This is Your Promise
They will see the Son of Man
Vol. 7, No. 10
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
LESSONS FOR THE LORD’S
WORK: Bro. Hari speaks to the
participants of the training meeting.
AS many as 12 believers
participated in the first Training
Meeting for Soul Harvesters, a
project launched by The Christian
Messenger newspaper, at the
Shepherd Jesus Church in
Salavedu village in Vandavasi
district of Tamil Nadu on Jan 8.
Evangelist Bro N L Hariharan,
founder of Cross Blood
Foundation, a Christian non-
governmental organization
working among cancer-affected
children in Tamil Nadu, was the
key note speaker at the meeting.
“Hospital ministry is an
excellent way to do personal
evangelism,” Hariharan told the
participants. “You need to have
wisdom and God’s guidance to do
it. But above all, you need
compassion that Jesus displayed
towards people often while on
earth.”
Jesus’ ministry sprung from His
compassion towards people. In
Mark 1:41, we find Him filled
with compassion and healing a
leprous man. The first and the
foremost requisite to do the Lord’s
ministry is you need to have
compassion for your fellow
human beings, Hariharan said.
“Those who intend to do the
Lord’s ministry need to be
courageous. They must realize
FEBRUARY, 2011
that they have God-given
authority to overcome all the
powers of the enemy as stated in
Luke 10:19. If you believe this
promise, nothing will harm you,”
he said.
“Finally, ministers of God must
learn to persevere in the ministry.
There will be trials and
tribulations, people may turn
hostile towards you; your family
may not appreciate the things you
do. But hang on in there, at the
appointed time God will turn
things around for you,” he added.
Listing out the dos and don’ts of
the hospital ministry, Hariharan
said: “Pray always. Pray that God
prepares you for the ministry. Pray
for those to whom you minister.”
Remember not to pray aloud
and disturb patients in the hospital
ward. Don’t do the ministry as a
token service. Don’t ask for
offerings after you have prayed for
someone. It will only spoil your
efforts to evangelize. Areas such
as the ICU are out of bounds for
most people. Do not step into
prohibited areas in the hospital.
Always make sure you visit the
patients only during visiting
hours. When you share your
testimony with them, be brief. Do
not attempt to denigrate their gods
to lift up the name of Jesus, he
added.
Earlier, Robin Sam, founding
editor of The Christian Messenger
newspaper, spoke briefly about
what the Lord’s ministry really is.
“Ministry is the outcome of
God’s love for mankind. Jesus said
those famous lines in Matthew
9:37 (’the harvest is plentiful, but
the workers are few’) after He saw
multitudes and had compassion on
them because they were harassed,
helpless and like sheep without a
shepherd,” he said.
God instituted five types of
ministers as mentioned in
Ephesians 4:11 for three distinct
results, he said. “All ministers of
God exist to fulfill these three
expectations of the Lord: for
equipping the saints for the work
of ministry, for the edification of
coming on the clouds of the
sky, with power and great
glory. And he will send his
angels with a loud trumpet
call, and they will gather his
elect from the four winds,
from one end of the heavens
to the other.
Matthew 24: 30, 31.
Price: Rs.2/-
the church and for all to grow in
the knowledge of Jesus Christ,”
Sam said.
The apostles looked for three
qualifications from those who
would serve at the tables in the
early church.
They had to be filled with the
Holy Spirit; they had to be wise
and needed to have a good
testimony among people.
“Stephen and six others
fulfilled those conditions as we
see in Acts 6:3. When such men
joined the apostles, three things
happened - the Word of God
continued to increase, the number
of the disciples multiplied and
several priests submitted
themselves in obedience to the
faith,” he added.
In the second training meeting
on Jan 15, evangelist Sadhu Benny
spoke on how God’s servants need
to be filled with the Holy Spirit
and live a holy life to effectively
win souls for Jesus Christ.
See photos from the meetings
on Page 5.
Online Portal: www.christianmessenger.in THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com MISSIONS Page 2 | February, 2011

CHRISTIAN Resources
International has shipped their
latest Great Crate shipment to an
undisclosed location in India.
CRI executive director Jason
Woolford said: “This particular
container that we had sent will be
set up as a library and will be used
as evangelistic tools.”
India needs resources for its
mission workers, churches and lay
preachers as the country is
growing rapidly. The library is
If you like this newspaper,
you may consider
subscribing to it.
How to subscribe to
expected to provide the much-
needed tools for pastors, theology
students, and everyday believers
to grow in their knowledge of the
faith and to disciple others.
One Indian pastor was able to
reach 40,000 people with just one
Bible CRI sent him, according to
Woolford. Naturally, CRI is
excited at how many doors could
be opened when believers are
equipped with an entire library.
The organization has also
expressed its gratitude to all who
contributed their used Christian
books, devotionals, and Bibles to
the last Great Crate.
In the next couple of months,
CRI will ship another container to
Liberia. Liberian churches were
the recipients of the first CRI
container ever shipped.
Woolford says it’s been a
challenge finding a container
provider who will ship to the
region, but they have finally been
able to push through.
CRI has worked in 165
countries.
“We’re providing and making a
way for foreign pastors,
THERE’S a lot of celebration
that surrounds 100 years in a
business.
Celebration is what happens in
the 101st year that stresses the
foundation of the vision of any
business.
2010 marked the centenary of
Watkin Roberts, a missionary who
introduced the Gospel of John to
the chief of Senvon, a Hmar
village.
In 2011, the Bibles For the
World ministry team headed up by
Ro and Mawii Pudaite asked this
question: Why not send more
Bibles than ever before?
“We can print and distribute 1.2
million copies of the Gospel of
John in India and another 200,000
Gospel of John in Hindi to be
distributed to homes in Haryana,
Uttar Pradesh and in Bihar. To
print and deliver each copy costs
only 25 cents.”
With all the reports of
harassment, oppression and
persecution of believers in India,
would the target areas be open to
receiving a Scripture portion, or
would it be a waste of resources?
They already have proof that the
hunger for hope runs deep.
“We mailed 100,000 New
Testaments to the people in Patna,
and we have received no protests
against it. It was sort of a test, but
100,000 homes were reached.”
When asked why Haryana and
Bihar were on the list for outreach
this year. Mawii said: “Bihar is
one of the poorest [States] and
densely populated by Hindus and
non-Christians. Christianity is
very insignificant there.”
“In Haryana, we are working
with a church. They are asking us
for one million Gospels of John,”
he said.
THE CHRISTIAN
MESSENGER
Advertisement Tariff
Per column centimeter: 50/-
Book space now for
March, 2011 issue
Call 0-98840 63345 /
91-44-65145334
Email: christianmessenger.in
@gmail.com /
contact@christianmessenger.in
For Correspondence
329/4, HIG Flats,
Poonga Apartments,
2nd Avenue, Anna Nagar,
Chennai 600 040.
Working hours: 10 am to 5 pm,
Monday to Saturday
The purpose of the newspaper
is to report newsworthy religious
events and activities within the
local community, nationwide and
around the world, to increase the
awareness and activism of
believers regarding the moral
issues of today, to provide

copies in a restricted access SPACE FOR

Annual (12 issues): missionaries, new Christians, and country where few people have thought-provoking commentary,
this newspaper

