Academic, Spiritual and Ministry Formation are the three pillars of theological education at PTS. Each of these is given its due importance in training future leaders for the church. \"Developing practical skills\" and \"learning through ministries\" are listed prominently in the mission statement and core values of PTS.
 
Ministry training is emphasized in various ways at PTS. All courses, even Bible and Theology courses, stress the ministry angle so that students may see the connection between academics and ministry. In addition, various opportunities are given to the students to participate in ministries. Satisfactory completion of ministry assignments is now a requirement for graduating from PTS.
 
Every year in October, ministry training is given special attention during a ten-day period. The junior students will stay on campus during this time, and are exposed to specialised ministries by those who are involved in them. Sometimes they are sent out to various fields for observation. This year’s seminars will give attention to ministering to those who are sick and hospitalized.
 
The senior students will be sent out to various fields where they will not only be exposed to real ministry situations but will also get opportunity to participate under the guidance of experienced pastors and other leaders. During this time, students live and work as teams, learning to share responsibilities, making plans, etc. Although it requires elaborate preparations, the program is very beneficial to the students. Pray for Field Work Coordinator, Mr. Jaison George, who is giving leadership in this area.
 
VISITORS: *We were happy to welcome Mr. Kees Smallenbroek, a friend of PTS, who visited us after few years. The Reformed Support Fund initiated by him and under his leadership sponsors several students at PTS. * Rev. Joseph D. Hmar who served as the first warden of PTS for some years while the Seminary was in Roorkee visited PTS in September. He was on his way to Mussoorie to attend his youngest son’s passing out parade with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

* Pastor Birendra Shrestha (06), who has been teaching at  Evangelical Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kathmandu, is at present studying (Th. M in Old Testament) at Torch Trinity Graduate School of Theology in Korea. * Rev. Sukanta Samuel (\'82) has been serving as Dean of Academics at Asia Evangelical College and Seminary in Bangalore. He requests prayer for his wife who has been suffering from the month of June due to heart angioplasty. *Mr. Devid Shekhar Sagadevan (\'95) has been involved in church planting ministry in Karnataka and Tamilnadu. He is organizing a Music Concert to raise fund for a church building. 
 
EARTHQUAKE IN SIKKIM: More than one hundred people have been killed after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Sikkim, one of the northeast states on 18 Sep 2011. Food packets were airdropped as the roads were still closed, a week after the earthquake. While contacting our PTS alumni, Rev. Shyam Subha (2001) came back after he buried a woman who died due to the shock, 15 kms away from Gangtok. Pray for the ongoing relief work and for the soon opening of the roads connecting the most affected area where many died as buildings including church buildings collapsed. A number of PTS alumni serve in that state, especially with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sikkim (EPCS) and United Church of North India (UCNI).

                               PROJECTS

Road construction: The road behind the Academic center and by the Strom hostel was damaged by years of heavy rain and vehicle.  The road connects the campus to Green Valley, the subdivision where our John Calvin Residence Building is located. The 10ft wide road of about 150 ft length would cost Rs. 360,000 or US$ 8,000.
 
Sponsor a student: There are several student candidates who are in need of support. Sponsor a student for 4 or 3 years by investing US $ 1,200 per year (Rs. 50,000-60,000) as full support to cover tuition and boarding, or any amount as partial help. (More details on the website.)
 
Hindi Program: A Diploma of Theology (16 modules) and Certificate of Theology (8 modules) program are being offered to those ministering with very little or no theological education to villages and towns. At the moment there are twenty five students enrolled in Kanpur, U.P (16 hrs journey by train from Dehradun). The program per year includes a salary for the Coordinator, maintenance of the centre, course materials, etc. Cost per year: Rs. 445,000 or USD 9900 (Covers entire program for one year for 25 students).
 
Chairs: The Young-Strom Chapel needs more chairs for seating. It is proposed to add thirty three rows of chairs (3 joined chairs, a total of 99 chairs in all) so that full seating can be provided in the main section of the chapel. The Chapel is used daily for worship by the Seminary community and for church worship on Sundays. Each triple chair costs Rs. 1700. The total cost of the chairs is (1850x33) Rs. 61050 or approximately US $ 1350.

Mini bus: A mini bus is needed to be used for outreach ministries, course-related tours and for official purposes. The cost is about Rs. 865,000 or US $ 18,800. This is the main fundraising project for the 40th Anniversary of PTS.
 
Gifts and donations indicating their purpose can be sent to any of the following:
*Presbyterian Theological Seminary,
Saving Bank Acct No. 306802010008768,
Union Bank of India, Dehradun.
Swift Code No. UBININBBDER,
IFSC: UBIN0530689.
* MTW, 1600 North Brown Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA.
* ARMA, 12964 N. Bellwood, Holland, MI 49424, USA.

PTS Website: Please visit us at www.ptsindia.com to learn more about us. Please send us the email addresses of those who may be interested to hear from us at: revroshyama@ptsindia.com
Rev. L. Roshyama Hrangchal
Editor, PTS E-Newsletter