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2012 STN Spring Conferences

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by Ryder Kumar

It is my honor to present this brief report to show my gratitude to the Lord Who allowed these Conferences to take place and to express appreciation for the support of your prayers. Without these, our short term mission trips to India for the 9th consecutive year would have been futile. My heart is filled with thankfulness to God for His great faithfulness and appreciation toward each of you for your faithfulness. The equipping of pastors in India and Nepal continues! Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and financial support that made these Spring 2012 STN Conferences possible!

Ministry in the Local Church

For the past couple of years I have been visiting a church of about 200 people called El Shaddai in Hyderabad city in which I had the privilege of preaching the Word in an evening service. David Nelson and I both preached in that assembly the following Sunday. The pastor’s name is Paul Gideon, a humble man of God. Soon after leaving the city, the whole state was in chaos due to the arrest of a political leader. There were strikes, transportation vehicles burned and turmoil in the city. By God’s sovereign design, we evaded all these as we left for Delhi. Is this not an answer to prayer and a demonstration of the fact that God, who held back all these disturbances until the conference was over, is in control?

Hyderabad Seminar (South)

There were 41 participants who learned much about the doctrine of eschatology or future things! One pastor said, “My father who is a senior pastor could only teach about the second coming of Christ by referring to His appearance in the clouds and didn’t proceed further from there but now we are able to understand the chronological order and events of second coming – we are so blessed.” There was a keen interest in most of them as they not only listened to the topics of the final section of Bible doctrine survey but also asked questions.

It is my honor to present this brief report to show my gratitude to the Lord Who allowed these Conferences to take place and to express appreciation for the support of your prayers. Without these, our short term mission trips to India for the 9th consecutive year would have been futile. My heart is filled with thankfulness to God for His great faithfulness and appreciation toward each of you for your faithfulness. The equipping of pastors in India and Nepal continues! Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and financial support that made these Spring 2012 STN Conferences possible!

 

Lucknow Seminar (North)

There was a unique challenge at this conference due to temperatures as high as 113! Due to the heat, we adjusted the schedule to move the afternoon sessions to late evening; this change was helpful to everyone. The teaching was eye opening for many and insightful to all! One participant said, “I was struggling with the topics of the Lord’s Table and Baptism but I am now going back home without doubts.” Another participant testified saying, “I am from a tribal community which is known for lack of understanding and knowledge but I am so blessed to be here in the seminar to understand so many truths.” Two of the participants are now reaching out to another state in India to teach the BTCP courses and also desire to partner in ministry in Nepal. A couple of the pastors were pleading with us to visit their areas to start BTCP courses.

Hyderabad Conference Report

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From Shanthi –

We were eagerly waiting for this conference to start, as this was a Doctrines oriented teaching, and we were expectant to learn new things from our resource leaders Bro.Ryder and Bro.David Nelson.

Dr.Vijay and Bro.Timothy were the translators and as usual they did a good job. The conference started on 31st Oct. 2011, with the opening session commencing at 2.00 p.m. By the way, we want to thank everyone who prayed for the agitation to subside in our state. God answered all your prayers and just a week before the conference was due to start, all form of agitations ceased, and all our pastors could arrive in time and with safety.

This time in all about 46 pastors attended the seminar. The weather was near perfect, and as usual the facilities provided at the centre were excellent.

“In the beginning GOD”—-so started our first doctrinal studies about God. The remarkable thing is we learnt news things on the first day itself. One of the revelations we had is “Bible assumes God is present, and the BIBLE is not intended for proving the existence of God but rather it is a demonstration of His works.”

Three instances of speaking in tongues from Act 2, 9 and 19 and how they were related to the circumstances of those times, was the highlight of this conference. In India there is this prevalent thinking, that if one does not speak in tongues, he does not have the Holy Spirit. The participants were enlightened about this particular gift.

We were enlightened about the characteristics of God, and how these characteristics build up healthy relations with our creator and redeemer.

The next doctrines taught were on Bibliology/Jesus Christ/Holy Spirit and Angelology. The one doctrine on which the participants had so many doubts was on HOLY SPIRIT. The true doctrine was taught from the scriptures and many doubts clarified. All that we can say is that the participants went back with the correct doctrine, and resolve to negate any false teaching on HOLY SPIRIT. We thank STN for these splendid resources through BTCP.

Increased appetite for learning and discipline…

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From Ryder Oct 26

The Lord brought the team safely to Lucknow though there was a confusion of missing the flight from Delhi to Lucknow due to the schedule change by the airlines (we were unaware of it). There are about 40 participants and this time I observed that there is more diligence, an increased appetite for learning and discipline. One of the most diligent participants had to leave the seminar on the third day as his seventh month pregnant wife became seriously sick. Please pray. While David and I are teaching at the seminar, the three ladies went to Unnao (KB’s church) to teach 70 ladies. The ladies who taught experienced joy and satisfaction in this significant ministry. The local church bore the expenses of food and hospitality for the lady participants. Today the ladies from the team have left for Kanpur (Laxman Paul’s church where Randy and Susan ministered the Word). 35 ladies are waiting at Kanpur as there had been a confusion due to Hindu festival. The confusion is a long delay of taxi that is used for the transportation. Please pray that in the midst of all these God’s plan and purpose will not only prevail but the whole team will experience it.

