CWM

Presbyterian Church of India

Thursday, 19 July 2007 18:20

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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.