In the north-eastern part of Karnataka lies the beautiful hilltop and archeologically rich city of Bidar. In the second week of February 2017 while tourists and locals came to visit the many museums and tombs in Bidar, over 1000 members from different NAC congregations across North Karnataka made their way to the church in Bidar to take part in a special event.
Karnataka’s Bidar borders Telegana and Maharashtra. Known as the City of Whispering Monuments, Bidar is home to more than 61 monuments and 30 tombs. The Bidar Fort is one of the most popular destinations and has prevailed against all the elements for over 500 years.
The congregation in Bidar was excited. Not because of their rich cultural heritage which had people coming from all over India, but because of the special Divine Service which had been planned for the second week of February. Apostle Pravin Gajbhiv who oversees Bidar along with members from the five District Rector Areas (DRAs) in Bidar spent the week prior to the event organizing and preparing everything.
Two Special Services in a Week
On 12 February, District Apostle Helper David Devaraj conducted the Divine Service in which people from all over the Bidar district participated. He based his sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:11, When I was a child, I spoke as a child; I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away Childish things. Apostle David likened the nature of a child to each one’s spiritual state and asked the congregation whether they were still children or grown up. If they were all grown up, then they needed to behave accordingly. The Service concluded with the retirement of 14 ministers who had been pioneers of the New Apostolic Church India’s work in this area.
On 16 February, another special Divine Service was conducted in Maskal in which the congregation witnessed the sealing of 56 souls.
Reorganizing the Bidar District
The rest of the week went by quickly – meetings with all the ministers from the five DRA’s. Apostle David spent quality time interacting with each member – the adults and the youth. Memories were shared and new memories were clicked. Members and ministers alike returned home refreshed and rejuvenated.