Urban India Ministries

 Reflection of Gods faithfulness in the last10 Years

 (1998-2008)

By

P.C.Mathew

 National Executive Director

The Exodus of Israelites from Egypt was always a moment that the Israelites were asked to recollect. It helped them to realize the mighty hand of God that lead them and it also gave them the impetus to go forward with new vigor. As UIM enters into its 10th year, it’s important for us to look back and see the mighty hand of God in sustaining us and it gives us more energy to move forward. A group of friends who grew up together in their youth fellowships (mostly from the Mar Thoma Church in Bangalore) wanted to strengthen their own family life and decided to conduct a family camp in the summer of 1998. They resolved after the conference to be committed to their own marriage and wanted to help families irrespective of church backgrounds who were battling in the area of family life due to urban pressure.

UIM- Remembering the Initiators:

The camp encouraged the friends to take this vision forward and hence UIM was registered as a religious trust focusing on building and strengthening families in the state of Karnataka in Oct 1998. It’s important to mention the role of Mr. Sam George, who envisioned the need for family ministry during his theological studies in the States whose constant mails and perseverance impacted us as friends which paved the way for the beginning of UIM.

Mr. Alex Mathew, Mr. Tony Mammen, Mr. Najib Khan, Mr. Biju Thomas and Mr. Ranjan Abraham who were based in Bangalore were the ones who worked towards keeping this vision alive for the first four years.

We also recollect with gratitude visionary leaders like Pst. C.A. Benjamin, Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos who was then the vicar of the Primrose Mar Thoma church and others who constantly encouraged this vision of UIM. 

Rev. P. John Wesley, who is presently the General Secretary of IEM, attended UIM conference in 2000 and was requested to lead this young team as its Chairman. Since all of us lacked experience, his presence brought clear direction and stronger commitment to all the trustees of the Board. We are grateful to God for His leadership.

UIM’s First Phase: A Voluntary Movement (1998-2002 May):

a. Yearly Camps And Programs: Every year we came together during summer and invited our friends to attend the summer family conference. We found assorted speakers to lead us and specifically focused on issues relating to family life. Many of them were blessed by the same. Added to the summer conference, couple’s day outs and Christmas programs were also planned once in a while.

b. Family Life Training: To add more impetus to UIM, the training of Family Life, U.S which we co-hosted in the year 2000 with Campus Crusade for Christ gave our attempts more visibility before other Christian leaders and organizations.

UIM’s Second Phase: Establishment phase (2002 May -2003):

a. National Director and Associate National Director: As we moved ahead for four years as volunteers, we realized there is a need for a full time person to give leadership to this mission. All the eyes were on us as we were the only couple in full time ministry among our friends. But strangely we also felt a passion towards this ministry ever since we attended the first camp in 1998, which even made me preach 10 series of sermon on family life while serving the church. When we reflect back, we see how the Lord prepared us for this ministry much ahead of taking up this ministry. Praying much towards taking up the leadership of this ministry we moved to Bangalore and started off as the first couple of UIM in our bedroom converted office. I thank God for my friends who stood as a team to support us till we could raise enough support for the ministry. We could see the provision of God flowing that within six months we could get enough supporters to run the organization.

b. Change of Logo: We realized that the organization’s logo that we had earlier, did not communicate our family focus and hence the logo was changed in 2002 May from its logo of high rise building to the concept of Christ centered family. The logo has three significant parts. The family, the Cross, the Word. The Word is the foundation of a family life and the Cross depicts the need to have a Christ Centered family life. The image of the family is specifically designed to portray an Indian family. The child is included in the family to emphasis that children also form an integral part of the family. 

c. Vision and Mission articulated: In 2002, we also articulated our vision and mission to keep with the goal of UIM.

Vision :

To bring glory to God by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, helping people to become fully devoted followers of Christ and building the people of God to be effective leaders in fulfilling the mission of Christ in the world.

