April 6, 2006

India Gives Back to Words for the World

Apostle Jim Slauter, president of the Council of Twelve and director of Field Ministries, spoke to a gathering of youth in late October 2005 in Berhampur, India. Birsuna Mandal (left) translated.

Members and friends of the Community of Christ in the state of Orissa, India, have contributed more than 10,000 Rupees toward the production of the annual Worship Resources in the Oriya language. This resource is distributed widely to families in the more than 130 congregations in Orissa.

Brother Birsuna Mandal, the Oriya language translator, is one of three translators in India who was hired by the church through Words for the World. He reports that families in the church use this resource for weekly family worship as well as for Sunday services. By using the same weekly themes as the church around the world, members in Orissa are provided a sense of identity and connectedness with the worldwide denomination.

Those who receive the worship resource book are asked to contribute a small offering. Brother Mandal says this helps people place a value on the book. The books are not sold per se, and some families are not financially able to contribute to the cost. However, the understanding of A Disciple’s Generous Response, strongly supported by local church leaders, continues to grow in this part of the church.

—Asha Nivas reporting

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More about Words for the World
Fact Sheet
August 2004 - Contributions to Words for the World exceeded the goal
December 2003 - Mary Ooko, Africa Resource Center coordinator, shares the beginnings of the impact of Words for the World in Africa
November 2003 - Larry Tyree, director of International Resources, talks about what Words for the World will provide for members around the world