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SAGC 2009 SINGAPORE - July 22-26th 2009 - SPREAD THE WORD AROUND!

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South Asian Connection exists to inspire, network and challenge South Asian Youth and Young Adults for local and global missions.

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South Asian Global Convention SAGC 2009 Singapore

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SAGC 2009 Singapore [July 22-26, 2009]

Theme: "Beyond Boundaries"
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Confessions of Augustine

In the “Confessions“, Augustine lays out the story of his life, opening himself up as completely as possible to God and to his readers. In doing so, he is praising God for His salvation and His grace and to inspire others to actively seek their return to God. “Yet through loving humility, we find our way back to You. You purify our evil dispositions; you are merciful towards the sins of those who confess to You; You hear the groans of captives and set us free from the bonds we have forged for ourselves.” (The Confessions 1997, Book 3, paragraph 16) This salvation by grace alone made all the difference in my life. Romans 5:1-2 states that “For by grace are ye saved through faith, not of yourself, it is the gift of God. Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”

Extreme Spirituality

Solomon gave a piece of advice to people that they should not be excessively righteous (Eccl.7:16). What does this mean except that we should not take righteousness to extremes? Isn’t it true that some well meaning people foolishly extend themselves beyond what God requires and, as a result, end up in an unnatural, unrealistic and impractical approach to righteousness or spirituality?  . . . . But in seeking to be really godly, they went beyond what God wanted, and they got sidetracked with silly little issues (e.g., “not touching”), missing the main point (Matt.23:23-25).Like Paul said, all these types of foolish ways look as though they will make us godly (Col.2:23). But they are deceptive. Generally speaking they make us feel superior to others around us. When we begin to go in these directions it does not look as though we are making a mistake. We think we have found a secret of godliness. But even though the deviation may be small in the beginning, ultimately it leads us far away from the goal.

Islam

Islam makes up around 20% of the world's population. It is the second largest religion in the world, trailing only Christianity. Muslims are spread primarily over the areas of North Africa, the Middle East, South-Central Asia, and Indonesia. Although Islam began in Saudi Arabia, non-Arab Muslims now outnumber Arab Muslims by a ratio of almost three to one. Also, the four nations with the largest number of Muslims today are all outside the Middle East. Indonesia-166 million (88% of the population); Pakistan-111 million (97%); Bangladesh-97 million (85%); and India-93 million (11%). Do you know that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today? Do you know that a significant number of immigrants who come to the United States are Muslims? And do you know that these immigrants come from many Islamic countries or countries with large communities of Muslims? Do you know that an estimated 4 to 6 million Muslims reside in the United States?

Meet Your Newest Neighbors: Asians

"And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat her/him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love her/him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God" (Lev. 19:33-34, NKJV) There is much we can learn about our Asian neighbors, such as how they view themselves, what they believe about family, and why they have come to America. The more we know, the greater our understanding and enjoyment of Asian individuals-and the easier it is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them. Below are a few facts about Asians in general.

Sikhism

Sikhism founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century Northern India, is the fifth-largest religion in the world. The history of Sikhism began with the birth in 1469 AD of Guru Nanak Dev. The initiation (baptism) ceremony and other traditions of the religion were formalized by 1699 AD. This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally, the counsel of the gurus) or the Sikh Dharma. Sikhism originated from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit root sisya meaning "disciple" or "learner", or siksa meaning "instruction". Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. A key distinctive feature of Sikhism is a non-anthropomorphic concept of God, to the extent that one can interpret God as the Universe itself.
It’s the song of the redeemed, Rising from the African plain, It’s the song of the forgiven, Drowning out the Amazon rain, The song of Asian believers, Filled with God’s holy fire, It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation, A love song born of a grateful choir . . . . It’s all God’s children singing, Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns, It’s all God’s children singing, Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns, He reigns.

Veeranjaneyulu is the grandson of a Hindu mystic who was buried alive as per his wish.  Veeranjaneyulu followed his father’s tradition of being a Pujari for Hindu gods. In 1992, he participated in the Ayodhya Procession along with his uncle who was a VHP representative from Rayalseema. Yet when the Lord Jesus Christ called him, he and his family left everything and suffered excommunication and humiliation to follow the one True God. Veeranjaneyulu shares his life transforming story with C Stephen David.

I Became A Free Man In Jesus Christ

Most of the early years of my life, I lived a life of illusion trying to cover the vacuum in me through food, friends, entertainment, education and work. My conscience knew for the most part what was right and what was wrong. Yet I leaned towards doing what is wrong. I was never able to prevail against the power of sin. I tried to beat the shortcomings in my life, but to my dismay all the contending was in vain. I knew my life was being led in a way opposite to where my own conscience accused me. But I was stubborn and made all excuses and justifications to lead my life the way I wanted. Gradually my conscience started to get hardened and I found myself spiritually estranged and in bondage to all kinds of evil deeds. I used to wonder if there was ever a way out of the burden some, monotonous cycle of life's misery.

Don't Worry . . . Be Happy

I think Indian people are great worriers by nature.  Just think about your parents for a second:  most Indian parents worry about their mortgage payments, car payments, household expenses, children’s expenses, vacation expenses, they worry about their job security, about their promotion opportunities, they worry about their wife/husband, kids, family in India/North America, and they worry if they’re being Christ-like examples to their kids, if the Church is growing...there are very few things Indian parents don’t worry about, and fewer things they aren’t afraid to tell their kids that they worry about those things!  And then there’s our generation we worry about our parents and all their worries, we worry about friends, grades, whether we’ll get into A university/college, then we worry about WHICH university/college we’ll get into, we worry if we’re living how God wants us to, if there are enough youth in our youth group, we worry about our jobs, our future careers, our future families, and then we worry about our future worries . . .
With over 1.5 billion people in South Asia and about twenty-five million in the diaspora,10 people of South Asian origin play a major role in the world today.  Many multi-nationals companies see it as a powerful emerging market for a knowledge-based economy, a pool of resource talent and rich cultural ideas. The modern urban South Asian diaspora is significant, not only because it represents part of an evolving world culture and a cross-section of the world’s major religions, but a vast mission field whose evangelization will have a positive multiplier effect to the billions of souls in South Asia and beyond.



