After months of planning, anticipation, and preparation, the visit of our Dear Chief Apostle Schneider was finally upon us! It was an incredibly exciting time for all those who participated. For those who could not attend, we hope that this article will paint a vivid picture of the four-day events in India.

Pune, Maharashtra, India

Sports Kick Off

As the sun rose on 11th November, the DNC ground in Pune was all set for the action-packed day ahead. District Apostle Helper David Devaraj opened the events with a prayer. This was followed by the ceremonial coin toss to initiate the first cricket match.

Nearly 200 members competed in various sports like cricket, kabaddi, kho-kho, and tug of war. Throughout the day, authentic street food from each state was served on the ground, adding another layer of sensation to the festivities.

Showcasing our Unity in Diversity

In the late afternoon, the highly anticipated finals of the cricket match took center stage. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider, accompanied by his wife Pascale and other guests arrived at the DNC ground.

District Apostle Helper David Devaraj and Apostle Jonathan Sturm showcased their cricketing skills, much to the delight of the cheering crowd. After the match, the Chief Apostle and guests transitioned to the adjacent venue for the cultural showcase.

Welcomed by youth in ethnic attire, the guests were presented with bouquets and mementos. The cultural extravaganza unfolded with performances from various states, highlighting the theme of ‘Unity in Diversity’.

After the performances, guests explored the stalls adorned with traditional flowers and garlands, featuring rich histories, photos, videos of different Indian states, traditional food items, and ethnic artifacts.

The Lord, our Lawgiver, King, and Judge

Then the Chief Apostle and guests made their way back to the concert ground where about 2100 members had gathered. The Chief Apostle addressed the members of the New Apostolic community and Apostle Prabhakar translated the message into Hindi.

The Chief Apostle centered his message around the Bible verse from Isaiah 33:22, “For the Lord is our Judge, The Lord is our Lawgiver, The Lord is our King; He will save us.” He emphasized the simplicity and universality of God's unchanging law - love God and love your neighbor. The Chief Apostle highlighted that God, as our fair judge, considers faith and love, and extends His grace to those who seek Him.

As the choir sang the last hymn, a captivating scene unfolded, with everyone illuminating the space using their phone flashlights. Arms raised, swaying in unison, and joyously singing along, the congregation created a very special, divine atmosphere.

Singing Praises to the Lord

After a short break the Chief Apostle, guests, and the members gathered for a beautiful concert that had been prepared by the choir. Kicking off the musical journey was a mesmerizing classical dance performance. The National Choir then took center stage, delivering an inspiring performance that resonated through the venue.

The concert, a seamless blend of various musical elements, continued its harmonious journey for approximately 45 minutes. As the final chords of the soul-stirring ‘Hallelujah’ echoed through the venue, the entire audience, including guests, showered the performers with a well-deserved standing ovation. It was a magical and heartwarming experience for everyone present.

Chhattisgarh and Odisha

Fellowship with retired Apostles in Jagdalpur

On the 13th of November afternoon, the Chief Apostle, guests, and Apostles arrived in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. Later in the evening, the Chief Apostle met with the retired Apostles and Bishops, and they all enjoyed catching up with each other. The day ended with a dinner for everyone in attendance.

Dhamanahandi, Odisha

On the morning of 14th November, over 1800 people gathered in Dhamanahandi, Odisha to witness the Chief Apostle's first visit to the region. Together with the other guests, he received a warm welcome, featuring traditional music and children dancing.

The Chief Apostle then addressed the gathered members. He elaborated on a Bible text from the Gospel of Mark 13:34, “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.” The Chief Apostle emphasized the believers' responsibilities in sanctification as well as supporting the congregation and the Apostles in their mission.

District Apostle Zbinden underscored the central commandment of loving God and one's neighbor. District Apostle Schulte from Australia emphasized the completeness of Christ's gifts, encouraging the children of God to embrace them.

This event served as a significant moment of spiritual communion and cultural celebration for our diverse community in the region.

Each day that the Chief Apostle spent in communion with the members from across states and countries has brought a lot of joy, energy, and strength to the New Apostolic members and congregations in India.