Introduction and Vision

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.  Acts 1:18

Our Vision is to take the Gospel to many unreached areas by giving a helping hand to Circuits whenever they need our support to promote Evangelism, and commence Gospel ministries in unreached areas and to hand over these areas to the closest Circuit.

We praise and thank  God for the blessings and guidance we have received in our ministry. The Board of Evangelism and the working committee met on several occasions during the year.   

Highlights of the Year

We praise God for many Circuits that have started to move into several areas in their Circuits expanding their boundaries.  The house Church system has become a successful method to move out and establish new congregations. Many houses have been taken on rent to station new workers and also to conduct worship, thereby gradually developing these areas into new societies.  The Department too was able to develop the work of many new areas where there were no circuit work, previously.

   Monaragala District  - Wellassa Mission  :  As reported in last year's report, we could establish the first Church in this district, which belongs to the NCC family. Though there were many house Churches started, even by several denominations, it was very difficult to purchase a land or a house to establish a Church.  Now that we have succeeded in expanding the house we purchased and getting electricity, the Evangelist has better facilities than last year. We celebrated the first anniversary where about 56 worshippers participated in the service.

We have now started a House Church in Madagaman in a rented house situated in Monaragala-Bibile Road. We look forward to purchasing a land with a house in this area very soon.

   Revival 2002 :  We thank God for the spiritual awakening, experienced by the participants. This conference carried a strong message of Peace and co-existence to many homes in the war-ravaged North and East and the bereaving South. During the past three years, when this Conference was organized, almost all the participants carried this message to their families and extended communities. Certainly this conference had socio-political ramifications and an impact that helped to diminish long-standing  fears and suspicions among the ethnic groups, that a lot of participants kept in mind for decades.  It created a core group in many villages and towns in both Tamil and Sinhala areas, who now realize, that their 'so-called' enemies were really friends and not monsters as they were made to believe.  It is obvious that this course of action was one of the most significant contributions of the Church towards the peace process mooted early this year between the Government and the LTTE.

Each year, at the end of this three-day live-in socio spiritual experience, many bridges have been built, many friendships have started and many tears shed at the parting, forgetting ethnic differences, promising to meet again and hoping that the war would end and Peace begin soon, so that their new-formed friendships could be nurtured and sustained unhindered by political manipulations.

We thank the Superintendent Minister, staff, and the leaders of the Katunayake Circuit who shouldered this event, with a great commitment.

   Evangelistic Workers  : We have a total of 32 Evangelistic workers whose stipends are being paid by the Department.  Among them 27 workers are serving in Circuits, helping the Ministers in Evangelism, while 5 Evangelistic workers are serving in new areas who are being directly supervised by the Department.

The Department of Evangelism spends about Rs 150,000/- per month for the workers; stipends, and out of this amount we spend about Rs 100,00/- per month for those who serve in the Circuits.

Training of Workers  :  The Department, with the support of Rev Park and the Korean Philip Mission, organized training seminars during the past year.  These training seminars were conducted by BEE WORLD Institution, and the support given by Rev Thomas Doe, the local coordinator for BEE WORLD, is greatly appreciated.

Kal-Eliya and Kalkudha :  The residential Training College at Kal Eliya with 12 studnets and the Kalkudha Training College with 9 students, continue their training.  5 Students passed out from Kal Eliya this year while 9 students passed out from Kalkudha

   Out-reach and Revival Missions  :  The Praise Team of the Church Growth Committee conducted Revival and Open Air Missions in places like Ampara, Nuwara Eliya, Hatton, Batapola and helped many Circuits to screen the "Jesus" film.

 Charismatic Movement  : The Charismatic Movement, which was started under the Department of Evangelism met two times.  As requested by the United Evangelical Mission, this committee organized a consultation on the Charismatic Movement.  22 persons participated including Ministers and full-time Evangelists from all three districts.

  North and East  :

  Mannar-Murunkan Circuit - At Chettiar Kattaiadampan Village with Murunkan Church Minister, the youth jointly do the evangelistic work. Through this work 2 families have accepted Christ. Wanni Mission has been extended from Kilinochchi District to Mullaitivu District.  In this area 7 Evangelistic workers are serving under the leadership of Rev Sam Arasaratnam.  on 6 March 2002, 40 believers were baptized.

  Point Pedro Circuit  - As a new area in Pt Pedro, work has been started in Thambasithy Village and about 7 families are participating in the prayer meetings held there.

  Kallar Circuit  - About 3 1/2 years ago, Paduwankarai Mission was started. In Palaiyadi Vaddai Village, 3 families have already been baptized and 2 families are preparing for baptism.

