The following are the reports of the Bangalore ecclesia in The Christadelphian magazine from 1982 to 2010.
1981
In mid-August, Bro. Tim Galbraith journeyed south to Mandye, near Bangalore, and baptized Mr. Gurumurthy , one of a number of interested contacts in that area. He expects that at least two more of the group will take this essential step soon.
1982
May
Bangalore. —This ecclesia has recently been established on the removal from Whangarei (New Zealand) of the undersigned and his family to India. Previously only two local brethren lived here who met regularly together. Two more brethren reside at Mandya, 100 km away. We meet on the basis of the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith and extend our fellowship to all who do likewise. We were pleased to have with us ten brothers and sisters over recent weeks, all of whom were engaged in activities on behalf of the Australian Bible Mission (A.C.B.M.). During their visit three baptisms took place into the Saving Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. These we are pleased to record: on Jan. 3, J. Florence Tara Bai , wife of Bro. Chandu Das and Sis. (Miss) L. P. Maria Goretti , daughter of Bro. Henry Harry, were born into the family of God. On Jan. 19, Jaya Vantha of Mandya became our brother in the Lord. May our heavenly Father bless all three in their walk to His Kingdom. Two Sunday Schools are held in brethren’s homes in local languages; it is hoped to commence one in English at this address soon.— Ray Allanson
June
Bangalore. —Another has responded to the call of the Gospel. On Mar. 17, in answer of a good conscience toward God, Lilly Martha , second daughter of our Bro. Henry Harry, was baptized into the Saving Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May our heavenly Father richly bless her as she walks towards His kingdom.— Ray Allanson
October
We rejoice to report the baptism on July 29 of Mr. A. Anthony of Mandya. We pray our loving heavenly Father will guide and richly bless him in his new life in the Lord Jesus Christ.— Ray Allanson
November
With joy we report the baptism on Sept. 13 of A. Anthonyammal . Sis. Antoo (as she is affectionately known) is the wife of Bro. Henry Harry and mother of Sisters Maria and Martha, all of whom have put on the Saving Name in the past year. May the God of all grace bless her as she walks to His kingdom.— Ray Allanson
1983
March
We rejoice to report the following baptisms. On Dec. 19, 1982, Ruth , mother of Sis. Antoo; on Jan. 22, Mr. M. Shekar and on Jan. 23, husband and wife Mr. S. Sundar Raj and Mrs. S. Nasamani . May our Father richly bless them all.— Ray Allanson
September
We rejoice to report the baptism on Sept. 4 of Mr. P. D. Rajumon . May the Father bless him in his walk. Bro. Rajumon learned the Truth through the C.B.M. Bible Postal Course and is the first in the southern State of Kerala to respond to the call of the Gospel. He is isolated there and we request your prayerful support.— Ray Allanson
1984
January
This recent ecclesia is now growing and has reached a membership of 13 and the attendance percentage is always high. The meeting takes place in the lounge of the office-cum-home of Brother Ray and Sister Barbara Allanson. Quite a number of children are usually present and the ecclesia provides a Sunday School and other functions for younger members of families and their friends.
The office is very fully occupied by attending to the needs of about 900 fairly regular enquirers, many of whom are on the Correspondence Course. The office processes these to the many tutors in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. The number of enquirers is growing and tutors are required almost all the time: any who feel that they ought to help should communicate with Brother Ivan Sturman, 19 Shenstone Valley Rd., Halesowen, W. Mids. B62 9TB; Brother David Caudery, 31 Ceylon St., Nunawading 3131, Vic., Australia; or Sis. (Mrs.) Margaret Alexander, 28 Lynn St., Dunedin, New Zealand; or direct to Box 159, Hyderabad 500 001, India, or 23/4 Benson Rd., Bensontown, Bangalore 560 046, India.
On Sunday, 20th November, we said a very moving farewell to Brother Ray and Sister Barbara and their children Leigh and Gail. They have left us for a two-and-a-half month holiday back in New Zealand from which they came about two years ago to run this office. Everyone was in tears and the farewell was reminiscent of that of the Apostle Paul when he left the brethren at Miletus and we read that they all wept sore and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him. We, the undersigned, from the Clayton Ecclesia, Victoria, Australia, are hoping to carry on the work here during the absence of Brother and Sister Allanson. Sister Martha, daughter of our Brother Henry and Sister Anto Harry, assists in clerical duties in the office and is doing a capable job of initiating us into the considerable clerical maintenance work involved here.
