A Report on the Andhra Pradesh HI Alumni Meet, Hyderabad, 2005

The Gates of Hell shall not Prevail Against it…

The first Andhra Pradesh HI Alumni Get-together held from 22nd to 23rd of September 2005 at Hyderabad was a great time of blessing to the alumni present on the occasion. Though a sudden cyclonic storm affected the entire state during the Get-together, it could not dampen the spirit of our alumni and finally 35 participants from different parts of the state gathered at Hyderabad to make the event a success. The get-together was focused on a theme titled Standing in the Gap… Making a Difference based on Ezekiel 22:30.

Facilitators
Mr. Peter James Bazeley, Mr. PKD Lee, Mr. Valentine, Mr. Mithra Satuluri, Mr. Raj Kumar, Mr. Paul Balasundaram, Mr. V. Kumardas, Dr. Harold Philip and Mr. Sundar Singh Sangma facilitated in the Get-together.


The Head-haunt is Still on…
In the opening devotion, Mithra Satuluri, HI Representative (South-East Asia) giving an exposition on the theme reminded that- “We are the people who God is looking for… It is not someone else! God can bring change in this nation of ours only when we are commited to stand in the gap.” God is still looking for a person who would willingly stand in the gap.

Starting at the Top… Beginning from Within
Paul Balsundaram, Executive Director (HI India), facilitated the alumni in revisiting the HI vision. He reaffirmed the vision and philosophy of Starting at the Top by saying that, “There is a great need to influence the marketplace leaders with the Gospel. If our nation is to be transformed, the cities must be touched and the marketplace must be influenced. We need to Identify cities having no HI presence and start HI activities.”


7 Dynamics of Transformation
Valentine Davidar, Executive Director (HI Asia), facilitated on a title as how to be a Role-Model in the Market Place. Through a open discussion he beautifully brought out the following 7 dynamics of transformation. We can be role-models in the market place by-

1. Living a life of Excellence
2. Serving the nation
3. Accepting difficult assignments
4. Reaching the decision makers
5. Being a financial investors in God’s kingdom
6. Living a life of Integrity
7. Having the attitude of Christ

The Mustard Seed has Grown
Mr. Sundar Singh Sangma Director (Ministry), HI India, presented and overview of the HI ministry and its national perspective. He affirmed as how the HI India ministry is being perceived by different cross-sections of individual leaders as well as Christian Institutions and the Church in the country. He also apprised how the HI training is being widely recognized and expanding in various sectors. The trainings are taken to different Christian Institutions like Medical Colleges, Theological Colleges and Mission Organizations besides market place leaders. The ministry, which began in India 1988 like a mustard seed, has grown up into a big tree permeating its ethos on Christian leadership. It is a privilege to be HI alumni. The Church and the market place leaders are expecting HI to take a lead.

He reminded the alumni that they need to focus two most important aspects of the ministry -

1. Quality seminars
2. God-given Vision and Mission

In the Power of the Holy Spirit…
Alumnus Peter James Bazeley, President HI India in his presidential address reinforced by saying that, “We can achieve the task God has entrusted to us by doing our activities only in the Power of the Holy Spirit and sacrificial giving.” He also spoke about man’s four selves- Perceived Self, Actual Self, Pretended Self and Deceptive Self. He said when our Actual Self is reconciled to God’s standards then only we can see what God sees in us. He exhorted the alumni to shun the remotest sense of complacency, reverently experience the Lord’s Call from the burning bush of today, and to prayerfully overcome any and all inclination to emulate the initial procrastinating and escapist spirit of Moses, so as to respond and do His Will as Samuel did in the times of yore, and to strive to reach the Gospel to as many as they can, in the footsteps of Apostle Paul and Peter’s examples in Asia Minor.

Improving the Serve
In a group discussion led by Mithra Satuluri, it had been discovered that HI Alumni could play greater role by getting themselves involved with the HI Ministry and should enhance their understanding of the vision & ethos of HI by reading the HI Manuals and other related materials.

Vision must be Understood and Obeyed
Mr. PKD Lee, Vice-President( HI International), speaking on the theme said that- to stand in the gap and make a difference we need to understand following three dynamics-

1. God’s vision for our situation
2. Vision for the people
3. God’s purpose in our life

He said, “God wants to do a mighty work in this nation of ours provided we understand the above three dynamics.”

AP: a Trendsetter in HI Ministry
Mr. V.Kumardas, HI Regional Coordinator (AP), presenting a beautiful report on the HI ministry in the state of AP said-

1. HI ministry in AP has experienced tremendous growth by His grace. There are more than 8000 HI alumni in AP alone.
2. Now emphasis must be given to enhance the quality of the ministry.
3. Alumni Associations needs to be strengthened.

Synchronizing with the theme he challenged the alumni to rise to the occasion and said, “ AP can be the ONE when there is NONE”

Strengthening the Grip
Dr. Harold Philip, HI Hon. Coordinator (AP) led a discussion as how to build relationships among the alumni in order to build a strong Alumni Association. The following suggestions were contributed by the participants-

• Through Prayer & Fellowships
• Through constant follow-up & mentoring
• By appreciating and encouraging each other
• By building personal relationships
• By sacrificial giving

Investment in the Bank of Heaven
Finally, Paul Balsundarm presented on How the HI Alumni can take Part in the HI Ministry by Financial Giving. He challenged and exhorted the alumni to give till it hurts and cited the example of the Macedonian Church, which gave out of their poverty. When the members present were given an opportunity to make financial pledges, the alumni present made a pledge of Rs. 90,000/- towards HI ministry in India. All glory to Him.

President Peter James Bazeley closed the get-together with prayer and benediction.

The alumni had returned with a new understanding of the vision and greater sense of responsibility to stand in the gap and make difference. All glory to Him !