Rs.100/-
You can send the money
by cheque or demand draft
in favor of ‘Messenger
Communications Pvt Ltd’
Post your payment along
with your address, phone
number and email ID to:
The Christian Messenger,
20/20, Bharathiar Street,
Srinivasa Nagar,
Padi,Chennai 600 050.
basically those that are searching
for the truth - we’re actually giving
them the living Word of God,”
Woolford said.
“So while hospitals and food are
absolutely necessary, we’re giving
them something to cause them to
thirst no more.”
It costs Rs.4.9 lakh to ship a
container worth Rs.1.55 crore in
books and Bibles, a CRI release
said.
heard the good news of Christ’s
salvation. We also can print and
Two shops of 100 sq. ft each
distribute 610,000 copies of the
N e w Te s t a m e n t i n f o u r
languages,” Mawii said.
The goals they’ve set are
ambitious.
Mawii Pudaite explained: “This
month we are taking the first step
in faith toward achieving these
ambitious goals. We are launching
the printing of 500,00 copies of the
OFFICE AVAILABLE
available for offices on
Poonamalle High Road in
Arumbakkam, Chennai.
Christians preferred.
Rent Rs.5,000.
Only six months advance.
Call 0-9941276215
and to provide an effective
advertising vehicle for Christian
ministries and organisations,
events and businesses that want to
reach the Christian community. -
Editor
(Readers are advised to make
thorough enquiries before acting on
any advertisements. This newspaper
does not necessarily agree to the
claims or representations made by any
advertiser.)
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER Online Portal: www.christianmessenger.in
Page 3 | February, 2011 NEW IN MEDIA E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com

Welcome Captain Salvation, the new superhero!

Rev. Helmut Grimmsmann, Asia secretary of ELM, Germany,
addresses the gathering at a book release function at ICSA.
WHILE 4,000 people groups
need the Gospel in India, the
church leadership in the country is
spending a good part of its time in
courtroom battles and resolving
litigations, ECI bishop Ezra
Sargunam said.
Speaking at a book release
function at ICSA (Inter-Church
Service Association) in Chennai
on Jan 5, Bishop Sargunam said:
“Missionary impetus is absent
from the mindset of the mainline
churches today. Politics within the
church administration bogs them
down. Litigations take a good part
of their time and they don’t seem
to care for the Gospel.
“The church today needs to
grow in the knowledge of the Lord
and try to find favor with men just
as Jesus Christ did,” he said.
However, Christians have fenced
themselves by denominations.
“The talents and energies of the
leadership are dissipated in
running schools and colleges,” he
added.
Bishop Sargunam released
‘History of the work of the
Hermannsburg Mission for the
South Andhra Lutheran Church’,
a book that traces the origin and
work of the mission.
A u t h o r R e v. H e l m u t
Grimmsmann stressed on the
importance of leadership. He
urged the church to accommodate
the youth if it wanted to impact
people for Christ. ICSA’s
executive director Moses P
Manohar welcomed the gathering.
HAVE you ever
wished the
superheroes on
comic books,
television and big
screens quoted the
Scriptures and
behaved like a
believer – relying
on the powers of
the Lord rather than
on his own
muscular strength and prowess?
Well, your wish has finally come
true!
Meet Captain Salvation, the star
of a new Christian comic book
created by Curt Hawn, a one-time
youth minister who lives in
Harrisburg, northeast of Charlotte
in the US.
Hawn decided to engage kids by
giving them a super hero whose
power comes from his dependence
on God when he discovered that a
lot of the heroes don’t live up to
children’s hopes.
Hawn is reaching out to kids
with his comic book, which has
been shipped to missionaries
around the world.
To give Captain Salvation the
superhero look, Hawn hired Greg
Waller, a former Marvel and DC
comics artist. When he discovered
he needed lots of money to fund
the project, he sold DTI Global,
the technology company he had
started in Atlanta to help law firms
in document services.
According to his own
admission, Hawn is attempting to
‘create the largest Sunday school
in the world’ through comic
books, live performances and
filmed adventures – all of which
will have Captain Salvation
playing the lead.
Captain Salvation is disguised
as a mild-mannered salesman born
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Reader’s Offer: New Books!
“25 Best Interviews”
Price: 150/-
as the son and grandson of
superheroes. He accepts Christ
and is born again as Captain
Salvation when he survives an
accident in which the villain he
confronts straps a bomb to his
chest. The Christian superhero
even has a masked sidekick named
Joshua. He quotes verses from the
Bible and loads his slingshot with
magic yams.
Captain Salvation’s vehicle is a
vintage Harley Davidson
motorcycle that he calls ‘Holy
Roller’.
Till date, 1,200 kids have
accepted Jesus through this book.
Also available:
‘Pupit Humour’
101 Clean Jokes
Price: 75/-
‘The View From The Pew’
Editor’s Columns
Price: 100/-
‘The Journey of a
Christian Job Seeker’
Price: 120/-
Payment should be made
by Cheque/DD in favour of
‘Messenger
Communications Pvt. Ltd.’
Sent book orders with payment to:
The Christian Messenger
20/20, Bharathiar Street,
Srinivasa Nagar, Padi,
Chennai 50.
Phone: 044-65145334

BY JANET JOYCE BRAGANZA haqiqat was born.