Your brother and sister in Christ,
Arthur and Muriel Fletche
May
Again we have joy at reporting the baptism of another of those who have learned the Way of Life through the Bible Postal Course. Mr. C. V. Zacharia was baptized on Mar. 11. He lives in isolation in Cochin and needs our prayerful support.—Ray Allanson
We are sorry to report that Bro. and Sis. Allanson, and their 2 children, who arrived in India in Dec. 1981 from New Zealand have been obliged to return home following Sis. Allanson’s breakdown in health. We pray that the Lord may soon restore her to health and strength. Their departure has created an urgent need for a brother and sister to take over their rôle as resident Mission Workers caring for the 3 southern states of India including the Ecclesias at Bangalore and Mandya and those in isolation in Kerala. The Bangalore Mission office is presently in touch with some 1,500 contacts and several more baptisms are believed imminent, if the Lord will. A modern 3 bedroom house and “Auto” is available. Bro. Athol Paton (Adelaide, S.A.) has responded to the immediate need and plans to be in Bangalore by the time this is published and all future correspondence should be addressed to him.—David Caudery
May
Again we have joy at reporting the baptism of another of those who have learned the Way of Life through the Bible Postal Course. Mr. C. V. Zacharia was baptized on Mar. 11. He lives in isolation in Cochin and needs our prayerful support.— Ray Allanson
We are sorry to report that Bro. and Sis. Allanson, and their 2 children, who arrived in India in Dec. 1981 from New Zealand have been obliged to return home following Sis. Allanson’s breakdown in health. We pray that the Lord may soon restore her to health and strength. Their departure has created an urgent need for a brother and sister to take over their rôle as resident Mission Workers caring for the 3 southern states of India including the Ecclesias at Bangalore and Mandya and those in isolation in Kerala. The Bangalore Mission office is presently in touch with some 1,500 contacts and several more baptisms are believed imminent, if the Lord will. A modern 3 bedroom house and “Auto” is available. Bro. Athol Paton (Adelaide, S.A.) has responded to the immediate need and plans to be in Bangalore by the time this is published and all future correspondence should be addressed to him.— David Caudery
1985
January
It is always with joy that we report that another has responded to the Grace of God. On Sept. 23, Mr. Ashok Kumar was baptized by Bro. Stephen Lund. Bro. Stephen has now left India for England and then America. We sincerely thank him for his work in the office and in his ecclesial duties. Indeed he will be missed by all. An advertisement placed in one of the daily papers which covers Karnataka State produced approx. 100 replies for our Bible Correspondence Course. The contacts gained are given to tutors in the U.K. and New Zealand. It is hoped also to do some advertising in Kerala State in the very near future. Bro. Robert Brinsden and myself have just returned from Kerala having spent just over a month visiting some of our contacts in various places. It was pleasing to see the progress which some of the contacts have made in gaining a true understanding of God’s Word. There are a small number approaching baptism now and we pray that this will be soon. One thing that makes our contacts tend to hold back is that as we have no-one there on a long term basis they would be left on their own in spiritual wilderness. It is hard, as we ourselves know, for a new brother or sister to thrive in isolation in countries with a Western outlook. Here the pressures are very much greater due to the closeness of families and the prevailing social attitudes. We appeal to any brother or married couple who would be prepared to come to India for 6 months or more to contact Bro. David Caudery, 31 Ceylon St., Nunawading 3131, Victoria, Australia. This need is very great and substantial progress in gaining converts seems very unlikely unless people can be found who can fill the rôle of both teachers and shepherds to the newly baptized.— Athol Paton
May
August
From Bangalore, India: “The work here is presently intense, made so by the great escalation of interest over recent times in the true Gospel. This is very gratifying and provides an impetus to our endeavours” (from Bro. and Sis. Day and Bro. and Sis. Lawrence).