Mission:

• To APPLY biblical principles and values for marriages and family,
• To ASSIST individuals and communities to face the challenges of urban living,
• To ADVOCATE sanctity of life and the institution of marriage,
• To ALERT the society about the forces that threatens families,
• among the emerging generation in the cities and surrounding regions by providing resources and working through individuals, local churches schools and colleagues, organization, media and government.

d. Ministry Highlights And Milestones In Phase Two:

i.  UVC: A voluntary team called UVC (UIM voluntary committee) was formed to assist us in the ministry. We had many volunteers both at office and also for the ministry.

ii.  Homebuilder groups: Homebuilder groups were started using the Family Life materials.
 
iii.  5th Anniversary celebration: We celebrated our 5th anniversary inviting a musical group from Chennai which was our first public gathering of over 500 people.

iv.  Family camps: A camp of 20 couples was organized in Conoor  and a summer camp with 25 couples was organized in Claret Nivas, Bangalore

v.  One day seminars:  Grand-parenting seminars and other church seminars were organized in Bangalore

vi.  Cottage family fellowship: We met monthly in the houses of people and it was called cottage fellowships and discussed family topics.

UIM ‘S Third PHASE: Spreading Its Wings (2004 – 2008):

From 2004, UIM saw an exponential growth and spread especially with the National Leadership Training that we conducted along with Family Life. My exposure to family life international training at U.S, my visit to Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs widened my perspective and made me think beyond my small ghetto understanding and helped me see the various methods and ways we can reach out to families in need. We appointed Honorary Regional Directors in Bangalore in 2004 (Mr and Mrs. Philips and Reupah) and Honorary Regional Director in Mumbai (Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gudinio) in 2005. These voluntary staff made a great difference to the region as they planned many programs and conferences keeping with the vision of UIM. The contribution of Mr. and Mrs. Philips went beyond Bangalore as they pioneered work in Mysore, Hubli and other areas of Karnataka. Though UIM was able to conduct seminars in most of the major metros of India, the list below are the places we have an established office for UIM.

UIM OFFICES:

a. Kerala -Regional Office in Cochin: In 2005, Mr. Stanly and Mrs. Fanny joined as the Regional Directors of UIM – Kerala. They have conducted seminars in almost the length and breadth of Kerala and have counseled many families. The major ministries in Kerala include Family Camps, One Day Seminars, Counseling, Counseling Course, Homebuilders.

b. Maharashtra - Regional Office in Mumbai: The Regional Office of Mumbai was operational from 2007 and was made available by the generosity of the Regional Directors who gave their parents flat for the use of UIM- Mumbai office. Major ministries include Camps, One Day Seminars, Light House Meetings and Homebuilders.
 
c. Karnataka - Regional Office in Hubli: The Head quarters office in Bangalore was both used for regional and National activites until the end of 2006. On March 2007, Bangalore was recognized as the Head Quarter region and the Regional Office of Karnataka was separately formed in Hubli under the new Regional Director Dr. Jogul Johnson and Pratiba. They took responsibility from Mr. and Mrs. Philips and they have now pioneered work in North Karnataka and have spread their wings in most of the major cities of Karnataka. Their major ministries include Module Camps, Seminars, Counseling and Trendsetters.

d. Goa - Regional Office in Panjim: In August 2008, the Regional Office was inaugurated at Goa, with Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Sophia leading the region. They have trained themselves for one year in Mysore under the leadership of Dr. Jogul and have pioneered UIM in Goa. Their major ministries include Counseling, Family and Premarital Seminars. They would be starting Trendsetters shortly. 

e Orissa -Regional Office in Khurda Road: Mr. and Mrs. Biswajit and Kuni who attended our National leadership Training in 2004, voluntarily were helping UIM to conduct Conferences and Camps for families. In 2007, they took up the leadership as Hon. Regional Directors. Their ministry involves Family Seminars and Counseling.