New Album: Gospel Songs (Hindi)
Psalm 119:54 – Your statutes have been
my songs in the house where I live.
Psalm 69:30 – I will sing praises to God’s
name! I will magnify Him as I give Him
thanks!
EVERY time I heard Vijay Benedict’s
Gospel songs, I desired to write and
compose songs for the Lord.
I don’t remember specifically praying for
this talent though. The Lord graciously
blessed me on my birthday in 1997 with my
first song Chanda ki chandani based on
Isaiah 60:19-22.
Thereafter, the Lord has given me several
songs in Hindi, English and Konkani.
After the release of ‘The Passion of
Christ’ in Mumbai, I read a film review that
truly pained me for some distasteful
comments on Jesus’ words on the Lord’s
table. Then, I knew people need to be
educated about the spiritual significance of
eating His body and drinking His blood
through music. Thus the song Eesa ki
After I watched the film, I wrote another
song Bikhare masi ke maans ke tukade to
let the world know the divine purpose
behind such a painful sacrifice.
Most of my songs were written in years
of grief when I was just beginning to know
the love of Christ and learning to walk by
faith.
Therefore, I think most of my songs are
biblical messages set to music. In fact, all
these years God was speaking and
revealing His will to me and teaching me
things I never knew before through these
songs.
Sada dhanyawadit raho is a message
based on 1 Thes. 5:18 – in everything give
thanks. For this is God’s will for you in
Christ Jesus.
Giving thanks in difficult times was
unthinkable and hard, but God in His
mercy taught me so gently through the
songs He gave me.
Geharai geharai ko pukarti is a song
that reveals the heart of God as ‘Deep Calls
Unto Deep’, and the precious purpose
behind that calling.
Aao tum mere masiha ke paas is an
invitation and an assurance to those that are
abandoned and hurting to come to our Lord
Jesus for refuge.
Dhanyawaad and Abba Pita are songs of
thanksgiving from a heart full of gratitude
to the Triune God – the Father, Son and the
Holy Spirit for giving Himself to me and
for all the things He has done in my life.
At the moment, I’m working on two new
music albums and I request you to please
pray for the hand of God in its completion.
Distributors can contact me on 0-
9172159940 or email me at
janjoy05@yahoo.com
Course Eligibility Duration
Post Graduate Studies (Residential Program)
Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with B.Th from ATA/Serampore or any
1. 3 years
specialization in Biblical Languages degree from a recognized University
Master of Theology (M.Th) Second Class B.D from Serampore
2. or M.Div (B+) from ATA.
2 years
(a) New Testament
(b) Missiology
Applicants for M.Th (NT) must demonstrate competency in Greek Exegesis,
failing which they may opt for a qualifying year to improve language skills.
(Non-Residential Program)
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS) Any Degree from a recognized 2 years
3.
Evening College for residents in Chennai Seminary/ University
(3 evenings every week)
Admissions are open throughout the year
Doctoral Studies (Residential Program)
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) M.Div & B.D with ten years of
4.
(Partly residential-admissions are ministry experience; M.Th. with five 3 years
open throughout the year) years of ministry experience
5. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in M.Th from any recognized College/
Intercultural Studies University with three years of 3 years
Teaching Experience
Application form and prospectus are available at the cost of Rs.200/-
to be sent either by M.O. or D.D. in favour of the “Principal,
Hindustan Bible Institute & College, Chennai”.
For further details, contact:
The Registrar, Hindustan Bible Institute & College,
86-89, Medavakkam Tank Road, Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010.
Phone: 044-26421199 / 26423758, Email: academic@hbionline.org
Online Portal: www.christianmessenger.in
E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com
W E encourage you to use
these points in your
daily prayer as a family,
prayer group or an individual. We
would be glad if you take copies of
these prayer points and share them
with other believers in your
church, prayer group or
workplace. If you have a specific
prayer point that you would like us
to pray for along with our readers,
you can email it to us at
christianmessenger.in
@gmail.com Blessings, Editor.
People
Feb 1: Rededicate your family
to the Lord today. Even as you
thank Him for the wonderful way
in which He cared for you and
protected you last month, ask Him
to cover you and your family in the
blood of the Lamb this new month.
Pray that February may be a month
of God’s promises coming to
fruition in your life.
Feb 2: Pray for Asia Bibi, the
Pakistani Christian woman who is
accused of blasphemy. She is in
jail now and there are threats to her
life. Christians fear that she may
be the target of an attack soon.
Pray the weapons formed against
her will not prosper (Is. 54:17).
Feb 3: Pray for the family of
Salman Taseer, governor of
Punjab province in Pakistan, who
was killed by a Muslim
fundamentalist for being soft on
Christians. Pray that justice is
delivered to Taseer’s family and
that they may come to the
knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy
2:4).
Feb 4: Pray for Pastor Behnam
Irani who was arrested by Iranian
authorities last month for
organizing prayer meetings in his
house. He is married and has two
children. His trial is scheduled for
tomorrow (Feb 5).
Feb 5: Saul Pradhan, a 45-year-
old independent pastor in Orissa,
was killed on Jan 11. There are
attempts to cover up the murder
allegedly committed by two
Hindu zealots. Pray for his widow
and the family. May the Lord
Himself console them.
Feb 6: Pray for Gladys Staines
and her daughter who now live in
Australia. She has already said she
has forgiven her husband’s killers.
May God keep Gladys and her
family safe in His arms. Pray their
grief turns to joy (John 16:20).
Feb 7: Pray for Sadhu Benny
and his ministry. The aging
evangelist is looking for a Godly
man to be his manager. Pray that
God leads such men to him and
makes one of them part of his
ministry.
Feb 8: Father Ephraim Baa, a
Catholic priest and teacher at St.
Xavier’s College in Ranchi, Bihar,
was arrested for removing the veil
of a Muslim girl last month. Pray
that charges against him are
dropped when the case comes up
for hearing.
Feb 9: Pray for the release of
Dr. Binayak Sen from a prison in
Chhattisgarh. He is accused of
sedition. However, the human
rights activist has denied the
charge.
Feb 10: Peter and his wife
Hazelmary Bull, guesthouse
keepers in UK, were ordered to
pay a fine of £3,600 in damages to
a gay couple to whom they had
refused accommodation. Pray that
the order is revoked when they go
in for an appeal.
Issues
Feb 11: Pray that China takes
human rights violation charges
against the country seriously and
works on shedding the aggressor
tag. It is considered to be a highly
repressive regime and one of the
worst human rights abusers by all
nations.
Feb 12: Pray for peace in
Alabama, US, where the new
governor Robert Bentley has
come in for criticism for saying
those who have not accepted Jesus
as their savior are not his brothers
and sisters.
Feb 13: Pray for equal rights to
be given to Christians in the UK.
Christians are increasingly
coming under attack for their
religious beliefs. People who
oppose homosexuality are
criticized and dragged to courts.
Feb 14: Pray that wisdom from
above prevails in the church of
Pastor Terry Jones in the US. He
has rekindled controversy recently
