In the will of the Lord, we will hold our 47th annual Family Conference as follows:
Dates:
Wednesday, July 1 – Sunday, July 5, 2026
Venue:
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN*
Theme:
Faith that Works
Faith without works is dead. – James 2:26
Speakers:
Br. Jerry George Matthew, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India – Jerry is an itinerant Bible teacher, mentor, and educational consultant. He and his family fellowship at Bethesda Assembly Bangalore, where he serves as one of the elders. He was commended for the ministry from Bethesda in January 2024.
Jerry completed his PhD in Human Anatomy from Manipal University and taught medical students for about 12 years in Manipal. In June 2011, the Lord called him to move to Bangalore to take up the post of Principal at Clarence High School in Richards Town, Bangalore, until December 2023.
Jerry is passionate about inspiring the next generation to live wisely and purposefully. To that end, Jerry preaches and teaches the word of God at meetings, seminars, conferences, and workshops. He mentors a few young men by meeting with them once a week. He provides pre-marital and post-marital counseling to young couples.
He serves on the boards of five Christian schools and three Christian mission organizations. He offers professional development seminars for staff and curated workshops for school students. He provides consultancy services to school management teams to ensure excellence in practices and policies.
His wife, Blessy, is a professional freelance counselor. They have a daughter, Abigail, who is completing 2nd PUC at Mount Carmel PU College.
Br. Enrique “Henry” Sardiña, Satellite Beach, FL – Enrique was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1953, and came to the US to escape the horrors of Communism following Fidel Castro’s takeover of the nation.
Henry and his wife, Lisa, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They have 6 children and 13 grandchildren. They are eternally grateful that each of our children follows the Lord Jesus, and the 5 married ones raise their children in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was converted to the Lord Jesus Christ at Her Majesty’s Prison in Foxhill, Nassau, Bahamas, in 1984. His wife, Lisa, was a believer before him.
In 1987, they were first commended for their work in the Lord’s service by the grace of God. Subsequently, also from the Bible Truth Fellowship in Washington, MO, in 1993, and later by the Bethany Chapel by the Sea assembly in Satellite Beach, FL, where they have been residing since 2007.
The Lord has used his fluency in Spanish to minister across the US, and in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Spain. At the Centro Bíblico assembly in Valladolid, Spain, they continue active evangelism and pastoral teaching. They resided there in 2005 – 2007 and continue to minister there weekly. Our work for the Lord in Spain began in 1993.
Here in the US, by God’s goodness, they very much enjoy their family. They travel with itinerant preaching, and he serves on the oversight of the Bethany Chapel, where they are in fellowship as their home assembly.
For anything of eternal and present value, they give the glory for it to the living God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Br. Raju Kunjummen, Iowa, USA – Br. Kunjummen recently retired from his role as Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs at Emmaus Bible College. He was formerly the Associate Professor of Biblical Languages and Old Testament at Moody Theological Seminary-Michigan, part of the Moody Bible Institute.
His educational background includes graduate studies in Biochemistry at the University of Minnesota, Master of Theology in Old Testament from Grace Theological Seminary, and doctoral work in Semitic Languages at the University of California, Los Angeles. Raju taught the Bible in a formal seminary or college setting for over 27 years. He is a commended worker among the Brethren, served as an elder in his assemblies for many years, and is regularly engaged in ministries among the assemblies here and overseas.
Br. Jacob C. M., Houston, TX – Br. Jacob was born and raised in a Brethren family. He was saved, baptized, and in fellowship with the Kundara Brethren Assembly in Kerala. During this time, he actively participated in the SBS, YMEF, and EU ministries and served in various local assembly ministries. In 1988, he moved to the United Arab Emirates, where he lived with his family for 36 years. Until 1993, he was in fellowship with the Abu Dhabi Brethren Christian Assembly, and for the next 32 years, he was in fellowship with the Sharjah Brethren Assembly, where he served the Lord as one of the elders.
During this period, he worked as an itinerant teacher and preacher in India and internationally, especially among teenagers in Sunday School and CEF-VBS. He also held a senior executive-level position in the secular sector. He is a postgraduate in Civil Engineering from Heriot-Watt University (UK) and also holds an MBA in Project Management, an MA in Economics from accredited Indian universities, and a PhD in Construction Management from JNU (Rajasthan). Additionally, he completed an MSc in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Health Psychology and Counseling, as well as an MTh in Systematic Theology, to personally equip himself for the Lord’s ministry. He is also qualified in family counseling.
In 2024, he moved to Texas, USA, with his wife, Leni, and their three daughters in Missouri City, Houston. He serves as one of the elders at Stafford Bible Chapel while continuing his secular role as VDC Director.
