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contents 5
editorial
Pastor Dr. John K. Mathew
6 Biblical Perspectives on Juvenile Issues
Pastor Saju Joseph
10 Juvenile Delinquency: Nature, Causes and Interventions
Vivyn Mathew
14 Juvenile Issues of Today
Biju Thampy
17 Child Trafficking and Biblical Justice Shaleena Elza Finny
19 diverse ministry to Youth in indian metros Gayathri Tyagi - Lucknow Dr. K. Benny Prasad - Bangalore Bonny Andrews - Mumbai
25 news
26
quiz
Vol. 10 Issue No.3
March 2017
A magazine that will enrich and renew your spiritual life and give Christian perspective on current events. e-mail : revivemegod@gmail.com igotoibc@gmail.com visit us : www.revivemegod.org CHAIRMAN emeritus PASTOR T. S. ABRAHAM CHAIRMAN PASTOR Dr.T. VALSON ABRAHAM MEMBERS BRO. JACOB THOMAS BRO. SUNNY KODUMTHARA EDITOR PASTOR DR. JOHN K. MATHEW ADMINISTRATIVE EDITOR PASTOR SAJU JOSEPH ASSOCIATE EDITOR MRS. STARLA LUKOSE MANAGER PASTOR T. J. ABRAHAM CONTRIBUTING WRITERS JUNE THOMAS ANN ABRAHAM PUBLISHER, PRINTER & OWNER MAJOR V. I. LUKOSE (Retired) HEBRON, KUMBANAD, PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA. PRINTED AT VIANI PRINTINGS, LISSIE JN., ERNAKULAM, KERALA PLACE OF PUBLICATION KUMBANAD, PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA - 689 547 DESIGN Beam Design S2dio Ph: 93870 73135 beamfine@gmail.com POSTAL ADDRESS P.O. BOX. 31, HEBRON, KUMBANAD KERALA, INDIA, PIN - 689 547 Phone: 0469 - 2664075, 2665855 Mobile: 94476 08954
The views and ideas expressed in each article are those of the writer. - Editor Pictures Courtesy : Google
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Letters
need of hope at a personal level. He puts before us the example of the unique joy of parents when they are blessed with the gift of their first child. The bystanders who watch the new parents may be happy but it is nothing in comparison to the real parents who personally experience it. Only personal experience brings full understanding. Such experiences change us forever and lifts us above our ordinary or negative circumstances to live on a higher plane. He then highlights what Paul wrote to the church.“Christ! In! You!” was Paul's experience that dwarfs all other human experiences. Those without Christ know nothing of it. Often, too many believers know little of it either because they have fooled themselves or have been fooled by Satan to expect little from God. Our vital relationship with Him determines our hope in Him. Mathew Joy, Dubai
Jesus the only Hope Dear revive, Your January - February issue brought much hope into my life. This happened at the very beginning of the year. Indeed, a good way for revive to begin the New Year. The Editorial rightly states that hope in God through Christ is the only lasting hope. Mere optimism assumes that bad circumstances will improve with the passing of time. In contrast, hope in Christ assumes that God is faithful and is convinced that He is able to bring about His good purpose. So, at its core, Biblical hope is hope in God, rooted in God’s covenant faithfulness. Hope trusts God in the present and lives even now on the strength of God’s future accomplishments. In the New Testament, hope is closely associated with Christ and His saving work. I thank God for He enables Christians now to live by hope in Christ. Thomas John, Mumbai
Personal experience of Hope Dear revive, The article of Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham in the last issue of revive emphasizes the
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The Glorious Hope Dear revive, I thank God for the ministry of revive as it instils faith and hope in Christian believers. I also pray for the blessing of all who work behind the publication of revive. No other faith offers hope for life after death other than the Holy Bible. It is this glorious hope that Dr. Shaibu Abraham presented well that is given to us through Christ's resurrection. As stated, it is not only our spirits but our physical bodies that will be glorified. This will take place at the time of resurrection of a believer. At the Second Coming of Christ, all who have died in the Lord will be raised; and they, together with the surviving believers, will be transformed. Paul notes that the great change which will take place at the time of the coming of Christ will be instantaneous: “Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed’. May this hope us carry forward in our life, which is full of struggles and oppositions. Kurian Mathew, Mumbai
Key of Hope-Faith Dear Editor, Hope and faith are inseparable. This is the basic biblical concept. Hope is inseparable from faith in God. Rev.Shiju M. George mainly discusses the teachings of Apostle Paul in his article to prove this aspect of hope. Paul’s vision extends as deeply into the past as it does into the future which God has reserved for the world, in Christ. As Paul gazes into salvific history, he focuses on Abraham, his father in faith, whom he characterizes as “hoping against hope”. Abraham had faith in God. There was nothing found in Abraham to destroy his hope that Sarah would give birth to a son, but because he believed in God, he could ‘in hope’ believe ‘against hope’ which is hope in God against all human evidence or odds. God wants us Christians also to follow the faith of Abraham for the hope for which we have been called. This hope has to be reflected in all our attitudes and responses as we pursue our Christian life. I appreciate the efforts of revive magazine that equips believers to be hopeful and strong in faith. Bobby Mathew George, Coimbatore
The First Step of Being Human Dear revive, Dr. Samson Gandhi gives clear insight into the real life situations of many unfortunate ones among our fellow human beings. He truly states that anyone can be born blind, deaf and dumb or lame and become physically challenged. Some are born mentally retarded, autistic or intellectually challenged. A few others become physically or intellectually challenged due to biological disorders or accidents. Some others are stricken by cancers or become HIV+ and become AIDS affected. Whatever the cause, they become the responsibility of the so called able bodied and intellectually abled people. The main part of that responsibility is to be able to treat them with dignity, which makes them feel valued. That is the first step of being human. While we are thankful to God for what we are blessed with, we also have to show concern and help those with disabilities. Roji Philip, Kochi
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Pastor Dr. John K. Mathew
The "prodigal son"
did not have a cell phone; and he had no access to the internet. He had not even heard about facebook and its unlimited possibilities. He lived in the cool atmosphere of a home under the shadow of his father's love and care - yet drifted away. WHY? It can also be said about the prodigal son that he was living in a single parent home and his brother was not friendly. The luxuries he enjoyed became very monotonous to him. So many reasons can be attributed to his waywardness. But the real reason is the sinful nature in man transfused to him by the fall of Adam. While it cannot be denied, as sociologists suggest, that heredity and environment play a vital role in shaping the personality of our young people. A study conducted by the Harvard University is worth mentioning in this regard: Six out of every ten juvenile delinquents have fathers who drink to excess, as also many of their mothers do. Three out of four are permitted by parents to come and go as they please. Three out of five are from homes where there is discord between parents. Seven out of ten are from homes where there is no group or family recreation. Four out of five have parents who take no interest in their children's friends. Four out of five delinquent boys say their mother was indifferent to them. Three out of five delinquent boys say their father was indifferent to them. If parents maintain an "I don't care attitude", it is so likely that their children will capture deviant behavior. Parents are accountable to God for how they raise their children. Ephesians 6:4 reads,"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord". In the, Old Testament Moses emphasizes the importance of disciplinary action. He says,"If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of the town."(Deut.21:18) It is so evident that parents and the community as a whole have a responsibility to mold a healthy generation. In short, we need intact families, strong communities, and a reliable legal system to raise an upright generation. The story of the prodigal son gives us hope that where parents, community and the legal system fail, God wins! The prodigal came back to his senses and decided
the real
reason is the sinful nature in man transfused to him by the fall of Adam. While it cannot be denied, as sociologists suggest, that heredity and environment play a vital role in shaping the personality of our young people. to go back to his father. He confessed all his sins and the gracious father forgave everything.Our heavenly father, the mighty one speaks and summons the whole earth unto him. It is time for all of us to return to our heavenly father. There is hope.
