JULY 2010 VISION2MISSION Ministry
VISION CHALLENGE: Winning the battle for the mind Loneliness, suicidal tendencies, depression, nervousness, hurting inside, stress, obsessive thoughts, mental conditions, bereavement... There are countless testimonies of men and women both young and old who have fallen from great heights because they have lost the battle for their minds for reasons such as these. I Peter 5:7 says "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you."
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If people were to only look unto Christ in a sea of trouble, they would truly see a loving Saviour that cares. His eye is fixed on them, His heart beats with pity for their woe, and His hand omnipotent shall yet bring them the needed help. The darkest cloud shall scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom shall give place to the morning. Nothing heals any wound like the Balm of Gilead - the love of our crucified Christ.
Casting our cares upon Christ is the only sure way out of any psychological stronghold.
The world needs to be told that He will bind up their wounds, and heal their broken hearts.
What can be a greater consolation than to receive the faith to believe "He careth for you"?
Christian ministries across the world are reaching out to people suffering from an array of psychological problems.
There are several success stories of people who have turned to the Lord to find grace in overcoming their other wise impossible situation. The vision challenge this month is to reach out to those walking wounded within and around us and empower them to win the battle of their minds by offering them the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ .
V2M JULY ISSUE
MISSION CHALLENGE: John Jacob and the AGAPE Mental Health and Research Institute Even as a young boy studying in India’s southern state of Kerala – Bro. John Jacob realized that students and youth in general were loosing out to the devil over the battle for their minds. Many of his schoolmates used to be aimless, facing emotional problems and substance addiction. As the years passed by Bro. Jacob started praying for this alarming situation and he could sense the Lord’s calling to devote his entire life in the ministry catering to the emotionally needy. Even after completing a course in Psychology and Counseling and setting up practice, the visionary in Jacob was not comfortable just to be a counselor as the needs in the society was enormous.
management with a Christian perspective, mental health awareness, anti addiction programs, crisis interventions and career guidance. In the last 18 years, 1700 such programs have been conducted in various places and approximately four hundred thousand people have been benefited. By conducting such training programs, AGAPE has received unprecedented and whole hearted acceptance in the religious as well as social circles in Kerala.
Addicts, children with behavioral problem, family problem, people with depression and minor psychiatric problem are admitted and treatments includes programs like spiritual guidance, personal counseling, group therapy, drug therapy, bibliotherapy, recreational Through the support of various local churches activities, naturopathy treatment which are as well as believers in the Middle East, the provided in a planned and balanced way. AGAPE Mental Health and Research Institute was formed in 1992 as a non profitable The sole aim of the Institute is to win people charitable society. The very next year, a for Christ. This is achieved by presenting the counseling centre and Psychiatric OP Care gospel to all of them and many have was started. committed their lives to Christ. A good number have been added to the local Today AGAPE stands as a beacon of hope for assemblies. many who had earlier lost complete hope. It is a ministry engaged in spreading God’s The institute is a living example of how unconditional love. professionals can use their professions for the glory of God. Let us pray that more mental The institute periodically conducts seminars health professionals would make use of their and workshops on various topics like profession as an opportunity in sharing the adolescent guidance, pre-marital counseling, love of Christ. family enrichment, parenting, and sexuality
PREVIOUS ISSUES January - Uyghurs of Kazhakstan February -Rescue the perishing..Care for the dying March- The Good News to the Islamic world April - The Nation of Argentina for the Lord May- Reaching Home with the Good News June- Reach out to those behind bars WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK
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