| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 10:30 – 5:00 PM | Clergy Meeting |
| 1:00 – 5:00 PM | Arrival & Registration |
| 5:30 – 6:30 PM | Dinner, Nelson Dining Room Eisenhower CC |
| 6:30 – 8:15 PM | Opening Session/ Inauguration, Hostetter Chapel Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham |
| 8:15 – 8:30 PM | Introduction, Hostetter Chapel Rev. Dr. Paul Pathickal |
| 8:30 – 10:30 PM | Diocesan General Assembly (Elected Members From Each Parish), Hostetter Chapel Conference Room Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham |
| 10:30 PM | Lights Off |
The Latest
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | Rise and Shine/ Personal Devotions |
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | Breakfast, Nelson Dining Room Eisenhower CC |
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Praise & Worship, Hostetter Chapel |
| 9:00 – 10:15 AM | Plenary Session 1, Hostetter Chapel Bro. Sam George |
| VBS, Hostetter Chapel Fellowship Hall Mrs. Sony John |
|
| 10:15 – 10:30 AM | Break |
| 10:30 – 12:00 PM | Plenary Session 2 Adult, Hostetter Chapel Bishop A. I. Alexander |
| Plenary Session 2 Youth, Parmer Cinema Bro. Sam George |
|
| VBS, Hostetter Chapel Fellowship Hall Mrs. Sony John |
|
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch, Nelson Dining Room Eisenhower CC |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Seminar JMBC , Hostetter Chapel Bill Maxim |
| 2:00 – 5:00 PM | Leisure Activities, Pool (Sollenberger Sports Center Pool), Tournaments (Hitchcock Gym) |
| 5:30 – 6:30 PM | Dinner, Nelson Dining Room Eisenhower CC |
| 6:00 – 6:45 PM | Sevini Samajam , Hostetter Chapel |
| NAFYC Executive Committee Meeting , Hostetter Chapel Conference Room Rev. Dr. Abraham Chacko |
|
| 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Plenary Session 3 Adult , Hostetter Chapel Bishop A. I. Alexander |
| Plenary Session 3 Youth, Parmer Cinema Bro. Sam George |
|
| VBS, Hostetter Chapel Fellowship Hall Mrs. Sony John |
|
| 8:30 – 8:45 PM | Break |
| 8:45 – 10:00 PM | Praise & Worship Night, Hostetter Chapel |
| 10:00 PM | Lights Off |
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | Rise and Shine/ Personal Devotions |
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | Breakfast, Nelson Dining Room Eisenhower CC |
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Praise & Worship, Hostetter Chapel |
| 9:00 – 10:15 AM | Family Seminar, Hostetter Chapel Bro. Sam George |
| Plenary Session 4 Youth, Parmer Cinema Bro. George Verwer |
|
| VBS, Hostetter Chapel Fellowship Hall Mrs. Sony John |
|
| 10:15 – 10:30 AM | Break |
| 10:30 – 11:15 AM | Plenary Session 5 Adult, Hostetter Chapel Rev. K. S. James |
| Plenary Session 5 Youth, Parmer Cinema Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham |
|
| VBS, Hostetter Chapel Fellowship Hall Mrs. Sony John |
|
| 11:15 – 12:00 PM | Business Meeting, Hostetter Chapel Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch, Nelson Dining Room Eisenhower CC |
| 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Christian Variety Programs, Hostetter Chapel |
| 3:00 – 5:00 PM | Leisure Activities, Soccer/Races (Lower Starry Field) |
| 5:30 – 6:30 PM | Dinner, Nelson Dining Room Eisenhower CC |
| 6:30 – 7:00 PM | Award Ceremony/NAFYC 2011 Slide Show Presentation, Hostetter Chapel |
| 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Plenary Session 6, Hostetter Chapel Bro. George Verwer |
| VBS, Hostetter Chapel Fellowship Hall Mrs. Sony John |
|
| 8:30 – 8:45 PM | Break |
| 8:45 – 9:45 PM | Testimony Adult, Hostetter Chapel Rev. K. S. James |
| Testimony Youth, Parmer Cinema Mr. Anil Mathew |
|
| 10:00 PM | Lights Off |
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | Rise and Shine / Personal Devotions |
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | Breakfast, Nelson Dining Room Eisenhower CC |
| 8:00 – 10:45 AM | Holy Communion Service, Hostetter Chapel Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham Bishop A. I. Alexander |
| 10:45 – 11:30 AM | STECI Informational Session, Hostetter Chapel Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham |
| 11:30 – 11:45 AM | Vote Of Thanks, Hostetter Chapel Mr. Mathew C. Paul |
| 11:45 – 11:50 PM | Announcement 2013, Hostetter Chapel Mr. Alvin John |
| 11:50 – 12:00 PM | Prayer / Benediction, Hostetter Chapel Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch, Nelson Dining Room Eisenhower CC |
| 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Key Return / Disperse |
The theme selected for the 28TH North American Family and Youth Conference is “Spirit Filled Community” (Gal.5:16.) The conference committee selected this topic in continuity with the previous year’s theme such as “Transformed Community” and “sanctified community”. Transformed community must be Spirit filled Community and the sanctified community are spirit filled community. In other words, all those who are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ must be filled and led by the Holy Spirit.