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Rev. Saju Joseph Director, India Bible College and Seminary, Kumbanad
Biblical Perspectives on Juvenile Issues A rebellious
child must be taught that God’s plan is for the parents to lead and the child to follow. There can be no weakness on this point. 6 March 2017
While the terms
‘youth ministry’ or ‘children’s ministry’ are not specifically mentioned in Scripture, perhaps the most relevant verse to troubled youth was penned by Paul in I Corinthians 4:15, “Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel” (NIV). Just as it was clear that the Corinthians had a bigger need for a father than another teacher, so also do troubled kids today. This verse lays the groundwork for a basic paradigm of effective ministry to juvenile offenders. In some ways kids today are not any different than they have ever been. They’ve always had the same basic needs. Yet in another way, because so many kids have
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not had their basic, God-given needs met, the profile of the average kid has changed dramatically over the past few years. An old Chinese proverb says, "One generation plants the trees, and another gets the shade." You and I are still benefiting from the shade provided by trees planted by our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. We are shaded, to some degree, by their moral standards and spiritual commitment. Proverbs 23: 24 says, "The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who sires a wise son will be glad in him." But how is it that in spite of God's design for children to bring joy, happiness, contentment, satisfaction, and love to their parents, they so often become heartbroken instead ? Marriages and families that ought to be filled with peace, joy, and contentment are more often characterized by conflict, intimidation, and estrangement. Homes tend to be war zones rather than havens. We are raising a generation of people exposed to an evil sun, unprotected by any kind of proper, God-ordained standard of living. God calls all children to be obedient and respectful. Obedience is the act; honour is the attitude. Neither of them comes naturally, however. The Minnesota Crime Commission reports: "Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centred. He wants what he wants when he wants it: his bottle, his mother's attention, his playmates’ toys, his uncle's watch, or whatever. Deny him these and he seethes with rage and aggressiveness which would be murderous were he not so helpless. He's dirty; he has no morals, no knowledge, no developed skills. This means that all children, not just certain children but all children, are born delinquent. If permitted to continue in their self-centered world of infancy, given free rein to their impulsive actions to satisfy each want, every child would grow up a criminal, a thief, a killer, a rapist." Scripture teaches that children develop in four areas. Luke 2:54 tells us Jesus grew in wisdom (mentally), stature (physically), favour with God (spiritually), and favour with mankind (socially). When children enter this world, they are undeveloped in these areas. They have to be taught to obey simply because it is right to do so. Genes play a major role in the development of both our bodies and our minds. The evolving field of behavioural genetics is gradually elucidating the complex interplay between genes and environment that contributes to the behavioural differences between individuals. One area of behavioural genetics that has attracted a great deal of attention is the exploration of the roots of violent behaviour. Researchers hope someday to have the ability to detect accurately persons at high risk of violence and to develop effective “anti-violence” interventions for use with this population. Although such innovative technologies appear to be beyond our reach today, the societal implications of behavioral genetics research may require our consideration much sooner that might be thought. In fact, behavioral genetics may be the next frontier for the world of criminal justice. The scientific data that suggest that the inclination to evil may be embedded - at least in part- in our genes provide a new context for an old ethical and legal question regarding criminal responsibility and punishment: if the inclination to violent behavior is inherent in someone's nature, how should it affect punishment for crime? Should it be considered a mitigating factor that lessens the degree of punishment, or should it serve as an aggravating factor justifying a more severe sanction? In this article we address this question from a Biblical perspective, relying primarily but not exclusively on the classical rabbinic commentators. We suggest that although the context of behavioural genetics is relatively new, the question pertaining to the relationship between the inclination to evil and the punishment of crime is not. The issue is addressed in the Old Testament and discussed by its commentators; their insights may enrich the contemporary discussion of this question. One of the earliest systematized moral codes can be found in the Old Testament. The
Hebrew Bible's moral philosophy cannot be reduced to a single moral theory as, for example, both deontological and utilitarian voices can be found in it. Similarly, since the Bible presents various justifications for punishment (such as deterrence, revenge, rehabilitation, etc.) in different cases, it would be inaccurate to ascribe to its authors a univocal theory of punishment. In fact, the multidimensional character of the Bible with regard to morality has preserved its capacity to serve as an inspirational source of reference for proponents of a range of moral views.
Marriages
and families that ought to be filled with peace, joy, and contentment are more often characterized by conflict, intimidation, and estrangement. The context in which the Bible refers to the question of the propensity to evil and punishment is woven in the story about Noah. After the flood, the Bible suggests God's less-thanfavourable opinion regarding human nature: “the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). The Bible ascribes to God the notion that humans are inherently evil from a very early stage of development. This Biblical notion was shared by some more recent scholars, albeit on varying theoretical grounds, such as Thomas Hobbes and Sigmund Freud. Hobbes developed a political theory based March 2017
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on the assumption that human nature is evil and hostile, while Freud's psychological theory–and its cultural ramifications–are rooted in the contention that infant behaviour derives, in part, from innate aggression. How early can one find the manifestations of this wickedness in a child? According to early Christian and Jewish traditions (2 00-450 AD), badness is attributed to a man even in infancy. Saint Augustine believed that “there is none free from sin, not even the infant who has lived but a day upon this earth... the infant's innocence lies in the weakness of his body and not in the infant mind...I have myself
The church
must develop a strong monitoring system for the children so that they may be given timely attention and counseling. It would help the children, up to an extent, to develop positive attitudes and character in them and delinquent tendencies will be minimized also. observed a baby to be jealous, though it could not speak; it was livid as it watched another infant at the breast”. Jewish scholars at that time also shared the notion that badness is embedded in man since the time he “awakens” to the world.
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New Testament Perspectives Recently a growing number of Christians have actively promoted the concept of "restorative justice" and attempted to develop programs for dealing with crime based on restorative principles. But is this approach truly consistent with the teaching of Scripture? To date, very little has been done to test this claim. Beyond Retribution fills a gap by plumbing the New Testament on the topics of crime, justice, and punishment. Christopher Marshall first explores the problems involved in applying ethical teachings from the New Testament to mainstream society. He then surveys the extent to which the New Testament addresses criminal justice issues, looking in particular at the concept of the justice of God in the teachings of Paul and Jesus. He also examines the topic of punishment, reviewing the debate in social thinking over the ethics and purpose of punishment -- including capital punishment -- and he advocates a new concept of "restorative punishment." The result of this engaging work is a biblically based challenge to imitate the way of Christ in dealing with both victims and offenders. New Testament or Christian approach towards the juvenile issues would be two fold. One is envisaging the possibilities of quality parenting and mentoring of children. The church has to take deliberate effort in both training the children as well as parents. The parents should be given regular and periodical training in parenting for the different stages of growth of the child. Sunday Schools, V.B.S and children’s clubs must incorporate practical and realistic counseling programs for the children. The church must develop a strong monitoring system for the children so that they may be given timely attention and counseling. It would help the children, up to an extent, to develop positive attitudes and character in them and delinquent tendencies will be minimized also. The child who exhibits a rebellious streak may be doing so for a variety of reasons. Harsh, unloving, and critical parenting will nearly always result in rebellion of some sort. Even the most compliant child will rebel - inwardly or outwardly - against such treatment. Naturally, this type of parenting is to be avoided.
