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When all is said and done, a church justifies its existence only by its obedience to the last great command of its Lord and Master:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." (Matthew 28:19)
The Church in Tirunelveli has ever been obedient to these marching orders of Christ. If it is called a "Church building Church” it does not only mean that it goes on building churches of brick and mortar for itself, but that it endeavours to carry the Gospel for and near and help in planting His Church wherever possible. The Department of Mission and Evangelism has ever been given the utmost importance. It began with the Indian Missionary Society which is still the main outreach arm of the Diocese, backed, so faithfully by the prayers and offerings of every local Church in the Diocese- accounting for 65% of' the Society's income. I.M.S. has also in recent years cast its net in a big way in its fields spread over 12 States in India; and its labours among hitherto unreached tribal areas are found very rewarding indeed.
The Department of Mission and Evangelism is doing its Missionary work in 10 areas.
I. Proclamation - T.D.E. Band
The T.D.E. Band with 8 full time workers camp for 20 days
in a month and covers villages within a radius of 20 Km. A van is being used
for this purpose. They proclaim Gospel among Hindus as well as Christians. Street
preaching, individual evangelism, family prayers and preaching in the Sunday
services are the important programmes of this Gospel team. They arrange for
the adult Baptism also. Every month they change the camp spot.
II. Missionary Enterprises
The Northern part of the Tirunelveli District is socially
and economically backward and so the pastorates in the other parts of the Diocese
are sponsoring native missionaries to work in North-Tirunelveli area. Under
this programme, there are 47 Mission centres and full-time Missionaries are
stationed in these. New Churches are built. All the pastorates in the area are
involved in this inland mission to strengthen the Church.
The second stage of the Missionary work by the Church Councils has been extended
to places outside the District, but within the boundaries of the Tamil Dioceses.
The aim of the Councils is to do Missionary work outside the Diocese to foster
friendship and co?operation. The following are the Mission fields sponsored
by the respective council:
1. Pennagram (Coimbatore Diocese) - Sponsored by South, East and South-East
Church Councils
2. Thoppur (Dharmapuri Diocese) - Sponsored by West Church Council
3. Srivilliputhur (Madurai - Ramnad Diocese) - Sponsored by Central Church Council
4. Seithur (Madurai - Ramnad Diocese) - Sponsored by North Church Council
5. Mandabam (Maudrai - Ramnad Diocese) - Sponsored by North-East, and South
West Church Council
Churches have been built and all possible methods have been
adopted to reach out. Missionaries have been stationed in three centres. The
social needs of the people in these area have also been met.
III. Mass Movement Work
With a view to help the new converts construct the Churches,
the mass movement fund has been established at the Diocesan level. This fund
is drawn out of the self-denial offertory collected during the Lent. This fund
is mainly for the people in North Church Council area of the Diocese.
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