As the screen next to him showed phrases over time such as “Our Outreach Among the Untouchables” and “It’s a Vision of the World Made New!,” Reverand Dr. Joab Lohara, bishop of the Immanuel Conference Church, spoke today at Seattle Pacific University for the school’s Common Day of Learning.
The day was focused on the theme of “Transformation Through Creative Mission (Acts 26: 17-18)” with an opening speech given by Lohara and afternoon seminars on topics involving Christianity and India.
Formally a journalist and missionary, Lohara spoke of his beliefs of what he referred to as “Global Transformation,” where everyone can find a happy and healthy life through Christianity and Jesus Christ.
One of three Free Methodist bishops in his home country of India, Lohara stood at the podium and spoke of deadly situations during his journalistic years as well as miracles he has heard of and seen that have led him to where he is today, finding responses of “amen” and hallelujah” from the audience.
“The evil idea system must be replaced by the idea system that Jesus Christ embodied” Lohara said when discussing what global transformation is.
With his speech being focused on the area and people of India, Lohara raised questions of the caste system and how missionary work and global transformation has stretched beyond the limits of caste, to people of all backgrounds and economic standing.
With Indian culture so firmly grasped in deciding economic standing through caste systems, Lohara found it very hard to find support from many people. “As long as Hinduism remains, the caste system remains,” Lohara said when one the subject of going beyond the caste system.
Through his missionary work in India and surrounding countries, Lohara told of projects that allowed rural areas gain things such as child care, medical clinics, toilets, housing projects, and other materials to allow for a prosperous community.
After the building projects were put under way, Lohara said, literacy was put underway, with the first book many people were given to read being the bible.
Lohara himself has created three different missions, including AIM Asia, to help with the global transformation and embrace as he quoted from Revelations 21: 3-5 “the grand vision of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Lohara finished his speech to the applause of students and faculty alike where thereafter, the ASSP president announced funding for a new church in India through Lohara’s mission AIM Asia.
No comments:
Post a Comment