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But no matter what style of parenting a family embraces, a child might rebel. Assuming that the rebellious child naturally possesses a strong-willed personality, he will be characterized by an inclination to test limits, an overriding desire for control, and a commitment to resisting all authority. In other words, rebellion is his middle name. In addition, these strong-willed, rebellious children are often very intelligent and can “figure out” situations with amazing speed, finding ways to take control of the circumstances and people around them. These kids can be, for their parents, an extremely trying and exhausting challenge. Fortunately, it is also true that God has made children who and what they are. He loves them, and He has not left parents without resources to meet the challenge. There are biblical principles that address dealing with the rebellious, strong-willed child with grace. First, Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” For all children, the way they should go is toward God. Teaching children in God’s Word is crucial for all children, who must understand who God is and how to best serve Him. With the strong-willed child, understanding what motivates him-the desire for control-will go a long way to helping him find his “way.” The rebellious child is one who must understand that he is not in charge of the world-God is-and that he simply must do things God’s way. This requires parents to be absolutely convinced of this truth and to live accordingly. A parent who himself in rebellion against God will not be able to convince his or her child to be submissive. Once it has been established that God is the one making the rules, parents must establish in the child’s mind that they are God’s instruments and will do anything
and everything necessary to carry out God’s plan for their families. A rebellious child must be taught that God’s plan is for the parents to lead and the child to follow. There can be no weakness on this point. The strong-willed child can spot indecisiveness a mile away and will jump at the opportunity to fill the leadership vacuum and take control. The principle of submitting to authority is crucial for the strong-willed child. If submission is not learned in childhood, the future will be characterized by conflicts with all authority, including employers, police, law courts, and military leaders. Romans 13:1-5 is clear that the authorities over us are established by God, and we are to submit to them. May God help the church and the parents to teach the delinquent children this truth.
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Vivyn Mathew Faculty, India Bible College and Seminary, Kumbanad
Juvenile Delinquency: Nature, Causes and Interventions
The word
delinquency is comes from the Latin word “delinquere” meaning “die away” and 'linquere' means 'to leave' or 'to abandon'. 10 March 2017
Inattention. recentThis years, reports of children involved in heinous crime is gaining much pubic has made the legal term “juvenile delinquency” more familiar to people.
Though it is an important subject in the study of criminology and law, it is now studied by various disciplines and people who are engaged in working with children. Of late, there is desire arising for a factual estimation of the problem to help prevent such eventualities. Criminal behavior is taking serious forms among the children. It is a global phenomenon, a sign of sick society.The National Crime Records Bureau's data shows that in the past decade, the rate of juvenile offences has steadily increased. In 2004, the rate for juvenile crime was 1.77 incidents per lakh of population. It had risen to 2.58 by 2013.This malady is growing in alarming proportions and is awakening call that our Children needs much attention and care. 'Juvenile' is a child who cannot be held responsible for his criminal act. The word delinquency is comes from the Latin word “delinquere” meaning “die away” and 'linquere' means 'to leave' or 'to abandon'. Juvenile Delinquency is an act or a behavior by
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a child that is considered socially undesirable up to a level of breaking the law of the country. It can also be seen as a purposeful defiance of children to perform behaviour as expected of them by the society. The age criteria for being a juvenile vary internationally. In India , Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 defined juvenile or child, who in case of a boy not above the age of 16 years and in case of a girl 18 years of age. This was amended with Juvenile Justice Act 2000 , that cited distinction of age between male and female juveniles needs to be done away, and the age of juvenile was made till 18 years to hold on to international obligations. In the recent amendment of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2015, enforceable from January 15 2016, permits children aged 16 to 18 years in conflict with law can be tried as adults in cases of heinous Offences.
A larger problem Juvenile delinquents or children in conflict with law are only a small visible part of a larger problem. Children in conflict with law, who by virtue of the acts they commit, need custody of the legal process. The children in legal custody are a few representations of deviant antisocial behaviour when compared with the large majority of children in society exhibiting conduct problems. Understanding juvenile delinquency asks for the understanding of the nature of prevalence and manifestation of such child hood conduct problems or disorders. This refers to an array of child, parent, family, contextual environmental conditions and interplay among them. Conduct disorders are a group of behavioral problems. They are commonly seen as a prolonged pattern of anti-social and aggressive behaviors that are either performed against others or activities done in defiance to major societal norms, or both. Apart from these core behaviors children with conduct problems may also display related issues like troubled Mood, withdrawn behaviors, impulsive violent behaviors towards animals or others, exhibiting high risk behaviors of using substance, etc. Many of the children may have academic deficiencies, specific reading disorders, language delays, learning disability, problems in information processing and difficulties in problem solving skills. This can result in poor interpersonal relationships with others. The argument whether it is heredity or is it the environment that is responsible for the causation of delinquency is valid. To understand criminal behavior in children Sociologists, Psychologists, Physicians, Philosophers, Lawmen and common men have come out many theories and explanations. Each theorist explains delinquency from the view point of their discipline. They try to explain that, problems in conduct and criminal behaviours are related to each other, and one cannot not understand it without knowing the other. Various sources have come out with many views, opinions, criticisms, and proposition about the causes of delinquency and crime, but these views still remains unconnected with each other. However, most explanations recognizes that delinquency and crime cannot be explained in terms of a single causative factor. These are problems stemming out due to interaction between the multiple factors. Some of the most valid explanation on causation are as follows.Examination of the records and history of children in institutional care because of delinquency clearly shows the involvement of multiple causative factors. In most of the cases faulty child development, poor economic conditions and unhealthy family atmosphere were found to be underlying factors. Individual factors mainly seen as causative factors are physical illness, sub-normal intelligence, bad company, adolescent instability and impulses, early sex experiences, alcohol and drug intoxication, mental conflicts, excessive social suggestibility and impressionability, Peer Pressure, love of adventure and sensation, rising standards of living and aspirations for the same, nonattendance of school, school dissatisfaction, poor recreation, increase of leisure time, street life and vocational dissatisfaction. Genetic loading and abnormalities due biochemical imbalance, and metabolites are also considered as potential causative factors . These factors can lead the adolescent
Juvenile
delinquents or children in conflict with law are only a small visible part of a larger problem. Children in conflict with law, who by virtue of the acts they commit, need custody of the legal process. to aggression, rebelliousness, bitterness, distrustful, Obstinate, unconventional and non submissive behaviors to authority and even criminal acts. These problem behaviors are highly related to prevalence of delinquency. If these risk factors are appears earlier, there is also a higher risk for delinquency. Hyperactivity seen in children is also implicated with the onset of conduct problems. Conduct problems forms a major reason for referral for psychiatric evaluation of children and adolescents. Conduct issues peaks in early adolescence. In March 2017
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adolescence, boys exhibit more aggression, and girls tend to exhibit more covert crimes. Family plays a very important part in developing deviant behavior in children. It is families that greatly influence persons, because the basic sense of belonging is attached with the family. All families have different interaction patterns within themselves and so have their own ways of molding individuals. The behavior and personality
Family
plays a very important part in developing deviant behavior in children. It is families that greatly influence persons, because the basic sense of belonging is attached with the family. of children gradually evolves in conformity to their particular family patterns. Children easily imbibe every thing the family stands for. The belief systems, value systems, thinking patterns, adjustment patterns and all impact children to great extent. The standards that the elders set while maintaining interaction within the family and also with the outside world to fulfill their needs and of the family plays a big role in child's adjustment and functioning in the outside world. Criminal tendencies can pass on to children either genetically or by finding their parents or family members behaving or having an attitude that encourages deviant behaviors.