December
Parkstone. —Bro. Stuart Cowlishaw left on Oct. 1 to take over the work of the Christadelphian Mission in Bangalore, India, followed on Nov. 5 by Sis. Lois. Our prayers and thoughts are with them in their work. We are very pleased to welcome Bro. Derek and Sis. Dorothy Ramsden from Maidenhead.— Sidney Webb
1986
August
With the assistance of the Australasian C.B.M. new ecclesial premises have been acquired. Correspondence now to: The Christadelphians. No. 12/3–1 Madhavi Mansion, Basement Floor, Bachammal Rd., Cox Town, Bangalore 560 005.— Reg Ansell
April
We are happy to report the following baptisms. On Apr. 26, of G. Esther , of Hyderabad Ecclesia, during our Bible Week. Bro. Tim Galbraith assisted her. On Apr. 16, of George Williams at Maddur (80 km from Bangalore), assisted by Bro. Ken Harding of Australia; and on May 4, of Andrew Peter Mistry , assisted by Bro. Raymond Smith (Australia).— B. Chandu Das
December
At the Sunday Morning meeting in Bangalore, India, an exhortation given in the Tamil language is subsequently summarised in English. The following is the short English summary of the exhortation given on December 14, 1986, by Bro. Henry Harry, an Indian brother baptized in 1981.
TODAY’s readings takes us to 2 Peter, where the apostle considers the high calling of those “who have obtained like precious faith with us . . . according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue ” ( 1:1–3 ). Through His Word, God has called us and through the constant reading of that Word we shall learn to be conformed to His calling in Christ.
In Galatians, Paul expresses his concern for brethren who were no longer so sure of their calling when he says: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel” ( 1:6 ).
Now we are the chosen ones of God, but we too are in need of exhortation to continue faithful to our calling. We can see in the same epistle (in paraphrase): “You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself. So there is no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles, between slaves and free men, between men and women, for you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then are you the descendants of Abraham, and will receive what God has promised” ( 3:27–29 ).
As those who are one in Christ Jesus, we see that there is one body, and one spirit, just as there is one love, to which God has called us. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all mankind, who is Lord of all, who works through all and is in all ( Eph. 4:4–6 ).
Thus, being all in one in Christ Jesus, we should not give importance to nationality or language, saying that our language is more important than others. Our duty should be to make use of our language which God has given us and to preach to others. We know the story of Babel: when men wanted to make a name for themselves, God confused their languages ( Gen. 11:1–9 ). Therefore we should be careful and learn the lesson.
Our discipleship requires us to walk carefully and separately: do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless, but let our new life in Christ be seen to be different, “that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind” ( Eph. 4:17 ).
Being small in number does not matter; but let us live a righteous life in accordance with the commands of God, to have a share in His glorious Kingdom. An example of one on his own is Noah, who in his lifetime was a righteous man, who was saved along with his family. Likewise we know of Lot and his two daughters being saved at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. We are small in number, and we have to learn, as they did, to be careful of our standard of life.
There is for us, as there was for the Galatians and as there has been for every generation, the danger of being drawn away to “another Gospel”. In 2 John it says: “Many deceivers have gone out all over the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came as a human being; such a person is a deceiver and the enemy of Christ” ( 7–11 ). Be on your guard then, so that you will not lose what we have worked for, but will receive your reward in full.
Anyone who does not stay with the teaching of Christ, but ‘goes beyond’ it, does not have God. Whoever does stay with the teachings, has both the Father and the Son. So then, if someone comes to you who does not bring this teaching, do not welcome him to your homes, do not even say, ‘Peace be with you’, for anyone who wishes him peace becomes his partner in the evil things he does. If you go to his house to preach the Gospel, be careful that when he prays you do not say Amen; and when he sings, be careful of the songs that are sung which are not in accordance with the truth (see verses 7–12 ).
