Looking Back!

It’s been a year since we launched Wisdomtree – The Academy of the Faithful. We are thankful to God for his grace, strength and blessings. We have been able to do “something” and God has miraculously blessed what we did. God has opened amazing opportunities, given resources, help us find people with the same vision (and passion). Through the twists and turns he has sustained us. No photograph (however real it may have been shot), No write-up (however true it is), No testimony (however unedited it is presented)and no (however-true-to-reality) presentation can adquately tell our stories at Wisdomtree. I remember God’s word that came alive to me while returning from Bangalore.

” Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands. I provide water in deserts– streams in thirsty lands for my chosen people – Isa. 43:18 – 20″

True to his promise, God has opened up opportunities in Corportate offices, Coffee Shops, Colleges, Churches, Youth gathering, National workshops to help young people engage with the challenges of the Urban sub-culture.Wisdomtree is not just about events. It’s about articulating a new vision for Generation “WHY”. It all about re-newing the New Generation. It’s about (re)shaping youth ministry so that they engage with urban sub-culture.

We are particularly thankful to God for Mr. Aram Appavu and family for their continued support to the vision to reach young people through engagement with urban sub-cultures. They have stood with us and encouraged us like no other. I am also thankful to my mother for given genorously, sacrificially and cheerfully to help wisdomtree grow. Besides, several of you have made financial investments for Kingdom gains. These men and women of God have made it possible for us to do innovative and creative things that are otherwise not possible. They have believed in us as we lived out the vision to reach young people through cultural apologetics.

Continue to pray for us. You can track our ministry experience, events, and other programme info at www.wisdomtreetrust.wordpress.com
 
Wisdomtree has launched alot of innovative programmes and events.

1. The Center for Religion and Film engages with Indian movies and helps relate issues of faith with the movie experience. Cinema, Coffee, Conversations – an innovative programme of film discussion has received good response. We plan to take this into coffee houses in various cities.
2. The wisdomtree blog has invited about 27800 hits in the first year. The Cogwheel – the sharing of ideas for cultural apologetics ( specially designed for youth workers) had 6300 hits. Besides, the other blogs are doing great too. God has blessed the Wisdomtree blog initiative and helped me to minister to a global audience. We are soon launching a broadcast channel in Youtube (wisdomtreechennai)
3. The Academy of the faithful has launched the online course. We would be launching teaching sessions through Skype and Youtube.
4. We are also formally launching the oXyGen circle( Offering Christ to Younger Generation) – a circle of innovative youth workers raring to make the gospel relevant to our times.
5. We have also begun research on Nu metal music – a genre that is popular with young people.
6. We have recently launced a christian discipleship programme for young people called THE DEEP DIVE. We are intentionally seeking to disciple 17 – 24 year olds.
7. We are launching A National Workshop on Cultural Apologetics for youth workers in July 2008.

If you want to partner with Wisdomtree or make a contribution to our efforts please contact us. We are in need of financial gifts, prayers and people to spread our reach beyond what it is today. For more details please write to: contactwisdomtree@gmail.com and/or call 9840988427

At Refuel – SABC, Bangalore

I faciliated “Engaging Urban Subcultures” module at the Refuel – youth workers training programme conducted by Southern Asia Bible College (SABC), Bangalore. Refuel is a three week long youth workers training programme conducted by SABC. Several youth workers and youth ministries are invited to pool valuable insights, experiences and expertise so that youth workers can be energized and refueled.

Refuel has been an enriching experience for me. I did three sessions at Refuel – Mapping the urban subculture, Locating the urban discourse of desire and despair, Engaging Cultures, Encountering lives. Besides, I also did a presentation on Kal Ho Na Ho to demonstrate how films can be used to build faith discourse with urban audiences and engage them in conversations about the gospel story.

What is the best way to live life?

Last Sunday, I spoke to the members of the Calvary Community Church (CCC), Adyar at their morning english service. My sermon was titled, ” what is the best way to live life?”. I presented Paul’s answers as it is explicated in his epistle to the Church at Phillipi. I was happy to minister at this church for more than one reason. Firstly, it is located in south Chennai – where the city is sprawling. Secondly, it is close to the IT corridor. Thirdly, it is attended by IIT-ians. Fourthly, it is a growing church. I would never have known about the existence of this Church. This year, I went to the Rock show - hosted by IIT-Chennai - where I got introduced to the Pastor. I was impressed. How many youth workers would ever venture out into College Culturals and get to understand young people? Not many. I think it is important for youth workers to understand who young people are (and not who young people are not). We hit it off almost instantaneously since we shared similiar concerns of reaching young people in and around south Chennai. The pastor invited me over to speak at their Sunday Service. It was a great experience to minister to young people. I emphasized the need to live out our faith so that people who see us would learn to appreciate our committment to follow Jesus and in doing so learn ‘the best way to live life – living for Jesus with Jesus.