  Chenkaladi Circuit  - The Circuit Evangelistic work is carried out in Kalkudah, Andiakel Madhu, and Pattiyadichcholai areas. People who have accepted Christ and got healed through this evangelism work had joined the Church.  Last year 11 families got baptized and joined the Church.  Kalkudah ETC's participation in the Evangelism work of the circuit is remarkable.

Trincomalee Circuit - In this Circuit at 15 places Evangelism work is being done. As there is an increase in new believers day by day, we have planned to extend the area of Muthur Church. Evangelism work is going on in villages closer to Muthur.  In April last year 97 people were baptized and their participation in workshop seminars is remarkable.

  Jaffna Circuit - For the believers who were stgrong in their faith for the last 2 years, baptism was given this year.  In places like Mulli, Nallur, Tholpuram and Mallakam, we ahve sown the good news and reaping a good harvest.  At Puttur, 2-day Revival Meetings were organized and special speaker from India, Rev Karunakaran was invited. Around 350 people participated at these meeting.

  Kalmunai Circuit  - Even the Hindus had invited the Ministers to come to their homes and pray. We believe these people will accept Christ through faith. In the witnessing life and giving by the new believers are  far beyond the old members.  An Islamic young girls is also attending  Church services at Kalmunai Methodist Church with a view to joining the Church.

  Koddaimunai Circuit - In Koolavadi and Kumarapuram, Sunday Schools have been introduced and through the Hindu children and Christian children, evangelistic work is continuing.  People of Marakilan Kadu andMiyilambaveli of Thannamunai Church  were met and 10 have accepted Church.

  Puliyantivu Circuit - Evangelism work is going on satisfactorily.

  Southern District 

The Committee met four times during the year. Attention   was given to improve the work of the District. The annual district convention was held at Thummodera.  The programme included Bible Studies, lectures, out-door activities, fellowship and interactive activities.

  Matara-Tangalle Circuit - A lot of work has been done by enhancing the spiritual work of the Circuit. Tangalle Church participated in Radio and TV programmes during Christmas.

  Galle Circuit - The Circuit has shown considerable progress by baptizing 16 adults and 6 children.  Evangeliscal training programmes, open air meetings and prayer meetings were held at Richmond Hill, Batapola and Ambalangoda.

  Kalutara Circuit - As a result of Evangelical work done at Dodangoda, and Sapugahawatte, five families responded to the gospel and came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Department continues its mission by conducting classes.

  Panadura  Circuit  - Prayer meetings were held in a manner to spread the gospel  to outsiders. Ten got baptized due to pastoral efforts.  "Dev Samasum Seva" is attended by non-Christians. The annual Easter Morning processions was an event of witness.

  Rawatawatte Circuit  - Workshops were held under the themes "Gifts and the Fruits of the Spirit" and "Our contribution to the propagation of the Kingdom of God"  Paraththa and Horana are the new locations of evangelism. The Koralawella Society engages in weekly Revivals at places along the river and the beach.  Open air meetings too were held.

  Moratumulla Circuit - 96 persons participated in 2002 Revival.  Open air meetings and area revival meetings are being held.  The Easter drama "Galeele Lalu Le" was staged.  8 members participated in District conventions.  

  Seeduwa Circuit - 10 participated in District conventions. A mission service was held at Ekala during Christmas  Weekly programmes were held at Ekala and Allawwa months.

  Minuwangoda Circuit - Healing servicse were held - some of the residents in the area came to know Christ. The Praise & Worship services are held by a group at Seeduwa and Welisara.  Both Evangelical and children's programmes were held at Banduragoda where people are ready to accept Christ.

  Katana Miriswatte Circuit - Members attended the District Evangelism convention.

  NWP (South) Some attended Revival 2002.

   Central District.

The Committee continues to meet outside of Colombo as much as possible so as to encourage the circuits in their efforts to spread the Good News to the people around

The Committee co-opted the evangelists and evangelistic workers in the district into the committee as it felt the need to be in touch with those in the field in addition to the secretaries who continue to represent the circuits.

Different Circuits are continuing the evangelistic efforts with different approaches in accordance with what is most effective to the local situation. God is continuing to bless our societies with harvest despite many oppositions and limitations. We praise God for His goodness.

It is our responsibility as a Church to continue to uphold those in the forefront with our continued prayers and provide their needs and assist them to take the Gospel forward more effectively.  We as a Committee has been approached many a time for assistance with transport facilities by the Circuits in order to visit remote places as a Group.

Animated bar and background by courtesy of Inspired Christian Technologies

 Animated icons