In Mark 1 we see that when John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee, and preached the Good News from God. “The right time has come”, he said, “and the kingdom of God is near: turn away from your sins and believe the Good News” (vv. 14–15 ). He announced himself as the King of the kingdom. In a parable he made the people understand that before the kingdom could be established he must take a journey into a far country, to receive his full authority and then to return, when he would bestow upon his servants power over the cities of this world ( Luke 19:11–26 ). Accordingly, Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, and took his departure, when he ascended to the right hand side of God, where he is now. He has not yet received the kingdom, glory and dominion, or he would have already returned. In the time appointed, he will return, to establish upon the earth his Kingdom and to rule as King over mankind. This was the Gospel which Jesus preached, and also asked his disciples to preach, which now we in our turn should do.
The Gospel Call
“When we go to a house and the people welcome us, let our greeting of peace remain, but if they do not welcome us or listen to us then let us shake the dust off our feet and leave the place” ( Matt. 10:12–14 ). Therefore, we who have come out from the gospel of the world, into the Gospel of Christ, if we go back into the world, we are like those of whom Peter wrote: “It would have been much better for them to have known the way of righteousness, than to know it and turn away from the sacred command that was given to them. What happened to them shows that the proverb was true: a dog goes back to what it has vomited, and a pig that has been washed soon returns to roll in the mud” ( 2 Pet. 2:21 ).
Therefore, as Peter tells us, “to faith let us add goodness, and also knowledge, self control, endurance, Godliness, brotherly affection and love, as Christ did, so that we may have a right to enter his eternal Kingdom” ( 2 Pet. 1:5–11 ). As Jesus gave us an example by his obedience to his death on the cross, which we have come to remember now, let us in our turn set an example to the people around us and show forth the Glory of God. May there be many more who will respond to God’s loving call in Christ.
“The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever” ( 1 Pet. 5:10–11 ).
Henry Harry
1987
March
Boronia (Vic) – Bro. Ted and Sis. Dot Harrington will be in Bangalore (India) for six months, and go with our prayers for their strength and guidance.— Martyn Clementson
April
BANGALORE BIBLE WEEK: APR. 1–27
It was once again a very joyous and happy occasion for the brethren and sisters here to meet those from other parts of the country and also from England, Australia and New Zealand at the Bible Week held for the second time at Bangalore. The ecclesia consists of 5 families having 12 baptized members; it is only 4 years old. During Bible Week about 50 people including children and some interested friends attended from Hyderabad, Mandya, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The theme for the first study was “The Faith”: Bro. Tim Galbraith (Hyderabad) led seven studies. Under a second theme, “Encounters with Jesus”, six studies were led by different speakers. In addition there were short talks during afternoons and evenings. There was a School for children during the whole week: Sis. Ruth Marley (New Zealand), assisted by other sisters, chose Daniel for the project. In the evenings, there was a slides show, quiz night, a musical night (English, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu songs and hymns) and a family night. The Sunday School children enacted scenes from the story of Solomon and the Good Samaritan. Brethren and sisters with young boys and girls enacted scenes from other Bible stories. A good number of booklets/pamphlets in English, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu languages were displayed in the Hall, which attracted the newcomers and visitors. May our Heavenly Father bless us in this work and give increase according to His Will.
In this area, many people do not understand English well. In Karnataka State the Kannada language is dominant; a minority of people speak Tamil, Telugu, Urdu or Hindi. We need brethren who know all these languages, but at present only have those whose language is Kannada or Tamil.
