Church of South India

Thursday, 19 July 2007 18:20

Main languages:

• Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu

Main religions:

• Hinduism (81%), Islam (13%), Christianity (2%), Sikhism (2%), others (2%)

Government:

• The Indian National Congress formed the government with the support of a dozen other parties in 2004. The government is known as the United Progressive Alliance.

National and community concerns:

• Marginalisation of outcastes (Dalits) and tribals.
• Environmental damage.
• The AIDS epidemic.
• High international debt.

Church priorities and programmes:

• Vision for Equipping Local Congregations in Mission (VELCOM) education programme.
• In-service training and reflection programmes for pastors.
• Healing ministry includes management of hospitals, community health care and education.
• Council for Child Care supervises hostels, orphanages, schools and centres for the handicapped.
• Development programme for Dalits.
• Providing pre-primary education facilities through the CSI women's fellowship.
• A national programme to help street children at urban centres is getting priority attention.

Members/Congregations:

• 3.8 million/14,000

Women's representation in church:

• Women are ordained. 30% representation of women at all committee, council and synod levels.

Youth activities:

• Youth conventions are organised for bible study and to promote evangelism.
• The department for youth focuses on training young people for leadership.

Missionaries sent and received through CWM:

• R S Nithya, teaching, to the United Church in Solomon Islands.
• Violet Jasmine and Ponnappan Milton, teaching, to the Kiribati Protestant Church.
• Rajaratnam Rajendran, management and teaching, to the Kiribati Protestant Church.
• Rev Dr Ragunta and Santha Yesurathnam, ITLD programme, to the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
• Koshy David, teaching, to the United Church in Solomon Islands (UCSI)
• Rev Dr Donald and Jeyachristie Samuel, theological education and teaching, to the Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa.

For more information:

• Mr M M Philip General Secretary

Website

• www.csisynod.com

Prayers:

• For the work against injustice and social inequality, especially among the Dalits.
• For Christians and other minorities persecuted by Hindu fundamentalists.
• That the church's campaigns will put the poor on the government's agenda.

Presbyterian Church of India

Thursday, 19 July 2007 18:20

The PCI is based in north east India, which is to the north and east of Bangladesh. Churches have extended to different parts of India due to the expansion of the PCI mission field and services.

Main languages:

• Khasi, Mizo, Thadou-Kuki Naga, Hmar, Biate, Zou, Manipuri, Vaiphei, Gangte, Hindi, Bengali

Main religions:

• Hinduism (81%), Islam (13%), Christianity (2%), Sikhism (2%), others (2%)

Government:

• The Indian National Congress formed the government with the support of a dozen other parties in 2004. The government is known as the United Progressive Alliance.

National and community concerns:

• Rising rate of drug abuse.
• HIV and AIDS crisis.
• People drifting from the countryside to the cities, causing employment and housing problems.
• High inflation rate.
• Inter-tribal fighting and insurgency.

Church priorities and programmes:

• Building projects to provide affordable accommodation and income for the church.
• Rescue homes for women.
• Relief and rehabilitation projects.
• Training and sending missionaries within the north-east and other parts of India.
• Healing ministry through hospitals.
• Reconciliation and witness with people of other faiths.
• Indigenisation of the life, work and worship of the church.
• Primary and secondary education through church schools and Sunday school.
• Unity within the seven synods of the church and with others.
• Better theological education for the development of Christian leadership.
• Rural-urban mission and evangelism.

Members/Congregations:

• 1,000,000/2,522

Women's representation in church:

• A number of theologically-trained women, but none ordained.
• Presbyterian Women's Fellowship has a biennial conference.
• 30% of funds collected by the church are from the women's fund - rice and firewood sales for mission, social work and free-will offerings.
• It sends two representatives to the executive committee and ten to the general assembly.

Youth activities:

• Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (PYF) has membership of over 100,000 and organises an annual conference, workshop, camp, and consultations on subjects like ecology, drug abuse, peace and justice.
• Youth in some synods have computer training centres and all organise seminars on modern social issues and send and support missionaries in different parts of India.
• It sends two representatives to the executive committe and ten to the general assembly.

Missionaries sent and received through CWM:

• Sapvengi and Rev Zaidarhzauva, social and pastoral work, to the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.
• Rachel Zote, teaching, to the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa.
• Vanlalthanpuii Chawngthu, teaching, to the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa.
• Lalengzami Chhakchhuak, teaching, to the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa.
• Dr Zochhuani Ralte and Dr Ramdinthara Sailo, medical work, to the United Church in Solomon Islands.
• Darity Kharwanlang, children and youth work, to the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar.
• Rebecca Ralte, HIV and AIDS education to the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar.
• Malsawmdawngzuali, teaching, to the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu.
• Lalliansangi, teaching, to the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu.
• Rev Hmar Sangkhuma, mission enabler, to the Presbyterian Church of Wales. Christian leadership.
• Rev Rodingliana and Zothanpari, school chaplain, to the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, Botswana.
• Rev Z John and Lalhmingsami Colney, pastoral work, to the Presbyterian Church of Wales.
• Lalramnghaki Fanai, teaching, to the Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa.
• Lalremthluangi Renthlei, teaching, to the Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa.
• Lianthluangpuii, teaching, to the Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa.
• Vanlalthawmi and Lalbiakhluna, teaching, to the Kiribati Protestant Church.
• Ramsangmawii Vohlu, teaching, to the Kiribati Protestant Church.
• Lalremmawii, teaching, to the Kiribati Protestant Church.
• Vanrammawii Hrhsel, teaching, to the Kiribati Protestant Church.
• Dr Lallawmzuali, medical work in Nepal, shared ecumenical appointment.
• Over 1,000 missionaries from the church serve in Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Orissa; 20 more serve in Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