The stay at Comfort Inn is not bad. Our tired bodies are experiencing God’s extra grace and strength. I developed my throat irritation since two days. Please pray for healing.

The Team Arrives – Delhi

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From Ryder Kumar – Oct. 22 – 2011

Twenty four hours ago, Ryder arrived Delhi safely. This time it was bit unusual to leave LA for India. The stress, heaviness in the heart due to issues in the ministry was intensified by the cancellation of American airlines flight to Chicago. It was yet another opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness and He being in ‘control’  as the airlines rescheduled a flight by the United Airlines. There was a good time of witnessing to an elderly lady of Texas flying from Chicago to Delhi. The journey was for 18 hours. Joining Ryder was Flory from Mumbai (meeting at the same airport) and followed by this David and Mindy Nelson and Raelene flew from Bangkok to Delhi’s international airport where one could see a sea of cars, pollution and a mob of people. It was a special joy to see and meet each other. Hearing the news of CCI’s marvelous work in SE Asia has become a great motivation to pursue such a modeling ministry in India. An assembly in Delhi is waiting for David’s two messages. Early Monday the team leaves for Lucknow to meet, fellowship and train about 45 pastor from several states of North India. Please pray for all that has happened and all that is going to happen.

Ministry Report from Hyderabad

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Hyderabad : The Seminar held from Feb 28th thru March 4th was attended by 48 participants. One can observe how well dressed they are, looking healthy and more diligent to grasp what is being taught. Ravi and Timothy have taught couple of sessions and Dr. Vijay and Timothy helped in the translation. On the last day, everybody received book # 5 to prepare for the Fall seminar of 2011. There was a special glow on the faces of the participants giving an impression of their grasp of studies and a sense of being more equipped for the ministry in the churches. The course was taught passionately to enable the participants not only dive into the course book but be able to teach the truth in their areas. The center where we had the seminar has upgraded with better lighting, cleanliness and air-conditioning. Food provided here was excellent superseding the previous times. The management was so kind that they didn’t charge for an extra day for guest room and a room and food provided for the board meeting held on the 5th.

From Ryder Kumar

Ministry Report from India

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Here is a brief report from Lucknow: The participants have come from different states of North India. Right now we are in the midst of the seminar. The other two teachers are laboring (labored) with burden, being conscientious, caring and sound in teaching. The group of 38 are being equipped to be better in their teaching, approach in their counsel and be able in teaching the Truth in  congregations. These lives are impacting thousands of people. the churches are increasing and the number in the churches are growing. I believe that STN is contributing significantly in outreach, making disciples and equipping the trainers. I am honored to be part of this program. I am humbled by the group of people who are raising funds, donating funds and praying with burden back at home. the other day I mentioned about Joseph Samuel who helps in the ministry of gathering items for World’s for Sale for STN. This is no way a insignificant ministry. The donating of free miles for my international trip too is so significant in the whole ministry. I didn’t even meet the guy who donated this. I am humbled by such generous people that we have back at home churches. It has been a great encouragement to speak to the Browns, the Leinens prior to my teaching at the first session. These couples are of such an encouragement to me and I don’t know what I would have been without them and their support.

Yesterday when I requested the whole group to pray and one senior pastor led in prayer interceding for Paul Brown the whole group joined with burden and affirmed with their voices.

I am very tired but not missing any session to teach except for yesterday when I observed that Kishore was doing an excellent teaching requested him to do one of my session. This helped me to rest for an hour in the afternoon. I am also interviewing different ones and these testimonies are so uplifting. These participants are working in remote villages with lot of inconveniences and struggles. Their needs are genuine. Please pray that the Lord would supply. As a receptive of motor bike, Bramhanand is now able to visit 20 villages  but is unable to provide the converts and contacts a place of worship. He doesn’t have any church building. Tej who is receiving monthly support is distributing with three other workers in Nepal because others don’t receive any money. Balleshwar, a tribal guy who dances while sings has the same problem of having no place for Worship for the people he ministers. These are only couple of examples.

Much love, I remain

His Servant (slave) with eternally grateful,

Ryder[slideshow]

…God undertakes when you PRAY

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We took David to a doctor yesterday. His was neither dengue nor bird flue. PTL. The medicine was given. And in overnight David is alright and back into teaching from yesterday afternoon. Many have died in Lucknow due to dengue. Couple of pastors couldn’t make it to the seminar due to sickness. Laxman Paul too is sick (Kanpur guy).  The ones present are taking very keen interest. There have been many questions that are being answered as David and I are pouring out hearts to see these men become good expositors. I am enjoying this teaching a  lot. There is good stuff in the course book.

This is the fourth course book and happens to be one of the most important one that we are teaching during this seminar. The participants in Hyderabad have thoroughly enjoyed, especially the practical session on how to do weddings. One of the participants who has the license to marry, married Ravi and Shanthi. [See photos in previous blog entry.] The whole group went into laughter but understood the meaning, conducting the marriage and the biblical truths. There are lot of practical sessions on preaching which is another segment that people enjoyed.

