Highland Immanuel Fellowship – a brief Background

Highland Immanuel fellowship is a part of the body of Christ function as a local

church. It functions at Kochi, near Panapilly Nagar. The details of the faith,
convictions, projects etc. are given below

PERSONAL FAITH STATEMENT- Arun Ramakrishnan ( pastor HIF)

I am pastor Arun Ramakrishnan. I was born and brought up in a traditional Hindu
Nair family. I am 44 years old, married, have a son and a daughter. I was led
into Christian faith by my 3rd sister who was saved and married to a believer.
She was saved in the year 1976 while I was 11 years old. Later on I had a
chance of living with her family where I could get the bible and started
reading. I was impressed by the love of Jesus Christ towards the mankind and
His personnel intervention for the salvation process. I had never experienced
such a teaching where you are saved thru the faith by the grace of God. I was
further strengthened in faith through the ministry of Evangelical Union during
my college days. I came to realize that I am a sinner and need redemption and
salvation from sins. I also knew that there is no other name given among men
to call upon and be saved. In 1985 during a camp at Mavelikara Bishop More
College I personally accepted Jesus Christ.

I was baptized and was filled with the Holy Ghost in the year 1990. In accordance
with Phil. 2:7-8 I have determined to follow the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ
who was made himself of no reputation and took upon himself the form of a servant
and was made in the likeness of man and being found in fashion of a man he became
obedient unto death even the death of the cross. From 1990 to 96 I was working as a
graduate coordinator in various places for EU ministry focusing student’s
community. As I was walking with the Lord and growing in faith, the calling of the
Lord upon me was identified and was ordained as a pastor in the Trinity Highland
Church Ernakulam and was in charge of the Malayalam wing of the Church from the
year 2002.

I have a clear vision of propagating the gospel to the needy, working hard for the
Lord to make the people aware of Christ the redeemer. I have personnel interest in
working with Hindu community, meeting people and building relationship with them
to ultimately lead them to Christ. I selected my partner with a same vision of
evangelism and committed Christian life. We could influence the family and most of
the family members now accepted our faith life though they have not yet come to the
Lord except one of my nephew.

I believe that the salvation is only possible thru Christ , Immersion baptism after the
salvation, Christ’s second coming , eternal life with Christ, Trinity, Holy spirit ‘s
filling and the fruits of the spirit, Maturity in Christian life. The apostolic teachings
of Holy Communion, fellowship, discipleship, healing, gifts of the Holy spirit,
Church gathering.

I also understood that I can work hard and the finance saved from the job can be
used for the ministry that helps me to do lot of things independently. Although I am
a Pastor, I continue my profession as DY. General Manager in AVT a Food
ingredient Company with the sole intention of being self-supportive with out
becoming a burden on believers. My wife is a Civil engineer. We have two children
and they are students

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

I was set apart from the Mother church for a greater vision to start many churches
and do the ministry with much focus in urban area and village ministry. Both trained
and faith full men and finance are needed for the village ministry, which only an
urban community can provide. So the Urban church community to be developed for
reaching out the 80 % village community for Christ.

Presently I am pasturing the Immanuel fellowship church situated in a prime location

of the Kochi city at the 3 rd floor of West end Towers, Manorama Jn. Cochin –
682036. We have Sunday Worship Service from 8.00 AM to 12.30 PM which
gathers around 100 people from different background. We also have special children
program for Children on Saturdays and Youth Fellowship after the Sunday service.

Kochi

Kochi is a fast developing City where lot of development program like IT parks,
Smart City, Business Establishments, Schools and Colleges, Specialty Hospitals,
Factories etc are coming up rapidly. As a result of which there is considerable
increase in population, traffic conjunction, increased crime rate, water and
atmospheric pollution etc. made human life miserable. The present Population is
increased to around 14 lakh (1.4 million). Due to the presence of establishment like
Navy, Port trust, Shipyard, Central schools, NPOL, spices Board, etc lot of people
from different states of India are living in this place. Family life found to be very
busy these days which make lot of issues in the social life. Due to lack of infra
structure many families are unable to purchase land and flat life is increasing day by
day. Student population is increased as many professional private institutions are
mending money and lack of guidance are seen every where. Quality of life is lost and
the children are suffering lot of stress in the competing atmosphere.

