The Indian Intercessory Prayer Group New England (IIPGNE) will be meeting March 13, 2010 from 9:30am to 1pm at YWAM Boston, 23 Farwell Street, Newtonville MA 02460. The primary focus of this gathering is to pray for the revival in New England region especially among the Indian community. In addition, the group will be praying for the various needs of brothers and sisters who are going through difficult situations. Feel free to contact the group with your special needs. All are invited to participate in this half day fasting prayer. IIPG-NE.

A new nationwide survey of Asian Indian youths, conducted by Agape Partners International, suggests that Indian youths who consider themselves to be Christian have Bible as the most influencing factor (40%) followed by Friends (22%), Parents (13%), Media (13%) and Church (12%).  The survey explored beliefs, the influence of faith on their life, views of the Church, Bible, and influence of media, moral choices. Full survey report coming soon.

 
In recent decades, group violence, especially communal violence, has become a recurrent theme in the lives of Indians in many parts of the country. Starting with the anti-Sikh massacres in 1984, communal violence has continued to challenge India’s secular credentials in the Ayodhya riots (1992), Mumbai bomb blasts (1994), Gujarat pogrom (2002), in the Orissa riots (2008). There is a rising phenomenon of terrorism, as seen in the  Mumbai terror attacks (2008), which lead to societal and State responses that centrally challenge secularism and rule of law. There is a dire need to study these forms of violence and the impunity enjoyed by its perpetrators. This workshop thus aims to fulfill a timely need to examine the roots and processes of such violence.

In the December issue of Emmanuel Research Review, Dr. Thomas Idiculla presents the preliminary results of a recent survey on the perceived needs for Christian counseling in the Boston area. This survey provides preliminary findings to assist churches, ministries, and counseling agencies in strategically addressing counseling needs. When do church leaders refer counseling to others? What are the most common counseling issues in Boston? What role should the church have in the counseling process? What are the barriers in obtaining Christian counseling? How might churches and counseling ministries collaborate to address counseling needs? As a preliminary survey and report, this is an initial investigation that begins to address a much larger realm of questions on the topic that could and should be expanded and refined in the future.

API just completed its recent mission trip to India. During  the two weeks, they did over 900 screening and 500 testing for sickle cell diseases. Some patients walked four hours to receive the screening. One community leader brought over 70 patients with sickle cell related symptoms. Most had never received any prior care. The team was overwhelmed by the warmth, friendliness, gratitude and smiles of helping the people in desperate need.  Shunmugabai said, "We are so grateful for the impact they made in our communities."

The 10th annual Ethnic Ministries Summit will be held in Boston on April 15-17, 2010. The Summit is sponsored by the Ethnic America Network, a catalytic coalition of Christian ministries and churches across the USA and Canada, in partnership with local Christian leaders, churches, and ministries.  Click here for Regional Website/Registration

Agape Partners International (API) is conducting its third mission tour from November 5 to Nov 19. This short term trip has two purposes: conduct medical camps in North India; and second, conduct leadership and family seminars in various Indian cities including Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Ahmadabad. These events are organized in partnership with local Christian churches and organizations in India.

The Atlanta chapter of API hosted a one day Marriage and parenting seminar on September 26, 2009, at  Atlanta Christian Assembly, Atlanta, GA. Dr. Thomas Idiculla took classes on effective parenting and Leslie Verghese, LCSW engaged the young people on God's Design for Marriage.

Boston Night of Worship is the rising united worship movement from the city of Boston. Over 30 worship leaders united on one stage across cultural, denominational, racial and social lines!  God is leading this team  to mobilize the college students and host the night of worship at one of the city’s top colleges, M.I.T.  Boston has the highest number of colleges/universities than any other city in the world.

Award winning historical Malayalam novel, Palam Thettiya Theevandi is now available online. This novel by Dr. E. C. Samkutty  is written in the background of the Pentecostal movement in India. There is a strong voice in this book against idol worship, veneration of  relics, and mediation through deceased saints. Dr Samkutty, Professor of English Literature, Educator and Author of six books.