Vizak, known as Waltair in the days of the Raj,
was a small sleepy place, a coaling stop on the long haul
from Calcutta to Madras. But today is a vibrant centre home to
Andhra Pradesh University with 30,000 students and many
ancillary educational institutions. A govt. steel mill formerly
languishing but with the rise in steel price even the
antiquated Russian processing is restoring prosperity. An oil
refinery, a Indian Naval Base, a new prospective International
airport and other resulting happenings.
Church on the Rock Theological Seminary
COTR ˇV Church
on the Rock is a ministry begun by a returning Indian
who had settled in Texas. USA but felt the Lord calling him to
return to his motherland and train workers for evangelism.
Bro. Titus came, established a Seminary, High School and Hospital
then passed on in 1994 leaving his widow Sister Mary and
two sons to maintain the services. Johnston along with wife Helen
and 3 daughters ably runs the administrative side. Brother
James is in the States finding resources to keep the ministry going.
We are in good comfortable accommodation with an ac in the room. Dining arrangements are in the bungalow
of the Titus family so of high quality enabling us to continue to enjoy the Indian cuisine. Bhimli where the facility is
located is 45 minutes by the local rather rickety bus out of the city. Ordinary service 25c a ride deluxe 30c when
available. We go in at intervals to pick up the E Mail at the Reliant facility where the connection is made.
Most of the frontline workers in evangelism are now trained in their local vernacular is smaller centres by
graduates from COTR. The violence and mayhem in nearby Orissa impacts this ministry as outreach to that area has been a
feature of the vision. A time of real testing for new believers in recently established new churches.
Evangelism, called -proselytization, by the Hindu political establishment is not popular so there is
little political will to provide help and assistance or bring about justice for those affected. Although not as rigid as in
Islam changing religion is not favored in these countries with their strong mix of nationalism identity and faith.
The situation is compounded by change of faith but as in all such happenings there is a mix of dynamics.
Most of these people are very poor marginal people whose hope has been that in Christianity they will find not only eternal
peace but also a modicum of support and assistance to find their way forward in this competitive world. Adding in to their
challenges is the fact that the land they occupy with doubtful tenure is resource rich in minerals greatly desired by the
industrial world fast emerging here.
Classes
A small group this time as M Th enrolment has not been many. The present
ministry is into B.Th, M.Div and M.Th courses for the Churches and other developing training ministries. I am teaching an
M.Th course The Gospel and Culture. The other course I often teach is Cultural Anthropology.
Janette has been taking evening chapels. The acoustics are a challenge combined with communication in
English so we try our best! I am giving the Sunday sermon as well as 3 chapel services during this term examination period.
The semester exams were followed by a Sports day with keenly contested events between the students who were divided into
different interest groups.
These happenings concluded the teaching tour part
of our Indian experience. On Sunday morning we boarded
a Jet Lite CR2 Avro turboprop for the 1.5 hour journey for Chennai.
Now in a local hotel in ac comfort until we leave on Wed
15th for Delhi and on to Mussoorie and Janetteˇ¦s alumi experience.
