Nava Jeevan   (New Life in Christ) South Asian Outreach Ministry of New Jersey Synod – ELCA Greater Princeton Area

New Life in Christ    -   Weekly News Letter - Issue # 3   -   Date - April 28, 2008    - From the Rev. Edwin F. Arumanayagam / mission developer

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ our crucified and risen redeemer!

It also gave me an opportunity to reunite with some of my classmates and contemporaries from UTC Bangalore who are now involved in similar ministries in places like Chicago, Houston – Texas, New York and San Francisco – Bay Area.

The Rev. Dr. Paul Rajashekar’s (Academic Dean, Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia) keynote address under the theme “Mission in the Asian Context” was very inspiring and encouraging as we face the same challenges in similar situations in the North American context due to the growing multicultural and multi ethnic scenario. We were later divided into smaller groups under various workshops focusing on ministry among the youth, women and adults.

Last weekend was a little hectic with conducting the ‘New House Blessings’ for two families namely the Kalapaties and Arvinds in Somerset and Monmouth Junction respectively. Eventually the Tamil Christian Congregation from Outer Bridge, Staten Island gathered at Shibu Arvind’s new home for a fasting prayer meeting and I helped them into worship and praise.

On Saturday evening at about 5.00 pm  and Sunday morning at both 9.00 am and 10.30 am services I had the privilege of preaching the ‘Word’  to the Christ the King Lutheran Church. On the same day evening at 4.00 pm I was invited to minister through ‘Word’, music and prayers at the house gathering of family and relatives of Mr. Sam and Mrs. Nirmala Gopal, Ewing Township, New Jersey. 

Praise God for:

• The speedy recovery of Mr. Sam Gopal from his heart problems.
• The remarkable recovery of Mr. Julius Mallepalli from his knee surgery.
• The improvement in Lois Amutha Fernando’s health concerns.

• The Rev. Dr. David Purushothaman (Founder of Tamil Christian Congregation, Outer Bridge – Staten Island, NJ & Pastor at United Methodist church, Edison). He is 75 years and undergoing chemo therapy while recuperating from a major surgery.
• The ‘Festival of Holy Spirit’ to be held on May 9^th at 7.00 pm in Christ the King Lutheran Church that the Lord should abundantly bless the gathering and the speaker Mrs. Jemima Rayan. We hope and pray that Nava Jeevan will be able to march forward as an anointed and spirit filled mission movement in reaching out to the South Asian immigrants.
• The holistic healing of Vishal, an infant child of Ruchi and Anand Agarwal.
• Ruben and Shirin Moses’ younger daughter for a miraculous healing from her heart concern.
• Lois Amutha Fernando’s complete recovery.
• Young couples who are waiting for God to bless them with children.
• Our Jewish sisters and brothers who remember the ‘Holocaust’ on May 1^st.
• For the travel mercies and safety for Jessica and Girija Mallepalli who are planning to visit the “Holy Land” a tour of Israel organized by Dr. David Chigurupati (Founder President of Asian Christian Association – a Telugu Ethnic Ministry in Union City and Rahway, NJ). The Mallepallies are members of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Ewing.