For the past 4–5 years, the undersigned, with the co-operation of other brethren in Mandya Ecclesia (about 100 km away) has produced several items of literature in the Kannada language, including translations from English; also the 22-part Postal Course and Sunday School Junior Lessons. A Kannada monthly magazine Shubha Varthe (“Good News of the Kingdom of God”) is being published every month with the co-operation of Bro. V. Jayavantha of Mandya Ecclesia, and sent to nearly 350 readers. I have also compiled a little Hymn Book in Kannada to meet the need of our new Bro. George Williams, who is in isolation in Maddur. There are a few pamphlets in Tamil and more will be required. In all these activities we acknowledge the help of the Australasian C.B.M. both materially and financially.— B. Chandu Das
June
We rejoiced with the heavenly hosts when the Gospel was embraced on Feb. 15 by C. Bhaskar (21) and C. Pramod (18), sons of Bro. and Sis. B. Chandu Das. They are the firstfruits of the Bangalore S.S., having been the first S.S. scholars when the Bangalore Ecclesia was formed in 1982 under the guidance of Bro. and Sis. Ray Allanson (New Zealand). Bro. Arthur Fletcher assisted them. We also rejoice in the baptisms on Feb. 22 of Marthamma and Maryamma Williams at Maddur, about 80 km south of Bangalore. Bro. V. Jayavantha of Mandya Ecclesia (20 km from Maddur) had prepared them for the baptism; Bro. B. Chandu Das assisted them. They live in isolation, but every Sunday Bro. V. Jayavantha joins them and Bro. George Williams for breaking bread.— B. Chandu Das
July
We regret to announce the withdrawal of fellowship from Bro. S. Johnson, after long absence from the Lord’s Table. Despite our efforts to bring him back to the meeting, he has consistently rejected the exhortations.— B. Chandu Das
October
We are happy to record the baptism of Nirmala Kumari (formerly a Hindu) on Aug. 2. She lost her sight at the age of 8 years. Although she cannot see, her blindness did not preclude her from studying the Word of God. She evinced keen interest to study the Word of God and started learning the truth 4 years ago. It has been possible to obtain some books of the Bible in Braille. Our heavenly Father opened her inner eyes and now she can perceive the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.— B. Chandu Das
1988
March
We are pleased to report the baptism on Dec. 12, of Mr. Harry Mervyn Peters . Following a spiritually beneficial Bible School in the southern state of Kerala, Mr. Thomas Varghese Kochuplamoottil was also baptized on Dec. 28, 1987. Bro. Harry is the first convert resident in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and will need our support and prayers as he returns to isolation to his home in Madras. Bro. Thomas is a young man of 21 years who joins two other brethren in the town of Tiruvella. Their baptisms will be pleasing news to all brethren and sisters, but particularly to their Correspondence Course tutors and fieldworkers who have met them. We are thankful to our Heavenly Father that many have planted and watered but it is He who once again has given the increase. May He bring both our new brethren to the glory of His everlasting Kingdom.— Ken Chalmers
August
We are happy to report the putting on the saving name of Jesus Christ by Mr. M. Ch. Subbarayudu on Aug. 7. We are happy to report the baptism of Mr. Prema Das and his wife Mrs. Lalitha Kumari , at Mandya (100 km from Bangalore) on Aug. 14. We welcome them to ecclesial association, and urge upon them to remain faithful to their vows, encouraging their contemporaries to do likewise. We are also sorry to report that Bro. Sundar Raj and Sis. Nesamani, and also Bro. S. Wilson and Sis. Gladys, despite our efforts to bring them back to fellowship, have continued to be absent from the Lord’s table for a long time and thus put themselves out of fellowship. We pray that they may have a change of mind and return to the Table of the Lord while there is still time.— B. Chandu Das
1991
March
We rejoice in the baptism on July 15, 1990, of Mr. D. Murthy , formerly Hindu. Our new brother had very little education and knew nothing about the Bible, but made a point to come daily and learn the verses by heart. Thus he became able both to read and understand the Bible. On Dec. 9, 1990, we rejoiced in the baptism of Mrs. Joyce Don Bosco , wife of Bro. Don Bosco, and on Jan. 20, 1991, of Mr. Ameeth Linus Daniel , a youth of 18, who came boldly in spite of opposition from his parents. We are sorry to lose the company of Bro. L. P. Henry Harry and Sis. Antoo Harry, whom we commend in love to the Hyderabad Ecclesia.— B. Chandu Das
May
Hyderabad. — We are happy to welcome Bro. and Sis. L. P. Henry Harry from Bangalore Ecclesia, as they have now taken up employment at the Christadelphian Homes, Moinabad.
July
Boronia (Vic.) — Bro. Ted and Sis. Dorothy Harrington have left for six months mission work in Bangalore, India. We pray for their safety whilst away.
