Current responsibilities: Samuelraj J. P. Vijayakumar, or Vijay, has two major ministry thrusts and numerous secondary ministries:
- Village Ministry - Vijay has trained thirteen village gospel workers who are supported financially by Light of Hope to evangelize the villages in three districts in his state of Tamil-Nadu. They build relationships with people and leaders in the villages, show films, distribute tracts, do skits, and meet needs as ways of opening doors to evangelism.
- Light of Hope Retreat and Learning Center - On a beautiful and serene piece of land outside Madurai the Learning Center with dorm like rooms, a chapel and offices and library has been developed for the purpose of training men for outreach to the villages and pastoring churches. These young men are boarded and fed for free as they study. In addition, the dorms can be used for retreats in this tranquil setting.
- Evangelism through seminars and training programs, support of five independent church workers in smaller towns, Bible conferences and pastor's seminars, three times a year gospel presentations in 10-12 high schools and colleges throughout India, Bible and Christian literature distribution to needy individuals, and conducting city-wide crusades using preachers from other countries with follow up for those who respond to the gospel.
News and Prayer Requests: August 16, 2010
Successes:
1. Reopened our Learning Centre for the current academic year 2010-11 with 9 students on July, 01,2010;
2. Conducted Orientation Programs for one week starting from Aug 01 to 07, 2010 to the new students;
3. Conducted LHM Worker's Monthly Prayer and Review Meeting on July, 06, 2010;
4. Conducted a Children's Camp at one of our mission fields (Nazareth) on July 10, 2010 (forenoon) for the benefit of 450 children;
5. Conducted our neighborhood Prayer Fellowship meeting on July, 10, 2010 evening 6.30 pm.;
6. Taught at a Special Bible Study Class at a Church in Tirumangalam on July,11, 2010;
7. Preached at 2 Church services on July, 04 & 25, 2010 respectively;
8. Ministered along with Dr.John Bos, at Bangalore from July 17 to 21, 2010 for the benefit of 3 Churches & 9 reputed High Schools to the total audience of nearly 30,000 at different age groups.
Challenges:
1. It is a challenge to minister in India;
2. It is a challenge to run our mission in faith relying 100% on God.
Plans for the coming month:
1. Concentrate on teaching and do the related ministry at our Learning Centre;
2. Activating the plans for conducting a "Ministers' Revival Conference" in the month of November, 2010 at Madurai & Chennai;
Prayer Requests:
1. Please pray for the new student's who are admitted to be trained at our Learning Centre for the academic year 2010-11 for their commitment to study the Word of God;
2. Please pray for my travel as I intend to visit many places in the coming months.
3. Please pray for our family's safety, health and strength;
4. Please uphold the 13 missionary families ministering at 30 different villages being supported by us;
5. Please pray that God meets all our financial needs and help us to continue all our ministries without any strain.
6. Please pray that God helps us to establish more Churches at our mission fields in the days to come.
7. Please pray for various phases of ministries that are being carried out under LHM and its blessings.
8. Please pray for God to use me mightily at more places in the days to come for His glory.
9. Please pray for God's guidance in all our future plans in the ministry.
10. We should have the real protection from our Lord as we face some oppositions and hurdles in our ministry.
11. Please pray for the arrangements to conduct the "Minister's Revival Conference 2010" to be held from 09 to 14 November, 2010 at Madurai & Chennai.
Answered Prayers:
God helped us in admitting 9 new students for the academic year 2010-11 at our Learning Centre to undergo one year Biblical studies with us. This is the seventh group of students whom God had given us to get trained and equipped to be Servants of God in our nation.
God's helping hand was with us when we ministered along with Dr.John Bos, USA at the city of Bangalore from 17 - 21 July, 2010. It was a golden opportunity for us to share the Love of God to the youth from those 9 High Schools in that city. Many thousands have said the 'sinner's prayer' with the real intention and have given their hearts to Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!
God is helping us in all our endeavors to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ into our villages in South India through our missionaries.
Personal Family Update:
Our daughter, Nesha is pursuing a Master's Degree at an University in Madurai effective August, 15, 2010 for 2 years. Kindly remember to pray for her future career and family life.
Gigi is improving in her health and we thank God for giving her the perfect health to continue her responsibilities at the College where she is teaching. She needs your continued prayers to maintain good health.
I personally need your prayers to carry out the ministry successfully for the glory of God. Please pray that God should use me mightily for the blessing of many others in our nation. Revival is my passion!
I once again thank you for your sincere prayers and encouraging words.
Your Brother in Christ,
Vijay.
