NATIONAL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR, A REPORT

A stragtegic initiative:
The National Seminar in Kolkata from 5th to 14th January, 2007 was truly a strategic initiative by Kolkata HI Alumni Association. This seminar took place after a long gap of six years, the last being in the year 2000. This seminar is the first official seminar for me after I joined HI as full time staff.

A true national character:
The seminar was truly national in character with 26 participants representing 10 States across India such as, Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Karnataka, New Delhi and Chhattisgarh. The participants encompassed all walks of life from full time Christian Ministers to marketplace professionals. The participants mix was well orchestrated to give it a meaningful place for profitable interactions.

A grand Convocation Ceremony:
The Seminar was marked by a grand Convocation Ceremony at the Old Mission Church. The Old Mission Church, Kolkata has glorious history of HI, a place quite rightly chosen for the Convocation Ceremony. The participants were transported from the seminar venue to the Convocation venue after having a short city cruise. The Convocation Ceremony was grandly organized in the pattern of international convocation. All important dignitaries and Alumni of Kolkata were invited. There were about 60 invitees present. Sekhar Shukla was the MC and he welcomed everybody. There was praise and worship at the beginning led by Church Choir. As the Choir sang, the participants entered into the hall as Convocation march and were recognized by clapping. I presented a brief report of the seminar. The participants staged a short skit titled, “Post-modern version of Naaman.” By using HI seminar jargons they were able to amuse as well as establish a strong message. Meneno from Nagaland was able to steal everybody’s heart through her melodious solo. Four of the participants gave their testimony as to how the seminar was a blessing to them. Dr. Samuel Raj brought the message. Dr. Sapan Mukoty, HI EC member distributed the Certificates. The participants were made to stand in front of the pulpit and Rev. Susanta Patra dedicated them in prayer. The Convocation was followed by a banquet.

What the participants said..

“ For me, it was a life enhancing experience. It was indeed a humbling experience for me to be trained by men and women of God who lived what they taught. It has challenged me to follow their example. As a woman leader, involved in the ministry of teaching, it was unforgettable how the Faculties were able to pass on the lasting values with pinches of humor in every session. After spending 10 exciting days, I am going back to my people with a heavy burden and deep sense of urgency to reach the unreached through Word, Life and Deed. I now realize, how much more need to be done and how less I have attempted so far.”- Madhu Nayak, M. Com, BD, Vice-President, Bengal, Orissa, Bihar Baptist Churches Women’s Association (BOBBCWA)

“ It is an honor for me to be a part of this 10-day National Seminar. The Bible says in Prov. “an iron sharpens an iron”. After having pastored for several years, I was looking for someone to minister to me. I thank God for such wonderful opportunity of HI National Seminar which truly ministered to me much beyond my expectations It was an exceptionally meaningful seminar. This seminar has updated my pretty old operating system. My old version of evangelism was updated and re-defined, new software “AVangelism” was installed, the stewardship session was a thorough X-ray of my soul, Pluralism was a cutting edge version of “photo shop”, and through all others sessions, I felt like lying on operation table and God doing the grade IV surgery on me!! Thanks to HI.” – Pastor Biswa Ratna Rai, Kalimpong AG Church, Darjeeling.

“It was a wonderful blessing of 10 days. Never before in my entire life have I received such training which was filled with tremendous meaning and a purpose that was divine. I feel like fully equipped and is confident. I can now negotiate the fear of rejection, fear of failure. I could see the passion for India for Jesus being deeply rooted through the teaching and sharing of the Faculties. I have now the great burden of passing on this exciting training to others as I go back to my place.” – Abhimanue Reddy, Manager, Operations, GE Money Servicing, High Tech City, Hyderabad.