34TH SESSION OF EMMANUEL TAMIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NOV 6-7, 2009
IN THANKING GOD for the privilege of serving Him and His people as President of Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC), the Rev James Nagulan reiterated the Conference theme for the Quadrennium 2008-2012: “Building a Community of Saints” (Jude 1:20-23) and the theme for 2010: “Established in Holy Faith” (Eph.3: 16-17).
However, with the relatively small size of ETAC, the challenges facing it are perennial, although a number of programmes have been successfully conducted.
Among them, the Festival of Praise drew many participants and has become an annual Conference event for corporate thanksgiving and celebration of God’s love and grace. Revival meetings were well attended, as was a seminar on evangelism. The Board of the Laity organised several quarterly prayer meetings and retreats and camps, thereby bringing local church members in a closer fellowship.
In the area of Missions, short-term mission trips were organised to
The Conference is glad to have the active support of the WSCS in providing leadership in Bible study. Those who have joined in these groups have benefited from the discussions and gained spiritual growth. The women have also taken the lead in Missions, particularly in their work in
Some areas which are being developed include the introduction of a Youth Director to start Conference Youth Work, although it is hoped that local churches will come together to minister to the youth in a more meaningful way. The two Boards, Discipleship and Nurture and Archives and History, have been neglected and await new leadership.
Opportunities for an enlarged ministry continue to present themselves. For nearly 20 years, many of ETAC’s committed members, some of whom are full-time workers with the Asia Evangelistic Fellowship, have been ministering to the growing migrant church-population with regular worship services and visits to their hostels. New ministries catering to the Telugus, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis are envisaged.
Similarly, the challenge to minister to the international students and expatriate community continues to grow and the New Ministry Initiatives committee was tasked with the responsibility. Initial success in the first three years has been curtailed as the Conference is unable to employ a full-time staff to work among the students and expatriate community.
Yet another challenge is the 4/14 Window – teenagers who have been captivated by the world of media, and fed with messages that even children from strong Christian families may be turned away from the Faith. There is need to begin the ministry among children as young as four and to use new and creative methods to teach them how to retain Christian values and keep the faith in this world, especially at an age when they are most receptive.
In closing his remarks, the Rev Nagulan expressed his gratitude to those who stood by him and encouraged him when he was re-elected as Conference President, despite resistance from a small group of people. By God’s grace he would continue to serve as long as he was faithful to God who had given him this ministry.