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MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH MISSION BOARD
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MISSION STUDIES
(I N A M S)
Founder President
L.L. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, Senior Metropolitan
Beginning: Started as National Association for Mission Studies (NAMS) in 1984 at a conference held from 25 - 28 Dec. 1984 at Christu Sishya Ashram, Thadagam, Coimbatore, by L.L. Dr.Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Metropolitan. The 50th conference in the silver jubilee year was also conducted at C.S.Ashram, Thadagam. Prof. D.Mathews was nominated as the first secretary and he remained in that position for 25 years. In 2011 it was renamed as International Association for Mission Studies (INAMS).
Aims: Members are expected to pray regularly for the mission work. They are also encouraged to pay tithe and support the mission work, nationally and locally.
Conferences and meetings: Two conferences are conducted every year. They are conducted in various mission centres so that the members get an opportunity to witness the activities of the mission. The major activity is mission studies. Besides the two annual conferences, local level meetings and seminars are also conducted regularly for studies. So far 59 conferences have been conducted . Forty third conference was held in the Holy Land.
Books published: So far three books have been published, based on the proceedings of various conferences.
Units: There are now a total of about 38 units, including those outside Kerala and two in the Gulf region (Dubai and Ras-al-Khaima).
Activities: (Major achievements by INAMS in general and by local units in particular).
General: 1. MIFMO Fund : A fund raised from the monthly voluntary contribution of members to pay the salary for missionaries in the mission field.
2. One ambulance donated to Dayabhavan, Bengaluru
3. 125 Cataract surgeries conducted at Yacharam on the occasion of the 94th birthday of L.L. Dr.Geevarghese mar Osthathios, Metropolitan
4. The Balikabhavan being started at Kalahandi is being financed by INAMS
Local: 1. Bengaluru unit runs several institutions such as Snehabhavan (Balabhavan), Old Age Home, Dayabhavan (for children of AIDS patients) and Palliative Care for AIDS patients
2. Coimbatore unit helped to start a balabhavan at C.S.Ashram, Coimbatore.
3. Trivandrum unit members help in the activities of the Mar Gregorios Rehabilitation Centre.
(This is not an exhaustive list of activities. There are other units involved in local activities)
The life of L.L. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios remains the guiding force behind this. Prof. D.Mathews is the General Coordinator for both INAMS and Junior INAMS, Prof .P.K.Kurien the General Secretary, Mr. Thomas Paul the Secretary, and Mr. Thomas A. Koshy the Treasurer.
The Holy synod of the Church has recognized INAMS officially and approved its constitution.
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