by saying he wanted to put Quran,
the Muslim’s holy book, on trial at
his church.
Feb 15: Pray for the secular
media groups operating in the
country and around the world.
Christians are increasingly
criticized and lampooned for their
faith in Jesus Christ. Even Biblical
characters are not spared. Last
month, the BBC said that David of
the Bible was a homosexual.
Feb 16: Violence between
couples cohabiting outside of
marriage is far more likely than
among married couples, a survey
has said. Pray that more people
will believe in the sanctity of
marriage in the coming days.
Feb 17: Couples who
steadfastly refuse to have sex
before marriage are happier and
have stable relationships,
according to a new survey. Pray
that Christian youth believe that
sex outside of marriage is sin and
condemn it.
Feb 18: The YWCA in UK
changed its name recently saying
they were not Christian any more.
Pray that Christian charities
recommit their organizations to
reflect the love of God and work
for the glory of our Lord.
Feb 19: Pray for Bibles for the
World ministry today. They are
launching the printing of 500,000
copies of the Gospel of John in
Hindi to be distributed in Haryana,
UP and Bihar. Pray that the Lord of
harvest blesses their efforts.
Feb 20: Pray for Christian
Resources International today.
The ministry is sending a
shipment of Christian resource
materials to India. The shipment is
expected to benefit hundreds of
evangelists, missionaries and
pastors.
Nations
Feb 21: Pray for Iraq today. As
Christians are being targeted and
threatened for their faith, pray that
the new government will take
concrete steps to protect their lives
and property.
Feb 22: Pray for the peace of
Jerusalem today. Christians
account for only 2.1 percent in
Israel, while Jews constitute 75.8
percent and Muslims form 16.8
INTERCESSION
THE Vania people are also
known as Bania or Mahajan. The
word Vania is from another word
‘Vaniji’ in Sanskrit that means
‘trader’. They are known as
Vanniyars in Tamil.
The Bania have several gotras
such as Agarwal, Dasora,
Dishawal, Kapol, Nagori,
Vagada, Modh and Nagar. Many
of these names are based on the
names of the place they are from.
The titles used by the Vania are
Shah, Shroff, Parikkh, Chokshi,
Seth and Gandhi.
They belong to two religious
divisions: Vaishnava and Jain.
Most of the groups of Vania are
split into Visha meaning 20 and
Dasha or 10. These subdivisions
are further divided into Ekda and
percent of the population. Pray
according to Psalm 122:6.
Feb 23: Pray for Japan today.
Christianity is a minority religion
there with less than 1% of the
population claiming Christian
belief or affiliation. Many cities
and towns in Japan still have no
Christian church.
Feb 24: Pray for Iran where
reports of imprisonment,
harassment, intimidation and
discrimination based on religious
beliefs are common. Pray for new
ways to be opened for the Gospel
to be preached in Iran.
Feb 25: Pray for Sri Lanka
today. Pray that the storm-battered
island nation rehabilitates its
affected citizens. Pray for all
churches and Christian groups in
that country.
Feb 26: Let’s intercede for our
country today. May every one of
its peoples have an opportunity to
hear the Gospel, read the Bible in
their own language and come to
the saving grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Feb 27: Pray for the Middle
Eastern countries today. Last
month’s unrest in Tunisia spread
to Egypt and Yemen. Pray the
unrest does not lead to bloodshed
SPOKEN ENGLISH
COURSE
30-day Spoken English course
for beginners, students,
office-goers and housewives.
Flexible hours | Practical
Training | Low Fee
Speak English with confidence!
Call 0-7871107773
to register.
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Page 4 | February, 2011
BY JOHN HAMEL
Secret No.1
DO not pray to Jesus. That's
right, do not pray to Jesus. Let me
Bagda. The Bagda mostly live in
show you why from the Bible, in
villages, while Ekda live in
Jesus' own words. “And in that day
villages and towns. They have an
ye shall ask me nothing. Verily,
organization called the Mandal to
verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever
look after the temples and the
ye shall ask the Father in my name,
community’s property.
he will give it you.” (John 16:23)
Business, trade, jewellery-
Secret No. 2
making and agriculture are the
Bind Satan and demonic powers
traditional occupations of the
away from your answer. This is a
Vania. Floor painting and folk
very simple thing to do. Simply
songs represent the Vania’s art and
say, 'Satan and all demon spirits, I
culture.
bind you away from me and away
The naming of the newborn
from the answer to my prayer. In
ritual is performed by a Jangam
Jesus' Name’ (Ephesians 6:12;
priest by putting a thread around
Matthew 18:18).
the infant’s neck.
Secret No.3
The Vania are Hindu by
Speak in line with your prayer.
religion. They are Vaishnavite and
Many believers pray positively
devotees of Shrinathji. A section
and then talk negatively. Pray,
of them are from the Jain
believe and then confess
community. The Vania maintain
positively. Read Mark 11: 23.
intercommunity linkages with the
Secret No.4
Brahman, Valand, Soni and other
Thank God for your answer
communities through trade and
before you even see it. That's
service. The Vania in the state of
right, before you even see it. Jesus
Maharashtra are mostly the
said, “...Therefore I say unto you,
followers of the Lingayat Cult.
What things soever ye desire,
Pray for the salvation of the
when ye pray, believe that ye
Vania people. Pray that God may
receive them, and ye shall have
send several Christian workers
them” (Mark 11:24).
among them and meet their
It is faith and faith alone that
spiritual and physical needs. Pray
moves God. These supernatural
for developmental and literacy
prayer secrets will work for you.
programs among the people.
So, get right down to business with
(Philipose Vaidyar / India
them.
Missions Association)
Your answers are waiting.
but results in a positive change for ‘Pray or pay the price’
the people and the cause of the Author:
Gospel. Victor
Feb 28: Al Shabaab, a Muslim The book
extremist group, controls large explains
areas of Mogadishu the capital of w h a t
Somalia. Pray for the safety of prayer is
Christians in that country. They and teaches
are targeted for their faith by the readers
extremists. how to
p r a y. I t
Prayer Line details at
length why
Do you want us to
prayers go unanswered and what
pray for you? can be done to secure victory in
Call us at 9884063345 prayer.
10 am to 12 noon, For copies contact, Victor at
426/8, Royal Enclave, Anna
Monday through Friday. Nagar, Chennai 102.
Are you a writer?
Have you written Spiritually-edifying prose or poetry?
Do you want to publish it as books?
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER can help you with:
Writing & Rewriting
J
English & Tamil
J
Professional Editing
J
Aesthetic Layout & Design
J
Affordable Printing
J
Print, Online Promotions
J
Writers from around the world have benefited from
our professional services.
You too can be a published author!
For details, contact The Christian Messenger at
Phone: 044-65145334.
Email: ChristianMessenger.in@Gmail.com
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Page 5 | February, 2011
TWO FOR THE ALBUM: Bro.Hariharan with Pastor Peter Amasikan along with the participants of the
meeting. (Right) Sadhu Benny gives away Gospel tracts and other evangelism tools to a participant of the soul
harvesters’ training meeting. To partner with The Christian Messenger in organizing this project at your
church, call us at 0-9884063345 or 044-65145334.
LOST & FOUND
