When Chief Apostle Schneider visited Raipur in November 2017, three new Apostles were ordained for India. During a meeting in December, responsibilities were redistributed, and most of the Apostles were given new or extended working areas. Fred Marihal is one of them, and his new working area is in the South of India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Apostle Fred Marihal’s first official trip took him to North Karnataka. On his agenda were conducting Divine Services in select congregations, youth meetings, meetings with District Rectors, Rectors and members from various congregations. His aim was to get an overview of the structure of each of the five District Rector Areas, and the overall status of the church buildings. Apostle Fred had just eight days to accomplish everything on his agenda.
A Step in the Right Direction
Apostle Fred started his visits in Kalaburgi where he met Bishop Prakash and his team, and conducted a Divine Service in the Sanjeev Nagar congregation. He next visited Bidar, home to many NAC members where a Divine Service, youth meeting, and a brothers meeting were waiting for him. Apostle Fred enjoyed family visits where he got to interact with all the family members.
Next, he visited the big congregation in Thana-Kushnoor where he enjoyed interacting with the youth, and also got the opportunity to take a look at the church renovations that were underway. The members shared their excitement of the church renovations who eagerly await for the building to be ready. They celebrated the Divine Service in a makeshift shed in the church premises.
Calling Faithful Followers
In one of the Divine Services, Apostle Fred shared the message from Psalm 101:6, “My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me.” He elaborated the need to be faithful to Christ which is also the global theme of the year 2018 for the New Apostolic Church. They each needed to follow the example of Jesus, remain constant in their love for God and Jesus, serve God faithfully, and honour every promise they make.
Church Members Get a Faith Boost
The congregation members were an ecstatic bunch. They were happy to have a personal visit from the new Apostle so quickly and expressed their support to him.
Apostle Fred Marihal accomplished all he set out to do. He looks forward to many more mission trips in North Karnataka and because of the warm reception he received on his maiden trip as Apostle, is confident that all subsequent trips will be as smooth and enjoyable.
Text: Fred Marihal / BBMH
Images: Fred Marihal / Archive NAC India