SOUTHERN ASIA DIVISION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
SABBATH SCHOOL PERSONAL MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT
LAY CONGRESS 2014
November 5-9, 2014
Raymond Memorial Higher Secondary School- Falakata, West Bengal
Southern Asia Division wide Lay Congress was held from November 5-9, 2014 in Raymond Memorial High School at Falakata, West Bengal by Sabbath School Personal Ministries Department. This Lay Congress was held after ages of 30. It is an historic event! 1300 delegates were gathered and overflowed the meeting hall from all parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Andaman and Maldives. The meeting started on November 5 at 04:00 pm with prayer, airborne color balloons, multicolored march procession with flags and banners by Unions, Fields and Division Institutions delegates to the meeting hall. The Lay delegates were seated according to the units. The theme of the Lay Congress was “SERVICE BEYOND COMMITMENT”.
The inaugural ceremony address was given by the Division Executive Secretary, Dr. Gordon Christo. After Spiritual Manna, delegates were fed with appetizing supper and retired after the prayer bands.
Next day the meeting started with devotion by Pastor Chelladurai, Southeast India Union President, who stressed the point of Missionary doctor’s daughter Madam Ida Scudder’s vision and the humble beginning of the Christian Medical College in Vellore. Dr. Gordon Christo had taken the first session. His message had decorated a picture of SDA church history and how the SDA message penetrated to India by the missionaries with their sacrifices. Every session was begun with language Special group devotional songs by lay delegates.
Dr. Edison Samraj presented a message on the topic “Building the Church”. He stressed the seven point objectives of the church members.
The delegates were divided to attend different seminars, designed by Pr. Hidayat Masih, SSPM director. The seminars were held in nine rooms with the assigned topics by the resource personnel. Afternoon Pastor Daniel Devadas presented on the topic “Small Group Ministry.” Without laity the work will not be completed. Lay members should have to extend their hands in strengthening the work of Southern Asia Division to reach millions people of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Andaman and Maldives. Dr. Franklin Samraj, HR and Health Director of SUD, had taken a session on ASI how are the Lay persons connected to the historic aspect of the church. Then the lay members of SDA had joined and formed an association of Adventist service of Lay Members in India and elected the officers of ASI in India.
November 7th morning the day started with devotion by pastor Maywald Jesudass who stressed the power of the Holy Spirit working among the members How the Holy Spirit empowered work in the first century Christians. He was presenting it powerfully he could not complete talk but he promised he will complete in the next session. ASI resource personnel, Elder Ronald Oliver, had presented a topic on “Role of Laities in the church growth.” Lay delegates were dismissed to attend Seminars which were held by different resource personnel with the assigned topic in the assigned venue. Afternoon session was taken by Dr. Justus Devadas who stressed on the topic “Benefit of Adventist Education”. He also presented what Spicer Adventist University can do for the young people of the Church. During the vesper meeting, Dr. Jeremiah preached about power of prayer in the part of the members which strengthen. He presented some striking examples.
The Sabbath started with immense multitude of delegates’ songs and prayers on time. The union Sabbath School department directors had organized the Sabbath school program. Lesson study was conducted by a panel led by lay leaders of the church.
Pastor R John, Division President, delivered the message during the Divine hour. He challenged the members for the unselfish and whole hearted help toward the work of God. He presented gospel commission and our commitment to fulfill the task. After noon we had prayer session led by Dr. S Johnson, Director of Hope Channel and Dr. John Stephen, Director of Jeeva Jyothi Medical Ministry. The Sabbath afternoon, the Commitment Service was piloted by R John. Our Laities were committed themselves to serve the Lord beyond their service. The last event was a climax of the cultural program was presented by RMHS students and delegates from various states.
November 9th, the final day, Sunday had arrived for the closing ceremony. Pastor Maywald Jesudass, English Church Pastor, Hosur, had taken the morning devotional message. Pr. Hidayat Masih, the organizer of Lay Congress event, gave a vote of thanks to each and every participant, resource personnel, assistant; RMHS school Staff, faculty and the Principal. He thanked specially the Hope Channel Director, Dr. S Johnson and his team for their untiring performance on focusing cameras, recording, editing, lighting, sound proofing the whole event of the Lay Congress as history. This will help us to rewind and review this event in future. We as team thank God for His presence and His Holy Spirit guidance throughout the program.
Our Laities were equipped, trained, inspired and fed with spiritual manna as well as physical food by this Lay Congress. This will pave a way for them to serve the Lord beyond their commitment in their respective venue to spread the word of God to their neighbor and to their community. They may be longing to expect like this event in the future. Kindly remember our laities and their performance to serve the Lord in your special Daily Prayers. Amen!
