Report on the 70th Annual Convention of the Evangelical Fellowship of India

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The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) hosted its 70th Annual Convention and Leaders Conference from September 17th to 19th, 2024, in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. With over 200 participants from across India, this significant gathering expressed solidarity with the Church in the Bastar region, which has faced increasing persecution in recent years. The Church’s presence in Bastar spans over 150 years, and tribal Christians have long been an integral part of the local culture. However, the rise of right-wing ideology and action in the region since the 1980s has challenged the social fabric and has particularly affected tribal Christians, who have lived for over a century in harmony with their tribal sisters and brothers.

Theme: “Hope in Hardship”

The convention’s theme, “Hope in Hardship” (Romans 5:3-4), resonated deeply with theparticipants as they reflected on their own experiences of suffering and hardship. Rev. Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary of EFI, delivered the keynote address on the opening day. He spoke about the biblical understanding of hope, emphasizing that even in the darkest times, Christians are called to choose hope, anchored in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Rev. Lal’s message provided much-needed encouragement and set the tone for the rest of the convention. Rev. Dr. Praveen Paul, Principal of the Caleb Institute of Theology, Delhi, led the daily Biblical Reflections from the book of Nehemiah, drawing lessons from the themes of rebuilding and restoration. His insightful studies were well received, providing participants with practical guidance for navigating their own challenges.

Throughout the three days, various speakers addressed the participants, offering words
of wisdom and encouragement:

  • Rev. HDS Joel from Agra shared a biblical perspective on suffering and hardship, underlining the surety of Christian hope and the victorious nature of the Church, even in times of trial.
  • Bishop Biswajit Pani from Bhubaneswar led a session on “Being Women and Men of Hope,” urging believers to rise as bearers of hope in their communities.
  • Dr. John Dayal spoke on building resilient communities of faith, emphasizing the importance of unity and strength in the face of persecution.
  • Rev. Vijay Paul Emerson delivered a message titled “The God of Hope,” encouraging participants to trust in God’s unchanging character during difficult times.
  • Rev. Sushil Tyagi from Delhi shared on “Endurance in Trials,” offering practical advice for remaining steadfast in faith through adversity.

EFI General Secretary, Rev. Vijayesh Lal, concluded the final day with a message calling participants to persevere in faith, reminding them to remain firm in their belief and to choose hope for the future despite the hardships they face.

Breakout Sessions

On the second day, participants engaged in breakout sessions, which provided a platform
for focused discussions on key issues facing the Church today:

  • Sharing Our Faith in a Changed Context by Rev. Sushil Tyagi
  • Our Rights and Responsibilities by EFI’s Religious Liberty Commission
  • Hope Against Human Trafficking by Dr. Sanjuprabha Pani
  • Sunday School Formation and Teaching by the Christian Education Department of EFI
  • Grassroots Theological Formation and Networking by Rev. Issac Dutta

These sessions were interactive and provided attendees with practical tools to strengthen their ministry and outreach in their local contexts.

Special Greetings and Solidarity with Manipur

The convention received special greetings from participants who had travelled long distances, including two teams from Manipur, a region currently facing significant violence and unrest. Representatives from the Evangelical Baptist Convention and Independent Church of India in Manipur shared their greetings and requested prayers for their state. Their presence at the convention was particularly meaningful, as they had
endured great challenges to attend, symbolizing the resilience of the Church in India’s northeast.
Greetings also came from Christian leaders across India, including Rev. Dr. John Wesley, General Secretary of the Evangelical Church of India, Rev. Robert Clarke from Calvary Bible Church, Jhansi, Rev. Vijay Mohod, ex-board member of EFI and the founder of Bhartiya Sevak Sangati, a team from Mission India, Nagpur, and the organizers of the forthcoming Bless Bastar festival in the region. Additionally, Mr. Arun Pannalal from the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum offered words of encouragement during his one-day participation.
The gathering stood in solidarity with Christians in the nation especially in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Bastar, regions where persecution and violence against the Christian community have escalated. The participants expressed their commitment to praying for these regions and to standing firm in their faith despite the opposition they face.

Honouring Long Service and Leadership Transition

EFI held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) during the convention, where a new board was elected. In a special ceremony, Rev. Issac Dutta and Mr. Manohar Tarala were honoured for their faithful service of 19 and 40 years, respectively. They were awarded plaques in recognition of their dedication to God’s mission through EFI. The organization also honoured its outgoing board members with plaques for their contributions over the years.

Declaration and Commitment

The convention concluded with the reading of the Declaration of the 70th Annual Convention of the Evangelical Fellowship of India, which was unanimously approved by the participants. The declaration reaffirmed EFI’s commitment to the spiritual and social welfare of the nation, recognizing the longstanding contributions of Christianity to India and calling for unity, peace, and justice amid rising persecution and opposition.
The declaration addressed the challenges facing tribal Christians in regions like Bastar, the ongoing violence in Manipur, and the threat posed by anti-conversion laws. Despite these challenges, EFI expressed hope for the future, reaffirming its commitment to nation-building and promoting harmony among all communities.

Conclusion

The 70th Annual Convention of EFI ended on an uplifting note. The participants left Jagdalpur deeply encouraged and committed to praying for the Church in Bastar, Manipur, and other regions facing persecution. They recognized their own role as carriers of hope and pledged to continue spreading the light of the Gospel and God’s love in their local contexts.
As the declaration powerfully concluded, EFI extends its hand in friendship to all who share its vision of a united, prosperous, and inclusive India, reaffirming its dedication to peace, harmony, and social justice across the nation