1992
February
With joy we report the following baptisms: at Mandya, on Aug. 18, 1991, Of Noronha Devaprasad , Mrs. Sujaya Devaprasad and Mrs. Sarojamma . At Bangalore, on Nov. 3, 1991, of Mrs. Kamala , wife of Bro. Subbarayudu of Kolar Gold Fields; on Dec. 8, 1991, of V. Anthony Joseph . We earnestly pray for the blessing of our Heavenly Father upon them all in their new life.— B. Chandu Das
March
RADIO BROADCASTS, SRI LANKA
Since mid-1988 we have been presenting the Gospel each Sunday over the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Shortwave. These broadcasts are presented on behalf of the ACBM (Victoria) and enquiries are directed to the Bible Mission at Bangalore, India. They are prepared by the Broadcasting Committee of Canterbury Ecclesia’s Publicity Committee, who also sponsor Country radio broadcasting in Victoria. Since we gave our first series in 1985/86 we have received a steady stream of requests for literature including the Bible Correspondence Course in a number of languages. We have been delighted to record the baptism of three brethren and one sister, who came into contact with the Truth through this medium. These are all on the east coast of India.
1993
November
Earthquake in India — The happening that prompts this introduction is the earthquake that devastated part of Maharastra State in India at the end of September. As a result of a tremor measuring over 6 on the Richter scale, the town of Khilari and nearby villages were flattened, the heavy roofs and loosely built walls falling in on the sleeping inhabitants, of whom a total in excess of 20,000 died. Those who have experienced a hurricane in the Caribbean, a major bush fire, or widespread flooding, will know the numb horror of being a survivor. Most of us cannot readily appreciate such a situation; we cannot relate easily to rural India—though it puts the disaster into sharp relief to realise that our brethren and sisters in Hyderabad and Bangalore, and the children in the Moinabad Home, were not so very far from the epicentre: so far as we know, thankfully, they were unaffected. It was India’s worst earthquake in half a century; and it was the worse for being in an area away from ‘normal’ seismic activity.
1994
May
Bangalore: Baptism of Mrs. Stella , sister of our Sis. H. H. Antoo
July
Bangalore. —The Australasian CBM has now purchased its own premises which houses the meeting room, offices and other accommodation (the Madhavi Mansions address in Cox Town no longer applies). Our permanent address will now be: The Christadelphians, No. 4 Lazar Layout, Frazer Town Post, Bangalore 560 005. This is a more prominent main road location nearly a mile from our previous premises. The brethren here are looking forward to hosting the next all-India Bible Week in October 1995, when Bro. Bob Lloyd of California will be our main guest speaker.— David Caudery
1995
February
Companion Required to accompany sister travelling to India to assist in the Mission Office in Bangalore, Nov. 1995–Feb. 1996. Contact Sis. (Mrs.) J. Pitt-Francis
1996
January
This ecclesia was pleased to host the 13th All India Bible Week at ‘Elim’ Whitefield, from Oct. 7–15, 1995: 120 brethren and sisters participated. Our main speakers were Brethren Bob Lloyd (California, USA), David Caudery (Melbourne, Australia) and Paul Wade (Texas, USA). We had a very studious time. All talks were given twice, being relayed and translated to different language groups. We overcame the language barriers more successfully than in the past and those attending, although possessing at least five different mother tongues, felt themselves to be “one” in the Lord. We are looking forward to the 14th All India Bible Week, scheduled for October 1996 in Hyderabad. We are appreciative of the services Bro. Chandu Das has given this ecclesia as its Rec. Bro. for most of its existence. Now that he is retired he is spending much of his time travelling in this state and nearby states on preaching work, therefore the undersigned has agreed to take on the position of Rec. Bro.— Don Bosco
February
Bangalore. —We held a Fraternal Weekend on Dec. 16–17, 1995, which included an end of year play by our Sunday School and talks and a public lecture by Bro. David Caudery. The highlight of the weekend was two baptisms, firstly of an interested friend Christina , who has been coming here for studies for some months, and secondly of Prabakhar , husband of Sis. Jyothi of Narsapur, who travelled some 18 hours to be with us for the weekend. May God strengthen them in their isolation and also our new sister so that she with us might walk steadfastly toward the Kingdom.— Don Bosco