UIM – Spreading Beyond India:

a. UIM Coordinators in UAE and US:  UIM also grew beyond the boundaries of Indian soil. From 2004, we have been able to do seminars in US, UK and the Gulf. Honorary Coordinators for UAE were appointed in 2005. Mr. Eapen and Mrs. Ancy were our coordinators in the UAE till 2007 May. From June 2007 Mr Nigel and Mrs. Annie have been our coordinators. In the US. Dr. Shibu Kuncheria along with his wife Lincy, serve as US coordinators. Shibu is a practicing Psychiatrist and does ministry among the Diaspora Indians. Sam George who now heads another ministry in the US called Parivar International is the US Ambassador for UIM.

UIM – Ministry Highlights and Milestones In The Third Phase:

In the third phase, beyond moving into other cities and countries, a lot more programs and projects were added to reach the various sections of the urban society. Some of the highlights were family camps were divided into three modules, Trendsetters – a program to reach the urban teens was launched in schools, through schools we were engaged in teachers and parenting seminars, a special project for the urban poor families called Kutumb Jyothi was started, 24/7 counseling helpline was inaugurated, counseling training program was launched, light house meetings multiplied, special seminars for single parents was introduced, pastors family program, seminar for the  visually challenged, publication of materials and CD’s to resource the families, leadership training both national and regional was conducted, corporate families were reached, more staff and volunteers were added to achieve all these purposes.

UIM- The Largest Family Ministry In India Today:

What started as a concern among few friends today has become the largest family ministry in India with six major departments focusing on serving and reaching families for Christ through various ways.

Ministry Departments:

Mission and Evangelism Ministries Dept:

a. Cornelius Project: This project envisions to equip and strengthen Christian families to be a blessing to their neighbors and friends by making their home available through family seminars.

b. Valentines Program: An outreach program where we reach many of our friends from all faiths. Its also an attempt to use the occasion of Valentines to strengthen familial bonds between couples. This is also a bridge event with the society.

c. Women in Need (WIN), City Intercessory network (CIN): WIN is a prayer meeting initiated with our counselees in order to make them Women Intercessors. When they pray for other things they are able to focus beyond themselves. CIN is a prayer update sent to all our well wishers and friends to pray for their city.
 
Discipleship And Mentoring Ministries Dept:

a. Light House: These are monthly meetings for people who attend Homebuilders where more new people are added to the group.

b. Homebuilders: Home builders have been multiplied in Bangalore and in other cities. More than 15 groups are meeting in various parts of the country.

c. Module Camps: Every year UIM conducts Module 1 and Module 2 camp. Once in 2 years we have a Module 3 camp where we train couples to think beyond their own families and to be a light house in the city.

d. Seminars and Conferences: One day Seminars, evening seminars custom made as per the requirement of the ones who invite us have been one of the specialties of UIM ministry.

e. Church Couples Fellowship: In few churches, UIM was able to initiate Church Couples Fellowships. With the publishing of CCF materials we expect to reach as many churches possible in the cities.

f. Pastor’s Seminars: Pastors family seminars have been conducted in few cities. Helping pastors family to prioritize their own family and also to help them take family ministry to churches have been our concern and attempts.

g. Family Leadership Training: Our resources are shared with families who are burdened to take Family Ministry to their cities. Leadership training in Family Ministry is conducted nationally and regionally to multiply leadership in this area.

Youth and Teen Ministry Dept:

a. Trendsetters: This was an attempt made to go beyond the Church circles, by reaching the urban teens in schools. A two year weekly program that is focused on value education and leadership training was launched in schools that connected us with more than ten thousand students in schools and their teachers and parents. This is a unique program that caters to the urban teens and their  families. This program also has helped us to counsel many students with teen issues.

b. Shiloh Camp: A camp curriculum of Biblical Life Skills for Church kids is launched for this 10th anniversary. This will help us to make Christian camps more practical and relevant as they address the current issues of teens and youth.

