The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) are issued by the competent authorities locally and the general office urged all the churches to comply with the government guideline on this strictly without fail.

“However, the Christmas Carols may be carried out as per the context of the local church, if such permits are there,” it stated.

The good office wished all the churches in the region a joyful Christmas carols this year.

 (Photo: File photo of Christmas carol in New Delhi)

Teaching materials were obtained freely from Sewa Bharat, thanks to this wonderful and precious ministries towards kids in the country.

Summer VBS in Delhi

Many study materials were provided freely by Samaritan’s Purse, to the delight of the teachers and students and their parents alike.

Summer VBS in Delhi

Summer VBS in Delhi

During the summer break, the children who were drawn mainly from the neighbourhood were able to learn many life-impacting and changing lessons from the Bible.

The retreat was mostly attended by working professionals and the main speaker was Pastor Peter.

The short two-day retreat was loved by the church members who could experience not only deeper word of God but also the cool weather of Mussoorie.

The attendants heard series of messages on “Arise, Shine”.

One of the main mission of the church is to be the salt and light to the city and the speaker explained that this could be achieved only when the true light that gives light to everyone – Lord Jesus comes into our life and change us; and when his light shines on us and we will be able to shine naturally to others. “We will become the light to the world naturally,” the speaker said.

“Without this true light, we cannot shine truly in this world. He has come already, we must accept this true light and this light becomes ours and we will shine truly,” he said.

The attendants were very happy that the management team of the retreat centre was so kind to them and they treated them in a special way.

“Just by looking at the team and staff of the retreat centre also we could feel Christ-likeness in them and when we study God’s words we could feel that we are in the right place. We could learn many important aspects of the finished works of Christ. We just need to believe and have faith in Him fully,” said one attendant.

Churches in New Delhi as well as Kolkata are preparing to hold Summer Retreats in hill stations near by. Hill stations like Nainital, Mussoorie and others -few hours journey from Delhi will be chosen to host the retreat for Delhi church, Kolkata is looking for hill stations in the northern part of the state like Darjeeling and its surrounding beautiful areas. Other churches in the South are also expected to join them in this endeavour.

During summer retreats, the churches hope that they can relax at the cool hill stations, being freed from all distractions and disturbance and learn God’s words and encounter the resurrected Lord so that he may be praise and worshipped which he alone deserves.

May the Lord Almighty bless the churches and may the name of Jesus be lifted up through their planned summer retreats.

For a change, the church organised a special program for children where they performed many beautiful dances to the tune of gospel and Christmas carol songs.

Nearly 200 people participated, majority of them were children. The church hope that such celebration will culminate in drawing people to Christ where they can find comfort and blessings from the Lord.

The church also conducted mid-night service which was well attended by adults and senior members of the church.

Several churches in Venezuela sent letters that describe the desperate situations that people face and requested prayers for Lord’s intervening grace to improve the reality.

Amid numerous trials and issues, OA Venezuelan church leaders and members showed unwavering faith in the Lord who works for the best outcome in impossible situations. In the city of Caracas, the pastor pointed to the verses in Exodus 3: 1- 5 and spoke to congregants, “to understand how to distinguish between the sacred and the common.” In spite of chaotic situations of the country, believers are called not to lose the heart of reverence in the Lord until He reveals His complete plan in His saving work.

Another church with the same name, Emmanuel, located in the city of Puerto Ordaz, also delivered a strong message to highlight God’s grace that never stops overflowing. Samuel Diaz, one longtime church member, said, “In days I ask God for His help as I was going through so many tribulations. Today, the Lord spoke to me powerfully that He has a control of everything, being the Lord of His ship.”

Even though there are much turmoil and disarray in the background, OA Venezuela church members steadily gather for all services and keep their faith that God will fulfill a greater work for the country and their life.

The recent situations of Venezuelan churches called for more attention in OA North America to lay out cooperative projects to aid and help congregations. Prayer teams in the organization constantly pray for the safety and well-being of member churches as well as for a brighter future. More efforts are being made to find practical pathways to support OA Venezuelan churches by sending more staff and launching new business teams.

The pastor of Emmanuel in Los Teques, Venezuela, addressed, “It is not just a time of sorrow but a time of reassurance to realize what Paul the apostle meant, I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for everyone who believes.”

The life of the Early Church is starkly different from many churches today mostly closed except short hours of Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. If any church planter seeks to find a right model of a true church, the Book of Acts is resource that they should first scrutinize. The church in early days of Christianity was of constant vitality and life which propelled a continuous expansion beyond Jerusalem and Palestinian area.

Pastor Peter Jung in New York City Immanuel delivered a sermon focused on this theme, “Strengthening community by taking the model of the Early Church”.

The New Testament era is governed and led by the power of the Holy Spirit who forms the community and breathes into it. God reveals his plan and acting power through the church community that consists of people from diverse backgrounds. The book of Acts displays explicitly how the early church stood and lived by many stories in the beginning chapters. The vitality, passion and even strictness of the early community should be revived in this time to make church impactful in the society.

Pastor Jung highlighted the very basic of early believers’ church life; gathering frequently even everyday. This simple habit of the church was a core source of growth and strength which today’s churches should follow prior to any other church growth strategies or techniques. When people gather and pray together, Lord’s power and influence is revealed and realized. Those who desire to experience heavenly intervention should first escape their own confining comfort zone and join the community. God works through the community as He activates his collective power and will in man’s life.

Immanuel Community Church(immanueli.org) located at the south of Bronx holds programs to reach thirsty souls of the city to help them know Christ and his love. The church hopes to go deeper into the surrounding community as well as crowded points of the city in different boroughs. Collaborating with various ministries and fellowships, Immanuel is running Bible programs, outreach activities and events in key points of New York City to live out the Early Church model and bring people closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The program invites an age group from 1st grade until 8th grade. It will cover various contents such as math, music, language courses, sports and others to give diverse opportunities for teens to experience resourceful and educational materials.

The schedule will be announced in a printed brochure that the church is going to distribute in the community. The ministry is in discussion to set the date in the beginning of August and continue the program for two months.

The church is currently actively promoting the volunteer program in the University campus nearby to find Christian college students who understand the need and devote to teaching teens in the northwestern area of the city Detroit.

“Many teens are discouraged due to lack of care and opportunities to learn more profoundly and access educational materials and programs. The church wishes to help provide nourishing classes especially in summer season when many talented volunteer students are available thanks to summer vacation,” Pastor Kim said.

Calvary Church is in a partnership with Olivet Teen Mission, an organization focused on preaching gospel to middle and high schoolers. OTM is providing resources to strengthen Teen ministry in local churches.

The pastor of the church, located in African dominant area, stressed that there is a strong need to have better and enriching programs that teens can experience apart from their regular school program. The church wishes to respond to this call by actively launching them as a prayerful effort to prepare new future.