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Certain situations within the family puts children in increased risk of exposure to deviance and crime. Children live in families with difficult circumstances due to death, divorce, or desertion of parent. They live and grow in broken families, single parent families, families that are headed by children or grandparents or distant relatives. These circumstances make them vulnerable to face or even become an easy victim to criminality. Parental ignorance about effective parenting or dysfunction in families can lead to lack parental control or too much of control over children paving way for deviant behaviour in children. Substance and drug use in family, psychiatric illness, marital discord, child abuse, neglect, poor parenting, frequent quarrels among parents, unreasonable dominance of one over the other, frequent births in the family, immoral lives in parents, poverty and deprivation, low income or parent’s long absence from home can add on to the danger of children being exposed to deviant behavior and crime. Environment molds the children as they grow by providing space and support. The interaction with the community creates social norms and structural conditions that the children utilizes for their growth. Delinquent behaviors, like most social behaviors, are learned in the process of social interaction. It is the result of this interaction between the their immediate surroundings and economic factors that determines the child’s behavior. Most of the adult criminals committed first offence in their childhood, long before their first conviction as adult offender. Their status of being a child then helped them to escape from their first offence. It might have encouraged them to commit further offence till they were apprehended, tried and convicted. Around the world many children are growing in difficult circumstances such as hopeless poverty, broken and chaotic homes, slums, in the midst of choking pollution, facing abuses, lack of security giving rise to a constant need to either defend and fight . On the other end.,in contrast to this, there is fortunate children with better clothes, food, entertainment facilities, and may have economic independence. Even though there is a large gap in terms of reality between these two group of children, a good role model who can mentor them is very rare for children in both these circumstances in present day situations. They are surging forward by creating their own meaning in a world .They see violence as a state policy is Justified by elders and also by governments, creating neighborhoods of displaced people, refugees, filled with bloodshed, strife, orphaned children and families, persons with disabilities. They are growing up with a deep to master the present times where ethics, values and ideals are altered. Wellbeing is measured in the ability to meet immediate gratification of needs, power over others, mindless indulgence of pleasure and magnified visibility in the virtual world. Juvenile delinquency is attributed to environmental conditions of weakening human relations, using children to do wrong things by luring or by threatening them, wrong influence of mass and social Media, social change due to social disorganization and cultural conflict, neighborhood with crimes of various nature, displacement due to war or calamities, migration of families with children in search of livelihood in thickly inhabited areas. Towns and cities that offer frequent opportunities for various Offences and crimes relating to theft, burglary, Kidnapping, cheating, deceit etc.
Interventions The study on the nature and cause of Juvenile delinquency is meaningful when we devise suitable methods of intervention. The wideness of the spread of factors influencing and causing delinquency demands diverse strategies and approaches. The first priority will be to prevent children turning delinquent and subsequently help children, their families and care givers, as they are struggling to come out of this difficult problem. This requires action in the personal, familial/care giving and environmental domains. Even though the magnitude and impact of the issue is frightening, there are effective strategies, action plans and treatment methods that is proven helpful. Preventive measures and wide ranging, treatment or curative measures for helping the children are presented.
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Identifying the deviant behaviour and initiating interventions at the earliest will help children and families. If the nature of behavioral patterns and its progressive course are recognized early then early interventions can be implemented. Effective psychological evaluation and assessments available to understand the psychological makeup of children. This will minimize occurrence of serious behavioral problems or criminal acts. The treatment in the earlier phase can prevent larger monetary, social, emotional losses. Early intervention can also bring vulnerable children to safe environments with effective care giving. Protective reach out and and care from helping professionals can help in reduction of adverse eventualities of violence. This will help to minimize burden on family and caregivers as simple remediation approach can be undertaken. Uninformed and ill-conceived treatments do more harm than good. There is no single best treatment approach. Treatment approaches needs to be tailor made according to the problems of the juvenile. The best evaluated treatment or counseling approaches for the conduct disorders are based on learning principles. It encourages relearning correct behaviors by removing the present faulty behaviors patterns. Establishing clear behavioral goals, facing consequences for inappropriate behavior, consistent monitoring through encouragement and demand to perform the desired behavior, correcting through methods like prompting, modeling and role playing etc can bring in desired behaviour in children. Interventions like Medication, Psychotherapy, Play therapy and task based approaches are used effectively. Increasing friendly interactions between parents and children through promotion of play, using appropriate praise and incentives together with effective limit-setting, and using of positive responses can improve situation. These approaches can enhance care givers to guide responses to tackle interpersonal situation, amend cognitive problem-solving skills, correct deficiencies in thought processes and help the child to achieve pro-social behaviors. Problem-solving skills can be increasingly applied into real-life situations where children can be taught to direct their attention to aspects of the problem and not to project aggression on others. Active participation of the therapist or a counselor can bring out positive outcome to help the child. Apt interventions will to heighten the positive growth factors such as improved IQ, easy temperament, ability to relate well to others, good work habits, areas of competence outside school, good interpersonal relation at least with one parent or adult. The symptoms or disorders in children talk volumes about the conditions at home, particularly the unspoken neglected wants and needs of the family. Parents of children with deviant behavior need help. The symptoms or problems in children mostly brings parents together. Family therapy is advocated in most cases. It is useful in increasing better interaction patterns by improving communications between parent to child and parent to parent. It will help in lowering blaming and negative attributions, and increase mutual support between each other. Family therapy will also help to better problem solving, helping family members to come closer to resolve crisis, foster better care between each other, and thereby help the family members as a system to decrease vulnerability to delinquency. Interventions are also needed for care givers in institution and school teachers, police officers, community members and others involved in dealing with children. Training is needed in identification of deviant children, ensuring safety and harm reduction. Training is also needed on techniques in altering child behavior, contingency management, skills training, ethical handling. Upholding the rights of the children are to be advocated. Church has a big role in preventing delinquency and helping vulnerable children. The ability and scope of church in intervening for the children is unmatchable and is the need of the hour. Local congregations can raise to the occasion in their own localities to pronounce care and protection of children with delinquency and also to the children living in difficult circumstances. Activities to identify vulnerable children and their
families, coordinate activities for prevention delinquency and abuse can be undertaken. Providing personalized care and support to children and their families, conduct sensitization programs to prevent, remediate and to ensure inclusion and participation of everyone in the community to make it resilient to delinquency can be worked out.
Church
has a big role in preventing delinquency and helping vulnerable children. The ability and scope of church in intervening for the children is unmatchable and is the need of the hour.
Conclusion Children are our greatest asset and resource. Children should be allowed and provided best opportunity to grow. Children who are physically fit, mentally alert and morally healthy, endowed with skills and activation will transform societies. Equal opportunities for development to all children during the period of growth should be provided for reducing inequality and ensuring social justice, which in turn would serve as an effective tool to curb delinquency in juveniles.
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Biju Thampy Founder, Vision Rescue. Biju is oldest son of Pastor V. A. Thampy, Founder, New India Church of God
Juvenile Issues of Today The fear in Komal’s (name changed to protect her identity) eyes was evident as she asked one of our team if she could talk to them. This conversation happened
4 months ago in one of Mumbai’s poorest slums, where thousands of families live cramped up in tiny tin sheds without toilets, with flies and mosquitoes hovering over heaps of garbage spread out as far as the eye can see. Alarmingly, the young boys gambling and doing drugs, rampant crime and the tension in the atmosphere is something that people have gotten used to. The shocking revelations that emerge from the conversation with Komal, leads to her being rescued out of her uncle’s home where she was being abused. Komal had been repeatedly raped and sexually exploited for the past 4 years ever since the untimely death of her parents’. The accused was apprehended and placed behind bars while Komal was placed in a safe house. Me
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being a pastor and social activist had a ton of questions in my mind which I want to use as the basis for this article. Is this a result of the failure of our system? Is the church supposed to be concerned? Or should we be focussed on just our own sunday school and our church kids? Has justice been done to Komal by arresting her molester and keeping her in a safe home? Can juvenile crime be addressed without addressing the issue of child protection, parenting, education etc etc??? The questions go on. I do not for a minute pretend to have figured out the answers to all these questions. My intention, on the other hand, is to provoke your thinking, get you to ask more questions so that we can come to meaningful conclusions that can provide long lasting solutions. If Komal was left to continue in her unhealthy, dysfunctional environment, in a state of constant abuse, being deprived of her basic human rights, would it be surprising if she turns out to be a criminal offender? If she was caught in an act of crime, would she solely responsible for the crime? Isn't her family member who abused her, the community who ostracised her, the government which was blissfully unaware of her need and the Church, which is God’s government on earth, who ignored our responsibility toward her equally responsible for her actions? Why should Komal alone go to a Juvenile detention centre? Just thinking aloud! I work with such children and my experiences and findings through personal interactions with juvenile law breakers and their families have led me to take a more compassionate approach towards the child. The picture of the two young boys that you see have been the most heart breaking and challenging situations for me. Our team found them behind CS Terminal in Mumbai. They were both addicted to drugs and were dying on the streets when we saw them. They had open wounds in their bodies and were being eaten alive by maggots. Whenever they would wake up, their friends would come and let them take another sniff so that they would go back to sleep. By the time we got our ambulance to where they were, one of them died. We took the other child to the hospital and admitted him unfortunately, he died after 3 weeks. My question is, does this reality need to exist when the church is in existence? I have always believed that we need to be arms and legs of Jesus, ready to help, heal and go where the need is the greatest. Before we get down to how we can help a delinquent child I would like to give you a little background on these otherwise misunderstood children. Juvenile delinquency is the habitual committing of criminal offences by a young person, especially one below the age at which ordinary criminal prosecution is possible. Which means such children are usually below the age of 18 and if found responsible for a crime are kept in a juvenile detention centre. Such centres will have minors who have committed heinous crimes along with those who have committed petty misdeamours. This unfortunately sets the stage for a highly volatile environment for these youngsters.
