Vol 14, No 2. Jul 2017

STANDING FIRM, BUT NOT STANDING STILL

PTS Newsletter Presbyterian Theological Seminary

In this issue: The New Academic Year Begins

Spiritual Life Conference & Orientation ICRC Conference

Welcome to the PTS Family PTS Alumni Ministry Award 2017

New Students for the Academic Year 2017-18

THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS: A worship service on the evening of 3 July 2017 marked the beginning of the new academic year at PTS. The service was intended for teachers and staff and their families, but a few students were also present. Interim Principal, Dr Matthew Ebenezer, gave exhortation from the Word. Prayers were offered for the students and all the staff. SPIRITUAL LIFE CONFERENCE AND ORIENTATION: Rev. Lazarus Cornelius, pastor of Union Church, Mussoorie brought messages during the Spiritual Life Conference this year. We are happy to have twenty one new students from eleven states of our country and also from our neighbouring countries of Bhutan and Nepal. The new students were presented with a copy of the ESV Global Study Bible at the opening ceremony. Interim Principal, Dr. Mathew Ebenezer and Vice President of the PTS board, Rev. Hiralal Solanki, attended the ICRC conference: The International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC) was held during 12-19 July 2017 at Jordan, Ontario, Canada. During the conference, Dr. Mathew Ebenezer and Rev. Hiralal Solanki presented papers on, “Bringing the Reformed Faith to India,” and “A Brief Overview of Christian Missions in India,” respectively.

Welcome to PTS family: We warmly welcome Mr. Sivasankar G (Issac) and his wife Sabina to PTS. Mr. Issac is a graduate of PTS (B.Th and M. Div), from Tamilnadu. He did his M. Th (Historical Theology) at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, USA. He has been appointed as a faculty member.

Miss Nalisha Tamang graduated in 2016 from PTS with a B.Th. She is joining PTS as a Library Assistant (Trainee). Nalisha is from Sikkim.

Distinguished Alumni Award: Many years ago, the Board of PTS established a Distinguished Alumni Award to recognize and encourage those of its alumni who have done outstanding and sustained ministry for a number of years. This year the award was given to Mr. Babu and Mrs. Sabitri Varghese for their ministry in Nepal. Both Babu and Sabitri graduated from PTS in 1994. Their son, Blesson, just completed his first year of studies at PTS. Apart from running an orphanage, Blessed Children’s Home, they also operate a day school and a Bible Institute that offers a 2-year program. Babu is the senior pastor of Nepal Evangelistic Churches, a group of nearly 20 churches with as many pastors and evangelists. They went through many difficult times, but the Lord sustained their ministry wonderfully. Babu is originally from Kerala, South India, and Sabitri from Nepal.

Visitors: We are happy to have with us: * Drs. Jos Colijn, Lecturer and Coordinator of the Master of Intercultural Reformed Theology Programme, Theological University, Kampen, The Netherlands. * A group of 20 Youths from Baekseok Arts University, Korea, performed a heart-warming Musical Concert on 25 June ‘17 at PTS. The auditorium was packed with Christians from the city of Dehradun. * Braden Benson (RTS Student in Charlotte, NC) and his wife, Victoria from USA recently visited PTS. We wish them all blessings.

We welcome them warmly: We are happy to introduce twenty one new students this year coming from eleven states of our country and from other countries of Nepal and Bhutan.

1st row from L to R: Aruna Rai (M.Div) from Presbyterian Free Church, Sikkim, Sanju Bala Devi (B.Th), Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Sikkim, Anjali Kumari (B.Th) Beersheeba Church of God, Uttar Pradesh, Soniya Choudhary (B.Th) Naav Jeevan Church, Uttarakhand, Sonam Karki (M.Div), Valley Bible Fellowship (Nepal), Suman (B. Th), Mount Zion Church, Punjab. 2nd row from L to R: David (B.Th), Believers Church, Haryana, Youshop Lepcha (M. Div), United Church of North India, West Bengal, Kapsuanmung (M. Div) Presbyterian Chuch in India (Reformed), Manipur, Erickson L. Varte (M.Div), Reformed Presbyterian Church North East India Synod, Assam, Hrangchawithanga (M.Div), Presbyterian Church in India, Mizoram, Suman (B.Th), Mount Zion Church, Punjab; Andrew Lalrintluanga (M.Div), Presbyterian Church in India, Mizoram. 3rd row from L to R: Nima Tamang (B.Th), United Church of North India, West Bengal, Kapkhanlian Shoute (M.Div), Reformed Presbyterian Chuch North East India Synod, Manipur, Seraph McGregor (M.Div), Methodist Church, Uttarakhand, Khem Bahadur (B.Th), Reformed Presbyterian Church in India, Uttarakhand, Yakub Lepcha (B.Th), Hephzibah Presbyterian Church, West Bengal, Eubulus (B.Th) Presbyterian Free Church, West Bengal, Sanjay Yadav (M.Div) Faith Bible Presbyterian Church, New Delhi, Aden Karthak, (B.Th), Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Sikkim.

PROJECT Sponsor a student: There are several student candidates who are in need of support. Sponsor a student for 3 or 4 years, by investing approximately $ 1800 per year, covering tuition and boarding. Any amount you can give is appreciated. Gifts and donations indicating its purpose can be sent to any of the following: 1. Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Saving Bank Acct No. 306802010008768, Union Bank of India, Dehradun (Main Branch). Swift Code No: UBININBBDER, IFSC: UBIN0530689. 2. Association for Reformed Ministries Abroad. C/o Mrs Jean A. Schreur, 4544 Van Buren, Hudsonville, MI 49426, USA. 3. MTW, 1600 North Brown Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA.

WEBSITE: Please do visit our website www.ptsindia.com for more information about us. The Newsletter and the Daily Prayer Guide are available at our website. Upon request, these can be sent to you by email. Please write to: revroshyama@ptsindia.com Rev. L. Roshyama Hrangchal, Editor & Vice Principal, Development & Projects.