10 Volume 6 Issue 9 September 2016 The Lord says, “ I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you. Psalm 32:8 Jesus has been the Greatest Teacher who ever walked on this earth! And the Greatest Teacher who ever will be to all eternity. What a privilege to know this Teacher as our personal Saviour. Our social development actions Our social development 1 Friends Focus September 2016 September 5th is celebrated as Teachers’ Day every year from 1962 in India for the appreciation of teachers. The day commemorates the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan, a philosopher and a teacher par excellence, and his contribution towards Indian education system. Dr Radhakhrishnan believed that "teachers should be the best minds in the country". On this day, we gratefully remember the great educationist, apart from honoring all the teachers who have made our life much more knowledgeable and fulfilled, as serving as our beacons of light. In this tradition, FMPB also serves many young minds who are deprived of their right to get educated, by providing quality education and other needed things for a child. In addition to running children homes, day care centers and primary schools we also run two English Medium Schools in Gujarat and Jharkhand in the neediest districts. Thus far, 192 children have completed their 10th std and 83 have completed their 12th std. from the Jhavda school in Gujarat. Mr. Fulesh Bhai and Mr. Phoolchand Bhai, the alumni of the school, have completed their M.Sc. Biology and secured the University first and third rank respectively. The school in Pandeni, Jharkhand also serves the needy Malto community children and 5 of them have completed their Engineering courses. A few number of students from these schools have joined us as missioanries. FMPB is humbly fulfilling its part in nation building. I would like to share with you something which is burdening my heart. I was in Thildega, Chhattisgarh to conduct a 5 days’ workshop for 24 missionaries serving the Lord in that remote place. Within the span of 5 days, out of the 24 missionaries participated, 5 missionaries caught malaria and became seriously ill. Our missionaries working in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Asom are repeatedly affected by malaria, yet serving the Lord cheerfully. FMPB appreciates your sincere prayers for the missionaries who are carrying the light of gospel in the darkest places. Deuteronomy 32:2 “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” 2 Friends Focus September 2016 The task of the modern educator is not to cut down FRIENDS FOCUS is the official organ jungles, but to irrigate of Friends Missionary Prayer Band deserts. (FMPB). - C.S. Lewis FMPB is an indigenous Missionary Movement presenting the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to unreached The disciple is not above people groups in India. his master: but every one FMPB serves as an arm of the Church that is perfect shall be to plant Churches across the country. as his master. FMPB does saturation evangelism - Luke 6:40 among various people groups. FMPB invites Churches, institutions, My mother was a Sunday families and individuals to pray and support its work. school teacher. So I am a For remarks, recommendations and requests byproduct of prayer. [email protected] My mom just kept on praying for her son. - Steve Harvey A monthly blossom of FMPB If any of you lack wisdom, Publisher & Editor let him ask of God, that Rev. D. Simon Ponniah SUBSCRIPTION INDIA FOREIGN giveth to all [men] liberally, Annual Rs.100 Rs.600 and upbraideth not; and it Life Rs.1500 Rs.5,000 H.Q: 29, High School Road, Ambattur, shall be given him. Chennai - 600 053 - James 1:5 Tel: +91-44-2657 0404 Fax: 2657 3353 Cell: 9444394342 E-mail: [email protected] Teachers can change lives Web site: www.fmpb.co.in Layout and Preparation: with just the right mix of Communication Dept., fmpb chalk and challenges. - Joyce Meyers Friends Focus September 2016 3 ear partners Din the mission, Loving greetings in our Lord’s Holy Name! Let me share from my meditation of Psalm 67. a) God’s Blessing: Vs. 1 Verse one speaks of God blessing us and looking at us with a countenance filled with joy, - They praise and worship which is a way of understanding God Vs. 3,5 the phrase, ‘to make his face - They experience the joy of shine upon us’. God blesses up being justly ruled by God and he is happy to do that. Vs. 4a b) The purpose of the - They are under God’s Blessing Vs. 2 guidance Vs. 4b God’s blessings are not meant to d) The cycle goes on Vs. 6 be contained within us. God’s We are further blessed, materially purpose in blessing us is that we as well Vs. 6 and the people of might make known his ways and the earth fear the Lord Vs. 7. I am salvations to all people. indeed thankful to god for many c) The outcome of the of you I meet day in and day Blessing Vs. 3 – 5 out who have been abundantly blessed by God and hence are The result or outcome of people eager to partner with us as a way coming to know of God’s of sharing God’s blessings so salvation and ways is that that God’s ways may be known on earth. 