Koshy K. Abraham Holy Immanuel CSI church, in Houston is probably one of the latest addition to the existing CSI churches in North America. Our church established in May, 1993. We all agree to a certain extent that the present practice of unhealthy divisions in our churches, especially in North America, is not all an encouraging sign of our spiritual growth. However, I wish to mention that if matters reach beyond our limits, then we must somehow look for an alternative solution to resolve it in an amicable manner. Our members were originally the Emmanual CSI church of Houston, and due to the internal conflicts of interest, we had no other option than to establish a separate church in order to continue a family relationship among our members and worship together in the order of the Church of South India. We are Very grateful to our present Moderator, the Most Rev. Vasant P. Dandin, and also to the CSI Synod Secretariat for recognition of our newly formed church as one of the CSI Churches in North America. Ever since we started this church, we have established a very cordial communication with the CSI Synod and also with the Diocese of Madhya Kerala and other Dioceses in Kerala. The present strength of our Church is 24 families and approximately 85 members, including children. Our present pastor is Rev. Abraham, who came from Kerala w years ago. He was a well know convention speaker and is a very blessed person spiritually. He is known to many people in other denominations join us every month to worship and praise the living God in our fellowship. Our members very much enjoy the spiritual messages of Rev. Abraham T. Abraham and he has been leading our church on spiritual matters ever since we started this congregation. Furthermore, we foresee a substantial increase in our membership in the not too distant future and by the Grace of God, our vision is that this Church is going to be a center of "Oasis of Love" for our community in this land. We are very fortunate to get a suitable place for our worship in one of the local Methodist Churches in Houston. The chapel they offered to us in so convenient and spacious and can accommodate around 250 people . During 1993, the main pastor of the Methodist church invited us to have a join worship service on the World Communion Sunday. Our members were allowed to participate in Bible Reading, Cross Bearing, Responsive Reading and assisted as ushers, as element carriers and in the Holy Communion Table. Regular worship services are held on every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. along with the Sunday School Classes. Third week's worship is conducted in English Liturgy for the benefit of our youngsters. House prayer Meetings are conducted on a regular basis every Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Whatever we have achieved during the past year in our spiritual life is just because our lord was faithful and merciful unto us. We now how down our heads before our Savior who is the Head of all the Church and High Priest. We plead for his continued blessings on our future existence as a Church until Jesus returns.
Holy Immanuel CSI Church of Houston P. O. Box 24151, Houston, TX 77025 Phone: (713) 242-6922
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