AOC
Pakistan
NOTE: The Church of Pakistan
is doing wonderful work in evangelism under threatening and arduous labors
through the very able leadership of Bishop Jacob. The Seminary also provides a
Bible-centered forum for the training of clergy and lay leaders. Please
continue in prayer for our brothers and sisters of Pakistan. - Bishop Ogles
The AOC-Pakistan annual report follows:
THE ANGLICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
OF PAKISTAN
CHURCH REPORT
DECEMBER 2012-2013
Sunday school Silver Jubilee:
On 8th December 2012, the
Silver Jubilee of the Sunday school was celebrated in Peshawar. Bishop Ernest
Jacob was the chief guest on this occasion. The Silver Jubilee program was
conducted by Miss. Saba Shaukat a senior Sunday school teacher.
Special awards and
certificates were given to all teachers who worked in past twenty five years in
A.O.C church Sunday school ministry. About two hundred Sunday school children
attended this program and special gifts were given to them by Bishop Ernest
Jacob.
In the end Bishop Ernest
Jacob shared a message with the audience. He praised the Sunday school teachers
and children. Thanks to God that our Sunday schools are growing under the able
leadership of Bishop Ernest Jacob.
Bishop Ernest Jacob’s illness:
On 10th December 2012 Bishop
Ernest Jacob fell ill. His illness was due to a heart problem. On 15th
December, he was admitted in the hospital, where doctors did Angioplasty and
inserted one stent to open one of his artery which was 80% blocked. Now Bishop
is feeling much better. After taking 15 days rest he started working once
again.
Christmas Service 2012:
On 25th December Christmas
services were held in all centers of Anglican Orthodox Church of Pakistan. In
Peshawar Bishop Ernest Jacob led the Christmas service in United Church and
celebrated Holy Communion.
Confirmation Service in Peshawar A.O.C:
On 25th January confirmation
service for A.O.C churches in district Peshawar was held. 40 young boys and
girls were confirmed and received Holy Communion for the first time.
Lecture on human rights by Bishop Ernest Jacob:
On 19th February 2013, Bishop
Ernest Jacob was invited to Peshawar police club by an N.G.O to deliver a lecture to police officers.
The topic of the lecture was “Human Rights’’ in view of Christianity. After the
lecture Bishop Ernest answered various questions asked by police officers
regarding Christianity. Thanks to God who provided this opportunity to give
knowledge about Christianity and the Bible to non-Christian police officers.
Lecture on Christianity to Islamic Students:
On 15th February 2013, the
Department of Islamic Studies of University of Peshawar held a seminar on
Christianity. On the invitation of director of the department Dr. Daust
Mohammad, Bishop Ernest Jacob gave very profound lecture on “Christianity” to
the M.Phil. students of the Islamic Studies. Bishop Ernest Jacob’s lecture consisted of:
·
The Bible, unchanged word of God.
·
The Holy Trinity, understood by Christians.
·
Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
It was another great
opportunity given by God to evangelize Christianity among non-Christians. In
the end , Bishop answered various questions asked by students and faculty.
F.T.S Graduation Ceremony:
On 15th March graduation for
the class of 2013 was held in Gujranwala at Seminary campus. Bishop Ernest
Jacob the Principal of Faith Theological Seminary presided over the graduation
ceremony and gave the message. The ceremony was attended by students and their
parents and other guests invited by F.T.S. staff. Bishop Sharoon, the chairman
of the board of directors conducted the ceremony. The chief guest Dr.Ajmal gave
away the degrees and diplomas to the graduates. The ceremony ended with prayer
and benediction by Bishop Ernest Jacob.
Annual meeting of A.O.C in Pakistan:
On 23rd March the annual
meeting of the Anglican Orthodox Church of Pakistan was held in Peshawar.
Bishop Jacob presided over the meeting. All the priests and executive members
attended the meeting. The priests submitted their annual reports to the Bishop.
During the meeting Bishop and all the participants praised and thanked Bishop
Jerry Ogles for his moral and financial support to A.O.C ministry in Pakistan.
Lent and Easter Celebrated:
This year once again Lent
season and Easter was celebrated with religious fervor throughout Pakistan.
Special services to celebrate Easter 2013 were held in all centers of the A.O.C
in Pakistan. Bishop Ernest Jacob conducted a worship service on Easter Day in
United church in Peshawar. Holy Communion was also conducted on this occasion.
Bishop’s Annual Visit to Rawalpindi:
On 21st April 2013 Bishop
went to Rawalpindi on his annual visit to new a congregation headed by Rev. Sarwar
Masih our parish priest at Iqbal town A.O.C church. Bishop Jacob led the
service. 30 people got confirmed. Bishop gave the sermon and Holy
Communion.
Rev. Mushtaq Jamal, Rev.
Razzaq Khokhar, Rev. Saddique Masih helped Bishop in the service.
Bishop’s Annual Visit to Islamabad:
On 1st May 2013, Bishop
Ernest Jacob visited Islamabad A.O.C congregation. A very nice service was held
at St. James Church. Rev. Mushtaq Jamal is the priest-in-charge of St. James
Church. During the service 30 people were confirmed. Bishop Jacob also
conducted the Holy Communion service.
Rev Mushtaq, Rev Sarwar, Rev
Shahzad, Rev Saddique, Rev Jawed Jamal were on the altar to help in the
service. Bishop gave a wonderful message and with his prayer, the service ended
and after lunch Bishop Jacob came back to Peshawar.
Prayer Request:
Please pray for our seminary
student who has completed his first year with honour. Pray that two years will
be more fruitful for him, as he continues his studies in the seminary.
Please pray for Bishop Ernest
Jacob who travels frequently to visit A.O.C. congregation across the country.
Pray for his good health.
Please pray for our oldest
church building and parish house (80 years old) almost damaged with heavy
rains. Three rooms are already without roofs. Also pray for our local
congregation at Narrowal who wants to rebuild the house. Pray that God will
provide enough money to reconstruct the house and partially the church
building.
Please pray for all our
congregation and clergy who work so hard for the betterment of their
congregation.
Pray for two new families who
left Roman Catholic Church and now have joined A.O.C. Peshawar.
Bishop Ernest Jacob
