Opportunities to Help in Europe and India
Europe
Project Areas: European: Opportunities to Help
The primary goal of ACWR European Committee is to provide material aid to needy
Nazarene brethren in Eastern Europe. Secondly, it is to assist Apostolic
Christian Mission Committee in its responsibility of providing spiritual aid and
support for the Nazarene ministry in Europe. Brethren and friends in the America
have a number of opportunities to help overseas in Europe, particularly in
Eastern Europe.
Pray for the families, believers and friends of the Nazarene Churches as
they strive to raise their children in the fear and the admonition of the Lord.
Pray that the Lord will provide for their everyday needs of food, shelter,
clothing, medicine and heat; blessing the labor of their hands and minds
in providing for their loved ones. Pray that the Word will be preached thru the
inspiration of the Spirit that the lost might be saved. Finally, pray that the
Lord thru His Holy Spirit will guide ACWR and Nazarene brethren in assessing
needs to make wise aid decisions for the
believers in Eastern Europe.
Monetary and in-kind donations of grain, clothing and other items are always
welcome and needed with the on-going everyday needs of the believers in Eastern
Europe. As the Lord would direct you, any gift will be appreciated and certainly
blessed by the Lord.
Local volunteering at an Apostolic Christian Distribution Center in the USA for
clothing, grain and other shipments overseas are needed and appreciated on a
periodic basis. In 2007, Romanian food packaging will be done at the Antioch
Distribution Center in Arad, Romania after many years of packaging at the
Bluffton Distribution Center.
Traveling overseas to meet with Nazarene brethren responsible for distributing
aid and
overseeing self-help projects has historically been, but not
limited to, ACWR European and Mission Committee members. Completion
of the Antioch Distribution Center renovation will provide opportunity for
overnight lodging of visitors and volunteers for yet to be determined work
projects. Interested individuals possessing knowledge and use of the
languages used in Eastern Europe are encouraged to contact ACWR should they be
led to, and have a heart for, the work being done there.
India
The Rural Gospel and Medical Missions of India (RGMMI) was founded in 1938 by Mr. and Mrs. B.B. Bhagwat. Mr. Bhagwat came to the United States for his college education and there met his wife. Together, they returned to India as missionaries and purchased a small property northeast of Bombay, which became the base for their spiritual work in rural India.
With the Lord’s blessings, the mission work eventually expanded into providing
medical care for the needy and providing homes for orphans. In the 1960’s the
Bhagwats retired to California and conducted the mission’s operations from
there. While in the US, they became acquainted with the Apostolic Christian
Church and approached the Elder Body about the possibility of them fully
supporting and overseeing the operations of RGMMI upon the Bhagwhats’ demise.
With the Bhagwats’ death in the early 1980’s, the responsibilities of operating
RGMMI were given to an appointed Board of Directors.
RGMMI exists for the purpose of spreading the gospel and establishing and
developing all
hhases of church work by the means of preaching, witnessing, education,
social uplift, orphanage/boarding homes and medical work. The organization’s
continuance largely depends upon the Divine Will of God; thus, the workers
employed in the Mission in India are paid their wages from the voluntary support
and resources made possible by the USA Board of Directors.
Project Areas: India: Ministries
The current headquarters for RGGMI is in Nashik, India. The spiritual work in
India revolves around three main church locations and numerous prayer halls in
the rural areas. The pastors and evangelists are under the direction of the
RGMMI administrator.
RGMMI has two boarding homes for boys, each home housing 40 boys from various
backgrounds. RGMMI provides room, board, clothing, school supplies, and tuition
for those attending the local schools. Boys are supervised by a housefather who
oversees their educational and personal needs. The landscape and grounds of the
campus are maintained by the young men. Vocational schools have been added and
provide classes in welding, electrical work and computer training. In 2006 an
English Medium School was completed and will offer English classes to students
in all grades.
RGMMI also sponsors 50 girls at the Manoram Sadam School in Manmad, India. The
girls are children of RGMMI workers, a few orphans, and girls from families that
want a structured course of study for their daughters. Each applicant and their
parent/guardian are interviewed and selected by the RGMMI administrative staff.
Four medical clinics and one hospital are located at various sites where RGMMI
has properties. Medical services are offered to ill people at a very nominal
cost.
Project Areas: India: How to be Involvedpan>
At the present time there are no work project opportunities available for Apostolic Christian brethren. The USA Board of Directors has sent several people to India to review the possibility of brethren providing medical assistance and serving as school instructors. The USA Board of Directors and the RGMMI administrator in India are aware of the desire of willing brethren to visit India and provide assistance. Until that time develops, appreciation is expressed for prayers and gifts to support the ongoing work of RGMMI in India.
Project Areas: India: USA Board of Directors
The leadership of the Rural Gospel and Medical Missions has been entrusted to
members of the Apostolic Christian Church. In the 1980’s trips were made by USA
Board members each year to India to supervise the work of RGMMI and assist with
the transition of several administrators. In 1992, the current administrator,
Dr. S.M. Parkhe, was hired. He has the responsibility for the daily
administration of the Mission’s activities and employees. The employment of Dr.
Parkhe and the advent of modern technology have lessened the necessity of
frequent visits to India. Allocations of funds are made each quarter to India
and are based on an annual budget that is prepared by the administrator and
reviewed by the RGMMI USA Board of Directors.
Copyright © 2007, Apostolic Christian World Relief, Inc. All rights reserved.
