5 Baptized In Hyderabad, India ~ January 2015

Truth Connect helped baptize five Indian Christ followers in January 2015.  The baptisms followed two training conferences in Hyderabad, India.  The Leadership Training Conference (LTC) had over 110 church leaders attend the three day conference (see earlier blog-post).  The three day Spiritual Life Conference (SLC) was hosted by Pastor Moses and Berea Baptist Church.  The baptisms were a result of God's grace and the fruit of this church's ministry.  Pastor Moses invited Don to teach on the meaning of Christian baptism at the pre-baptismal service.  He and Pastor Moses then conducted the baptism in a near-by water cistern.  What a beautiful and joyous event that glorified the Lord Jesus Christ.

Don teaches on the meaning of Christian baptism ~ Pastor Moses translates into Telugu.

Don and Pastor Moses in water cistern with a young man to be baptized.

Church and family members look down into the cistern to witness the baptisms.

After the baptism, those baptized met with the church for a fellowship meal.

Just Landed In Delhi, India

I just arrived into Delhi, India a few hours ago.  I'm here to lead Truth Connect's 3rd annual Leadership Training Conference (LTC) at Berea Baptist Church in Hyderabad next week.  The trip here from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA takes about 30 hours with layovers.  I'm now 10 1/2 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time but my body is hasn't caught up yet.  I'll spend about 30 hours in Delhi before moving on to Hyderabad.  I begin the week by preaching in Berea Baptist Church on Sunday.  This will kick-off a three day Spiritual Life Conference with the church.  We will be studying the book of Romans.  Then on Wednesday we will begin the LTC with church leaders from around the Hyderabad area. Pastor Moses is the host city coordinator for the SLC and LTC. Please keep us both in your prayers.

Pastor Moses is the Truth Connect LTC host pastor.

India - Spiritual Life Conference

Karen and I began conducting the third conference in two weeks on our India trip at the Berea Baptist Church, Hyderabad, India.  Pastor Moses shepherds this group of believers.  Each day about 100 people from the church and the local community attended the conference.  I taught three sessions each day that focused on why we can trust the Bible.  Karen taught one session each day that focused on the importance of the Christian family.

The ladies sit on one side of the sanctuary and listen intently during the Spiritual Life Conference.

The men sit on their side of the sanctuary and listen.

Dr. Don teaching on the trustworthiness of the Bible.

Karen teaches on the importance of the Christian home and Pastor Moses translates in Telugu.

Karen gives each lady at the conference a certificate of participation.

Dr. Don & Karen with the church youth group.

Dr. Don & Karen after teaching their lessons at Berea Baptist Church.

India LTC - Conference 2 Begins

After finishing our work with Dr. Sam and Star Open Bible Ministries, we moved to another part of Hyderbad for the second of three conferences.

Dr. Sam & Esther, Hepzibah & Jeffrey - wonderful hosts to the Schreiers.

Pastor Moses Kancharla and his family met us at our hotel with flowers and great joy.  After a time of fellowship and prayer, they hopped on the family motor bike for the 20 kilometer ride home.

Kancharla family (left to right) - Ratneh, Joshua, Moses, Enosh.

Truth Connect’s second annual Leadership Training Conference (LTC) - Hyderbad was held January 20 - 22, 2014.  Pastor Moses was the host Pastor and event coordinator.  Rehoboth Baptist Church (RBC) was the site for the second annual LTC that 127 church leaders attended. 

India Leadership Training Conference - 127 participants!

Pastor Zephaniah, RBC pastor, his family and church members worked daily to provide lunch and a comfortable environment for conference participants. 

Church ladies prepare lunch for conference participants.

Delicious food cooked on site.

Karen visits with the ladies in the kitchen.

The next few posts I'll be sharing various aspects of the LTC.  This church is located in a slum area, I'll take you on a walk through the community.

   

Hyberbad, India Update. 1.21.12

The Hyderbad Leadership Training Conference (LTC) averaged 40 pastors and leaders a day.  The LTC was hosted by Pastor Moses and the Berea Baptist Church.  The first session was a time for Pastor Ray and me to get to know the pastors.  Each one shared about the ministry, their family and preparation for ministry.  Most of them have received at least minimal training but a few had not been trained at all.  This knowledge helped Ray and me better serve and teach our seminars.

Pastors from the Hyderbad area come for training.

Pastor Ray was able to share from a wealth of ministry experience as he has served at Emmanuel Church in Johnstown, PA for 30 years.  He taught from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” and his messages were very well received. 

Pastor Ray teaching through Telugu interpreter, Pastor Moses.

My messages focused on Christ’s great commission found in Matthew 28:18-20.  My challenge to the leaders was to make disciple-makers and challenge every Christian in their church to be a disciple maker.  

Don and seminar participant.

At lunch time each day we enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the ladies.  They began preparing the food early each morning in order to serve the 40 plus participants. The meals were very good and very spicy.  I want to thank our Truth Connect and Emmanuel Church donors for helping to feed the church leaders.  

These ladies prepared excellent meals for the church leaders.

Two pastors enjoying lunch.  It is the custom to eat with your fingers.

At the end of the our time at Berea Baptist Church they had an appreciation / farewell service for Pastor Ray and me.  Pastor Moses and the church were so kind and gracious to us.  They gave us a traditional shawl and then a garland of flowers to honor us.  It was a very, very special send-off.

Don & Ray each receive a shawl and garland in honor and thanks for their ministry.

The church has invited us to come back to encourage and teach the church.  Pastor Moses has asked me to establish a Truth Connect training center for pastors here.  I will pray and seek the Lord’s guidance.

Church leaders who attended the leadership training seminars.

In my next blog I’ll be sharing from northern India near the foothills of the Himalayas.