BY MATHEWS GEORGE
For he himself is our peace,
who has made the two one and has
destroyed the barrier, the dividing
wall of hostility Ephesians 2:14
I grew up in a church in India
that had conflicts for several
hundreds of years. The conflicts
are going on to this day. Every
year, the church spends tons of
money hiring the best lawyers and
fighting battles they cannot win.
This church thrives on
d i s h a r m o n y, e x p l o i t i n g
sentiments of hatred among
brothers, driving people literally
to street fights. Even their
shepherds shy away from being
united and thrive in disunity,
directly turning their backs at the
gospel of Christ.
Even among the so-called
peaceful churches there is
division, between the rich and the
poor, between the dark skinned
and light skinned, between men
and women, those drawing higher
salaries and those who don’t. To
top it all, caste prejudice continues
to plague some of our
communities. This kind of
segregation is becoming more
common in all churches, both in
the east and the west.
Some may argue that it may be
out of our purest intentions that we
tend to be friendly and inviting
with people whom we like or who
are like us. We call this ‘birds of
the same feather syndrome’.
However, when we do that we
need to be careful not to alienate
people who are different, who are
struggling for someone to
recognize them, who are not
knowledgeable in the scriptures as
some others, who come from a
segregated background…the very
Sangh Parivar activists stop cremation over religion
A group of Hindu activists
belonging to the Sangh Parivar
disrupted the cremation of
Subarna Digal, an 83-year-old
Dalit because he was Christian.
The group also forced his
relatives to flee their village. News
of the incident has raised concerns
among Christians in Kandhamal
district in Orissa of their safety.
Archbishop of Cuttack-
Bhubaneswar Raphael Cheenath
said: “No villager should have
been denied the last rites on any
account. The dead man had
expressed a ‘desire for baptism’
and was willing to accept the
Christian faith on his own volition.
The group should have been
people whom Christ has
commissioned us to reach out to.
Jesus’ prayer in John 17 (that
they all may be one) wasn’t ‘just’ a
prayer. It was a prayer Jesus
prayed knowing that His work on
the cross would break down
barriers and unite all.
When Christ knocked down the
opposition to unite all believers in
one family, all human barriers
such as age, appearance,
intelligence, political persuasions,
economic status, race and
theological perspectives are
broken down and we are unified in
Christ.
As believers we are ‘united in
Christ’ and this is one reality that
keeps Christianity on a higher
pedestal when compared with
other faiths.
This was a revolutionary
concept back then in the early
church; it still continues to be
revolutionary in today’s church.
All along, we see Paul argue this
fervently. In essence he says
‘Listen folks, Christ has destroyed
the barriers that people build
between themselves and that we
have real unity with people who
are not like us.’
There is no longer Jew or
Gentile, slave or free, male and
female. For you are all one in
Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
Paul took the greatest divisions
of that day and proved how Christ
had integrated those polarities to
sensitive to this, but unfortunately,
the activists acted in an inhumane
way by showing disrespect to the
dead.”
Subarna Digal, who was born
into a Hindu family, had recently
converted to Christianity and had
started Bible classes in order to be
baptized.
However, he died before he
could be baptized and his relatives
took his body to the cremation
ground.
On their way, they were stopped
by activists. The group forced
Subarna’s relatives to leave the
village saying he had
contaminated the family because
of his contact with Christians.
REGIONAL
make people one entity. This is
profound teaching. How I wish we
take this radical teaching into our
churches.
In Colossians, he argues “Here
there is no Greek or Jew,
circumcised or uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,
but Christ is all, and is in all.”
My friends, this is not just a an
theoretical understanding of unity
but a physical, intellectual and
spiritual reality of what Christ’s
death has achieved for us and we
as believers are called to practice.
Christ is all and in all.
It will take an abundance of His
mercies and grace for us
especially in India to assimilate
this truth because we have a legacy
of being one of the most
segregated societies in the world,
deep routed in generation of class
structure. Even today, we battle
with this legacy. But our Lord will
strengthen us to break free from
this chain.
So as mentioned earlier in
Ephesians, Jesus is our peace. For
He himself is our peace, who has
made the two groups one.
According to Paul, true peace is
oneness. It is not merely the
cessation of hostility or the
absence of conflict, it simply
means being one. The concept is
simply this: ‘One new man out of
the two.’
So when the whole world
defines peace as the absence of
war, we in faith take it a step
further and say real peace is not the
absence of war but the presence of
Jesus - through which the creation
of a new person has taken place.
As Paul says, “His purpose was to
create in Himself one new
humanity out of the two, thus
making peace.”
Let us pray that our Father will
challenge our hearts to help us
accept this reality of our Christian
existence. Early Christians called
themselves a ‘third race’ or a ‘new
race.’ Early Christians recognized
that they were neither Jews, nor
Gentiles but one new person
embracing all who are in Jesus.
Let's be that ‘new person’. Church
wake up, it’s time we united in
Christ!
Rev. Mathews George is a
pastor at Tucker Street Church in
Greater Memphis Area in the US.
He has mentored many people
around the United States and
India. He believes that only in
understanding and accepting
Jesus into lives true healing takes
place.
Online Portal: www.christianmessenger.in
E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com
GLADYS Staines, wife of
Australian missionary Graham
Staines, who was burned to death
along with their two sons in Orissa
over a decade ago, has said she
holds no bitterness towards the
killers.
In an email interview to the
Press Trust of India, she said:
“Because of forgiveness, I hold no
bitterness towards the persons
who killed my family.”
On Jan 21, the Supreme Court
of India ruled that the crime was
not ‘the rarest of rare’ and upheld
the life sentence awarded to Dara
Singh and Mahendra Hembram,
the convicts in the case.
“Forgiveness is needed to check
hatred and violence…God
forgives but the earthly
A Catholic priest was arrested
after he reportedly removed the
veil of a Muslim student last week.
The priest, identified as only
Father Ephraim Baa, is a teacher at
St. Xavier’s College in Ranchi. He
was arrested after a student, Neha
Praveen, complained that the
priest forcibly removed her veil.
Fr. Baa was arrested on several
charges including wrongful
restraint, criminal force on women
with intent to outrage modesty and
making assertions prejudicial to
national integration.
Fr. Baa, who did not deny the
incident, however said, he did so
only to confirm that she was
consequences of that sin
continue…Forgiveness does not
change the consequences for the
wrong. (The two) should not be
mixed up,” she said.
However, she clarified that
forgiving did not mean that the
normal judicial process should not
be followed.
Gladys Staines is currently
living in Australia with her
daughter and father.
SC expunges remarks against
Graham Staines