What are some of the causes of Juvenile delinquency? Dysfunctional families
According to Article 21 (a) of the Indian Constitution all children between the ages of six to fourteen should be provided with free and compulsory education. Article 45 states that the state should provide early childhood care and education to all children
below the age of six. Lastly Article 51(k) states the parents/guardians of the children between the ages of six and fourteen should provide them with opportunities for education. It is therefore of the highest importance that parents of children make every effort to ensure their children receive education and get equipped for life on every level. Many a time, in homes where both parents are working hard to make a living the children are overlooked and even neglected. Very often issues they face at school or at home even, which will need the intervention of parents will go unnoticed
and as a result the child suffers. Incorrect parenting too can cause delinquency later on in children where they find one parent disagreeing with the method used to discipline the child by the other parent. These kind of inconsistencies on a regular basis can confuse the child and ultimately create an air of tension and rebellion at home.
Broken homes Homes that are riddled with discord and tension stemming from marital problems can be potential hot spots for the breeding of troubled children. Constant bickering and arguing can wear down even the most March 2017
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resilient child. Children as a result suffer from severe insecurity and begin to act out to attract their parents attention. Separation and divorce can severely affect children who inevitably blame themselves for their parents' problems.
Exposure to inappropriate media The access to media and technology as easy as it has become is a deadly black-hole where many a child and adolescent can get irreversibly pulled in. Online chat rooms, violent online gaming, social media with easy access to pornographic material and the ever present world of movies draw youngsters in and transport their sponge-like minds into an alternate world. A world where luxury is easy to come by, hard work is scoffed at, sexuality is a business transaction and love is a colourful and musical fantasy. Children lose a grip on reality and time that should be spent on enjoying the simple pleasures of childhood is wasted, never to be got back.
Absence of healthy recreation Gone are the days when children play in their backyards or run through fields or even
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just climb a tree. With the ever increasing violence against children it is no longer a safe option to allow children to play in the great outdoors alone or without adult supervision. That being said children are now confined to their televisions, computers or after school tuition centres to the extent wherein their right brain, the creative centre of their brain, doesn't receive adequate stimulation. In place of the imaginary games that ruled our childhoods, children today have everything handed to them straight. The joy of make-believe and creative play are a thing of the past. I have noticed in the years of my work that children when given proper, creative and healthy recreation, such as sport, art or music, thrive and they discover purpose outside of themselves and their problems. It gets them involved on every level and enables them to really thrive rather than just survive. For us to comprehend the importance of a child's well-being it is important that we understand how Jesus saw children and how he treated them. During the time that Jesus lived, children were not valued as actual humans but were rather tolerated and looked at as commodities. The premise of children 'being seen and not heard' was very prominent. Jesus created a dent in that theory when he urged his disciples to bring the children to him. His disciples were attempting to send the children away with the parents who brought them in an attempt to save Jesus the trouble of dealing with tiny little runny-nosed, germ laden human beings (just letting my imagination go wild). But Jesus would not hear of it. The bible says, He kept the children on his knees and blessed each of them and if that wasn't enough he exhorted his disciples to be child-like in faith and trust in order for them to enter His kingdom. Jesus continued on to say that if anyone caused one of these little ones to sin, it would be better for them to tie a millstone around their neck and fall into the sea rather than the severe judgement they would receive on the other side of eternity. So high was the value that Jesus placed on children. We, as his sons and daughters, collectively his church, ought to place the same kind of value and honour on children. Not just our children but the children in our respective worlds. The oft quoted African proverb which says 'It takes a village to bring up a child' is entirely true. Every child's life counts. Irrespective of the child's religion, caste or background. I urge you to begin taking a second look at children around you. See how you can help them. It could be your maid's child or the milk man's kid or that troubled teen across the street. It could be financial help you provide to see a deserving child receive life-changing education. It could be placing a teen in rehab so that his future is bright and filled with hope. It could be raising your voice to stand up and protect an abused girl who otherwise would never be heard. Juvenile delinquency can end with us if only we would stand up, voice out and be the change.
renewing and enriching life
Shaleena Elza Finny
Child Trafficking and Biblical Justice
Childhood is of stuff dreams are made of. In our dreams, we float and fly, glide and dance, and nothing seems to be in the realm of the impossible. Everything is beautiful,
innocent, and pure. I dreamt of becoming a TVnews anchor and making it big on the small screen. On other days I dreamt of being a doctor with magic cures for the most incurable diseases. I also dreamt of becoming a police woman and a karate blackbelt. In a rare dream, I once saw myself as the headmistress of my school, giving a hard time to one of my teachers. As I’ve grown, I’ve come to realize that quite contradictory to my childhood world of dreams and opportunities, exists a world of oppression and hopelessness, where
Across
India, over 82 lakh children are daily forced to carry out labour that is far beyond their physical capacity. March 2017
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children are unable to dream of the future because they are instead owned and mechanized for profit. Across India, over 82 lakh children are daily forced to carry out labour that is far beyond their physical capacity. Trafficked into a variety of industries, children are forced to work for over 12 hours
Our
responsibility, therefore, as Christians, is to become aware of injustice, and plead with God on behalf of those who are oppressed. To steward His creation by asking that He, in his infinite power, would work in the hearts and minds of perpetrators and law enforcement officials. a day. Victims to neglect and abuse, they are prohibited from visiting their families, deprived of food and the sufficient care they require, and are preyed upon by physical and sexual tormentors. As the young and vulnerable are exhausted and traumatized, the idea of work deviates from God’s original intention as an activity to joyfully nourish others and bring glory to God. As the sin of injustice corrupts the beautiful parts of God’s creation, an activity intended for communal good has become for some, a power struggle of hard labour for the
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profit of one individual. However, amidst this brokenness in His original plan, God hears the cries of his people. He rescues and rectifies the inequities that foster these unjust relationships motivated by money and power, and restores provision to those who have been deprived. Throughout scripture, God’s justice is displayed as a reordering of society. Those who are arrogant, wealthy, and exalted are humbled and cured of their attachments to prestige, power and wealth, while those who are excluded and downtrodden are affirmed, their value and honor recognized. God’s attitude of justice is characterized by love, mercy, and grace, and the death of Jesus, a man free of sin, is a perfect representation of this. The weight of our sin, and God’s inability to condone sin, means that we should have been separated from God for eternity. But God so desired to renew his creation and bring back justice to a broken world, that he gave his innocent and beloved son to sacrificially bear the enormous weight of sin, and take the punishment for our sins, enabling a path of reconciliation with God and hope for the world. Not all of us have the ability, the training or the high rank to make decisions or change laws so that they protect the poor. Sometimes, all we have is a voice to plead with. Though we ourselves might not have the power to make sweeping changes in our society, we have access to the most almighty ‘power actor’ of all: our Father in Heaven, who loves to listen to the cries of our hearts. As humans made in God’s image, His likeness is mirrored in both our existence and behaviour. We are fully human inasmuch as we are justly sustaining and stewarding the beauty and goodness that God intended for and created in the world. Our responsibility, therefore, as Christians, is to become aware of injustice, and plead with God on behalf of those who are oppressed. To steward His creation by asking that He, in his infinite power, would work in the hearts and minds of perpetrators and law enforcement officials. This pleading is incredibly powerful, because no one is greater than our God, who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). By inventing the phenomenon of human prayer, God has decided to allow our asking to make a difference in the events of the world, and invites us to join his mission in securing justice for the oppressed. With this invitation, we can imagine the end of trafficking for labour, and dream of alleviating the profound hurting of God’s children.
