Mission Conference draws thousands of evangelists in Chennai

Chennai – The Every Tongue and Tribe Conference (ETTC), envisioned by Bishop Dr. Ezra Sargunam and hosted by the Evangelical Church of India (ECI), was held from January 11–14, 2006 in Chennai, India, drawing at least 14000 ‘Swarthiks’ or grassroot evangelists in India.

According to mission partner, New Directions International (NDI), native missionaries, and representatives from people groups from around the world also gathered for the conference.

Bishop Trevor Manhanga from Zimbabwe, Stakwell Yurenimo from Kenya and Pastor Hanok Tamang from Nepal were amongst the speakers who shared what God was doing among the various tribal groups in their respective countries and cultures. Among noted Indian Christian leaders, Dr. Ravi Zacharias and Dr. Sam Kamaleson delivered the plenary address.

The primary objective of ETTC was to identify, disciple, and transform the responsive people groups of India as well as to evolve strategies to reach the lost and the unreached.

“Christian leaders, heads of indigenous mission organizations, and other evangelism and church planting groups and agencies bear witness to the fact that it is harvest time in India,” said Bishop Ezra Sargunam.

“When the harvest is ripe and ready to be harvested, our Lord has bid us to immediately put the shackle to it (Mark 4:29),” he added. “It is high time we take our Lord’s command seriously. ETTC calls the Church and mission agencies to action to harvest the harvestable and to win the winnable.”

In addition to the conference, medical camp as well as special seminars focusing on women’s ministry were also held.