NEWS LETTER AUG 2023
We are excited to be relaunching our monthly newsletter today.
We’d love to keep you all updated on what we’re doing within the Indian American community, both in the churches and on Capitol Hill.
First, if you didn’t already know, we released the FIACONA 2023 Annual Report! You can download a soft copy by clicking here below. (If you like to order a printed copy, please visit www.fiacona.org. You will have options to order through Amazon).
Most importantly, FIACONA has been working tirelessly on Capitol Hill and with the Administration officials closely about Manipur violence. More on this below.
WORKING ACROSS FAITH GROUPS:
FIACONA co-chairs the India Working Group (IWG), a multifaith network focused on religious freedom. It is a part of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable in Washington DC. IWG meets weekly to discuss and plan various action items. Currently, Rev. Peter Cook of the NY State Council of Churches co-chairs the IWG on behalf of FIACONA.
Though most discussions and deliberations at the Roundtable are off the record, the IWG has been working on several initiatives regarding Manipur violence.
RALLY FOR MANIPUR
FIACONA co-sponsored and helped organize several rallies in support of the Christian victims of Manipur all across the USA.
Washington DC: John Prabhudoss, the Chairman of FIACONA spoke at the rally organized by NAMTA on June 24th in front of the White House.
New York: Mr. George, the President of FIACONA, and Mr. Abraham, the Board Member, along with Ms. Annie, Mr. Raju, Ms. Cicily, Mr. Alex, and many others, helped organize a Prayer Vigil in front of the United Nations on August 5th. More than 700 people attended the Prayer Vigil. FIACONA thanks Tamil America TV for broadcasting the vigil live.
Dallas, TX: Mr. Marin Mouli Padeti, Pastor Samuel Mathew, with several senior pastors and community leaders and NAMTA members held a Prayer Rally at Gandhi Park, Dallas TX on July 29.
ADVOCACY FOR MANIPUR:
Starting from the second week of May 2023, FIACONA has been meeting with US Administration officials about Manipur violence. FIACONA organized a total of five briefings to Administration officials on Manipur. Victims of violence were brought as witnesses to speak at several of the briefings to the Officials at the State Department, US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and Congressional staff.
The Chairman of FIACONA was invited to the State Department for a private Briefing on Manipur with the Assistant Secretary of state for South Asia, and the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy Labor and Religious Freedom and their diplomatic staff. Details of the discussions are off-record.
PCNAK 2023
On the weekend of June 29th, FIACONA attended the PCNAK 2023 Kerela Pentecostal Conference in Lancaster, PA. About 4000 people attended. FIACONA arranged a few special speakers to share our work, including Pastor Bryan Nerren – a Pastor arrested and held in India for 7 months. We also set up a FIACONA booth at the conferences and spoke with the youth about our upcoming Capitol Hill Internship and Fellowship programs. We appreciate Pastor Wilson Jose and Pastor Robby Mathew for welcoming us to their conference.
AGIP SILVER JUBILLEE:
Pastor Wilson Jose invited FIACONA team to speak at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the AGIP in Philadelphia, PA on July 20-22nd. Pastor Nerren, Ms. Miranda Henderson, Mr. Pieter Fredrich, Mr. John Prabhudoss, and Mr. Koshy George represented FIACONA.
A Day of Celebration and Solidarity 
Following the conference, FIACONA hosted the Indian Christian Day, “A Day of Celebration and Solidarity” in New York at St. Vincent DePaul. There were over 200 people in attendance representing 20 different Christian denominations! Click here for more details on Indian Christian Day Celebrations.
Christians United for Israel (CUFI) 
FIACONA attended the CUFI 2023 Conference on Washington on July 16th at the invitation of Rev Herman Martier. Pastor Matthew Samuel, Mr. Koshy George, Mr. John Prabhudoss attended the conference. They met several Christian leaders to discuss Israel and India. The team also visited Capitol Hill and met with Senators Jilbrand, Schumer, and Ted Cruz.
UPCOMING PRAYER VIGIL:
Several Prayer Vigils and Peace Rallies are planned by pastors and community leaders in many cities across the United States.
HELP MANIPUR VICTIMS:
As we continue to support the Church in Manipur, we are partnering with a Manipur-based women’s group helping victims of the current mob violence and persecution. Please consider joining us financially in our effort.
INTERNSHIPS & FELLOWSHIPS IN WASHINGTON:
As mentioned previously, FIACONA has developed a prestigious FIACONA Internship and Fellowship Program for 2024 to help hire college students and graduates from Indian American Christian community in the US Congress and Administration. The program is estimated to cost about $ 3 million dollars. We plan to raise it from the Indian American Christian community before the end of 2023. This fund will help pay for the salaries and expenses of the selected candidates from the Indian American Christian community. Please join us to get these programs launched and fully funded!
And, of course, if you’d like to be more involved, please consider inviting us and our lineup of special speakers to your church to share more about these programs! And if you’re interested in being more engaged, we host monthly advisory board meetings. Please call Mr. Koshy George, the President of FIACONA to get an invitation to that monthly advisory board meeting.
PRAYER LINE:
Please join us in prayer for the persecuted church of India in our prayerline every 3rd Monday at 8 PM. Please email prayerline@fiacona.org for more information.
Please pray for peace, protection, and perfect justice from God to cover our Manipur brothers and sisters in Christ. Please also pray for FIACONA’s work, that we would be strategic, effective, and spirit-led.
Until next month!
