GCI Annual General Body Meeting:
We had the AGBM on 14th November 2013 at the GCI Centre. We thanked the Lord for the blessings we received during the year. God revived our ministry through the prayers of many. GFI support, both financial and spiritual, really enabled us to go forward more actively. Deepak is still under training but his stay at the centre makes the activities at the centre very much active.
Study Circle: We have regular Study Circle of 5 of us meeting most of the weeks.
Grace Children Club:
We started GCC for about 25 children aiming a their total growth – spiritual, academic, character, health. Most of the children are from poor families and their fathers are mostly drunkards which affect their total development.
Chapel services:
Gradually we want to enter into their families of the children to counsel them and to bring them to regular evening fellowship meetings.
Abundant Life Seminars:
We conducted one seminar for three days for the abundant life and blessings of 11 participants. We are planing similar 3-5 days programs when there are holidays.
One Month Counselor Training Institute:
Planned to be conducted from April 21 to May 23, 2014. We resolved to invite a Grace Fellowship leader to visit India to conduct programs according to the days he is available but at least one week to train the trainees in the Training Institute,
New Members: Mr. Deepak and Mr. Presty are admitted to Membership in GCI
Assistance and programs for the aged:
We have planned to help the lonely aged people in their routine needs like payments of bills, help to go to hospitals for treatments. We also plan occasional/weekly special programs for the aged for their better spiritual, mental and physical health including recreations
Church Leaders Seminars:
We plan Exchanged Life Seminars for Pastors and Christian workers including lay leaders on a regular basis. Planning will be done with Church leaders on 21st November.
Publications:
We have decided to publish
Bi-monthly Gleanings of Grace,
Quarterly Grace Counselor and
Malayalam Edition of Handbook to Happiness immediately. We would like to get financial assistance from GFI for the publication of the Handbook to Happiness.
Library:
We plan to make the Library system in better order for pubic to come and read books, may be collecting small Library Fees
Counseling:
Counseling is to be made regular through advertisements in News Papers and magazines
Tripura Mission:
I plan to visit Tripura Mission workers from 26th November to 7th December and to conduct Abundant Life Seminar for them for three or 4 days. We work in Tripura is among poor Tribal communities. The Seminar can conducted only with the needed finance from some sponsors. We plan for 20 workers to attend the program, the number depends on the funds available. About US $600 is expected to be the expense for the Seminar
GCI Chennai Centre:
Decided to appoint Capt. T. M. Cherian, trained by GCI last year, to be the Director of Chennai Centre at the Chennai Tyrannous Hall of St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India. He is already doing counseling at the centre for the University students staying in CTH. We will plan regular training programs in Chennai under his leadership
New Officials: The following are selected as the Officials for the coming year:
President: Prof. P. P. Thomas
Executive Secretary: Prof. John Zachariah
Treasurer: Mr. Reji Koshy
Director: Dr. Alex Mathew
Dean of Studies, Editor & Administrator: Mr. Cherian Zachariah
Maintenance work oft he Centre:
With the full time assistance of GCI trained Mr. Presty Thomas we could finish the essential maintenance work of the Centre for accommodation, training, Chapel, surroundings. Though our estimate was US $ 3500, the actual expenses do far has come up to US $ 4400 (leaving a deficit of $900)
Praise the Lord with us for all that He is doing among us
Pray for all the needs before us – programs and finance
Pray for health for PPT and Alex Mathew
Pray for the Office-bearers of GCI
Pray for grace, wisdom and health for me to carry out the tasks ahead of us
In His Grace and Love
John Zachariah
Grace Counselor 