UESI Kerala EGF Conference was held from 14th to 16th April 2011 at Christian Education Centre, Charalkunnu. The change in the schedule due to the Kerala Assembly Elections was a concern for all of us. Some of our graduates were to attend election duties. To start the conference in the morning on the first day with breakfast was a new experience and a challenging one. But it was heartening to see the graduates making it to the venue in the morning itself.
The theme of the conference was ‘Christian Lifestyle’ which was apt and timely. The two main speakers Most Rev. Dr. C. V. Mathew and Mr. James Varghese, IAS, expounded it with passion and conviction. They challenged us to live a life that is different, honest, clean and simple. Their messages made us rethink and reflect. The practical sessions on ‘Core Values of UESI’ was handled by Mr. Viji Thomas K, ‘Christian Ethics’ by Dr. Mathew Jacob and ‘Mentoring’ by Dr. Alexander George. The devotions, Bible exposition and the practical sessions presented a broad spectrum of the theme and challenged us.
The KEGF AGM also took place on 15th April afternoon and there was a good participation from the graduates.
The presence of many of our senior graduates throughout the Conference was admirable. Their concern for the ministry had not diminished over the years. The presence of many young and new graduates showed that the ministry is growing which was an encouragement. We thank God for them and pray that He may use them for the furtherance of His kingdom.
There was a separate program going on alongside for the children with the same theme as the adults. They were grouped according to their ages and each group was in the charge of different persons. Parents appreciated this new approach. We are grateful to Mrs & Mr Thomas Mathew (Tiruvalla) and their team for their dedicated service.
The choir tirelessly sang and lifted our spirits throughout the conference. Even the weather cooperated with us. The summer showers in the evening helped us beat the heat. The sudden and unexpected hike in the rates of the conference venue had us worried. It would have left us with a huge deficit and so we turned to God. He heard us and we were left with Rs 5000.00 surplus. He has shown us once again that He is our Jehovah Jireh.
We thank each and every one of our EGF family for their whole hearted support and prayer. Special thanks to Tiruvalla, Kozhencherry, Ranny and Pathanamthitta EGF members for their hard work. As I look back it is amazing to see the wonderful ways in which God helped and strengthened me to discharge my duties after the surgery and prolonged treatment. It was a matter of praise to note that even the administrator in charge of the conference venue joined our thanksgiving prayer after the conference, as he was moved by the wonderful providence of our God.
Sam Alexander KEGF Secretary