4 Friends Focus September 2016 Ministry Development Punjab visit Council Meeting All our missionaries serving in This is a forum within FMPB Punjab gathered from the `10th to plan and discuss strategies to the 13th of August at Faridkot for the ministry both on the for three days of fasting and expansion and consolidation prayer and a day of planning fronts. This met on the 4th and for the way ahead. All of them 5th of August and God gave us a left with two sets of plans, one long range and a short duration for expanding the ministry and plan to keep the ministry on the the other for strengthening the path of growth. Our mobilization fruit of our ministry so far. Pray staff will share details of these specially for our missionaries to plans with you. Pray for the as they work hard to carry out implementation of these plans. these plans. National three days Fasting Thanks for your continued & Prayer prayers and support. As informed in last month’s Yours in Christ, issue, three days of fasting and prayer were observed on the 12th, 13th and 14th of August at several places in our mission field and in our prayer groups. Sudarshan Thomas CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT NEEDED Chartered Accountant (CA) needed for FMPB to work in HQ. Qualification : CA (Chartered Accounant) and born again Christian. Place of Work : HQ (Ambattur) Work : To help the Finance Department by suggesting the accounting system and Internal Auditing. Brothers/Sisters are welcome to apply. Apply to HRD FMPB, 29, High school Road, Ambattur, Chennai 600053 Friends Focus September 2016 5 My dear brothers and sisters, ‘What kind of FMPB movement we want to have ?’ nurture a prayer movement, that will This is a question that encourages and be an enormous blessing to every challenges each one of us to orient person in India. We want to mould a our intentions and aspirations, our fellowship movement, where there is expectations and hope about the FMPB overflowing unity and love, integration and movement. collaboration. We want to script a national More than 50 years ago, God gave missions movement with a national vision, our founding fathers and our leaders, a involving leaders from every language and grand vision to build and nurture a noble tribe, every region and community. Yes, missionary movement, that will proclaim FMPB stands committed to do this and the Gospel, work for the revival of the we seek your whole hearted support. ‘Let churches and teach Christians their duty us rise up and build’ to spread God’s love. How do we take this Where no one is willing to go and help God-led movement forward in achieving transform the society, be it valleys or the God-inspired vision ? How can we mountains, tribal or backward areas, make this movement a great blessing to villages or slums, we want to be there the whole nation ? and give hope and light to the people We want to strengthen and enlarge FMPB of our land. It was due to the committed as a model movement, with Jesus model missionaries like Bro. Durairaj, Bro. of governance and servant leadership.. Jeyaraj, Bro Paul Kannan, Bro Johnson We want to build and sustain a noble Barnabas, Bro Israel Davadoss and mission movement, that serves noble other missionaries, today, we purposes, irrespective of caste, colour, see a transformed and joyful creed, region or gender. We want to community among Malto 6 Friends Focus September 2016 and Kukna tribes. It was due to the families should be overflowing with love, faithful leaders like Bro Emil Jebasingh, care and hospitality. The people of our Bro P Samuel, Bro Theodore Williams, nation should be filled with God’s love Bro Sam Kamalesan, Bro Patrick Joshua, and holiness. Bottom line is that when Prince annan and others, today we see God’s children are involved, there shall be a new generation of God’s children being God’s Kingdom, filled with abundance of nurtured and developed. It was due to creativity and productivity, righteousness the countless prayer group leaders and and truthfulness.