DIOCESAN MISSIONARY MOVEMENT PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN SAMBALPUR DIOCESE  

The 12^th day of June 2007 marked a glorious day not only in the life of Sambalpur Diocese but also in the life of the Church of North India as a whole as a Pilot Outreach Project of Church of North India, the Diocesan Missionary Movement was launched at Bolangir by Mr. P. K. Zachariah, the Honorary Director for Mission and Evangelism in Church of North India Synod.  Eight evangelists were commissioned by the Rt. Rev. Dr. C. K. Das, Bishop of Sambalpur Diocese, CNI to work for the coming Reign of God and care for His creation.  New bicycles were given away to each evangelist to facilitate their work in four mission fields such Bolangir, Sambalpur, Nuapara and Kalahandi.

 The Diocesan Missionary Movement in the Diocese of Sambalpur was the outcome of the Synod level Conference on Evangelism in Nagpur in 2006. This project is currently supported by the Synod of the Church of North India and the Diocese has planned to sustain it further to continue with this movement.

 The Rt. Rev. C. K. Das welcomed the gathering and shared his vision to undertake the evangelical movement in his Diocese and invited Pastors and church leaders to join in this evangelical movement.  Rev. Pinuel Dip, Diocesan Vice President, the leader of the awe-inspiring programme of the evening, welcomed the assembly and appealed the gathering; more than 300 in number-to hoist their voice in harmony and support the cause whole-heatedly. Rev. Dr . I. N. Senapati, the Hon. Director of DMM presented a concise and rich invigorating report on the history of the project. His succinct yet piercing presentation energized the assembly.

 Rev. B. P. Nanda, Diocesan Secretary read out the message of Rev. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary, CNI. “I send you and through you my prayerful best wishes to all those who would be participating in this unique and blessed process of empowering our congregations in engaging themselves in effective mission. May this exercise and the process initiated in your Diocese be an example to other Dioceses in the Church of North India .”

 The Chief Guest of the programme, Mr. P. K. Zachariah Hony. Director-cum-Secretary of the Christian Life and Evangelism Committee of CNI Synod, while giving a challenging speech also committed to shoulder the responsibility of two evangelists. The arena instantaneously applauded the announcement as the mission touched the string of the heart and the Holy Spirit moved vigourously among people.  

 Also present during the occasion were The Rt. Rev. Dr. Senapati, Dr. Ajit Singh, Mr. P. K. Maharana, Mrs. Kabita Jena, Rev. Dr. P. N. Sunar and Fr. Peter of the local Roman Catholic Church.