March
Bangalore. —Jan. 21 was a particularly joyous occasion, with three baptisms taking place before the Memorial Meeting. Visiting us from Nellore, a 5-hour bus ride away toward Madras, was Mr. N. Sunderaj and his wife Rosemary . He had been studying our literature and following our Correspondence Courses for 5 years and had reached a conviction of the true way to obey God and serve Him. He is now keen for the brethren to help him proclaim the truth in his area. At the same time, Mr. Jimmy Mathew Cherian also entered the waters of baptism. A native of Adimali, Kerala where we have a small group of brethren and sisters, he has been studying in Bangalore for some time and picked up our twice weekly programme on the radio early last year. We rejoice with the angels in heaven that three more have joined us on the pathway toward the kingdom.— David Caudery
May
Please note that the office here now has its own phone and fax: [91 (India)] 80–547-9892. The present residential field-workers are Bro. Don and Sis. May Venn.— David Caudery
June
We are delighted to announce the baptism of Elizabeth on Apr. 21. We share her joy in the hope of the coming Kingdom. At the same time we are pleased to record the re-admission to fellowship of her husband Bro. Shekar, following an interview. He was baptized in 1982 and we pray that he, together with his wife, might now continue steadfast unto the end.— Don Bosco
October
Bangalore. —On Aug. 21 Sis. Lillian Sheeba (formerly of Mandya Ecclesia) and Bro. Scott Leslie (Hobart, Australia) were united in marriage. We pray for God’s blessing on the young couple as they walk together to God’s Kingdom.— Ken Chalmers
1997
November
Bangalore (Karnataka). —We were saddened by the sudden falling asleep on Oct. 6 of Bro. B. Chandu Das, aged 60 years, and will long remember his devotion and commitment to preaching the Truth for the past 16 years. He was founder and editor of the Kannada language magazine Shubhavarthe (Good News), team leader of the Kannada Bible Correspondence Course, and secretary of the India Preaching Committee. He will be sorely missed for his tireless labours to spread the Gospel. Our special love and prayers are with Sis. Florence, and his two sons, Bro. Bhasker and Bro. Pramod in their loss.— H. Don Bosco
1998
February
MISSION OFFICE, BANGALORE, INDIA
For the past 15 years the ACBM has maintained an office in Bangalore as a centre of administration for Mission work within India. A local brother and also two sisters are employed. The ACBM also seeks to have an overseas mission worker couple in residence in a general administrative capacity as well as doing some pastoral work among the ecclesias in southern India. Spacious accommodation is provided in a large upstairs apartment. It is the ideal situation for a retired couple to go for 3 months or more. Over the years couples and individuals from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and the UK have taken up this opportunity. There are vacancies from early April for the next 2 years. Further details from the undersigned.— David Caudery
August
Bro. Jim Matthew Cherien from the Bangalore Ecclesia in India has been sent to Houston by his employer, and plans to be here for a period of about six months. While here, he has been attending this ecclesia and we are enjoying his company.
1999
March
Tiruchirapalli (TN). —Four members of the Bangalore Ecclesia visited us for studies and fellowship on Dec. 22–24, 1998. At that time we rejoiced to witness the baptism of Mr. Srinavasan , formerly a Hindu. He has been studying the Scriptures for the past two years. In November 1998, three of our members visited Bangalore and laid further plans with the brethren there for the expansion of preaching work in the Tamil language.— P. Thomas
April
Bangalore (Karnataka). —We rejoiced in the marriage on Jan. 16 of our Sis. Christina to Bro. Tony Charles and pray that our Lord will richly bless their union and lead them together to His kingdom. We were pleased to welcome many visitors from both Indian and overseas ecclesias who came to share in the rejoicings as well as to engage in mission preaching. On Feb. 13–14 we held a Bible Truth Camp in Bangalore and about 70 attended. We thank Brethren Ken Nightingale and Trevor MacDonald (New Zealand) and Mark Anderson and James Cole (Australia) for leading classes at the Camp. We pray that our Lord will grant the increase as we continue to follow up the interest shown. Bro. John Vijayan has moved back to Chennai (Madras) to be with his sons following a fall which has largely immobilised him. Bro. Jimmy Mathew is also working in Chennai for 8 months and giving support to the ecclesia there.— Don Bosco
