Thank you for your prayer support.

Many things have happened in the month of June and July as a result of your prayers and support. Let me jot down few significant events in brief to keep you posted:

1. The Family Enrichment Seminar (June 17-19): In partnership with the Transforming Leaders in Asia, I hosted a family conference in Gangtok (a very attractive tourist spot in Himalayas). Seven selected church leaders and their spouses were invited. The resource persons were Mrs. Pearly Marak. Mr. Scott Johnson, Mrs. Tori Johnson, Dr. Asangla and myself.  For all couples, it was the first family conference.  One of the wives told us that she is married for 18 years but she never had such an opportunity to travel this far with her husband. Another said that she felt that she was dead and had no one to talk but now she feels alive and she is happy.  The last day was a very special day of prayer and recommitment.  All of them returned with a decision to nurture their marital relationship in Christ. I believe this will strengthen the ministries of our Lord through these precious couples.

To see the pictures of the Conference you may please visit the following web address:

http://picasaweb.google.com/TLAministries/FamilyEnrichmentSeminar?authkey=Gv1sRgCIztvKbDiIi0ogE#

2. The NCCI Meeting, Nagpur (June 25): For the first time, I joined the Executive Committee Meeting of the National Council of Churches in India and I was warmly welcomed by the President and the members. As you may know, there are two members of CBCNEI (Rev. Mar Atsonger and Rev. Solomon Rongpi) who are leading the two important commissions of the NCCI. They were very encouraged to see me. Besides many important decisions, the EC decided to invite Dr. Gaikwad, Principal Aizawl Theological College as the General Secretary of NCCI. Some commented that this was first time that NCCI meeting was brief and smooth without any dissidence. Please pray that I shall discern CBCNEI’s role in impacting the NCCI’s ministries at the national level.

To see the pictures of the Conference you may please visit the following web address:

http://picasaweb.google.com/TLAministries/NCCIECMeetingJune252010#

3. The New Management of Satribari Christian Hospital (SCH): I am very glad to inform you that with two big ceremonial services (Thanks Giving Service and Inaugural Service) on July 1, the hospital management and the staff of Satribari Hospital were officially handed over to the 4B Health Care Company. This agreement is good for 30 years. During which SCH shall be known as 4B SCH.  The new management shall do all that must be done to upgrade the hospital to a Health Care par excellence for the poor and the needy. In return, besides providing subsidized health care to CBCNEI church leaders, they shall donate certain percentage of their profit for the ministries of CBCNEI. Please continue to pray for this venture to succeed for the future of Christian Healing ministry in Guwahati.

To see the pictures of the Conference you may please visit the following web address:

http://picasaweb.google.com/TLAministries/4BSatribariChristianHospital#

4. Exegetical Preaching Seminar (July 9-11): As you know I have been involved in training Pastors in Exegetical Preaching for last 8 years with help from TLA ministries. But for this time, one of the alumni (Pastor Donaldwood) hosted a seminar on Exegetical Preaching in his Church. He invited 67 participants, of whom majority were lay leaders. In the Garo churches it is mostly lay leaders who are assigned to preach. I am very much encouraged as the entire seminar was fully sponsored by the Church. Please pray that more CBCNEI churches shall understand the importance of such a seminar and volunteer to invest in it.

To see the pictures of the Conference you may please visit the following web address:

http://picasaweb.google.com/TLAministries/PreachingSeminarMatchakolBaptistChurch#

5. Theological Scholarship: I am glad to inform you that 14 new students will be sponsored for theological studies in India and three are recommended to study abroad. We are grateful for the BIM grants for Leadership Development.  We have a total of 30 students whom CBCNEI is sponsoring. Please pray for them so that they will remain faithful to the cause of such a sacrificial investment.

6. CBCNEI Campus Development: Under the leadership of Mr. Amrit Goldsmith, the CBCNEI Campus Development Committee has begun to act. They have obtained a Contour Survey of the land. This came as a gift from Mr. Nibu Angami, a Christian businessman, from Dimapur. The committee is now working for a Master Plan. They have decided that without compromising the ownership of the prime property, it shall invite investments from individual and corporate companies to build few multipurpose mega structures that will generate revenue for the ministries of CBCNEI.  Please uphold them in your prayers as they discern and make important decisions.

I am on my way to Hawaii to attend the BWA congress. This is my first exposure to the BWA meeting. I will then return to Sri Lanka (Aug 9-13) to speak to a group of Principals of Seminaries on the subject “What does Church expect from Seminary.”  I will appreciate your prayers.

On August 27, the Council is hosting a consultation on the possibility of launching a Baptist University in the northeast.  We all will covet your prayers.

Blessings

Rev. Dr. A. K. Lama

General Secretary, CBCNEI