Throughout the week, believers meditated on the suffering and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, understanding it as God’s ultimate expression of love and the payment for humanity’s sins. Scriptures such as Isaiah 53:5 – “By His wounds we are healed” – and John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world…” – guided their reflections.

On Good Friday, congregations remembered the words of Christ from the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30), acknowledging the completed work of redemption.

Easter Sunday was celebrated with joy and hope, declaring the risen Christ, as the angels proclaimed in Luke 24:5–7, “He is not here; He has risen!”

Romans 4:25 and 1 Corinthians 15 served as reminders of the significance of Christ’s resurrection for the justification and eternal hope of all believers. The gatherings strengthened the unity of churches and revived the mission to proclaim the Gospel with boldness and love.

Drawing from the example of Jesus, who exemplified sacrificial love and care for His flock, leaders were reminded of their vital role in nurturing and guiding God’s people.

The Bible highlights the importance of shepherding with compassion and integrity. In John 10:11, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This profound model of selflessness serves as the foundation for every ministry leader to emulate, showing that true shepherding requires commitment, sacrifice, and a deep love for those entrusted to their care.

Additionally, 1 Peter 5:2-3 encourages leaders to shepherd “the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”

The call to shepherd with a heart of service, humility, and compassion is central to fulfilling the Great Commission. As leaders step into this role with the heart of a shepherd, they will help guide their communities into deeper faith and stronger relationships with Christ.

“Ministry leaders must always reflect on the heart of the Shepherd, in everything they do,” it concluded.

The general office stated that every local church must adhere to the safety protocol and guideline issues by their local authorities and if Christmas Carols is allowed, it should be done, if not, it should strictly adhere to the protocols, it stated.

Chrismas is the most joyful time of the year for Christians around the world and Christmas Carols are held days before Christmas leading to the Christmas celebration on December 25 every year.

Local churches often visit homes to sing beautiful Carols like ‘Jingle bells,’ Silent Night, O Come all ye faithful, and many other Christmas carols.

The general office stated that the local churches must be aware of the guideline from the local authorities and follow it strictly for the safety of them and people around them.

May you all have a blessed Christmas!

(Photo: File Photo of Christmas Carol in New Delhi by church members in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi)

Many youths across the country have attended the Bible studies which are in expository in nature allowing many youths to have a thorough understanding of the Holy Scripture in its original context.

The marathon Bible studies in Old Testament begun from the first book of Genesis and it is currently going on in the book of Joshua, the sixth book in the Bible.

The New Testament study was launched later and the book of Matthew was the first one that the learners learn in its original context with deep application with spirit-filled studies. They are currently in chapter 13.

The Bible studies are freely given with counselling free of cost.

Interested individuals and groups may contact the general office for the same.

(Photo: File photo of the screenshot of Youth online Bible studies by inJesus Netowrk, the outreach arm of Olivet Assembly of India)

(Olivet leadership training in Kolkata from January 11-15, 2021)

The training was held with SOP in place.

The leadership training was an important one for the upcoming leaders and the Olivet Assembly of India continues to train its members and leaders continuously.

The topic covered included the discipleship, church planting techniques, good leadership practice, good strategies in missions, personal integrity, servant leadership and others.

May the Lord continue to bless the churches and its leaders.

Teaching materials were obtained freely from Sewa Bharat, thanks to this wonderful and precious ministries towards kids in the country.

Summer VBS in Delhi

Many study materials were provided freely by Samaritan’s Purse, to the delight of the teachers and students and their parents alike.

Summer VBS in Delhi

Summer VBS in Delhi

During the summer break, the children who were drawn mainly from the neighbourhood were able to learn many life-impacting and changing lessons from the Bible.

The retreat was mostly attended by working professionals and the main speaker was Pastor Peter.

The short two-day retreat was loved by the church members who could experience not only deeper word of God but also the cool weather of Mussoorie.

The attendants heard series of messages on “Arise, Shine”.

One of the main mission of the church is to be the salt and light to the city and the speaker explained that this could be achieved only when the true light that gives light to everyone – Lord Jesus comes into our life and change us; and when his light shines on us and we will be able to shine naturally to others. “We will become the light to the world naturally,” the speaker said.

“Without this true light, we cannot shine truly in this world. He has come already, we must accept this true light and this light becomes ours and we will shine truly,” he said.

The attendants were very happy that the management team of the retreat centre was so kind to them and they treated them in a special way.

“Just by looking at the team and staff of the retreat centre also we could feel Christ-likeness in them and when we study God’s words we could feel that we are in the right place. We could learn many important aspects of the finished works of Christ. We just need to believe and have faith in Him fully,” said one attendant.

Churches in New Delhi as well as Kolkata are preparing to hold Summer Retreats in hill stations near by. Hill stations like Nainital, Mussoorie and others -few hours journey from Delhi will be chosen to host the retreat for Delhi church, Kolkata is looking for hill stations in the northern part of the state like Darjeeling and its surrounding beautiful areas. Other churches in the South are also expected to join them in this endeavour.

During summer retreats, the churches hope that they can relax at the cool hill stations, being freed from all distractions and disturbance and learn God’s words and encounter the resurrected Lord so that he may be praise and worshipped which he alone deserves.

May the Lord Almighty bless the churches and may the name of Jesus be lifted up through their planned summer retreats.

For a change, the church organised a special program for children where they performed many beautiful dances to the tune of gospel and Christmas carol songs.

Nearly 200 people participated, majority of them were children. The church hope that such celebration will culminate in drawing people to Christ where they can find comfort and blessings from the Lord.

The church also conducted mid-night service which was well attended by adults and senior members of the church.

Several churches in Venezuela sent letters that describe the desperate situations that people face and requested prayers for Lord’s intervening grace to improve the reality.

Amid numerous trials and issues, OA Venezuelan church leaders and members showed unwavering faith in the Lord who works for the best outcome in impossible situations. In the city of Caracas, the pastor pointed to the verses in Exodus 3: 1- 5 and spoke to congregants, “to understand how to distinguish between the sacred and the common.” In spite of chaotic situations of the country, believers are called not to lose the heart of reverence in the Lord until He reveals His complete plan in His saving work.

Another church with the same name, Emmanuel, located in the city of Puerto Ordaz, also delivered a strong message to highlight God’s grace that never stops overflowing. Samuel Diaz, one longtime church member, said, “In days I ask God for His help as I was going through so many tribulations. Today, the Lord spoke to me powerfully that He has a control of everything, being the Lord of His ship.”

Even though there are much turmoil and disarray in the background, OA Venezuela church members steadily gather for all services and keep their faith that God will fulfill a greater work for the country and their life.

The recent situations of Venezuelan churches called for more attention in OA North America to lay out cooperative projects to aid and help congregations. Prayer teams in the organization constantly pray for the safety and well-being of member churches as well as for a brighter future. More efforts are being made to find practical pathways to support OA Venezuelan churches by sending more staff and launching new business teams.

The pastor of Emmanuel in Los Teques, Venezuela, addressed, “It is not just a time of sorrow but a time of reassurance to realize what Paul the apostle meant, I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for everyone who believes.”