What is charity?
Pastor Suresh. K. President
Charity, in Christian thought, the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man that is made manifest in unselfish love of one's fellow men. Paul's classical description of charity is found in the New Testament (I Cor. 13).
- In Christian theology and ethics, charity (a translation of the Greek word agape, also meaning “love”) is most eloquently shown in the life, teachings, and death of Jesus Christ. St. Augustine summarized much of Christian thought about charity when he wrote: “Charity is a virtue which, when our affections are perfectly ordered, unites us to God, for by it we love him.” Using this definition and others from the Christian tradition, the medieval theologians, especially St. Thomas Aquinas, placed charity in the context of the other Christian virtues and specified its role as “the foundation or root” of them all.
What is Christian Ministry?
Evg. P.J. JOHN, General Secratry
"Ministry" is from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning "to serve" or douleuo, meaning "to serve as a slave." In the New Testament, ministry is seen as service to God and to other people in His name. Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry—He came, not to receive service, but to give it (see Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 13:1-17). The Christian should minister by meeting people’s needs with love and humility on Christ’s behalf (see Matthew 20:26; Mark 10:43; John 2:5,9; Acts 6:3; Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Colossians 4:12). Christians are to minister to others out of their devotion to Christ and their love for others, whether the other people are believers or unbelievers. Ministry to others should be impartial and unconditional, always seeking to help others as Jesus would. The ministry in our day has taken on more of a vocational meaning as we call pastors "ministers" to full-time service. Pastors do spend their lives in the ministry, they do minister to others, and they can rightly be designated as ministers, but pastors are not the only ones who are to be involved in ministry. From the early New Testament churches to the churches of our day, each Christian should be in the ministry of helping others (see Romans 12:3-8, 10-13; 2 Timothy 2:24-26). The content of ministry seems to prioritize the ministering in spiritual things, not just practical things. Ministry should certainly place emphasis on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others so they can come to know Him and receive Him as personal Savior, go on to experience Him as Lord of their life, and go even further to know Christ as the essence of their Life (see John 1:12; Colossians 2:6-7; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:8-10). Ministry can, and should, include ministering to the physical, emotional, mental, vocational, and financial needs of others. Jesus did, and so should we
Why should we
have to share Gospel?
Pr. P.O.Alias, Director
GOSPEL? Have you ever wondered what the gospel is? The word “gospel” means good news. It is the news about who Jesus Christ is, what He has done, and how that changes everything for all of us. Learn what is so good about the news of the gospel in this in-depth explanation.
WHY? More than anything, everyone needs to experience God’s love and grace. Not only that, but God has commanded His followers to always be ready to give a reason for the hope they have (1 Peter 3:15) and to go make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)
WITH WHOM? There are people near, like your neighbors, acquaintances, friends and family, and people far, like those from different cultures than you and those in other countries, whom God has called you to share Jesus with.
HOW? You can join people on their spiritual journeys by being an Explorer (discovering where they are spiritually), a Guide (showing the way to Jesus), a Builder (helping people get past obstacles) or a Mentor (walking with them as they grow in their faith).
WHERE TO START? Start from right where you are. You don’t have to have all the answers, and it’s not your job to change anyone’s mind. Love people and share the hope you have in Jesus with gentleness and respect. Need some help? Take your next step using the resources below.
Tribals in Kerala (known in Malayalam as the Adivasis) are the tribal population found in the Indian state of Kerala. Most of the tribals of Kerala live in the forests and mountains of Western Ghats, bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Tribals in Kerala are officially designated as "Scheduled Tribes" for affirmative action purposes.[1] Kerala Public Service Commission, Government of Kerala, lists thirty-six of Scheduled Tribes in Kerala.[1] Tribals in Kerala are classified by Scheduled Tribes Development Department, Government of Kerala into three sub-sets (Particularly Vulnerable, Marginalised and Minorities).[2]
According to the 2011 Census of India, the Scheduled Tribe population in Kerala is 4,84,839 (1.5 % of the total population).[2] Wayanad district has the highest number of tribals (1,51,443) in Kerala, followed by Idukki (55,815), Palakkad (48,972) and Kasaragod (48,857) and Kannur districts (41,371).[2] Paniyan, Irula, Kattunaikan, and Adiyan are some of the major "communities" among Kerala tribals.
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