

Isaac Watts was born in 17 July 1674 at Southampton, Hampshire, England and died as a bachelor at the age of 74 on November 25, 1748 at Stoke Newington, Middlesex, England. He is a non-conformist, an ecumenist, a theologian (he mastered the Biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew), a prolific writer, a philosopher, an educationist, a scientist, a pastor in Dissenting congregation (non-Anglican church), he is one of the greatest hymn writers of all time. He composed more than 750 Christian hymnals. He is recognized as the “Godfather of English Hymnody” and many of his hymns remain inspirational even today and have been translated into numerous languages. His hymn writing helped lead in a new era of English worship for the congregation to experience personal faith through singing.  This song “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” was composed and published in Hymns and Spiritual Songs in the year 1707 and it is one of the most beautiful hymns with an in-depth theology, beautiful rhyming and arrangement of words. The statement given by Charles Wesley, contemporary of Isaac Watts, who is yet another great Christian Hymn writer, brother of John Wesley, founder of Methodist Congregation in England, who wrote about 600 hymns to his credit reportedly said that he would give up all his hymns to have written this one. …. and pour contempt on all my pride. This statement from Charles Wesley is a clear testimony of the profoundness of this song. This song conveys the unfathomable depth of God’s Love and Humility in its richest grace and generosity. This song is one of the favourite songs during the Lenten Season, especially on Good Friday to remember the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ for the redemption of human beings and all creation and prompting us to respond through our actions, which demands “our soul, our life, our all”.

In this time of Holy Week, this song calls us to denounce our human ego, pride, our boastful nature and selfishness prompted by our social and economic status, cultural and religious practices, caste or ethnicity through the understanding of the kenosis of Jesus Christ (Christ emptied himself for our salvation at the Cross) with utter humility. What Isaac Watts truly wants from us is to sing whole heartedly with humbleness “Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, save in the cross of Christ, my God”, based on Galatians 6:14 & 15 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.” In and through the death of Christ and his resurrection from the tomb we became a new creation. What we should be boasting is the Christ who made us who we are now, not what we were before Christ.  Even as he being the most celebrated hymn writer and philosopher of his time, he has everything in his hand to boast about. Yet he did not, because he understood the depth of Christ’s redemptive act.

Isaac Watts’s songs like “Joy to the World”, “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun”, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”, “Alas! and Did My Saviour Bleed” to name a few, are the everlasting hymns we continue to sing in various seasons to strengthen our faith in Christ Jesus.

May you all have a meaningful Good Friday and Blessed Easter!

Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi,

A/D Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation.

Women Leaders Meeting

Women Leaders Meeting

The Bible Society of India Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary organised Women Leaders Meeting on 8th March at Bible House in Guntur. Rev. Dr. Leelavathi Vemuri, BSI National President, delivered keynote address while Rev. K. John Vikram, Auxiliary Secretary led devotion and Mrs. K. Shilpa Vikram led a session. Nearly 130 women attended across the state representing BSI Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary branches. The Holy Bibles were presented to the delegates with support from the Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation Department.

Emerging Leaders Conference

The Bible Society of India Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary organised Emerging Leaders Conference with the youth leaders on 22nd March at Bible House in Guntur. Rev. K. John Vikram, Auxiliary Secretary delivered Keynote Address, Bro. P. Jeevan Silvans Bose, GMI General Secretary, and Mr. Samuel Jonathan, Commissionar- AP State Information Commission led sessions. Nearly 150 delegates participated from across the state representing BSI Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary branches. Our Daily Bread copies were presented to the participants with support from  the Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation Department. 

SCRIPTURE TRANSLATIONS FOR 723 MILLION PEOPLE COMPLETED BY BIBLE SOCIETIES IN 2022

In 2022, the third consecutive year marked by global disruptions, Bible Societies around the world completed Scripture translations in 81 languages used by 723 million people.

From Brazil to Bangladesh, 57 language groups – a total of 100 million people – received first Scripture translations. New or revised translations were completed in another 25 languages used by over 623 million people. These provide Scripture access to language communities whose needs are no longer met by previous translations.

“The unique and powerful story of UBS has Bible translation at its heart. Our translation teams are at the forefront of our mission as they strive to unlock the transforming power of God’s Word for their communities. It is a laborious task which requires sustained commitment and dedication – truly a ‘labour of love’. May Paul’s words to the Corinthians encourage each one of our translation colleagues to ‘remain firm and steadfast’,” comments Dirk Gevers, UBS Secretary General.

A BIBLE TRANSLATION COMPLETED IN RECORD TIME

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) translated the first full Bible into Okun in just five years, breaking its previous translation record – completing the Igala Common Language Bible in 11 years. The Okun ‘language’ is a variant of the Yoruba language. The Iroyin Ayo version is the Yoruba Bible in Common language produced by the Bible Society of Nigeria in 2005. Due to the Okun language’s proximity to Yoruba, the Iroyin Ayo was adopted as the Base Text for the project.

While it stands as a distinct translation, the Okun Bible is in many ways an adaptation of the Iroyin Ayo version of the Yoruba Bible, albeit using Okun nuances. At the dedication service of the Okun Bible which took place in November 2022, BSN President Bishop Dr. Timothy Banwo urged Okun speakers from all walks of life to read the Bible in their language regularly.

OLD MANUSCRIPTS RECEIVE A NEW LEASE OF LIFE

The translation of the Bible into Ge’ez was done around the 4th and 5th centuries and it has been serving Ethiopian Christianity for the last 15 centuries, having a significant impact on the socio-political and scientific history of Ethiopia. The Bible Society of Ethiopia took the initiative to collect the manuscripts from various sources as it was mandated and requested by the Ethiopia Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

In June 2022, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarch, His Holiness Abune Matthias, presided over the dedication of the newly compiled and published Ge’ez Bible and remarked, “It is a new day for Ethiopia. I feel that we have joined the Christians of the 4th and 5th century as they first received the Word in the language that spoke to their heart. Now we have welcomed the Word that our Christians yearned for a long period of time and it is a treasure that has come to our homes.”

His Holiness Patriarch Matthias dedicating the newly published Ge’ez Bible.

Passing the Baton

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…..

Thanksgiving for Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko and Installation of Rev. Dr. Kavito G. Zhimo

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…..

International Women’s Day

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……

Visit from the Student Christian Movement in India – National Office, Bangalore.

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…….

World Day of Prayer

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……

Aizawl Auxiliary

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……

Kerala Auxiliary

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……

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Auxiliary

We had a very meaningful Scripture Engagement and distribution program in the Middle Andaman, Mayabunder Port among the Karen Community. The program was arranged……

Odisha 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……

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.