Above All - You Thought Of Me

Above all kingdoms . . Above all thrones . . Above all wonders the world has ever known . . Above all wealth and treasures of the earth . . There's no way to measure what you're worth
 

Even today, women through their deep devotion encounter the living Jesus in our midst (while we are busy with committee meetings, church politics and church administration). The role of women in the different ministries of the church is crucial - they teach our children at the Sunday school, they are involved in outreach ministries, they raise funds for Church projects, they enhance the aesthetics of our worship halls, they sing in the choir, and they participate in cottage prayer meetings, bible studies, mid-week meetings etc - yet they go ‘unnoticed' and ‘unrecognized'. In fact, there's a whole list of things that women do in our churches that is taken for granted. Ironically, it is through their seemingly ‘lowly' ministries and yet faithful service in our churches that they encounter the living Jesus present in our midst. The risen Jesus continues to honor their faith and women encounter him. Women continue to follow Jesus and remain faithful to him, despite their ‘invisibility' within church structures. Not surprisingly, women are greatly used by God to undergird the church's life and mission.

Over the past several days Pastor David Wilkerson’s prophecy regarding a great calamity coming upon the United States (starting in New York City) has been headlined on the Drudge Report and has been read by millions. . . . In summary, it is obvious to all that this nation is in trouble and that God is judging us (including the church) for our greed, and for preaching a gospel that is based more on the satisfaction of self more than crucifying the flesh and abandoning all for the Kingdom of God. This is a season of fasting and praying, but is also a great opportunity for the church to meet the needs of the thousands finding themselves homeless, unemployed, facing foreclosure, and those on Wall Street that are on the verge of losing all of their assets. What a time to stand in the gap as salt and light for our cities, whether they are under God’s judgment or not!

My name is Navjeet Kaur. I was born in a Jatt Sikh family. My father is a farmer. Four years ago my family accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Before coming to Christ, we were Sikhs. Since childhood my family had faithfully practised the Sikh faith. We performed all kinds of rituals to achieve peace of mind, but to no avail. Our problems never vanished instead they doubled. There was strife and discord in the family. This disharmony and stress had led me to contemplate suicide. I was troubled – mentally, physically and spiritually.
This story is Konjam (little) modern and Konjam (little) traditional.
It’s about two women - Naomi and Ruth -
who lived on the other side of a ‘Shining’ India.
Vanga Vango (come come) and listen to this inspiring story. Despite all the economic boom and 100 billion dollars in forex reserve,
 life remains a struggle for many.
Starvation, poverty and poor yield
make the struggle for survival for many very difficult.
As a way of escape, some people commit suicide
While others leave to the cities in search of ‘better’ life
sorry… sorry… ‘ to a bitter’ life.
Naomi’s family was pushed to life’s edge.
Get-set-go,
They migrated to Delhi.
Why Delhi?!!! It could be any city, even yours
Was it to make big money?
Nope! Just to find enough food – 
Konjam (little) happiness and to survive.

Slumdog Millionaire - Slumdog Mission

It was a pleasant surprise to watch Slumdog  Millionaire win the Oscars. Rarely a movie pricks the conscience of a nation. But when it does it comes with a lot of soul searching to do. I see the soul of India searched again. I thought this was a fitting tribute to India’s 21st century reality. Though I live today in the comforts of the West I have experienced the slum dog moments in my growing years in India. It’s real. It’s everywhere. There are no ghettos in the west that can be compared to the squalor and abject poverty that stains the slums of India. It’s pretty difficult for any westerner to comprehend life in the hellish slums. I don’t think the movie is in anyway slamming down India.  Slums do exist in many parts of Asia and Africa.

Slumdog  Millionaire Jai Ho Full Video - Oscars Best Original Song - Thank You Anil Kumar190184

Are You On A Breakthrough Or Burnout?

As a pastor for more than 25 years I have seen many people serving in ministry burn out in the name of Christ, then fall away from their purpose. This is even very common among senior leaders but it can be avoided. In the past several years, I have personally experienced my mind being tired, requiring me to pull back for several months lest I burnout! The following are signs that show whether you are on the verge of burnout or breakthrough. Read the full article on Breakthrough Or Burnout!

Laminin is a family of glycoproteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding in almost every animal tissue. Laminin is vital to making sure overall body structures hold together. It has four arms that can bind to four other molecules. The three shorter arms are particularly good at binding to other laminin molecules, which is what makes it so great at forming sheets. The long arm is capable of binding to cells, which helps anchor the actual organs to the membrane. "Electron microscopy reveals a cross-like shape for all laminins investigated so far."  AMAZING SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY!

Slumdog Millionaire – Reflection

As an Indian I am proud to know that Slumdog Millionaire has brought laurels to the country. Danny Boyle the director with Loveleen Tandon has produced a master piece.   A.R. Rahman deserves full praise and commendation for his world class contribution. The script writer Simon Beaufoy has woven the story in a very attractive style that the audience are not bored but taken along the narration.  The film has brought the stark realities of India before the global audience.  The elite of the country has spoken against the movie as it brings the other side of India, which is not IT superpower urban India but real India.

Slumdog Millionaire YouTube Credits to BlackTreeMedia

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