renewing and enriching life
'revive' highlights three individuals who serve the youth of the cities they are in. Each one has a unique call. You will be enriched to read about their vision and ministry.
diverse ministry to Youth in three indian metros
Gayathri Tyagi, khidmat
Gayathri Tyagi believes she is called to be a social worker by the will of God and by His Son Jesus Christ. Gayathri serves as the President of KHIDMAT, a Lucknow based NGO. KHIDMAT serves the community through slum education; providing academic, moral and value education to the government run Juvenile Homes and Orphanages. KHIDMAT’s efforts have been recognised by the government and was recently awarded for their contribution towards the 'Balak Bal Grah' orphanage in Lucknow.
Janet: Aunty, Could you tell me a little about yourself? How is it that you became so passionate about reaching out to the community? Gayatri: Janet, right from the time I was a kid, I was passionate about social work. I would gather the neighbours’ kids, cook something and then we would sell it. With the money raised, we would give it to the leprosy home close by. I just loved it! My parents encouraged me to reach out to the poor. I think I was born with it. In the 1980s, when I was doing my Masters’ Program at the Delhi University, I heard about a social organisation and I really wanted to be part of it but couldn’t. I, later came across another social organisation which was headed by my friend. And I really dreamt of doing something in an organised way. But I didn’t live in the future and so whatever my hand found to do, I did. My husband and I often came across a mentally unstable / deranged lady on the streets, during our walks. I would tell my husband, ‘Poor thing, she is not meant to be on the road’ and eventually we helped her regain her health and find her family. Janet: Wow, that’s powerful. KHIDMAT has been serving the community in more ways than one. Can you tell us about the kind of work you have been doing? Gayatri: Yes, 6 years ago, God spoke to me to start the organisation by the name of KIDMAT which means TO
Janet Joy interviews Gayathri Tyagi for REVIVE. Janet is a Youth and Marriage Counselor in Lucknow. She volunteers her services with KHIDMAT.
Janet Joy
SERVE. A few ladies from Church and I got together , registered the organisation and immediately got to work. We started with reaching out to the slums. I knew God wanted us to reach out to those on the streets. Juvenile Home- We have weekly programs at the Boys’ Juvenile Home and the Girl’s Juvenile Home. Seeing how well we were doing, the government requested if we would take responsibility of the orphanage too. So, we have assigned teachers to go these different homes. Janet: How was the dream of working with Juvenile delinquents birthed? In the 1990’s my husband got a job transfer to Lucknow from Noida. Every morning after my husband left for work, I would be in my room - which I called the Upper Room. My hunger and thirst for the Lord just increased - with my husband away at work, I literally spent the whole day in God’s presence. I could not get enough of the Bible. I could not get enough of prayer. In the midst of all this, the one thought that kept coming to my mind was ‘JAILS…JAILS … JAILS’. I read a lot about jails. I would open a book in the church library and although the title of the article was different, I would read something about jails in it. A long lost friend, wrote me a letter one day. At the end of the letter, she said, “P.S:When I was in jail you did not visit me”. I said,” God, what are you trying to tell me? Is there somebody in jail that I don’t know?’ March 2017
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For a period of time, I used to write for the Times Of India. I covered on the Lucknow Zoo. One day, I went to the I.G. prison and requested, ‘Sir, give me permission, I would like to write on jails.’ He said, ‘Madam, nobody is allowed in the jails.’ I came back home disappointed, I said, ‘Lord, I don’t understand’. But the thought kept coming back- JAILS.. JAILS ...JAILS. One month later I found out in the newspaper that the IG got transferred. I approached the new IG for permission, he also said the same thing and I was denied permission. I came back and prayed about it, but forgot about it in a couple of months. But later, through my work at the American Language Institute, God miraculously opened doors and made it possible for me to take hundreds of students to the jails. Much of the work was covered by the media and God began to open many doors. Janet: Wow! That’s beautiful. Tell us how you got involved with the Juvenile Delinquents? Gayatri: Few years ago I was fasting and praying when God started talking to me about ‘Justice’. God told me that injustice pains Him. My reply to God was that I was neither a law student nor did know anything about judiciary’. After some time I started teaching in YWAM and floated this idea with Br. Jeo. I told him that about the juvenile homes, how satan targeted them and my desire to do something there. We didn't decide anything as it was just visual planning. In January 2016, a couple of friends came to stay with me. I felt we had prayed enough and it was time to do something. I knew God was directing me. We had stopped doing much for five years during which time God was maturing me for a different program now. That is when we spoke to the Juvenile Superintendent. He didn’t know anything about my background and I told him that we wanted to introduce moral science, games etc. He simply said ‘no’ but asked us to come. We were not prepared. He told us that the court had to give us permission since the jails come under the Judiciary Board headed by the Supreme Court judge and the high court judges. He told us not to worry and that he'would get us the permission. I spoke to Br. Jeo- the local YWAM superintendent about it and he said that an excellent teacher had come who specialized in stress management, time management and personality development and how he would also teach on the father heart of God, repentance etc. I myself was ready to take the rest of the personality development topics. On 27th January we had a program, started with some icebreaking games and from the next day we began to work. Within 15 days changes happened, even the magistrates were surprised to see the changes. The very appearance of these boys changed – even to our surprise, because the Holy Word was working in them. I believe we just walked into Jesus' finished work, and we just stood there faithfully. Miraculous changes began as the kids started joking, laughing but through it all we were trying to hide God, but we cannot
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hide Jesus for long. They were intelligent kids and knew that it was all about Jesus, they wanted to know more about Jesus and wanted to have their lives changed. Janet: That’s beautiful Aunty. God is definitely at work. Can you tell us one story of transformation from your work there? Definitely! I will share one story from the first batch. I called upon a good friend who is also a theatre actress as she wanted to be a part of this work. It was also my desire to see her talents be put to good use for these young people. I told her that theatre is the easiest way to change personality. She did a workshop with these young people and she said to them, ‘I want everybody to stand up and tell their story as to why are you here? No lies, everyone will tell their own story and then I got them to do role play of their crimes. I told them “If you have raped somebody, somebody else will be the rapist and you'll be the victim. When you act out as the victim, you'll get to know both sides of the story”. Everyone was shy and not forthcoming. Until … A 16 year old boy stood up and shared his story. He had shifted to Lucknow from a village along with his family. They lived close to a polytechnic institute and he got involved with a girl. Things got from bad to worse, I think he raped her but he didn't say the word. Her family lodged an FIR so the police got involved. The police picked him up along with two of his cousin brothers and all the three are in jail. He said that he never believed he had done anything wrong because all he did was take revenge and according to him ‘no revenge is wrong’. Later he went on to confess that KHIDMAT started visiting the jail and attending their classes she realised that he had done wrong. A class by KHIDMAT was taught on how we can make history – this boy realised that he could change his life and make it worthwhile. He came to know about God and realised that God loves him – that changed his whole thinking.To quote his words, “Today in front of everyone I’m acknowledging that I have committed a crime, I pray to God that even if I'm hanged to deaths, my cousins should be set free”. Following this the young boy came to me and said, “Thank you very much!”. The jail superintendent came to me and said that we had done such a good job. He expressed that the orphanage was in a bad condition and requested us to begin work there as well. I made my friend, Rochael take charge of the orphanage and within 15 days we noticed changes in the kids. I used to visit these places with my kids and church members 10 years ago but had stopped going. It seems as if God is taking me back to possess the land. It seems like we were walking over the land for 10 years and now possession was taking place. The authorities have invited us to work in the girl’s juvenile home as well. We are looking forward to doing so as we were praying about it. Continued on page 26