THE Supreme Court expunged
its controversial remarks in the
Graham Staines killing case on
Jan 25.
This move by the country’s
highest legal body comes after the
Supreme Court’s observation that
the killers of Graham Staines and
his two minor children intended to
teach the Australian missionary a
lesson for preaching and
practicing conversion came under
attack by leading editors, media
groups and civil society members
from across India.
The remark expunged was
made by the SC in its Jan 21
judgment that held life sentence
for Dara Singh.
It now stands deleted. The court
has also withdrawn the term
conversion.
indeed a student of the college.
The student had ignored his
request to show her identity card.
In the recent past, there were
protestors, who were not students,
spotted in the college campus.
Muslims protested the incident
after it was reported by a local
Hindi daily newspaper.
The protestors blocked roads,
burned tyres and damaged
vehicles despite an unconditional
apology tendered by Fr. Baa and
the college authorities.
In his bail application filed on
Jan 10, Fr. Baa said his action was
strictly disciplinary and that he
had no intention to hurt any
community.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Vijay
Kumar granted bail and asked the
priest to deposit Rs.5,000 as
security.
Fr. Baa, who co-ordinates the
prison ministry in Jharkhand, has
offered Sunday Mass at the Birsa
Munda Central Jail since 2002. He
said the arrest helped him spend
more time with the prisoners.
Online Portal: www.christianmessenger.in
E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com TRENDS
Jerusalem’s Western
Wall gets an App
THE techies
are going to
love this one.
IPhone users
can now visit
Judaism’s
holiest site
from anywhere in the world.
The Israeli foundation that
administers the Western Wall in
Jerusalem has launched an iPhone
application that streams live from
the prayer site around the clock –
except on the Jewish Sabbath and
holidays, when transmissions are
forbidden by Jewish law.
The application allows users to
CHRISTIANS under the age of 25 are less likely to identify email prayers to be placed in the
themselves as evangelicals, even if they worship at evangelical crevices of the wall, a Jewish
churches, according to a new report by the Evangelical Alliance (EA). custom. It also includes a compass
The report titled, ‘21st Century Evangelicals: A snapshot of the that allows users to pray in the
beliefs and habits of Evangelical Christians in the UK’, published by direction of Jerusalem.
the EA and Christian Research, is based on the views of more than
17,000 people who completed questionnaires at Evangelical festivals
and at churches affiliated to the EA during 2010. Are house churches the next big thing?
According to the report, 67 percent of those surveyed aged between
16 and 24 considered themselves to be ‘evangelical Christians’. This
percentage increased with the age range: 87 percent of those aged over
65 described themselves as evangelical.
The report stated that: “These results could simply reveal that
younger people are rejecting the name ‘evangelical’, or that
Christians start referring to themselves as ‘evangelical Christians’
later in life.”
Director of Share Jesus International Andy Frost said: “They don’t
understand party lines and church squabbles”, and that, for them, “the
IT could be the beginning of a
word ‘evangelical’ has been tarnished by American political agendas. new trend. Mega churches in the
This generation simply wants to get the job done. Evangelicalism
US are embracing the idea of
needs to be redefined for them as Grace and Truth.” expanding their network by
However, the report found that the Bible played a ‘significant role
planting more house churches.
in the lives of evangelicals’, and that 83 percent of evangelical Northland, A Church
respondents ‘strongly’ agreed that ‘the Bible has the supreme
Distributed, based in Longwood,
authority in guiding their beliefs and behavior.’ Fla., currently has 15 to 20 house
Sixty-two percent of those surveyed said that they ‘strongly’ agreed
churches in several states that
that ‘sexual intercourse outside marriage is wrong’; 59 percent said virtually participate in the worship
that ‘homosexual actions are always wrong’; and eight out of 10 said
services held at the main campus
that homosexual couples should not be able to have civil partnerships every Sunday.
blessed in churches. The report identified most uncertainty among
Dan Lacich, pastor of
evangelicals over the topic of hell. A minority — 37 percent — Distributed Services at Northland
‘strongly’ agreed “that hell is a place where the condemned will suffer
said he considered house churches
eternal conscious pain”. But the vast majority — 91 percent — as the next extension of the
‘strongly’ agreed ‘that Jesus is the only way to God.’
multisite movement.
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
CHRISTIANITY remains the
world’s biggest religion, but Islam
is catching up, Australian
newspaper The Age reported.
Quoting the Christian Research
Association’s report in its
December bulletin, the newspaper
said Australian religious trends of
rising agnosticism and declining
Christianity contradict most of the
world.
The bulletin quotes the findings
of the Centre for the Study of
Global Christianity, which
compares the state of global
religions in 1910 and 2010.
In 1910, Christians made up
34.8 percent of the world’s 1.75
billion people.
Today, Christianity makes up
only 33.2 percent of the 6.9 billion
“They participate very much
like a multisite does, only meeting
at a smaller venue, usually in a
home, community room, or a
condo association club house,” he
told the Christian Post.
Each house church has a ‘site
minister’ who hosts the gathering
using the Internet or a Roku box to
stream church services from
Northland’s main campus.
Worshippers of house churches
actively participate in the services
as they would if they were
physically at one of the multisite
locations.
They greet one another, stand
and sing during worship and hold
communion.
Although there could be some
reluctance to the idea in the
beginning, people get used to it.
House church members don’t
lose out on quality preaching that
comes from the main church
either.
Page 6 | February, 2011
world population. While a century
ago most Christians lived in
Europe and north America today
most live in Africa and south
America.
Muslims have risen from 12.6
percent in 1910 to 22.4 percent
today while Hindus have risen
from 12.7 percent to 13.7 percent.
Agnostics have risen from 0.2 to
9.3 percent or 640 million people,
while atheists have risen from less
than 0.1 percent to 2 percent or
138 million.
In China, both Christianity and
Islam were growing at a fast rate.
Of the 2.3 billion Christians
worldwide Catholics make up
over half the total number,
followed by the fast-rising
Pentecostals with 600 million.
‘Domestic violence
higher among
cohabiting couples’
DOMESTIC violence should
not make headlines when marital
strife and unrest in families has
become commonplace in many
societies. However, violence
between couples is far more likely
to occur between unmarried,
cohabiting couples than married
couples, according to a survey.
Spanish statistics, highlighted
in recent years by Europe's Family
Policy Institute (FPI), and recently
reported by the Spanish
newspaper ABC, indicate that
while only 11% of Spanish
couples cohabit without being
legally married, such unions
account for 58% of the most
violent crimes between couples.
Homicides have jumped 45%
among cohabiting couples, while
they have actually fallen 15%
among married couples.

