Rev. Dr. Surendra Samuel

The Executive Secretary
The Council of Evangelism and Missions, MCI

I would count it a great privilege for me to serve under the most experienced servant of God who has served this Council for three Quadrennium. Definitely the Methodist Church in India and particularly myself is going to be blessed by the rich experience of the dynamic leadership of our Chairman Bishop M. A. Daniel. I congratulate him for being elected as one of the Bishops of Methodist Church in India to give his best to the Lord through his service and Ministry. I am also thankful to God for the dynamic leadership provided by the Council of Bishops who have decided to keep the theme of the General Conference to “looking unto Jesus Christ” The success of the programme councils depends upon how best we look upon Jesus Christ and draw His power to do our God given responsibility. I do anticipate prayerful support and guidance of all the honorable Bishops of MCI.
I count myself novice and undeserving to serve him with such a big and great responsibility. When I got elected to this responsibility, found myself in the state of quandary and predicament, but when I looked unto Him for His guidance and strength, then the word of God encouraged me through the book of Jeremiah, “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before, I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, I am only a youth; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord” Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1: 4-10). We all are well aware of the fact that the Evangelism and Missions is the heart beat of the Church. Wholistic Gospel and Transformation must be our focus. We need to influence the whole of the Indian Society as salt and light. Christians are called to be actively involved in all the areas of influence in a society: Arts, Business, Community, Media, Education, Family and Government etc. The ministry of Evangelism and Mission is also compared to the blood, which represents life. When we cut any part of the body we can find the blood. As long as the blood reaches all parts of the body we can have life. Likewise the aim of every programme councils of MCI should be used as the channel or conduit of reaching the unreached with the love of God and Gospel of Jesus Christ.