renewing and enriching life
CHAI 3:16 - India’s First
Anti-Depressant Café at Bangalore
Dr. K. Benny Prasad
Chai 3:16
is a 400 seater café located in Kothanur (Bangalore). 'Chai' means 'life' in Hebrew and 3:16 refers to John 3:16 which talks about eternal life. It is a noncommercial café, where only tea is served and the price of the tea is decided by the students. Volunteers from different spheres of the society from all over the world come here to serve as waiters and waitresses. Our goal here is – 80% listening and 20% talking, if needed. As we listen to their problems, our objective is to value them and share the love of Jesus. India has the largest youth population in the world; around 66% of the total population (more than 808 million) is below the age of 35. According to a new Lancet study, India has the highest suicide rates in the world. Suicides claim more lives among Indians aged between 15 and 29 years than any individual disease. Doctors in Institutions in India and Canada who conducted the study have estimated that there
were about 187,000 deaths from suicides in India during 2010, with people aged between 15 and 29 years. – (The Telegraph – India). Bangalore being the Silicon Valley of India has come to be known as the Suicide Capital of India for many years. There are tuition centres every corner but hardly any counseling centres. Café is opened from Monday thru Saturday, and closed on
Tea lounge March 2017
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Sundays. Once a month, Friday we have concert at 5:00 pm and every Saturday at 5:16 pm we have a Worship Service. At present we have 9 residential staff as we do evangelism, counseling, discipleship and Bible
studies with the students. We get an average of about 50 to 70 students from different faith backgrounds every day. We are in need for more staff who are passionate for evangelism and discipleship and who has a good command in English language as we are dealing with educated college students. (www.chai316.com / www.facebook.com/chai316 / chai316blr@gmail.com / +91-80-28445316)
KANDUKURI BENNY PRASAD He was expected to excel in his studies, to set an example for his younger brother and sisters. He struggled to live up to such pressures, as his father, a highly regarded scientist at the National Aerospace Laboratories, spent a lot of time trying to drill mathematics and science into Benny in vain. Benny’s inability to excel in his studies brought his family shame and disappointment. Finding no fulfillment in life, Benny BECAME DEPRESSED and his behavior continued to worsen. He reached out to what seemed the only way out for him and CONTEMPLATED COMMITTING SUICIDE AT THE AGE OF 16. Continued on page 25
Born on 6 August 1975, in Bangalore, India, Benny was the first of his generation in the family. His birth was celebrated with the highest of hopes for his future. But his was not a promising start - HE SUFFERED FROM SEVERE ASTHMA which required him to take cortisone steroids from which he DEVELOPED RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, 60% LUNG DAMAGE AND AN IMMUNE SYSTEM REGULARLY FAILING HIM, which threatens his life even to this day.
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Bonny Andrews Itinerant worship leader, musician and youth speaker, who is also Chief Dreamer and Founder President of LiveJam Foundation. Headquartered in the capital city of Delhi, LiveJam has initiatives in around 30 cities in India, with a reach of close to 1 million urban teens in India, Asia and the Middle East in the last decade. Read on to find out more about Bonny and the team at LiveJam!
community festivals among high schoolers, college students and young adults. A few examples include the annual BreakFree Tour project, U180 concerts, fundraisers/humanitarian projects like Rebuild Nepal (for those affected by the Earthquake in 2015), Gloria Deo (Christmas concert for peace and harmony),
LiveJam
revive: what inspired you to start LiveJam? Bonny: It comes from my personal life story actually. I was born and brought up in a troubled home where my dad was an alcoholic. There was no peace at home. I remember one day, waking up in the morning and leaving for school, thinking that all my neighbours would have heard the commotion at my home the previous night. Life went on, but not much better. I got involved in multiple relationships and it was during one very dark phase that I said, ‘God, if you’re there, I really want you to come into my life!’. In the middle of the night I heard the voice of God telling me, ‘Bonny, I love you.’ That moment was one of transformation where the restlessness stopped. That personal decision resulted in a change in my family and friends. Later, I wanted to take the same message of transformation into the lives of other people. And what better way to do so than through music! Globally, research has shown that the best way to give out a message to teenagers is to do so through music, which is what musicians the worldover are doing (whether it’s positive or negative). At LiveJam, we wanted to use it in a positive manner to bring transformation among urban youth in India.
Engage groups (community hangouts with college students and young adults), DNA Schools for training and discipleship as well as online campaigns for social causes (I am the Change and You Got Hope).
revive: Whate are the changes in lives you have witnessed ? Bonny: It’s tough to put it all down here, but often our team and myself included have
revive: Why do you do what you do? Bonny: LiveJam is a youth movement that catalyzes transformation among urban youth. We love urban teens and youth and seeing them experience change for the better fuels us up even more! Also, a lot of why we do what we do was birthed from my personal story of change. God changed my life and the destiny of my life. If he could do that with and for me, he is willing to do that for everyone around too. Speaking for myself and fellow LiveJammers, we’ve experienced a change for the better in our lives because of our relationship with God. With every generation, it has largely been our faith that spurs us on toward working for transformation for good.
revive: What exactly do you do, Bonny? Bonny: The focus of our projects is transformation of urban youth through music and media. We conduct music concerts, media and March 2017
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drawn our biggest moments of encouragement when youngsters tell us about how the music or the message gave them hope and much-needed confidence. We’ve had hundreds of teens tell us about how they battled with suicide, body image issues, stress, relationship issues and experienced change just because someone cared to speak their language and take a minute to talk them through the stuff they were dealing with.
Here are a few examples: 'I could connect with the [artist’s] talk and it motivated me to get over my addiction to smoking, drugs and pornography.' student from DLF Public School, Ghaziabad I used to hate myself, tried to be someone I didn't have to be. I would try to think of ways having a non-painful death. I tried to commit suicide many times but I didn't have the guts to do it. The BreakFree Tour made me realize it was stupidity to lose the precious gift God gave me. Now I feel really unique and love myself. I have new life and a new inspiration. - student from St. Helena’s School, Pune You people truly helped to change me and my perspective. I have been criticized a lot about gaining weight, even my parents criticized
me. It truly hurts when people criticize u about your weight. After the program I can proudly say that I DON’T CARE ANYMORE! I’m happy with my body and the food I eat. - student from Sophia School, Bangalore I’m definitely not ashamed to say that I DID HAVE A BAD PAST. The artist’s story made me realise that I can be a better person, a better student, a better daughter and a better human being. Well, my behaviour towards mom and dad for the past few years hasn’t been too good. They have been hurt a lot. This one session has made me think ABOUT WHY I WAS BAD, why I talked back to parents, why I hurt my friends, why I had been rude to people. My home wasn’t a home. My parents didn’t have hope in me. I’ve done stuff against them. I’ve been in bad company, bunked tuitions where my parents pay their hard earned money for my education, but I don’t use it. Well I can say proudly, HOLDING MY HEAD UP, I HAVE CHANGED FOR BETTER, FOR GOOD.My home is a HOME now. My parents do see a change in me, and they are happy now :) My life does have a meaning. Now I live to make my parents proud and not to misuse the freedom. The HOPE that the team gave me has made my life better and bigger than my past now. Don’t recognize me by my past but my PRESENT and my FUTURE. Just like your name is - BREAKFREE TOUR – that’s exactly how I felt after the session with you guys. I broke free of everything that was holding me behind from being a better human being. - student from Indian Central School, Kuwait
revive: Bonny, what other relevant information do you wish to share with our readers so that they can gain appreciation for the ministry you are engaged in?
