Sword & Trowel 2020: Issue 1


VISIT TO SRI LANKA


Report from Chris Laws, a Tabernacle elder


C


onsiderable progress has been made in


the two years since we last visited Sri Lanka. A fine new church building in Batticaloa, just completed, awaits the appointment of a pastor; up till now there has been no reformed witness in the city itself, the five churches in the area being situated in villages. The new building was used for the November 2019 pastors’ con- ference, and will also accommodate a new Christian hostel. The pastors are all ardent evangelists, and the result of tireless outreach and much prayer is a steady growth in their congregations. Pastor Ranjith, from Meddecombra, who was badly hurt


in an attack by a Hindu gang a few months ago, has made a good recov- ery. He did not press charges when the gang were arrested by police. His concern for the lost is infectious, as is also that of the other pastors. They live simple lifestyles, with modest means and basic accommodation, for the sake of reaching the lost. About 50 pastors attended the


conference, with addresses on doc- trinal and practical issues. Western influence in the country is constantly growing, and with it the need to in- form and protect the young people.


Above: Tea plantations. Below: The pastors’ conference, Batticaloa.


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Visit to Sri Lanka


page 15


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