December
Bangalore (Karnataka). —We have enjoyed a number of overseas visitors over recent months to help us the Lord’s work here. We especially appreciated having Bro. Don and Sis. May Venn with us again and thank them for their many labours for us over the years. We enjoyed a visit from Bro. Peter and Sis. Jackie Banford (Birmingham, Hall Green) and thank Bro. Peter for his studies on “Jacob”. From Oct. 29–31 we hosted a Bible Truth Camp at the Y & CD Centre, Bangalore. About 20 brothers and sisters and 40 interested friends and young people attended the Camp with first principles talks and discussion groups in Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages. On the final day we rejoiced to witness the baptism of Mrs. Glory , mother of Sis. Roja Helen Lucy, from Coimbatore. May the Heavenly Father bless her walk.— H. Don Bosco
2000
March
We rejoice in the baptisms on Jan. 16 of Miss Christine and Miss Rani . Sis. Christine is the sister of Bro. Henry Harry and was a nun for many years. Sis. Rani is physically blind and is a long-time friend of Sis. Nirmala. May the Heavenly Father guide their pilgrimage. The undersigned is now Rec. Bro. to whom all ecclesial correspondence should be addressed. We have welcomed the following visitors and thank them for their help: Brethren James Flint, Malcolm Scott, Peter Meads, David Brooks, Steven Cox, John Butler and Sisters Debbie Flint, Jan Nicholson-Giles, Helen Butler, Kate Campbell and Josie Vogel.— Pramod C. Das
2001
March
Help Wanted — The Australasian CBM (Vic.) Committee are urgently looking for a sister who is able to travel to India at the end of March or early April to join with another sister who is going to oversee the operation of the Mission Office in Bangalore for 2 to 3 months. Good accommodation is available above the office.
November
We are thrilled to learn of the baptism in Bangalore of Sis. Sharmela, a journalist who was introduced to the Truth by Bro. Jimmy Mathew. We pray that she will be blessed in her new life. A second ecclesia has been formed in Chennai (formerly Madras). There is the original ecclesia at Kilpauk (Vepery) with Bro. Prakash Cornelius as Rec. Bro., and now the Anna Nagar Ecclesia, with Bro. C. H. Roy as Rec. Bro. Bro. Roy has spearheaded a zealous preaching campaign. Sixteen baptisms have taken place in Chennai since July and suddenly the new ecclesia has nearly tripled in size. The All-India Bible Week was held in October, with 515 attending, 150 more than the previous largest number. We pray that these gatherings may stir up the brethren and sisters, so many of them young in the Truth, to serve the Lord and be ready for his coming.—DAVID CAUDERY
2002
November
BANGALORE OFFICE, INDIA — For the past 21 years the ACBM has maintained an office in Bangalore which includes a meeting room, computer room, and other facilities and a 5 bedroom apartment on an upper level. We are seeking the services of brethren and sisters who would be willing to take a turn of service in overseeing the work that flows in and out of the office and supporting the local and surrounding ecclesias. At present there will be fieldworkers in residence until mid January 2003. We are looking for any who could be available after that date. Ideally the responsibilities would suit a newly retired couple, but two sisters could operate together and this is what is happening at present. You can obtain a visa for up to six months, but we are interested to hear from any available to go for any period.—DAVID CAUDERY
2005
March
During the past year we have rejoiced to witness the following baptisms: Mr. Arnold Don Bosco, son of
our Bro. Don & Sis Joyce; Miss Pavithra; Mr. Naveen, son of our Bro. Sekhar & Sis Elizabeth; Miss R Maheshwari; Mrs. Anita; and Mr. Prakash. Our new ecclesial hall on the second floor of the ACBM building has provided us with ample space for our increased numbers and regular visitors. – Jimmy Cherian
Since 2005 ecclesial reports where published through the Bible Missionary magazine.
2011
April
Sister Susan Daniels tells us that on 8 and 9 January in Bangalore, “we had a sisters gathering at which we had visitors from Trichy, Avadi and Mandya. A highlight of the weekend was the baptism of Sister Uma, the daughter of Mary who worked in the mission office for many years. Another highlight of the weekend was the participation of the brethren, but only providing and serving food!” Susan gives special thanks to Sister Maxine Swensson for encouraging them and helping to make the gathering a big success.
