March - July 2013 Update!!!

Transition to any new place from Lonavala, no matter how short the tenure, is always difficult. The very thought of leaving behind the place and people who nurtured and helped you grow in maturity, is not easy. But this move to Shillong to staff the School of Humanities and Science was something I deeply desired. Now looking back at my time with the school there – the learning, the responsibilities and the relationships, it has been truly rewarding and I know that this season was definitely from God.

The School of Humanities and Science was led by Denny John. We had 8 students from 3 different nationalities. We had an impressive line-up of speakers from all over the globe come to teach in the school. The students and staff were constantly challenged in their understanding and living out of what it means to “know God, His word and His world”. I had the privilege of teaching on “Songs, Songwriting and the Bible” during one of the week. I personally enjoyed studying what the Bible has to speak to songwriters and musicians of all ages to be creative, excellent and relevant to their audience they speak to. Christian faith and mission throughout history has been marked by Incarnation and Transcendence in most of the cultures where the gospel is taken to. Songwriting and music and its interaction with the church have also been impacted by this. It was pure revelation to trace this alchemy throughout church history and see the good and bad of it down till our age.

HAS 2013 @ YWAM Shillong

Now I am back at UofN Lonavala, India with a desire to strengthen the training here. For the upcoming season I will be co-leading the School of Worship (SOW) with a dear friend and colleague of mine. We’ve begun with the preparations and I am excited and looking forward for another season of experiencing God’s “GLORY, BEAUTY & HOLINESS” and hopefully a euphoric season of writing new songs together with a new bunch of musicians and worshipers.

I earnestly ask your continued friendship, prayers and wisdom for the upcoming season as I co-lead SOW and also for my teaching engagements with different YWAM schools in India.

Sep 2012 - Feb 2013 Update

As I look back into my life since September 2012, most of it revolved around the School of Biblical Studies (SBS) at UofN Lonavala and my band 24x7. So I would love to give you an update of what God has been doing in and through my life being associated with SBS and 24x7.

Being a staff (faculty) with the SBS has definitely been one of the most challenging and learning experiences this season. My days would be pretty packed with lectures, staff meetings, grading assignments and one-on-ones with students. And then I would also have to prepare for the books I would be teaching. But in all of the busyness, my hunger to know God and His Word never died. God kept reminding me that I am a student of the Bible for life. God’s Sovereignty and His Love for His people were the constant themes that surfaced in my study of Ephesians, Colossians and Deuteronomy as I taught these books in the SBS here. I was challenged to see the word come alive not only in my study but also in its observance.

Life never seemed diminished during the last 6 months as I was always occupied with my band’s recording sessions and practice when I found time from SBS. By the grace of God, we’ve finished recording our album in its entirety and now await the final product to launch sometime soon as we get it back mixed which seems to take a long time. We also had the privilege to participate in the Hornbill National Rock Contest last December in Nagaland and it was a pure joy to see us get through the finals and win a special category award for being the Most Catchy Power Rhythm band.

As I reflect on what God has been doing in my life as I’ve been involved with these two disciplines, I can say that I’ve learnt and grown, cried and rejoiced, fought battles and found rest in my journey over the last 6 months as I see a glimpse of what my calling looks like. Now what lies ahead of me is a journey with the School of Humanities and Sciences (HAS) at YWAM Shillong (northeast India) which I would be a staff (faculty) for the next 4 months. I am stoked to be part of this school as I get to be part of something that I am truly excited and fascinated by and I am truly honored to be working with Denny John (HAS school leader) who has always challenged both my thinking and creative faculty for God’s glory. I truly believe my time with HAS, Denny and Shillong will allow me to be fine-tuned to what God has called me to and then make prayerful and wise decisions to see what lies ahead of me after June.

So I am indeed grateful to all your prayers and support in both tangible and intangible ways over the last year and would ask you to continue to do the same for my upcoming adventures with God and the needs associated with it. I do need your prayer especially for my time with HAS to be effective and that I would be an asset to YWAM Shillong and its ministries to the best of my abilities and that I would be obedient to all that God has for me.

Thank you for taking your precious time and reading through my update!

God Bless You all!!!