Day Four - The Inaugural Ceremony

Today's excursus began with quite the schedule mishap. Our dear friend Sam [Stephens] mistakenly marked on our daily schedules that morning Bible study with the college students  begins at 6:00am. Much to our surprise - after meeting with the Bible study leader of the campus students at 6:00am - studies start at 5:30am. Talk about devotion (no pun intended)! India Gospel League gets serious when it comes to the Word!

After realizing that we were fashionably late,  Asap (ah - as in "say ah for a throat swab" and sop as in "sopping wet") - the Bible study leader - took us by motorcycle to the hostel where the students reside. Upon our arrival we were greeted by a beautiful landscape. Three hostels sit at the foot of a multi-kilometer long mountainous range that is breathtaking. After several minutes of staring off into the workmanship of God's hand, we decided to make our way up to the student's hostel.

Since we were late for the study, the students had already completed reading together, singing songs together, and interacting with one another in fellowship. "Who am I Lord that you would use me?" Talk about the humbling hand of the Lord...  Our time spent with the students this morning was focused on meeting the students and giving our testimonies. Tomorrow we begin our study. Pray that those who do not know Christ will come to Him in humility this week. "For I, if I am lifted up from the Earth, will draw all men to myself."

Post-morning activities included breakfast with our mom's and preparing for the WWM (Women With a Mission) National Conference (which our mom's are teaching at). After a solid breakfast of crepe like pancakes, oatmeal, and copious amounts of coffee, we made our way out to meet our driver who escorted us to the inaugural ceremony which kicked off the WWM conference. WWM was established by Prati Stephens (Sam Stephen's wife) in the late 90's as a way to empower women to become part of Jesus' "every member ministry." Prati sets a high bar for each one of the women who participate in these conferences. Prati exhorts that each one of these women undergo discipleship, daily Bible study and prayer, weekly fellowship, and giving the gospel to at least one non-Christian per month. Prati also encourages these women to become sacrificial givers of whatever they can to their local church (many are not IGL churches). Today there are over 45,000 women all over India that participate in WWM conferences, discipleship, church planting, and training programs. This particular conference is the national gathering of all female believers scattered across the nation. Many come from thousands of miles away and sleep outside, on the ground, in order to be part of this conference. Our mom's are teaching on the "body of Christ" along with Prati and several other indigenous women leaders and pastors.

The inaugural ceremony was one of the most beautiful things I have personally seen in quite some time. As we approached the Sharon Convention Center building (part of IGL) we were greeted by nearly 30 women holding multi-colored flags embroidered with "Women With a Mission." In the middle of these flags stood a deep in prayer Sam Stephens, who was the opening speaker for the inaugural ceremony. After prayer, the women marched inside the convention center and took their places on a stage with a large backdrop featuring the theme of the conference - the Body of Christ, a picture of our Lord, and a collage of photos encapsulating the multi-faceted work that has been accomplished by God through the India Gospel League. The ceremony was powerful. Hundreds and hundreds of women packed into the convention center auditorium. The ethos was unlike anything I have ever experienced. If there was ever a time where Matthew 18:20 and Matthew 28:20 could be experienced, it was in this room. After a powerful teaching from Sam Stephens - in both English and Tamil - several indigenous women leaders spoke. And man, are these women a testimony to the reality of continual work of Jesus Christ in history.

Lives given over to Jesus for the sake of advancing His kingdom and inviting others to join in the mission. Hearts that have been refined by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Individuals who have been broken free from the bondage of slavery to sin, death, and united with every humble heart that has received Christ's free gift offered on the cross. No description will ever be able to do justice to the power that radiated from that room. Women from all walks of life; Hindu's, Muslim's, severely impoverished, middle class, all gathered together for one purpose. All united in one Spirit. All fighting for the same goal. Most of these women have nothing according to the standard of the world. They don't think that. Everything they could ever need is with them day by day. His name is Jesus Christ, and His power to sustain the living body will never be trumped by materials that come from dust and return to dust. He is the sustainer of all things - living and non-living, He is the provider, the protector, the brother, the friend, the only person who will remain faithful to you even if you turn away.  Pray for these women, that their goal of giving the gospel to one other person a month would be fruit bearing. Pray for our mom's that their work with these women will empower them, encourage them, and motivate them to live daily for Christ.

After the inaugural ceremony we were supposed to meet with Sam Stephens and Pastor Benny to interview them, but we suppose that things came up that kept Benny and Sam busy. We spent most of the afternoon reading and editing video. We have so many pictures. So many videos. So many stories. And we have only been in India for four days. Tomorrow we have a packed day. Extended prayer time at the IGL office with the staff, the Vision 2000 monthly church planter's meeting, a visit to the Vishranthi Children's Home for story collection and updated photo's. Pray for us!