We conduct regular outreach program like open air preaching, tract distribution,
personal evangelism among alcoholics and drug addicts. Our Church is kept opened
on all days from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. We have library in the Church. English and
Malayalam books are available. We encourage people from all walks of life to come
to the Church and spend time with the persons available, share their problems and
pray with them.
We are focusing mainly on 3 aspects which are related to Family Development
Program, Equipping Children & Youth and Missions. Our vision for today is to build
the families, children and make disciples for Christ and ultimately to fulfill the great
commission of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Major Projects

Family Enrichment Programs

One of the ways to encourage and motivate the lost ones in the society is to identify
such families and share the love of God through seminars and Counseling sessions.
We have launched regular Family Development Programs in association with the
expert faculties from the Field of Counseling/Urban Ministries. One qualified and
experienced family is taking responsibility for effective functioning .We arranges
these programs in a congenial place so that these families can relax and listen to the
dynamic testimonies of God’s faithfulness and love. We conduct these programs in
batches of 15 families at a time. We provide accommodation, food and transport to
all the participants. Families are accommodated with children. The children will be
taken care separately with special sessions and entertainments. We make regular
follow up works on all families attended the program and slowly lead them to the
church fellowship for sustenance and growth.

The Program is well managed by the professionals with printed materials. Training
where ever needed is given and personnel counseling is given to the people whom
this is needed. The Program will be a residential one with minimum of 2 nights and 2
days. The capable persons will be identified for further training and they will be used
for further ministry work. The curriculum consists of family building, relationships,
family altar, parenting, man, woman differences, communications, love language,
sexual relationships, prayer life, holiness etc. Ultimately the family will understand
about the importance of the family life and the need of Christ in their life. This intern
leads them to a mature Christian life. These families can influence others and they
can connect the needy families to the church. This will impact in their daily routine
life, professional life, social life etc.

Each program incurs an amount of approximately 600 US Dollars( Rs 25,000/-). We

aim to conduct 8-10 programs per year covering 100-150 families. Every year the
number of program may be increased to reach out more people. This program is
coordinated by Bro. Sam and Mrs. Nancy Sam

AWANA
Awana (approved workmen are not ashamed) is a children program originated in US
and presently expanded in many countries. We have taken up the challenge of
bringing children at different age group together and started this program in 2009.
Around 50 children even from different faith come and attend the program. There
are committed teachers to take care them to teach the word of God and many are
experiencing the real salvation. This program is on every Saturday at 03.30 pm to
05.30 pm. The Program is coordinated by Preety Arun.

Out reach Program – Mission challenge -Local

We have identified certain local area where the people need fellowship, teaching and
ultimately church gathering. At these locations we send bible teachers and
evangelists to equip the people.
This program is basically done basing the families those show inclination to gospel.
We fix a regular day for each station. We have developed curriculum to teach and
follow up the brothers and sisters. As they grow in the word and ready to become
disciples we will plant churches there.
Along the way the physical needs like education, food, clothing etc are also
considered on a compassionate ground.
Presently we are focusing at, Pathalam, Perumbalam, Kodanadu, Kothamangalam, &
Perumbavoor
Week expenses approx. 1000/- per week for conveyance, food, and stationary.This
programme is coordinated by Pastor John. M Chacko and Mrs Bency John

Out reach Program- Mission challenge- Among People groups

A specific ministry is moving on under the leadership of Brother John Joseph and
Mrs Mercy John among some people groups. They are tribal groups. The challenge
with this ministry is distance, difficult terrain, sickness, poverty, language, vehicle
etc. Still this program is happening systematically.
Ministers collect food material like Rice, wheat etc and clothing and share this to the
colonies where these people groups are staying. Along with the mercy ministry they
propagate the love of Jesus

The Project estimated expense is Rs 10,000/ per month

Mission Challenge – North India

We support and assist in developing the ministry work at W. Bengal, Gujarat,

Orissa , Rajasthan through Mr. John Mathew ( Dr. Raj) . The role of Highland
Immanuel Fellowship will be only to facilitate the program and train and teach
respective people associated to the ministry. Col. ( retired ) George and Mrs. Valsa
George, agreed to travel and coordinate on this project along with Bro. Saji
Varghese
This ministry involves, teaching tribal children, managing orphanage, Gospel works,
church planting, medical camps, etc, The villagers accept Jesus and willing to work
 for the Lord. Their children are dying because of Malaria, malnutrition, and other
sickness. They are not properly educated.

