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ICP: 2000 - A Report
On January 30, immediately following the Sunday Morning Worship, Dr. Neil Chadwick flew to Detroit where he met Evangelist Jack Kinard who had agreed to partner with Dr. Chadwick for this trip. Together they flew to Amsterdam and then to Bombay, arriving there Monday night before midnight. Immediately they faced their first challenge. The first Pastors' Seminar was scheduled to begin at 11:30, Tuesday morning, but the flight from Bombay to Poona had been canceled, and the first available substitute would not fly until the afternoon. But the Lord had a plan. A Pastor with whom Dr. Chadiwck had worked previously suddenly emerged from the crowd, and after a time of fellowship at his church, Dr. Chadwick and Evantelist Kinard were being transported by car owned by one of his church members - over mountain roads, reaching their first assignment before 9:00 a.m.
That first seminar included 150 leaders, with the two evening services swelling to nearly 1,000. Although there was one incident when Hindu opposition surfaced, these meetings were greatly blessed. A highlight was when the Pastors were invited to a special prayer session where they could share their concerns and join together in prayer support. At one point, one Pastor mentioned that he had been praying for a bicycle. Before the session was over, another Pastor stepped forward and promised the bicycle. This may seem small to us, but it was very important to this brother who had been walking from village to village preaching the Gospel.
Leaving Poona was difficult - Dr. Chadwick and Evangelist Kinard were ready to go, but the driver was no where to be found. In the meantime, the large group of people who had just been dismissed from the final session began to crowd around, looking for a last handshake. But there was a blessing in this, the local music group came to sing a farewell song, in English - "We love you in the love of the Lord."
Because of the delay, arrival at the airport was just in time, and Dr. Chadwick and Evangelist Kinard arrived in Bangalore by mid-afternoon Thursday. There they began the Seminar with a meeting that evening, ministering to a total of 240 Pastors at a city auditorium, and conducting three evening Gospel meetings in a rented hall some distance away. During the opening meeting there was great confusion, and there was extreme concern and discouragement. However, after spending the next day fasting, and seeking the Lord while teaching three sessions, by the next evening there was a break-through, and a large number of people were touched by the Holy Spirit.
On Sunday there was ministry in a poor church on the outskirts of Bangalore before making the three hour road trip to Mysore where 90 people gathered in an upstairs hall over the Pastor's residence. What a wonderful time of prayer followed this service, as nearly everyone there came forward. On Monday at 3:15 a.m., Dr. Chadwick and Evangelist Kinard were on the road again to make it back to Bangalore, and on to the third Seminar, Amritsar, a city located in the far north of the country, only 20 miles from the Pakistan border.
The Amritsar Seminar was smaller due to the political tension. However, this was a wonderful group of sincere and dedicated people. They listened and prayed with such intensity! In the evening, the small church (35' by 55') was filled with nearly 300 attending the last service which was conducted with only the light from a gas lantern and two candles. This was due to a blown up transformer in this very poor slum town of 1,000 families. It was while in Amritsar that the travelliers did the only real sight-seeing during our trip, a visit to the center of the Sikh religion, the "Golden Temple".
Because of customs regulations, the airline tickets purchased for the flight back to New Delhi could not be used. Instead, the trip would be made by train. After settling into their seats, Dr. Chadwick discovered that the tickets had been bought for another train. Fortunately, two young Pastors were at the station, and with their help, passengers and luggage were able to make it to the other end of the train - where there were available seats - just in time for the train to pull out of the station. The rest of the trip was arduous - 4 hours sleep at the YWCA, flight to Gauhati, and a 3 hour road trip with missionaries Jim and Bonnie Roane. The next Seminar was kicked off that evening, and once again, though the group was smaller than anticipated, these mountain people were found to be warm, loving, and very dedicated to the cause of the Gospel. This would be the second opportunity to participate in an ordination service, and during the Sunday morning service, the Home Minister (Governor) for that State was present, and Dr. Chadwick we had the privilege of praying for him and his government. Here it was once again emphasized that every effort should be made to come to this part of India again, the need and the call for leadership training and encouragement is so great. However, no promises could be made, only that there would be much prayer that the Lord's will would be done.
Leaving Shillong immediately following the Sunday afternoon service, Dr. Chadwick and Evangelist Kinard were driven by car for 7 hours over mountainous roads, reaching the airport city of Silchar at 11:00 o'clock. Up and out by 5:00 a.m., they caught a plane to Calcutta where there was just enough time to take a taxi into the city to visit the Mission of Mercy center. Then by mid-afternoon, they arrived at our last Seminar location, Visakhaputnam, where the last Pastors' Seminar would be held with 275 Pastors in attendance. Once again there was eagerness and devotion. Most of these Pastors had come in from village ministries, and were blessed as they took everything in, and as they flocked around the altar during prayer times. Before leaving town, Dr. Chadwick had the opportunity of walking along the shore of the Sea of Bengal, and a little time was taken to do some gift shopping. Then began the long trip home - it would be nearly 50 hours from rising time on Thursday, until bed time Friday night back home in central Michigan.
Anyone can certainly understand that "weariness" is not strong enough a word to describe how Dr. Chadwick and Evangelist Kinard felt when they we reached home. But there is no doubt that it was well worth it - the trip was eventful, and very successful. Please take a few more minutes to read the words written by Pastors who attended these meetings. Some were written in English, and others were translated by our hosts with at least the essence being reported here.
Although it would be hard to place a value on the accomplishments of this kind of ministry, there is no doubt that there will be a residual effect as these Pastors have returned to their places of services to continue in faithful ministry. Please continue to remember them in your prayers.
Currently direction is being sought concerning the possibility of establishing the India Christian Partnership as a continuous ministry, where, on a periodic but regular basis, Pastoral Leadership Seminars may be provided in countries such as India. Please continue to pray for this ministry, and consider the possibility of providing regular financial support as these plans take shape. Related Articles
Read Testimonies of Pastors in India New Persecution in India News Release for ICP 2000 Pictures from ICP 2000 ICP 2000 - A Report
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