A Fund has Established to Support Gunesh's Family

Colombo Theological Seminary has decided to established a fund to support Sebamalai Gunesh's family. If you are interested in helping them (even if it is in a small way [because of the exchange rate difference, your contribution multiplied by 100 times when they exchange back to Rupees]), following is the email I received from Combo Theological Seminary:

"Thank you to all those who responded with messages of comfort, reassurance and prayer to the news of the tragic death of Gunesh.

As there were several inquiries regarding the possibility of making a financial contribution towards assisting Gunesh’s family (through CTS), we will have a designated fund for this purpose and will accept contributions up to 30 November 2008. Any funds received by this date will be handed over to the family or invested in their name (depending on the amount received).

a) If you do make any direct remittances to the account below, please let me know via email, so that the remit can be tracked.

b) Please note that cheques should be drawn in favour of ‘Colombo Theological Seminary’ and directed to

The Principal

Colombo Theological Seminary

189 Dutugemunu Street

Kohuwela

Sri Lanka

*please include a note indicating that the contribution is for Gunesh’s family."

In midst of all this financial difficulties, I've started to save some money to remit for this fund. Hope that you will also do the same!

Hebrews 13:1-3

Abduction of another Pastor in Sri Lanka

National Christian Evangelical Allence of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) reported another abuction of a Paster working in out side of Colombo (Gampaha District):

Pastor Ratnam Machchakali Punyamurthy (39 years) of Messiah Ministries who was engaged in ministry in Negombo has been abducted from his residence by an unidentified group on Monday 06thOctober 2008 approximately at 8.10 p.m. He is married and has a son who is 8 years old.

Plaese remember him and his faimly in your prayers.

Source: http://www.worldevangelicals.org/news/view.htm?id=2126

Acts 12:5-9

Horried Death of a dear friend and fellow worker!

Today I received horrid and shocking news of cruel death of my friend and alumna of Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS). It is the death of Pastor Sebamalai Gunesh, father of 2. Gunesh was ministering at the Elohim Gospel Church. He had humble beginnings; coming from a relatively poor family he gave his life to work and ministry. He had the opportunity of studying God’s word in-depth at Colombo Seminary, if I’m not mistaken in 2004-2006. He completed his diploma and commenced reading for B.Th.

I have known him as a student and fellow worker in Christ’s harvest field. Gunesh was meek and gentle in spirit and greatly loved the word of God, to which he dedicated his whole life. He gladly worked hard and always willing to go the second mile. He happily embraced poverty and hardship for the sake of the gospel. I remember him, always greeting and conversing with friendly smile.

He was reported missing on Monday 6th October and his body was found on Wednesday 8thOctober 2008.

Gunesh was 33 years old at his death.

I with the CTS community jointly ask for your prayers for Gunesh’s family.

Revelation 14:13

Church Set on Fire in Puttam district of Sri Lanka

The Voice of Martyrs says:

More than 60 people set fire to a church building used for Sunday school in Puttlam district, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka reported. Members of the church who live in the vicinity arrived at the scene and attempted to stop the arson attack and were assaulted by the mob. The attackers threatened children who had also gathered, but their parents took them away to safety. The p astor informed the police about the attack, however, they were not able to bring the large mob under control for some time, but eventually succeeded in dispersing them. Meanwhile on Aug. 17, another church in Puttlam district was set on fire and completely destroyed during the night. A group of people who visited the pastor’s house earlier that evening and threatened him are suspected of having carried out the arson attack. A police complaint has been made and three people have been arrested. Pray for the members of these two churches. Ask God to protect them and provide resources to rebuild the church building. Pray their testimonies will glorify God and draw their persecutors into fellowship with Him.

Note by Ravin: Puttlum distric is predominately Muslim (Islamic) in religious affiliation and culture with pocket-villages of Sinhala Buddhists and Catholics. Very few churches have survied upto now. Many church palnts are colsed or forced to close down. If I am not mistaken, there are less than 12-15 fuctioning churches for the whole of Puttlum district (2796 sq Km). Few of us have tried extrimely hard to reach this district. Please pray for starting of new church-plants and for the on going persicution.

1 Peter 3:14-17

A Tribute: Good works of CTS Graduates!

After a fire burned down 110 plank houses in Grandpass, Colombo, Pastor S.J.P. Jayaprakash of the Grandpass Gospel Tabernacle Church responded to an emergency call for food. Not only was food provided, but the church, community and authorities were mobilized to rebuild houses made of brick. This particular housing complex is home of a 350-family community of Sinhala and Tamil ethnicity where a very small Christian presence exists. Through this process, Jayaprakash found out the community only had two usable toilets with an open sewage drain running among the homes. Enlisting volunteers from the church and community, Jayaprakash completed the project, giving the community 12 toilets and a state-of-the-art septic tank. This community effort has generated much unity among the people and positive response to the church, opening up doors for the ministry among the community. Jayaprakash’s future plans for developing this community include education classes for the children in English, art and other subjects; forming a children’s club; setting up a medical clinic; and renovating the library.Jayaprakash is a graduate and former OC scholarship recipient from Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS), Sri Lanka. He received the CTS Community Award at the 2007 graduation. “My vision is to develop the community rather than to only build up the church,” Jayaprakash says “After all, Jesus himself responded to the needs of the 5,000 by feeding them - with no strings attached.”

James 3:13

Source: Overseas Council International enews letter

Church Set on Fire in Puttam district of Sri Lanka

The Voice of Martyrs says:

More than 60 people set fire to a church building used for Sunday school in Puttlam district, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka reported. Members of the church who live in the vicinity arrived at the scene and attempted to stop the arson attack and were assaulted by the mob. The attackers threatened children who had also gathered, but their parents took them away to safety. The p astor informed the police about the attack, however, they were not able to bring the large mob under control for some time, but eventually succeeded in dispersing them. Meanwhile on Aug. 17, another church in Puttlam district was set on fire and completely destroyed during the night. A group of people who visited the pastor’s house earlier that evening and threatened him are suspected of having carried out the arson attack. A police complaint has been made and three people have been arrested. Pray for the members of these two churches. Ask God to protect them and provide resources to rebuild the church building. Pray their testimonies will glorify God and draw their persecutors into fellowship with Him.

Note by Ravin: Puttlum distric is predominately Muslim (Islamic) in religious affiliation and culture with pocket-villages of Sinhala Buddhists and Catholics. Very few churches have survied upto now. Many church palnts are colsed or forced to close down. If I am not mistaken, there are less than 12-15 fuctioning churches for the whole of Puttlum district (2796 sq Km). Few of us have tried extrimely hard to reach this district. Please pray for starting of new church-plants and for the on going persicution.

1 Peter 3:14-17