At conversion the believer receives the justified life. He is made righteous and the Holy Spirit dwells in Him. In Ephesians 5: 18 says “And be not drunk with wine, where sin is excess; but be filled with the Spirit”. This is a very New Testament command. At conversion a believer is complete in Christ but generally does not enter into the fullness of his spiritual inheritance until much later. By the fact of conversion every believer possesses the Holy Spirit. The Sprit may reside but not preside, be simply a resident and not the president. As we yield the control of our lives, He fills us more and more with Himself .In Luke 11:13 “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him. We are taught here to pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Every believer in Jesus needs the filling of the Holy Spirit. We each need it for our own benefit in order to the best possible Christian. Without it, we cannot attain to the Lord’s will for us regarding character and service. The filling of the Spirit is an individual blessing. Men are saved and filled individually. The filling must be individually received. “The Spirit cannot illuminate our minds, warm our affections purge our consciences or energizes our wills until we surrender to Him and keep surrendered”.
We cannot be effective witnesses if we are not Spirit filled. To do the work of the Lord in the energy of the flesh can only lead to disappointment and failure. Spirit filled believers, living the crucified life in relation to the world, are an effective means in the Lords hands to convict and convince sinners. Power to witness is one mighty manifestations of a spirit filled saint. Holy Spirit enables us to live victorious Christian life.
To face the challenges from the world we need the filling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “We are in the world but not of the world”. To face the world and its challenges, Jesus assured us the Help of the Holy Spirit. He said that “when he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment”. Jesus also said, “When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth”.
Fruit of the Spirit must be seen in every follower of Jesus Christ. Gal. 5: 17-23 is a sharp contrast between the works of the flesh and fruit of the spirit. The work of the flesh (17of them) are natural outcome of the Adamic nature while fruit of the spirit (9 of them) are the result of the Holy Spirit operating on the new life. The church needs spirit filled members. If the filling is lacking, the church is plagued with disorders, dissensions, strife, backbiting, jealousy and scandal. Let every member of the church be spirit filled, the pastor, elders, deacons, Sunday school teachers, singers, choir members and ordinary members. Let the study of Holy Spirit during the conference illuminate our hearts and minds and also let us give more importance to the Person of Holy Spirit in our spiritual, personal, family and church life.” Let the study of the Holy Spirit help us to become a Spirit filled community.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham, Bishop of St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India, is a renowned theologian, preacher, teacher, administrator and a conference speaker. He served as the first principal of Principal of Jubilee Memorial Bible College, Chennai, TN India, for 9 years. Before that he served as the Principal of the Bethel Matriculation School of STECI, in Zuzuvadi near Hosur.
He earned his B.A from Catholicate, College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India, M.A from Bhopal University,
B.D from Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, MT.h & D.Min from SAIACS Bangalore. He was ordained
as a presbyter of STECI in the year 1985 and served STECI in various capacities. For a decade he was
the Sabha Treasurer, and for few years he served as Sabha Secretary, along with these administrative
responsibilities he served several parishes in Kerala and in Bahaya Kerala. Rev. Dr. Thomas Abraham
was consecrated as the Bishop of STECI on 27th Nov.2008 and became the Diocesan Bishop of North
America & Europe on 1st Jan 2009.He presently serves as the Chairman of the Prathinidhi sabha of
STECI ( Representative Assembly). He also serves as the Diocesan Bishop of the North Kerala and Gulf-
Singapore dioceses.
He also served several national organizations
to mention few: as the Executive Secretary of India National Council of Christian churches, Executive
member of Federation of Evangelical Churches of India. Bishop & Valsa Kochamma( Prof.Mary
Abraham) has three daughters- eldest one Sherin married to Ashish of STECI Pune Parish and younger
twin daughters- Irene and Roshin pursuing Engineering studies.
