An update of Bethel Mission Church in India, whose programs have touched thousands in their community.
Contributed By Dawn Seow
(Top, L-R) The church hired 150 tri-wheelers to transport its members to the prayer meetings; 105,000 people attended the Jesus Festival; The senior civil judge speaking on women’s rights. (Bottom, L-R) Godberg (in suit) and his wife, giving out Christmas gifts to children; distributing bread to poor families on New Year’s Day; blessing the widows with brand new saris. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BETHEL MISSION CHURCH.
JESUS FESTIVAL 2011
Held in early February this year, the Jesus Festival 2011 saw 105,000 attendees and more than 10,000 people giving their hearts to Jesus over the five days. East West InterKnit Newsletter reported that guest pastors from Lutheran, Anglican, Assemblies of God, Pentecostal, Brethren, Baptist, and Methodist churches were among the many attendees of the festival. There were also civic and non-Christian organizations that attended the festival as observers.
21-DAY PRAYER CAMPAIGN
In conjunction with the Jesus Festival, a large-scale prayer campaign was held, which attracted 24,000 people. The prayer meetings were held early in the morning and transport was provided throughout the 21 days. “It was an awesome time,” Godberg said in a letter to East West InterKnit. “The Lord protected us and the event went smoothly and peacefully without any distractions.”
BLESSING THE COMMUNITY
BMC also actively reaches out to the less fortunate in practical and meaningful ways. During Christmas 2010, more than 500 children were invited for a Christmas party and were treated to performances, food and Christmas gifts. BMC also fed 3,000 poor people on Christmas Day. On New Year’s Day, BMC distributed bread loaves to more than 800 families.
The Benevolence Ministry—the church’s ministry to the poor and needy—provided 1,200 poor widows with saris and 96 orphans with new outfits.
Another 40 elderly were also honored with cakes and new clothes.
AN ADVOCATE FOR THE PEOPLE
As a member of the Bar Association in Kolar Gold Fields, Godberg was requested by the Honorable Court to organize a Legal Awareness and Legal Aid Program on Feb. 4 at the church’s premises. This program was organized to introduce the country’s legal system and to empower the peasants, especially the illiterate. “We had 700 people attending this awareness program where the Senior Judge & Chief Magistrate First Class, the Additional Judge and Junior Judge, along with 36 members of the Lawyers Association, lectured on different topics,” said Godberg.
