CCM Medan Mission

CCM Medan Mission Team

On 21st April 2006, a group of Pastors and members from the Tamil speaking churches of CCM went to Medan, Indonesia for an evangelistic mission trip. The trip was in response to the invitation from Rev. Moses Alagesan of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Medan to come and evangelize among some 70,000 Tamil speaking Indians in Medan.

After checking into the hotel, the CCM team met the local church team. We got to know one another before discussing the schedule of programmes and activities during our stay there.
 
For lunch we were treated to "Lontong". Our starving stomachs consumed almost everything that was laid out on the table. That afternoon we had a time of practice followed by attendance at the Fasting and Prayer session at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. Rev. David Devapriyam of Zion Lutheran Church Kuala Lumpur shared God's message.

CCM Team Performing Katah Kala Cheebam

The next morning the CCM team conducted a seminar. Rev. Elijah Bala of TAC spoke on the glory of the Indian Culture of yesteryears and the need to review its role in Indian Evangelism. Being a working Saturday there were only 35 participants. That evening a cultural show was held at the Medan Convention Hall (Dewan Narwastu).

 

 

 

Attendees at the CCM Medan Cultural Show

A crowd of about 700 people of Indian origin (mostly Hindus) attended the show, "Malam Aprisiasi Kebudayaan India". The show was held to celebrate the Passover Feast and the Tamil New Year. Non-Indian dignitaries from Medan including some top government officials were there to grace the occasion. Throughout the 2S hour show the Christian message was presented in the form of dance, songs, resurrection drama and a hilarious sketch called "Katah Kala Chebam". Most of the members of the CCM team took an active part in the show, together with members of Holy Trinity Anglican Church. Rev. David Rajiah of the Seremban Anglican Church shared a short message on "The Promised Blessing of God" from the Book of Joshua. Generally the show was well received by the attendees.

On Sunday morning all CCM Pastors were invited to share God's message at various churches in and around Medan. That evening a special Tamil Service was held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Medan. Pastor Selvaraj from TAC shared God's Word. Early next morning the main visiting party left Medan for home.

The Results of the Trip are as follows:

1. Overall it was a hectic but successful trip to Medan. The unity, cooperation and family spirit among the members of the visiting team, although from various denominations, was something to be admired and needs to be maintained. (The Medanese hosts were also very hospitable).
2. Many hidden talents among the team members were discovered.
3. The innovative, softer approach of evangelism to the Hindu Community by way of the Indian Culture and Tamil Language was well received by the predominantly Hindu Indian Community. The possibility of such an approach in evangelizing non-Christian Indians in Malaysia needs to be studied and attempted. 
4. The Indian Community, especially the Indian Christians of Medan look forward to foster greater links with Indian Christians of Malaysia. The Indian Christians in Medan need the support of the Malaysian Churches to expand their evangelistic efforts among the 70,000 In-dians in Medan, the vast majority being Hindus. Thus the close working relationship established between the Medan Tamil Church and CCM Churches needs to be continued.
5. They also need volunteers from Malaysia to come forward to teach English and Tamil to the Indians there.

The Lord be blessed in all these activities.
Submitted by Rev. Elijah Bala
 (TAC)