Estimated running cost of Orphanage is Rs 20000/- per month (20 inmates)

Estimated running cost of schools are Rs 10000/- per month
Estimated ministry expense Rs 20000/-per month

To assist in the above program we have a desire on setting up certain permanent

income generating projects. The resource can be generated in future by this project
and external dependency can be reduced.

Cattle and Goat Farm

Capital investment –The capital investment (one time investment) for the cattle farm
will be around 6.0 lacs with 4 cows
Goat farm will be around 3 lacs.
Computer center may take around 3 lacs . This entire project will generate income
for running the orphanage and mission within 5 years of time.
Advantage of land, forest area, labor etc can be exploited to make this project viable.

Blessed to be blessing – Girl child education program

This is one of the unique approaches to identify poor girl children from the local
community or the Christian community to help them in their education and health.
By which we need to honor the girls to eliminate the discrimination done to the
females in the family. Presently we support 2 girls and we are looking for 15 girls in
2010.

Summary of the projects

Projects 2010
Month
requiremen
Project Name t Mode of work Present support
Mission challenge - Local 4000 Cell group, evangelism 1000
Mission Challenge -People supply of Food, cloth,
group 10000 Medicines 3750

Mission Challenge - North India

Caring the Orphan
children. Wholesome
Orphnage 20000 growth 3000
education to tribal
students , poor
Schools 10000 students nil
Church ministry 20000 Gospel propagation, nil
 Family counseling,
training , personnel
Family Enrichment Project 10000 counseling 10000
counseling, games ,
Awana - Children Programme 1000 teaching 1000

List of Committee/Board Members

Board of Trustees:

Mr. Arun Ramakrishnan

Dy. General Manager A.V.T, Aged (45) S/O Late A. Ramakrishnan Nair,
Charamayil , 3/871 A , New Hope Dharshan , KK
Road , Chembumukku , Trikkakara P.O. Kochy – 682021, Cherumattapuzha Kara ,
Vazhakkala Village , Kanayannor Taluk , Ernakulam Dist . Kerala (Managing
Trustee )

Mr. Bose , Aged (35) Bussiness , S/o Mr. Mathai , Cheriyacheri House , Allattuchira
P.O. Kuvappady Kara , Alattuchira Muri , Kodanadu village , Kunnathunad Taluk,
Ernakulam Dist. Kerala .

Mr.N.D. Chacko, Aged (66) Retiared BHEL Employee , S/o Mr. Devasia , Nadackal
House , Edappally P.O. Pallipuram Kara , Vazhakkala Village , KAANAYANNUR
Taluk , Ernakulam Dist , Kerala

Mr. Varghese Thannikkottu , aged (47) Bank Accountant (SBT) S/o Mr. Cherian ,
Thannikkottu Puthenpurayil House ,, Allattuchira P.O. Kuvappady Kara ,
Alattuchira Muri , Kodanadu village , Kunnathunad Taluk, Ernakulam Dist. Kerala .

External – Spiritual covenant

Dr. Isaac .V Mathew – Director, Life enrichment center, Thodupuzha (Scholar in

Theology and Psychology of Counseling)

Pastor Suresh Cherian - Senior Pastor, Pilgrims Highland Church, TVM, Kerala

Pastor Christopher Krishna – Spiritual Mentor, Teacher, YWAM visiting lecturer.

Penang, Malaysia

Pastor Sam Titus – Equipper and trainer Youths (Managing trustee – Equip the
Children ministry)

Visiting faculties
Dr. George Ninan – Teaching and training
Dr . J. N Manokaran – Teaching and training
Bro> Saju John - National staff AWANA
Faith Statement of the church

We believe
Bible is the inspired Word of God; it is infallible and all sufficient for
life and godliness, instruction and correction for all who believe.

The Trinitarian monotheistic nature of Godhead and the individual

personality of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

The sinless virgin birth and life of Jesus Christ. His divinity and
Humanity, atoning death, resurrection, rapture of the Church, millennial
reign, second coming, final judgment and eternal reign

Salvation by faith through grace, immersion baptism, no salvation after

death, no mediation of dead saints and no mediation for the dead.

The eternal security of believers in Christ and the eternal damnation of

the unsaved.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, gifts of the Holy
Spirit, signs and miracles as means for reaching the unsaved.

We adhere to all teachings of the apostles, breaking of bread,

communion and fellowship.

Sunday service including periodic gatherings of the fellowship should

not be neglected without a genuine cause.