Media and Publication Ministries Dept:

a. Websites: Our website www.urbanindia.org has been regularly updated and serves as a medium to promote all our programs. This also has a counseling column and articles that are useful for families. Another website www.trendsetterfamilies.org also is used to reach the urban teens and their families.

b. Newsletters: Our ministry updates are given to all our partners and well-wishers through a quarterly newsletter called “FAMILY MATTERS”.

c. Manuals and all Print Materials: Many in-house materials have been printed by our media team. They would be releasing CCF materials and Shiloh material for the 10th anniversary. Trendsetters’ manual and other publicity materials are produced by this department.

Compassion and Special Ministries  Department:

a. Kutumb Jyothi: A special ministry to reach the urban poor focuses on four areas pertaining to the needs of the poor families namely     a. EDUCATION b. ECONOMICS c. EMOTIONAL     d. HEALTH. 3 slums have been reached by the KJ team, through which they reach the families.

b. Single Parenting: Single parents are on the increase with the increase of divorce and separation. So special seminars focusing on these issues are started to accomplish God’s purpose in their life.

c. Visually Challenged: A visually challenged pastor has been appointed to reach visually challenged people’s families. Four home-builders have been started to reach the same.

d. Divorce Recovery: An attempt is being made to help people from the agony of divorce especially in the case of victims of divorce. A program to help them recover is being worked out.
 
Family Counseling Dept:

a. Help line and Counseling: The launch of UIM helpline has brought in so many calls from many people irrespective of caste color or creed. Full time counselors have been appointed to meet the counseling needs.

b. Counseling Course: A counseling course to equip lay counselors has trained more than 100 counselors in the last two years. These lay counselors have been effective to help their own colleagues and friends who are going through family crisis.

c. Family Research Training Institute: To start a Family Research Training Institute has been our dream. A curriculum is being put together to start a Training Institute that will equip pastors and leaders to be better equipped to help families. Research scholars who wish to pursue in the area of family ministry will also be encouraged to take up research through this institute.

Reach Of UIM Seminars Today:

UIM seminars have penetrated into more than 30 cities of India and are spreading to all states and beyond. Our reach every year has been on the increase. At present close to 100 programs are conducted every year. With an average of 30 families in each of our programs we reach close to 3000 to 4000 families every year.

Impacting Churches Of Different Denominations:

UIM has been uniquely placed with leaders from most major denominations. With a staff strength of over 25, we have close to 11 different denominations among our staff. Our volunteers include people from all churches. Hence UIM is an interdenominational ministry catering to all the churches irrespective of denomination.

Reaching Corporate India:

An attempt to reach the corporate world with family seminars has been very successful as we connected up to so many families through our marriage seminars. We reach the corporate through our sister organization - Kutumb Communications. Till date we have conducted 14 seminars for the secular audience in Corporate.

UIM - Dreams and Aspirations:

Own building and space:  As we march on into our 10th year with gratitude for what the Lord has done, we are dreaming of a good office space to accommodate all our ministry departments! There is a need for an office space of our own as the present space is getting congested for our needs. Please pray for the same that our God will provide a place of our own very soon.

National Helpline: A national helpline to help families across India is a big dream. A call centre with one national number with counselors spread in all cities is a dream that we are attempting in the near future.

Reaching All Major Metros: To see light house established and every Christian home becoming a Godly home to impact this country is our dream! Having at least one couple passionate to reach families in every city of India is a dream that we carry. It’s a slow process, but we believe little by little we are gaining ground. We exist to transform cities one Home at a time. Though it takes time, it will have long lasting impact if we stay committed to this vision that the Lord has given us. The Love of Christ compels us to go on…It gives us the fuel to move through the power of God to make Christ known in this land through families. May God lead UIM to be a blessing to many families in the days to come! The Lord our Ebenezer who was with us thus far is our Emmanuel who is with us as we march on beyond the 10th year.

 AMEN.