New Year Revival 2012
NEW YEAR REVIVAL 2012, DALLAS CENTRE
Throughout the past years, our Diocese has experienced significant demographical and generational growth representing a new dynamic for relevant contextual ministries. As such, the linguistic need of the younger generation to creatively discern the ministry of the Word is essential for spiritual sustenance and renewal of the community. Towards that end, under the guidance of the Youth Chaplain, Rev. Jaisen A. Thomas “New Year Revival 2012”, a three-day English Convention and several workshops were conducted and coordinated by the youth and young families of the Dallas, Texas area Mar Thoma Churches on December 30, 2011 – January 1, 2012. This 3rd Annual Convention effectively served to spiritually revitalize and equip the hundreds in attendance towards greater depth in their Christian walk throughout the coming year.
The theme of the New Year Revival Convention this year was, Tear Down the Walls: Released, Renewed, Restored based on the passage from Ezekiel 36:26. This year’s convention was blessed by the presence and leadership of the Diocesan Bishop, Mar Theodosius. Thirumeni presided over the meeting and started the meeting with Kauma. He also graced the gathering with a brief inaugural message on “tearing down walls” and building a deeper relationship with Christ, church and the world.
The main speaker was Rev. Tyrone Gorden, of Dallas, Texas. Rev. Gordon, an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church. The Revival Convention meetings took place at the Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch, Texas. Along with the clergy of our respective Churches, the youths and young families had considerable involvement in all areas of the meeting. The following teams co-ordinated the revival convention.
a. Praise and Worship Team: A team of seven youths from different parishes coordinated the
praise and worship sessions.
b. Prayer team: All who needed prayer were directed to a “Prayer Room” where Prayer Team
members would spend time with them in prayer.
c. Creative Presentation: On both evenings, either before or after the sermon a creative multimedia
presentation was presented.
d. Altar Call: On the second and final day of the convention an opportunity was provided for all
who wanted to either dedicate or rededicate their lives to come forward and the clergy present
prayed for them.
e. Community Fellowship: After the prayer and benediction all were invited to share in some time
of fellowship and refreshments.
f. Resource Bookmarks: A two-sided resource bookmark was produced and distributed to all
participants on the second day of the revival meeting. One side depicted spiritual new year
resolutions that would aid in Christian growth, the other side provided topical Bible verses,
spiritual tips and contact information for professional resource persons in the area of counseling.
On Saturday, December 31st
, from 10am to 4:30pm a series of four workshops were held that
addressed the needs and problems commonly faced by our members.
There were 4 workshop. They are:-
- Who goes first? Balancing God and School
- What’s going on? Discerning God’s will in your life
- I.S.T.! We’re all late! – A Time Management Workshop
- Exodus: A Crisis Awareness Seminar. The crisis awareness seminar was special session, led by Ms. Ellen Magnis, Chief of External
Affairs, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center that was open to all and focused on different areas of
concern in the family, particularly relating to various forms of abuse.
In understanding the need to share God’s blessings, the offertory collected is to be completely
donated towards mission. As a result, almost 5,000 dollars were collected of which 1,000 will
be given to a poor Choctow Native American family in Oklahoma. The remaining will be given
to the Elanthoor Balika Bhavan Mission of the Sevika Sangam in Kerala, India.
The New Year Revival 2012 was a true blessing and empowering occasion to witness the
providence of God in the lives of so many within our community. The revival was also an
experience of renewed unity as many from different denominations attended the meetings with
renewed spirit.
Rev. Jason A. Thomas
Dallas
