The Fields are Ready, Are we?
- By Leslie Verghese, LCSW
- Published 01/7/2009
Leslie Verghese, LCSW
Leslie Verghese is the Executive Director of Agape Partners International and the Vice President of a premier Social Service agency in New York. Rev. Verghese is a licensed psychotherapist and is also a minister at the Shalem Tabernacle in Elmont, NY. Married to Jessy and has four children, Japhia, Joshua, Johana and Jaynah. He can be contacted at lverghese@agapepartners.org.
Agape conducted its first overseas missions trip in February. The goals of the trip was to strengthen youths and families, empower and families and churches for missions and establish unity among believers. Dr. Thomas Idiculla, Rev. Leslie Verghese, Dr. Kris Jackson, and Sister. Debra Jackson joined hands with scores of ministers and lay leaders as the team crisscrossed UK, UAE and India in a three week whirlwind tour. The tour kicked off in the United Kingdom, where a Family and Mission Seminar was held on Feb 3 at London, organized by the GM News and the London Pentecostal Church. Over 300 people and 18 pastors participated in this event. . The team continued its journey to the Middle East. On February 5, 6, and 7, Gospel Meetings were organized by the GM News, and the Sharjah Worship Center.
On to the gateway of India –Mumbai. A Youth Seminar on February 8 at New Bombay Alliance Church was organized by Seal India and the Christian Life Center. The same day, the team visited the Seal India Ashram, spent time with the residents and their caretakers, and shared the love of Jesus with them.
The crowning glory of the missions trip was the time spent at the heart of Agape’s mission work. From February 9 – 13 Gospel Meetings, Leadership Conferences, and the Bible School Graduation were held at various places. Fifteen people from Hindu background came to the Lord. The Gujarat Youth Meeting witnessed the inauguration of Computer and English Education Classes as well. Over 35 youths committed their life for Jesus at the open community meeting in Ahmedabad. Dr. Idiculla spoke to hundreds of youths and children in a community that has been affected by drugs and violence. About 50 leaders & pastors representing various churches and ministries attended the meeting with Bless Gujarat Network. The clearest evidence of the mission work in Gujarat bearing much fruit was this graduation ceremony of the Agape Bible Seminary. This year, the training center produced 43 committed young men and women who are now deployed in over 24 strategic locations to reach the unreached and plant churches.
Will a trip to India be complete without visiting ‘God’s own country – Kerala’? The missions team visited Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala on February 14 where a Family Seminar and revival meeting was organized by City Revival Church. As the culmination point of the trip, the team moved to Cochin, the financial capital of the state on February 17-18 for a Youth Seminar and evening power conferences, organized by Faith City Church. Over 300 youths registered for the one day seminar and majority of the attendees committed their lives for missions.
True, this was a great step in meeting the proposed goals. However, the mandate is so great that this effort is only a baby step and no where close to a giant leap in the extension of God’s kingdom. The fields are ready, Are you?
