[ACNS, by Gavin Drake] More than 50,000 Christians from Gujarat and around north India are expected to attend a Gospel Convention Shanti Sammelan (peace conference) in the state next Tuesday (8 November). The event – the first such gathering organised by the Church of North India (CNII) – is part of a triennium of mission evangelism agreed by the CNI Synod in 2014.

The CNI Synod, under the fear of the Lord, felt that there is an urgent need to focus on evangelism in response to Jesus’ divine call in Matthew 28:18-20,” the CNI Synod general secretary, Alwan Masih, said. “The mandate that Jesus gives His disciples cannot be overlooked.

“Evangelism as an ongoing mission of the Church is also addressed in CNI mission priorities for the decade 2010-2020. Therefore, during this triennium the focus is directed towards building worshipping communities rooted in prayer, fasting, action and reflection.”

Next Tuesday’s event in Gujarat is a provincial-level version of events that have been taking place in dioceses around the church. It is part of a focus on evangelism which has seen 17 of the church’s 27 dioceses appoint directors of evangelism to take a lead in their area. Other dioceses are in the process of appointing to the role.

Mr Masih asked that people uphold the Bishop of Gujarat, Silvans Christian, and his team as they fulfil the “sacred responsibility” of organising the event.

The Church of North India is a united church which was formed in 1970. It includes the Anglican Church, the United Church of Northern India (Congregationalist and Presbyterian). The Methodist Church (British and Australian Conferences), the Council of Baptist Churches in Northern India, the Church of the Brethren in India, and the Disciples of Christ.