Born at Punnavely in 1939. Graduated from Bangarapet Theological Seminary. Secured BA, BEd (Bachelor of Arts and Education) from St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta. Ordained on 24th December, 1962. Ministered in various parishes in our church. Consecrated as bishop in 1995. Completing 50 years of ordained ministry this year.
Family
Saramma (Wife), graduated from Hindustan Bible Institute, Madras. She was working with her brother P.M Thomas (missionary) in Kashmir, afterwards at Bethel Ashram, Trichur. After marriage, she was able to contribute to the church ministry. Now she is undergoing treatment for cancer at CMC Hospital, Vellore.
Children
Grace Verghese, – wife of Verghese Samuel. She is a teacher at Trivandrum and a member of the Nathancode parish of our church.
Rev. Finney Alexander – after completing BD from Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, he is working as a chaplain in Christian Medical College, Vellore. He was ordained in our church in 2010. He is also in charge of the Coimbatore mission station of our church.
Sophia Shine – after completing BD from Union Biblical Seminary, she married Rev. Shine John. They are ministering with the CSI church, Central Kerala diocese.
Aby Alexander – working with the Christian Institute of management, Chennai. He is also in charge of Tyrannous Hall, under the Education board of our church.
George Verwer is the Founder and former International Director of Operation Mobilisation, which is a ministry of evangelism, discipleship training and church planting. George led Operation Mobilisation for over 40 years before stepping down in August 2003. George has a burning concern for vital, propagating and revolutionary Christianity in his own life and in those he meets.
Saved at the age of 16 in a Jack Wyrtzen meeting, in which Billy Graham spoke in Madison Square Garden, New York, George returned to his school in northern New Jersey. Within a year about 200 of his classmates had found a relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ. Shortly after his conversion he said to God, ‘Only one thing I want in life – I want to learn to pray, to love you, I want to know you and commune with you.’ He has not moved from that principle.
George had a growing conviction to share the Word of God on foreign soil. He started with distribution of Gospels of John in Mexico along with two friends. This continued with others during summer holidays – beginning in Mexico in 1957.
Attending Maryville College after high school, he transferred to Moody Bible Institute where he met a girl, Drena, who was a fellow student and later became his wife. They went to Spain where in 1961 the work of OM was born. The goal, always the same, is to get to know God together in discipling young Christians while concurrently carrying out a rigorous programme of world evangelism.
Today OM reaches across the world through the ministry of their ship Logos Hope and over 6,100 people working in over 110 nations to make Christ known in the lives of all they meet. For many years George served as International Director of OM and helped raise up dedicated leadership to pursue this task across the world, freeing him to travel and speak, helping many find their role in extending the Kingdom of God.
George shares the Christian revolution of love and balance right around the world. He starts at home emphasizing the need to worship God, live in fellowship with one another by walking in the light, and live a disciplined life of victory as forgiven, repentant, Cross-centered Christians.
George and his wife is now involved in Special Projects Ministries (still part of OM) full-time. They have three adult children; five grandchildren and make their home in England.
Sam George is the Executive Director of Parivar International, a Christian family ministry to the Asian Indian community in North America. Parivar means family in many Indian languages.
Sam was born in Andaman Islands, South East of India. He holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and masters in business management. He worked in the consulting and engineering software industry for nine years in Singapore, United States and India. Then he studied in Fuller and Princeton Theological Seminaries in missions and practical theology. He is currently doing his PhD on Asian Indian Diaspora in Liverpool (UK).
He lives with his family in the northern suburb of Chicago. He is married to Mary George and they are parents of two boys. Mary holds a PhD in pharmaceutics and works as a research scientist with a Japanese firm. They are active in many community initiatives in United States, Canada and United Kingdom.
Sam serves on the board of several non-profit organizations in India and United states. He has spoken and written on issues concerning youth, family, mission and leadership in a variety of settings. He is the author of the popular book titled Understanding the Coconut Generation: Ministry to the Americanized Asian Indians. (www.CoconutGeneration.com). He writes a weekly national column Family Matters for a leading Indian newspaper (India Tribune). Recently Sam & Mary coauthored a new book titled Before the Wedding Bells: Preparing for a Lasting and Fulfilling Marriage (www.theweddingbells.org).
PARIVAR is involved in serving the needs of Asian Indian youth and families in North America, operating from Chicago, Atlanta, New York and San Francisco. It regularly conducts conduct seminars, retreat and conferences for churches and community organizations. It offers free culturally sensitive counseling services to hurting individuals and families in a highly confidential manner. Parivar develops and makes available appropriate resources to help families thrive in diasporic setting. Find out more about them www.ParivarInternational.org Parivar family helpline 1 -877-PHELP-11 (1-877-743-5711)