START-UP STATION
BY MICHAEL HOLMES
“I raised up some of your young
men to be prophets, set aside your
best youth for training in
holiness.” (Amos 2:11 MSG)
THE world has changed and is
continuing to change at a rapid
pace. The things that are
happening today none of us could
have seen even five years ago. And
ironically, it’s because of these
rapid changes that the church is
needed more than ever.
But with church membership
graying, young adults leaving, and
the church being seen as more and
more irrelevant it’s obvious many
ministries have kept their head in
the sand. The only answer to this
and other unknown problems in
the realm of the future: a new
batch of Gen Y leaders!
But thank God we may be well
on our way! After seeing a 20 year
drop in clergy under the age of 35,
a new wave of college students are
expressing interest in leading a
church.
But, let’s be honest, what makes
us young people ‘the saviors’ of
the church? Well a couple of
reasons:
We ’ r e n o t b o g g e d b y
‘traditions’ or denomination
I’ll never forget going to a
Lausanne conference in NYC.
There were world class leaders,
ministers, and ministries. And
they spoke about winning dozens
to Christ, telling hundreds about
the Gospel, serving thousands,
and how they Word of God was
spreading rapidly. And in the
middle of their spell-binding
testimonies a lady next to me said:
“Wait! Is she wearing pants in the
church?! Are they wearing
jeans?!!!” We Gen Y leaders are
more concerned about God’s
Glory and less concerned about
denomination and traditions that
bear no fruit.
We’re more ‘mission minded’
What sets effective ministries We’re willing to seek out after the same Master. Will you
apart from ineffective ones is that mentors help us become all we can be in
the latter has lost sight of its We get it: we can’t do it on our Christ?
m i s s i o n . Tr u l y e ff e c t i v e own. We’re not wise enough; not Michael Holmes is an expert,
organizations (or people for that smart enough. We need help. And author, and speaker on Gen Y
fact) are ‘mission minded’ or though we may not be ‘smart leadership.
‘purpose driven.’ Purpose-driven enough’ we’re smart enough to
ministries are not realize that we do need mentorship BBC says David was gay
institutionalized, outdated, and from experienced people. There’s THE British Broadcasting
slow. Quite the contrary. They’re no sense in making mistakes that Corporation did the unthinkable
vibrant, innovative movements can be avoided--life is too short! last week. In a program on Radio
m a r k e d b y s p o n t a n e i t y, And, hey! We haven’t forgotten 4, it claimed that young David, one
generosity, and sacrifice. These you ‘old-timer’ (LOL)...we need of the most beloved characters in
are the kind of ministries that turn you. We crave your experience, the Bible, had been involved in a
‘the world upside down.’ (Acts wisdom, and insight. We may not homosexual relationship with
17:6 NKJV) We want to turn the have the same methods but we’re Jonathan, the son of King Saul.
world upside down!
We ‘get’ social media
While many of our
predecessors see social media as a
necessary evil, or worse just ‘evil’
we see the benefits. A ministry like
LifeChurch.TV is prime example.
Instead of trying to find ways to
‘force’ people to their site they’ve
focused their attention to become
more relevant on Facebook. Why?
Simple.
They wanted to go where
people are and not force them to
Net Comp IT Solutions
come where they are. It’s really No. 36, 1st Floor, Halls Road,
simple when you think about it:
people are on social media, we Kilpauk, Chennai 10.
want to get people for Phone: 044-4203 2697,
Christ...hmmm...(you fill in the
rest). 26449650 | 09841044626
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Page 7 | February, 2011
THE most dangerous countries
to practice Christianity are
overwhelmingly Islamic,
according to a new report by the
human rights group Open Doors
International.
Open Doors released its annual
watch list of the world’s worst
offenders, recently. Communist
North Korea ranked as the worst
persecutor for the ninth
consecutive year, and eight of the
top 10 worst countries for
religious freedom have Islamic
majorities.
“While Christians are
exterminated, we cannot sit,” said
Open Doors USA president Carl
Moeller.
Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi
Arabia, and Somalia were the
other worst countries for
Christians.
“Worldwide, the worst place in
A Christian psychotherapist
who helps individuals overcome
homosexual inclinations faces the
prospect of being barred from
practice after a sting operation by a
homosexual journalist.
Undercover journalist Patrick
Strudwick approached Lesley
Pilkington and asked her for help
with his sexuality.
He had told Pilkington that he
wanted to leave the homosexual
lifestyle and she informed him that
she only worked within a
Christian counseling framework.
Strudwick went to two
counseling sessions with
Pilkington.
S u b s eq u e n tly, S t r u d w ick
published the transcript of the
meetings in The Independent
newspaper.
He was awarded journalist of
the year by the homosexualist
organization Stonewall for the
sting.
the world to be a Christian is
primarily in the Muslim world,”
Moeller added. Christian
persecution has increased
significantly in Iraq, with the
country jumping from 17th to 8th
on this year’s list.
“Iraq has jumped because of the
intentional targeting of the
Christian community there by
extremists within the factions of
Iraq,” Moeller explained. “Al
Qaeda this year indicated on its
website that Christians were
‘legitimate targets’ for their holy
warriors.”
Just before Christmas,
extremists waged attacks on Iraqi
Christians, including a massacre
in a Bagdhad church that killed at
least 52 people.
“We are actually labeling it a
‘religicide’ as they there want to
exterminate all Christians.”
After the sessions, he lodged a
complaint with the British
Association for Counselling and
Psychotherapy alleging that
Pilkington had failed to respect the
“fixed nature” of his
homosexuality.
Pilkington, who faces losing her
accreditation with the British
Association for Counselling and
Psychotherapy, said, “He told me
he was looking for a treatment for
being gay.
“He said he was depressed and
unhappy and would I give him
some therapy. I told him I only
work using a Christian biblical
framework and he said that was
exactly what he wanted.”
The Christian Legal Centre,
which is handling Pilkington’s
defense, said, “Those offering
counselling for men and women
wanting to change their
homosexual behaviour have been
increasingly targeted by the
homosexual lobby, many of whom
do not accept that people can
change their behaviour.”
Andrea Minichiello Williams,
CEO of the Christian Legal Centre
said, “Lesley is a wonderful
Christian counsellor who has
practised for many years with an
unblemished record.”
“It is shocking that Lesley
Pilkington was targeted, lied to
and misrepresented by this
homosexual activist and even
worse that her professional body
consider her actions worthy of
investigation,” Williams added.
PERSECUTION
Asia Bibi faces
threat of suicide
attack?
ASIA Bibi, the Pakistani
Christian woman who triggered a
blasphemy furor in that country, is
facing a threat of a suicide attack
inside a jail, where she is currently
lodged.
The ‘Moaviya group’, a
fundamentalist Muslim group, is
planning to launch a suicide attack
on Sheikhupura district jail, where
Asia Bibi is lodged currently.
According to a report in the
Express Tribune newspaper, an
intelligence report issued last
week has corroborated threat to
her life.
“P u n jab p o lice an d jail
authorities subsequently beefed
up security due to the intelligence
report and the assassination of
Taseer,” the report said.
Last year, Asia Bibi was
sentenced to death after being
convicted under the blasphemy
law for allegedly ‘insulting’
prophet Mohammed.
She denied the charge and said
she was framed by a group of
Muslim women with whom she
had a row.
According to official figures,
131 people are being held in jails
across Punjab on blasphemy
charges.
Eleven of them have been
sentenced to death, including Asia
Bibi, who was the first woman to
be given the penalty. Since 1990,
at least 10 Pakistanis have been
killed while awaiting trial on
blasphemy charges.
More Christians leaving middle east region
IN a disturbing development,
thousands of Christians from Iraq
and other countries are leaving the
middle east region because of
persecution, violence and
economic turmoil.
However, the most alarming
exodus is occurring in the Holy
Land – the birthplace of Jesus
Christ.
Israel, where people of three
faiths – Christianity, Judaism and
Islam – live, is a land of conflict
a n d s t r i f e . H o w e v e r, t h e
Christianity minority is fast
disappearing from Israel.
Tens of thousands of Christian
pilgrims come to Via Dolorosa
each year to walk in the footsteps
of Jesus and visit other Christian
holy sites. Native Christians feel
that the Holy Land may soon
become a Christian Disney Land
where believers visit but never
stay, CBN News reported.
“If that Christian exodus
continues who’s left in the houses
of worship here,” Brian Bush,
president of the Christian
Foundation for the Holy Land,
was quoted as saying in the report.
“There’s no voice to praise God.
It’s just empty stones and
monuments and museums and that
would be a tragedy.”
Christians have been assaulted
and their homes and cars
vandalized in Nazareth. Such
Online Portal: www.christianmessenger.in
E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com
GUESTHOUSE keepers in
Britain cannot turn away
homosexual men from their
lodges, according to a ruling by
the Equality and Human Rights
Commission (EHRC) in a case
sponsored by a UK homosexual
lobby group.
Judge Andrew Rutherford
declared it was unlawful for Peter
and Hazelmary Bull to operate
their policy and deny a double
room to homosexual couples
Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy.
The judge ordered the Bulls,
devout Christians who own a
guesthouse in a popular holiday
resort in Cornwall, to pay a fine of
£3,600 in damages to the gay
couples.
The judge ruled that under the
Equality Act (Sexual Orientation)
Regulations, introduced under the
previous Government, civil
partnerships must be treated in the
same way as marriage.
After the hearing, Hazelmary
Bull said she and her husband
were ‘disappointed’ with the
verdict.
“Our double-bed policy was
based on our sincere beliefs about
incidents are also being reported
from West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem
and the Galilee area.
In 2007, Islamic militants killed
Gaza Christian bookstore
manager Rami Ayyad. A year later,
Israeli Messianic teen Ami Ortiz
miraculously survived a mail
bomb attack by a Jewish
extremist.
Jerusalem’s Calvary Baptist
Church has been regularly in the
news for attacks against it. The
church playground has been
repeatedly vandalized. Church
signs are torn down and believers
harassed in other areas.
Relatives suspect cover-up in
Orissa pastor’s death
THE body of of Saul Pradhan, a
45-year-old independent pastor
whose house was burned by Hindu
fundamentalists two years ago,
was found near a pond in Pakala
village in Kandhamal’s Raikia
Block on Jan. 11 and bore marks of
assault.
Relatives of the pastor have
now accused local police of a
cover-up.
According to Ajay Singh, an
activist, he was told by the widow
of the pastor that the hands and the
legs of the deceased looked
twisted. There was blood in his
mouth. His pants were also torn,
Singh told Compass.
marriage, not hostility to anybody.
It was applied equally and
consistently to unmarried
heterosexual couples and
homosexual couples, as the judge
accepted,” she told media.
The judge gave the Bulls
permission to appeal, saying that
his ruling “does affect the human
rights of the defendants to
manifest their religion and forces
them to act in a manner contrary to
their deeply and genuinely held
beliefs.”
The Bulls said they will discuss
an appeal with their legal team.
Peter, Mrs. Bull explained, was
unable to attend court for the
judgment as he is due to undergo
triple heart bypass surgery on that
day.
Speaking to the media, Mrs.
Bull said: “In the meantime, I do
feel that Christianity is being
marginalised in Britain. The same
laws used against us have been
used to shut down faith-based
adoption agencies.
“Much is said about ‘equality
and diversity’ but it seems some
people are more equal than
others,” she added.”
Muslim militants
kill Somali
Christian woman
A mother of four was killed for
her Christian faith on Jan 7 on the
outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia
by Islamic extremists from al
Shabaab militia, delayed reports
said.
According to a relative, who
requested anonymity, Asha
Mberwa, 36, was killed at 5:15 pm
in Warbhigly village. The Islamic
extremists from the insurgent
group had arrested her outside her
house the previous day at 8:30 am.
She died when the militants cut
her throat in front of villagers who
came out of their homes as
witnesses.
She is survived by her children
– ages 12, 8, 6 and 4 – and her
husband, who was not home at the
time she was apprehended. They
had married in 1993.
Her relative, whose location is
also withheld for security reasons,
said he had phoned her on Jan. 5 to
try to make arrangements for
moving her family out of the area.
Al Shabaab extremists were
able to monitor the conversation
and confirm that she had become a
Christian, he said.
“Asha had been receiving
threats” after al Shabaab
monitored her communications
with him, he said.
Registrar of Newspapers in India No. TNBIL/2004/15307
PROMOTIONS THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Postal Registration No. TN/CCN/271/10-12 Online Portal: www.christianmessenger.in
Licensed to Post Without Pre-payment WPP No. TN/CCN/77/10-12 Published on 2nd / 3rd of every month | Page 8 | February, 2011