The most difficult part that the team had was travel from Hyderabad to Delhi when we were informed that the connecting flight was cancelled. When we went to bed that night it was already 11 p.m. we had to wake up at 3 in the morning and go to the airport to catch flight at 5.30 a.m. in order to be ready for the seminar at 8.30 a.m. After a hectic schedule at Hyderabad we were very tired and need a good rest but the circumstances didn’t allow us. But these challenges that we encountered never distracted our focus on teaching and accomplishing the tasks. God’s grace, strength and power were abundantly manifested as an answerer to prayers of His people. You may not imagine how God undertakes when you PRAY.

Praise and Prayer

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From Ryder:

Praise items:

  1. The Lord’s blessing on the seminars as there is an increased interest, interaction, and diligence among the participants.
  2. Though there was a commotion due to misinformation at Hyderabad about cancellation of connecting flights from Delhi to Lucknow the Lord helped us in arranging alternatives and reach Lucknow seminar on time.
  3. David Nelson who got sick and was forced to rest for a day is now healed and back into teaching.
  4. The Lord undertook for my preaching last Sunday despite of tiredness and hectic schedule.
  5. There had been protection and safety all through until now.

Prayer requests:

  1. There is dengue fever around. Couple of participants couldn’t make it in the North due to sickness.
  2. Participants at Hyderabad went with refreshed minds from the study on preaching and pastoral ministry. Pray that they will be reminded constantly about the qualifications of a pastor, preaching methods, sample messages that they learnt and serious responsibility of being a pastor/elder.
  3. Pray for the Nelsons as they travel back on the 30th morning.
  4. In all I am preaching 40 times in various locations in India. Please pray for a powerful ministry of the word.

…teaching passionately and with burden

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From Ryder Kumar:

Here is a brief news from India as I just got an opportunity and access for internet.

Hyderabad Seminar went extremely well. People were more receptive than before. Both David and I enjoyed teaching. We enabled the participants to ask questions and there were many. The power went off only twice for a very short time. Interpretations were good. David and I preached at different churches. I preached at Ravi’s place. There was commotion at the Hyderabad airport because of a misinformation from the check in counter about the cancellation of connecting flight from Delhi to Lucknow on the 24th. So we got our tickets canceled, bought fresh tickets for Delhi – Lucknow. We stayed at Abraham’s home in Delhi instead of hotel (saved lot of money!) and at 3 a.m. we got ready to leave for Delhi Airport. We chose this schedule in order to be at the seminar by 8 a.m. on the 25th. The flight to Lucknow was good.

Unfortunately, the exchange rate went down. It was Rs 41 at our arrival in Delhi. But I managed to get more in Hyderabad. I went with Ravi to my old place and got @ Rs 44.20. This was a bit of relief as the prices of Hyderabad Conference went bit high.

Lucknow seminar is going on. There are 32 participants. The enthusiasm, interest and cooperation from the participants has been encouraging. Please pray as David got suddenly sick since yesterday. He rested at the hotel the whole day. But as he still felt unwell, I advised him to continue rest. Mindy suggested if we should get a doctor. I am working on that right now. Meanwhile by this noon David began to feel better from his throat, fever etc. I am glad that I administered the right medication. He should be able to teach from 4 p.m. sessions.

Meanwhile all the sessions are going on well. We are pouring out our hearts in teaching passionately and with burden.

October 2010 Mission Trip – Report from our Regional Director

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This seminar Oct 2010 was very well appreciated and each participant has shown much interest in every class. As the seminar was mainly focused on the preacher and his messages, each session was interesting.  Bro.David and Bro.Ryder made practical insights into preparing Biblical messages.

When the time came for preaching messages to a particular group in which they were divided, everyone came forward with enthusiasm when their turn came.  The main focus was on the introduction, main theme, body content and conclusion, which everyone adhered to with great care. They knew that this would help them as they go back to shepherd their flocks. When the time for airing their doubts was given, many wanted their doubts clarified, and Bro.David and Bro.Ryder each came out with biblical answers to the questions raised.

Conduction of funerals was one of the interesting things that David enlightened with a few of his personal experiences, and shared that this was one of the important occasions of reaching out with the Gospel to the unsaved.  The words “Funerals and memorial service are for the living but not for the dead” was one of the important paraphrase which highlighted the session.

Also a practical marriage was arranged to give the first hand procedure to conduct marriages. (Here I would like to add that it was a surprise for me to be called to the conference hall and my DAD RYDER leading me through the aisles to my bridegroom, Ravi. It was full of fun as Pastor G. Yohanu conducted our marriage again. Attached a few pictures). In this context, most of the participants queried about the marriage between a believer and a non-believer, and Bro.David was emphatic enough to suggest that a God fearing pastor should not conduct such marriage.

Counseling was one of the topics which was a new subject, hitherto unknown to the participants, as most of them come from rural background. David emphasized that this was a most important job a pastor has to do with the foundation based on God’s word, who is our good counselor.

[slideshow]