Bonny: We love doing life with young people. Through local city chapters like Engage hangouts, our teams of volunteers and staff have gone hands on with young urbanites, engaging with them at their point of need. We provide a safe space for young people to get together, to know one another, share their problems, and be empowered in being transformed in their minds and lifestyles in Christ.
Even as you read this, we would love to connect with you. Reach out to us on Facebook at www. facebook.com/livejammer and Instagram:@livejam and be part of the family! If you’re interested in meeting up with us, then send us an e-mail at: contact@livejam. org and our team will reach out to you!
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news Compassion International to shut down India operations New Delhi, February 10, 2017: Ten months after it was put on the Government’s “prior permission” list for donations, U.S.-based NGO Compassion International (CI), the largest international donor in India, says it will shut down India operations as it is unable to function with the strictures on funding. The Christian charity has been at the forefront of a clash between the Modi government and the Obama administration. The Trump administration’s Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sworn in on Wednesday said in his Senate confirmation hearings that he would “look into the issue.” When contacted this week, government officials made it clear there would be no change in their position, despite a last-
Kandukuri benny prasad Continued from page 22
In reality, Benny Prasad had AN ENCOUNTER with JESUS CHRIST. It came to him unasked and unsought for as he heard GOD SPEAK TO HIM, saying, “Benny, even though you have BEEN USELESS ALL YOUR LIFE I NEED YOU NOW AND I CAN MAKE YOU A NEW CREATION.” From being the shame of his family, he went on to being their pride. God’s power brought the
ditch effort by CI’s Senior Vice-President Stephen Oakley. He flew to Delhi to meet Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar at a meeting attended by U.S. Embassy officials and asked for strictures to be removed on the organisation that has operated in India for over 30 years, bringing in approximately ?292 crore per year and funds 344 NGOs here. “Compassion International has been told it will not be taken off the watch list. The representatives were here a few days ago and they were shown evidence of religious conversions being done by NGOs funded by them. There is no rescinding the decision,” a senior Home Ministry official said. The ‘adverse’ reports of two NGOs funded by CI - Chennai-based Caruna Bal Vikas Trust and Compassion East India - were instrumental in putting the foreign donor on the Home Ministry’s watch list, said the official. At the meeting, the Indian side had made it clear that CI, which had been accused of funding NGOs unregistered for religious activity, would get no exemption from the FCRA ruling for ‘prior permissions’, various sources confirmed to The Hindu. Among other regulatory issues, sources said, CI’s own mission statement on its website, which says its aim is for “children in poverty to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults” had raised a red flag with the government. In a letter to its sponsors for children in India last month, CI, which insists it has not broken any Indian laws, said, “Due to a lack of funding resulting from government restrictions, we will likely
be forced to shut down our sponsorship program in India in the next 60 days. It deeply grieves us to think about what it would mean to end all of the relationships between Compassion children in India and their sponsors,” adding that it would give time until March 15 for a ‘resolution.’
christians attacked 3 January 2017 - Pastor TilakKumre and eleven other Christians were brutally attacked by a mob of Hindu villagers in Gadhchiroli, Maharashtra. Five of the 12 Christians assaulted were seriously injured. The attack took place on 3 January 2017 in the village of Saale in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra following dispute over funeral rites of Tulsiram Hedame, 60, who with his wife had started to attend the Indian Friend Fellowship Church in Korchi for the last five months of his life. Hedame's son did not consent to a Christian burial and the Hindu villagers did not allow a Hindu cremation to Hedame. The villagers invited Pastor Tilak for peace talks and assaulted him and the eleven others who were accompanying him. ChandrasaiKamro, 55, had his ear bleeding profusely as a result of the beating; BarsuUikey, 26, was hit with so many blows that he was unable to walk; LalsaiUikey, 45, suffered head injuries and was bleeding copiously; Prakash Malgaam had his shoulder cap fractured, and Pastor Kumre sustained shoulder and hip injury.
most powerful change in Benny’s life. Before this transition he had displayed no interest or ability in music. But from that moment to the present, he has performed before PRESIDENTS AND PARLIAMENTS, BEFORE THE CROWDS OF THE 2004 & 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES, THE 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP, 2007 WORLD MILITARY GAMES etc He broke the WORLD RECORD on 22 Nov. 2010 by becoming the FASTEST to travel to EVERY NATION in the SHORTEST TIME i.e 245 nations including Antarctica in 6 years, 6 months & 22 days. Where he had once been the destroyer of creativity, he has won renown by designing two guitars (THE WORLD’S FIRST BONGO GUITAR AND A 54-STRING GUITAR, THE BENTAR!). After traveling for 13 years to 257 nations and breaking 6 World Records, God has given him a new direction to end his travels by the March 2015 and build a 400 Chai 3:16, a Cafe to reach out to the college students who are depressed, lonely & suicidal. Benny is happily married to Zanbeni who is from Nagaland and they both serve at Chai 3:16. March 2017
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renewing and enriching life
QUIZ–50
SO MANY CHILDREN
1 What prophet spoke of a time of peace when a little child would lead the wild beasts? 2 According to Malachi, who will come to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers? 3 What book says that a child raised up in the right way will never depart from it? 4 What priest was too indulgent toward his spoiled sons? 5 Who made a little coat for her son every year when she went to offer the annual sacrifice? 6 What judge of Israel sacrificed his daughter? 7 Which of Gideon’s 70 sons (the youngest) was the only one to escape the plot of his scheming brother Abimelech? 8 Who died after giving birth to a son named Ichabod? 9 Which book says that children will not be put to death for their parent’s sins? 10 Who envisioned a time when sons and daughters would prophesy?
Just One Minute Continued from Cover 2
Children should see and hear their parents read and quote their Bibles and pray for those in need, not just as a routine habit, but as a vital part of their lives. They should hear their parents apply the scriptures to their lives, work, family and the world around them. They should see their parents take a vital interest in those who still
Answers for Quiz - 49 THE COMPANY OF APOSTLES 1. Matthew 2. Judas Iscariot 3. John 4. Jude 5. Paul 6. John 7. Peter 8. Barnabas (Acts 13:1–3; 14:4) 9. Andronicus and Junias 10. Peter (Acts 2)
live in darkness without the gospel. Parents should live in such a way that their children know that Jesus Christ is head of the house. When children visit the homes of their friends, they should see the difference Jesus Christ makes so this will become the model for them when they raise their own families and exert influence upon others around them. Yes, our children and grandchildren are our first mission field. If we have done our job right, our children will more likely become God’s effective ambassadors to their own children and a needy world around them. Father God, thank you for the gift of our children, made in your image. Help us to raise them in the discipline and instruction of your Son. Help us to raise them as you are raising us now, in your grace, mercy, wisdom and love, to glorify you, know your blessing and bear much fruit in your name, in their own homes and in your world. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
diverse ministry to Youth Continued from page 20
Janet: I know the government has recognized your work with an award, can you tell me about it? Gayatri: Last year – 2016, November 14th the government got all the orphanages and juvenile homes from across the state under one roof in a big complex for a two day event which included various programs and competitions. People were
26 March 2017
practising for this event for two months, but the Lucknow people informed us about it only 5 days before the event. So we started practising day and night with songs like Nachoonga Gaunga.... We even got the Dua Ka Ghar band to play for us. Everyone there was performing Bollywood songs. Although we got very little time for practise and preparation, our kids won a prize. The Principal Secretary called and spoke to us and on the second day we were recognised and appreciated with this award. She called us again and gave us the surprise information that our NGO would thereafter have the title of, “Friends of the Government” and also the added responsibility to take care of these homes. The boys juvenile home and the boys orphanage at Mohan Road; and the girl’s juvenile home at prayag narain road and report directly to her.