(Late) Dr. D.G.S Dhinakaran Dr. Paul Dhinakaran

Founder Chancellor - Emeritus Chancellor

Karunya University is a Deemed-to-be University established under section 3 of the

University Act 1956 as a Minority Institution by Dr.D.G.S. Dhinakaran & Dr. Paul
Dhinakaran. It is a University with a social concern to find solutions for the
problems and needs of humanity through research, social endeavours with a
spiritual service perspective and academic value based education and training to
send out potential leaders in the professional, social and in the governing realms.

NO DONATION – NO CAPITATION

ADMISSIONS PURELY ON MERIT ASSURED THROUGH

Karunya University is associated with the following
International Universities / Institutions

B.Tech. (12 branches) / M.Sc. Integrated programme after Hsc

(6 branches) [Cost of application: Rs. 750/-]
M.Tech. (21 branches) / M.B.A. / M.C.A. [Rs. 500/-]
M.Sc. (6 branches) / M.A. (2 branches) / B.Ed. / M.Ed. / P.G. Diploma
(4 branches) [Rs. 200/-]

SALIENT FEATURES APPLICATIONS CAN BE OBTAINED IN PERSON AT DESIGNATED BRANCHES

Situated in a beautiful environment at the foot of Siruvani Hills
v
Member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
v OF KVB / TMB / SYNDICATE BANK / AXIS BANK / CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA
All India 9th Rank among all private Universities / Institutions – Times of India
v AND ALL JESUS CALLS CENTRES OR CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM OUR
All India 8th Rank in infrastructure among all Institution DATA QUEST
v UNIVERSITY WEBSITE.
Moulding students as well-refined professionals with sound academic foundation,
v
values and spiritual grace ONLINE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR B.Tech. / M.Sc. INTEGRATED
Competent faculty with rich teaching, scientific & managerial experience
v COURSES FOR DETAILS LOG ON TO www.karunya.edu
Placement assured under the Directorate of Placements & Training
v
Tie-ups with MNCs and Foreign Universities
v
Twinning and Dual degree programmes with Foreign Universities
v Application forms can be had from the Admissions Officer by submitting a DD
Excellent IT infrastructure & free laptops for all students
v
Emphasis on Christian valves in all aspects of University life
v drawn in favour of the Registrar, Karunya University payable at Coimbatore.

Karunya Institute of Technology & Sciences

(Declared as Deemed-to-be University under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956)
Karunya Nagar, Coimbatore 641 114, Tamil Nadu. Phone: 0422-2363636
Fax: 0422-2615615 Email: admissions@karunya.edu
A Christian Minority Institution

Owned and published by Elsy Robin from 329/4, Poonga Apartments, HIG Flats, II Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600 040.
Printed by L Cyril Sagayaraj at VS Printograph Pvt Ltd., 1, Narasinghapuram Extn.., 1st Lane, Maduvankarai, Guindy, Chennai 600 032. Editor: Elsy Robin