ICPF NEWS

NORTH INDIA STAFF MEET

The annual Staff Conference for our Staff from, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Rajasthan, Chathisghad, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Angelos III staff was held at Catholic Pastoral Centre at Hansol, Ahmedabad from 11'" to 13' July It was a blessed time of fellowship and sharing. During morning sessions there were talks on practical subjects related to ministry. Jacob Mathew, D. Joshua, Brig. G. Thomas, Rajan J. Asher, M.C. Joseph, Abraham Philipose and Joseph Joy ministered. Entire afternoon sessions were used for active interaction including review and evaluation of past performance, under various parameters, Amidst.. limitations and challenges, defining and setting future goals and prayerful planning for future setting definite goals in different areas were made. Our state Coordinator Geo Varghese also actively participated in the deliberations.

On 14th evening there was a meeting of CGPF well wishers from all churches in and around Ahemedabad city. Rajan Samuel our Associate State Coordinator for the State of Gujarat presided over the meeting. C. V. Mathai spoke of the relevance and role of CGPF Jacob Mathew spoke from the word of God. The unity and cooperation of the churches in Ahmedabad and their love and ownership of ICPF ministry are commendable.

On 15'" Sunday all the leaders and staff went in groups to various churches in Ahmedabad.

The organization skills of our State Coordinator Geo Varghese (an Engineer with a Masters Degree in Business Administration and C.E.0 of a Large Company) needs a special mention. He took off from his key role in his business for over a week and spent the whole days with us besides spending another week exclusively in ICPF ministry leading a team of our senior leaders and CGPF members for promotional visits to various parts of Rajasthan an example worth highlighting which needs to be emulated.

Musical Programme and Promotional Meeting in the Cities of Gujrat

Our State Coordinator and Associate State Coordinator for Gujrat Geo Varghese and Rajan Samuel were clearly guided by the Lord to conduct extensive Promotional/evangelical meeting and musical programme in various cities of Gujarat to evangelize the student community of these centers besides creating an awareness among believers on the need of student ministry in general and ICPF in particular.

The first of such meeting was held in the Catholic Church Community Hall in Nadiad. Despite unfavourable weather over 75 people gathered and God enabled to give a strong message through Jacob Mathew.

Many participants gave their lives to Jesus. Pastor Abraham T. G. and Titus Joseph (staff) organized the meeting.

The second meeting was at Anand on the 16t". Anand is an education center with over 30,000 students hailing from all parts of India as well as few foreign countries. The meeting was held in the town hall and over 350 students participated. Our Lord used Jacob Mathew in a mighty way despite his physical illness and over 70 students stood up and dedicated/rededicated for the Lord.

The next meeting was held at the Methodist Church at Baroda with a student community of over 40,000 of the M.S. University. Over 1300 participated. 36 young people committed their lives to the Lord for the first time in their lives. In all these meetings C. V. Mathai spoke about the ministry of ICPF Jacob Mathew ministered from the word of God. Angelos III (Delhi) team consisting of Finny, Sunny, Denny, James Padavath and Moncy together with two talented singer brothers Jerrin and Jebin from Ahemedabad led songs and worship.

Over 500 people attended the next meetings in Agleshwar and 600-700 in Surat. Young people in large numbers came to the Lord for the first time in their lives. Rajan Samuel, gave leadership for organizing these meetings. Our Staff workers Aji Markose, Titus Joseph and Finny Varkey have toiled for days together and did a commendable job for organizing these events. Their rapport with student community and churches is commendable.

Let us thank and praise our Lord for His love and concern for these troubled state due to which He enabled his servants in ICPF to involve in evangelization of student community in the above cities. All prise and honour be to his Holy name.

Karyavattom students retreat
A students retreat was held at C. S. I church Kazhakoottam for the Karyavattom University campus. Sam Zachariah shared from the word of God. Noel Samuel and Sujith Balu led the music session. Student leader Darwin L. Coordinated the meeting.

Vine-Branch fellowship
ICPF Trivandrum chapter started a city fellowship (Vine-Branch) on every Saturday (4 PM. to 5.30 PM) at Sathyan Memorable Hall. In the inaugural meeting of this fellowship Sam Zachariah and Joshin John ministered from the word of God. Student leaders, Hostellers and CGPF members are actively participating in this meeting.

Half day retreat
I C P F Kollam chapter conducted a half day retreat on June 29, at "Vyapara Bhavan" Karunagappalli. Prof. Oommen George took an excellent class on the topic "The authentic freedom." Pr. Syril Neronah (Stauros Kollam) led the singing sessions. 57 students participated in the retreat. Jaison Dani presided over the meeting. Few seniors also attended the programme.

Leadership Camp Eranakulam
CGPF conducted a student Leadership Camp at Youth Retreat Centre, Karingachira on June 20th and 21st. Representing various colleges in Eranakulam, 24 student leaders participated. Prof. Mathew P. Thomas, D. Joshua, VV Alexander and Prof. Oommen George took the classes in different sessions. The video biographies of St. Paul and John Huss, screened during the night sessions, really touched the hearts of all participants and this endeavour surely gave an additional thrust in them to live for Christ. The camp made such an impact on the student leaders that they were well convinced of their responsibilities and they took up the challenge to witness Jesus in their respective campuses.