For more information:

• Rev Fanai Laldawngliana, Administrative Secretary

Prayers:

• Give thanks for:
• The revival centenary celebration in April 2006.
• Pray for:
• The words and services of the PCI to proclaim the gospel.
• The spiritual renewal of church leaders, pastors and congregations.
• The social and economic empowerment of the weaker members of society.
• Peace, justice and harmony within the region.

Presbyterian Church of Myanmar

Thursday, 19 July 2007 18:20

Main languages:

• Burmese, Karen, Shan, Chin, Kachin, Mon

Main religions:

• Buddhism (89%), Christianity (4%), Islam (4%), Animism (1%), other (2%)

Government:

• Republic, ruled by a military-backed government since 1962. The National League for Democracy won 81 per cent of the assembly seats in multi-party elections in 1990, but was prevented from taking power. Since the 1988 civil disturbances, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) remains in control. In 1997, SLORC changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council.

National and community concerns:

• High inflation.
• Widespread corruption.
• Human rights and democracy.
• Education.
• Deforestation - two thirds of the tropical forest has been cut down.

Church priorities and programmes:

• Tahan Agape clinic serving the community.
• Theological education.
• Baby home for abandoned children.
• Literacy, literature fellowship and writers' workshops are promoted.
• Leadership development including laity, youth and women.
• Better theological education for pastors; expertise to help in local lay leadership training.

Members/Congregations:

• 29,500/230

Women's representation in church:

• No ordained women.
• Active in church programmes. Women are the main fundraisers for the mission outreach programme.

Youth activities:

• Presbyterian Youth Fellowship is organised at all levels from local church to synod. Their main contributions are in music, social action, bible study and education.
• The PCM sends youth delegates to the CWM East Asia regional youth forum each year.

Missionaries sent and received through CWM:

• Given local restrictions it is not possible for the PCM to receive missionaries. Of the 30,000 church members, 9,000 are to be found in local mission fields, supported by 65 full-time workers.

For more information:

• Rev Dr Lalengzauva, General Secretary

Prayers:

• Better theological education for pastors.
• Lay leadership training for men and women.
• Rural and urban mission programme.
• Self-reliance plan for self-government, self-propagation and self-support.

Presbyterian Church of Korea

Thursday, 19 July 2007 18:15

Main languages:

• Korean

Main religions:

• Christianity (26%), Buddhism (26%), Confucianism (1%) other (1%), no affiliation (46%)

Government:

• South Korea was established as a democratic republic in 1948 with power centralised in an executive president. Regional autonomy was established in 1995.

National and community concerns:

• Peaceful reunification of North and South Korea.
• Recovery from the current economic difficulties and the ensuing social disparity.
• Establishment of a just society, and fair distribution of wealth.

Church priorities and programmes:

• Mass evangelism and rallies.
• Distribution of Christian literature.
• Mission to hospitals, industrial areas, schools and prisons.
• Engaging in mission and partnership with churches nationally and around the world.
• Planting churches in rural and island areas of Korea.
• Social mission to the unemployed, homeless, differently abled, and foreign migrant workers.

Members/Congregations:

• 2,489,717/7,158

Women's representation in church:

• The PCK currently has 390 women pastors.
• The National Organisation of Presbyterian Women pools the resources of lay women in the PCK.
• Women Ministers' Association gives support and solidarity on major issues for women pastors and has been active in providing counselling for victims of domestic violence and abuses within the church.

Youth activities:

• PCK Youth organises a nationwide youth rally every two years.
• The Ambassadors of Peace in Asia training programme is sponsored by PCK Youth.

Missionaries sent and received through CWM:

• Rev Terry Jin and Yu-Kyung Kim, study and pastoral ministry, to Congregational Federation.

For more information:

• Rev Seong Gi Cho, General Secretary

Prayers:

• The mission to the unemployed, homeless, disabled, foreign migrant workers, hospitals, industrial areas, schools and prisons.
• The reunification of North and South Korea.
• Church planting in rural and island areas of Korea.
• The Women Ministers' Association, providing support to women pastors and counselling victims of domestic violence.
• Website:
• http://www.pck.or.kr/EngPage/eng_index.html