Rt. Rev. Karam Masih, Bishop of Delhi (CNI) led the congregation in the opening prayer which was followed by congregational hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. The theme of the anniversary celebration ‘Remembering God’s wonderful works’ adapted from Psalm 111:4 was read by EFICOR Staff in 19 different languages. Rev. Dino L. Touthang shared the EFICOR story from its inception in 1967 with the Bihar drought which necessitated the initiation of EFICOR as a relief wing of EFI, the different disaster situations and conditions that led to the growth of EFICOR, engagement in development and training and EFICOR’s key role in the inception of organizations like AIAMED, CANA etc. The major relief intervention of EFICOR has been the Tsunami relief and rehabilitation in South India The Delhi Mizo Choir rendered a special song. Several people were specially recognized during the service. Mrs. Evangeline Simeon, Member EFICOR Board, presented a plaque and cheque to Mr. Antony Raj for being the longest serving staff in EFICOR. Mr. Lalchuangliana presented a plaque to Mr. CB Samuel and Rev. Dino L. Touthang as former and present Director of EFICOR respectively. All the resourcing partners were recognized with mementos. The Board members former and present that were appreciated included Rev. Dr. I Ben Wati, Rev. Khimla, Rev. Meshramkar, Mr. Lalchuangliana, Dr. Vinod Shah, Mr. Paul Samuel, Mr. Sanjay Patra, Dr. Ivan Satyavrata, Mrs. Anuvinda Titus, Mrs. Evangeline, Rev. Richard Howell, Dr. Narendra Singh Dr. Sona Minz Ekka, Mrs. Monika Sudhir, Mr. David Chandran, Mr. B. Patnaik, Rev. Kennedy Dhanabalan, Mr. Sanjeev Bhanja and Rev. Dino L. Touthang. Rev. Nimrod Christian and Bishop Karam Masih were also recognized for gracing the occasion and Rev. Ashwini Francis Pastor of Centenary Methodist Church was appreciated for permitting the use of the Church. EFICOR Staff sang a Hindi song composed for the occasion by Jonathan Parmar an EFICOR staff which was based on Micah 6:8. Mr. Solomon Malto a community member of the EFICOR Malto Project shared of how the community had benefited by EFICOR’s intervention for development in his area. The community which was totally illiterate, superstitious and socially backward were now being transformed. The women were empowered, methods of agriculture had improved and people were made aware of environmental concerns. Women SHG was initiated, helping the women of the community to become self reliant. It also helped the men of the community, helping them to be free of bonded labour and lack of knowledge. The community is moving on rapidly in the path of progress and they are now self reliant and content. The community was grateful to EFICOR for its intervention and support. A souvenir brought out on the occasion was released Rev. Isaac Khimla Former Chairperson of EFICOR Board who handed over the first copy to Mr. Mathew Frost. Rev. Ivan Satyavrata Vice-Chairperson of EFICOR Board led the congregation in Pastoral Prayer and Bishop Nimrod Christian Bishop of Delhi (Methodist Church of India) pronounced the Benediction. Vote of Thanks was given by Mr. Sanjay Patra. After the service Mr. Steve Bradbury National Director of Tear Australia inaugurated the photo exhibition which was a depiction of the history of EFICOR in pictures.
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The Thanksgiving service was held at the Centenary Methodist Church, Lodhi Road on 29th April 2007. The programme which commenced at 3.10pm began with a welcome note by Mr. Sanjay Patra the Chairman of the EFICOR Board Chairing who also led the entire service that evening
The History Book of EFICOR was released by Dr. I. Ben Wati a founder member of EFICOR. He recalled the story of EFICOR’s slow and steady growth and of the use of knee mail contrasting against the modern email. To God be the glory for the great things he has done.
Mr. Mathew Frost Executive Director of Tearfund UK delivered the keynote address. He spoke of the many things that Tearfund learned from EFICOR which included, how to form an organization, learned about partnership from EFICOR, the nature and reality of mission and how to conduct a 40th anniversary! The strengths of EFICOR were its fantastic ability to respond to disasters and the way in which it has networked and worked with the Churches. The hope for the future were described in 5 words namely, Christ-centered, highly effective, courageous, agile and servant-hearted.
The Jim Elliot Andrew Memorial Award instituted by EFICOR recognizing contribution to Integral Mission in the country was awarded to Mr. C. B. Samuel by Rev. Richard Howell who also read out the citation. Accepting the award Mr. C. B. Samuel shared a few words saying it is recognition of movement of biblical understanding of mission, of the movement that believes in the transforming power of Word of God and of the large number of men and women who follow their heart.