Report of ESFPWD for the year 2003

Church Ministry: God is at work in Orissa and I am glad to inform you that 302 persons have come to know the Lord through me, my fellow pastors and evangelists in the year 2003. There is a church growth of 12%. All those new believers are from other faith. There are 29 churches in the year 2002 and the Lord enabled us to plant 3 more churches in 2003. As you know Orissa is the strong hold of Satan and we face persecution and strong opposition every day. Despite that the Lord is doing wonderful things and protecting us by His mighty hands. Praise and Thank be to God.

Discipleship Training Program : In His great commission Jesus didn’t commanded to make Christians but to make disciples. Therefore we have started a Discipleship Training Program known as Evangelical Discipleship Training Program. Because due to church growth we need more lay young men and young women from our church to be equipped with Word of God and to take leadership in the church. Every year 25 committed persons are admitted in this Discipleship Program and within last 3 years 67 (until 2003) and presently 23 students are under training who will be completing by March’2004. We are thankful to the God for enabling us to produce leaders through the Discipleship Training program to meet the need of the growing church and to meet the future need of our ministry. Presently the trained young men and women are involved in the ministry in their respective places and winning souls. Praise the Lord.

Church School : We have lot of children in our church and Sunday school as well. Therefore we have started a church school in English Medium for last 5 years and presently 72 students and 6 teachers who are working full time. This school is open for not only Christian but also Hindu and Muslim Children. We conduct Bible study and prayer in the school. Thus the church school is a kind of missionary school where the children learn not only education but also Christian education.

Medical Aid: Most of our churches are established in rural and remote area of Orissa where there is no proper transportation and roads. Because we aim to reach the un-reached people of our state. When our church members are sick we use our awesome weapon “Prayer” for healing. Hospitals are far away and the believers cannot afford for treatment by going to the city. Therefore   we not only pray for the sick but we conduct medical camp in the villages where not only believers are benefited but also other sick people from the village are benefited. We collect medicines from the medicine companies and some good doctors came forward  to help us in the medical camp. In 2003 there was 4 medical camps where 750 peoples were given free treatment. Six patients who were serious and were suffering from cancer, heart problem, Gynic  etc. were operated and our church supported them because those patients were unable to afford for treatment. This has enabled us to show the Love of Christ in action which ultimately helps our church growth. Practically we are experiencing the good result of Holistic Ministry we are involved with.

Relief work : Orissa is situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal. Therefore every year during rainy season we face cyclone and flood situation. Therefore we try to help the victims of the natural calamities with our limited resources. In 2003, 425 families whose mud houses were completely washed away were provided with tarpaulin. Until now they are taking shelter under the huts covered by the tarpaulin provided by us.

Self Supporting Program:  21 families from Palasa Evangelical church of Andhra Pradesh were provided land for agricultural work. Those family members are working hard and producing vegetables to make their living. We thank God for this new project which is encouraging the local congregation to look after their church and their pastors.

Finally please pray for our safety especially who are working with their families in the field of persecution. Let us pray and anticipate richer and bountiful harvest of souls in the year 2004.

Yours in His service,

Rev. Satya Ranjan Majhi