MAR THOMA SUNDAY Students
MAR THOMA SUNDAY Students'
Conference
The Students' Conference was started by Metropolitan Titus II who was a great
builder of institutions. Since then, Abraham Mar Thoma Juhanon Mar Thoma and in
fact all the Bishops of the Church, past and present have given active
leadership and made significant contributions to the Conference. Dr.M. M.
Thomas, Prof. C. P. Mathew, Mr. K. A. Mathew, Prof. Titus Varghese, and many
other eminent laymen also have given leadership and taken active part in the
programs of the Conference.
The Conference holds its session annually for 4 or 5 days during midsummer
vacation at a venue which changes from year to year; and an average of 300
college students from all over India attend. Leadership is given by all the
Bishops of the Church, a large number of Achens and other senior friends. This
is a conference in which all the Bishops of the Church are usually present
throughout so as to understand the problem and the thinking of the young people
and to enable the young people to come into contact with the Bishops.
Bible studies in the context of contemporary concerns elicit much interest.
Group discussions help the participants to analyze and assess topics of interest
in the Church and Society, and in the national life. Such group discussions
offer challenges for selfless service to the society and quite a number of
students accept the challenge. Cultivation of friendship, Church loyalty, prayer
life and dedication of life for great causes; these are some of the values the
young people imbibe from the Conference. The students' Conference inspired many
young men and women to participate in the movements including the freedom
struggle during the 1940s. A number of young people have been motivated to offer
dedicated service in the cause of social justice and uplift of weaker sections
of society.
1985 was the Platinum Jubilee Year of the Mar Thoma Students' Conference.
Through the work of the Students' Conference, many young men have dedicated
themselves for full time ministry in the church. A large number of people in
various walks of life who render effective witnesses through their secular jobs
were influenced and molded by the Conference.
In the Jubilee Year, a hostel for tribal students has been opened near the
Students Center at Thrikkakara. This is a new and bold venture of the Students'
Conference. The hostel is a memorial to Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan
Metropolitan.
It is significant that the Students' Conference celebrated its Platinum Jubilee
in the International Year of the Youth.
Regional Conferences of the Students Conference are held in different places for
follow-up work.
As an offshoot of the Mar Thoma Students' Conference, Students' Conferences are
now held annually in Malaysia - Singapore Diocese and in different zones in
India, and also in North America. These Conferences held outside Kerala also
serve 4 very useful purpose in giving inspiration and motivation to our young
people to be loyal to Christ and to the Church and to be His witnesses in
different walks of life.
Vacation Bible Schools (V. B. S.) have been started
as a project of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The classes extend for a
period of ten days during summer holidays. The syllabus is carefully prepared.
The children look forward to these classes where they get opportunity for
learning new songs and for participating in work projects. The children are led
to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 289 V. B. S. Centers were held
in 1994, and 44,915 students attended.
Rev. Dr. G. Samuel serves as the General Secretary of the Sunday School Samajam.
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