Br. George P. John – Frisco, TX – George was born and brought up in Chethackal, Ranny, Kerala. He studied at Bethany Bible Institute, Kottayam (currently in Kumbanad), under the late servant of God, V.T. Mathai. He also studied at Hindustan Bible Institute, Madras, for a year. He helped to establish an assembly in the Dallas area and served as one of the elders for 11 years. Later, as the need arose, he helped in establishing an English assembly in a new area, known as Edmonds Lane Bible Chapel, Lewisville, Texas, where he has served as an elder for the past 23 years. He has taken leadership in numerous short-term mission trips to North India, Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania in Africa, and Peru and Colombia in South America, in both gospel outreach and teaching ministry, along with young people from within the assembly and others from across the USA and abroad. He has served on the board of directors of Gospel Missions of India, Michigan, for the past 30+ years and currently as chairman of the board. He worked closely with the late Dr. C.V. Baby and a few others in starting the IBF conference in 1978, and served on the executive board and now continues to serve on the spiritual advisory committee. He is also part of the Shepherd Christian community, Frostproof, an assembly-based retirement community in Florida. He and his wife, Molly, have two children and 4 grandchildren.
Other Speakers To Be Announced
Plenary Sessions:
The Book of James addresses believers who possess genuine faith, but whose lives lack consistency, obedience, and spiritual fruit. Trials reveal instability; relationships reveal partiality; speech reveals inner disorder; attitudes reveal worldly wisdom; and conflicts reveal pride. Many hear the Word without obeying it and profess faith without works. Through vivid instruction and convicting illustrations, James calls Christians to mature into active, humble, obedient disciples marked by love, wisdom, and visible transformation.
Introduction
The Book of James addresses believers who possess genuine faith, but whose lives lack consistency, obedience, and spiritual fruit. Trials reveal instability; relationships reveal partiality; speech reveals inner disorder; attitudes reveal worldly wisdom; and conflicts reveal pride. Many hear the Word without obeying it and profess faith without works. Through vivid instruction and convicting illustrations, James calls Christians to mature into active, humble, obedient disciples marked by love, wisdom, and visible transformation.
Background
The Epistle of James speaks directly to believers whose faith is genuine yet underdeveloped—Christians who know the truth but struggle to practice it consistently in their speech, attitudes, decisions, and relationships. James exposes the gap between confession and conduct, hearing and doing, belief and behavior, calling the church into a living faith that is visible, active, obedient, and mature.
Written to scattered believers facing pressure and instability, James provides a pastoral roadmap for spiritual growth. His message remains strikingly relevant for today’s Christians who are faithful attenders yet passive practitioners, orthodox in doctrine but inconsistent in obedience. James urges believers to move beyond passive faith into faith that works—faith proven through endurance, obedience, love, wisdom, humility, integrity, and compassionate community.
The IBF Conference theme committee organizes this message into five plenary sessions that track the logical movement of the letter and two evening sessions that deepen the practical and spiritual implications for mature believers.
Plenary 1 — Faith That Stands and Obeys
Text: James 1:1–27
Trials test faith’s genuineness and produce steadfast endurance when believers seek God’s wisdom with single-minded trust. Temptations reveal inward desires and call for discernment. But endurance must lead to obedience: the Word implanted in the heart must be put into practice in life. Hearing without doing leads to spiritual deception, but obedience in action reveals true religion, marked by purity, compassion, and self-control.
Summary: Faith that stands under pressure must become faith that obeys in practice. True maturity is seen when endurance produces obedience and when the Word heard becomes the Word lived.
Plenary 2 — Faith That Loves and Works
Text: James 2:1–26
Genuine faith expresses itself through love without partiality. Believers must not judge by appearance or social standing but fulfill the royal law of love for neighbor. Favoritism contradicts Christ’s character. James then deepens the call by confronting the empty confession: faith without works is dead. Living faith is revealed through action, as seen in Abraham and Rahab, whose obedience validated their belief.
Summary: Faith that loves must become faith that works. True faith is impartial, merciful, and always visible through obedient action.
Plenary 3 — Faith That Speaks
Text: James 3:1–12
The tongue directs life. Though small, it wields great power to bless or curse, build or destroy. James warns that inconsistency in speech reveals inconsistency in the heart. Mature believers guard their words carefully, knowing that unrestrained speech leads to spiritual harm and division.
Summary:
Faith that works must govern speech, for the tongue reveals the condition of the heart.
Plenary 4 — Faith That Thinks Wisely
Text: James 3:13–18
Wisdom from above produces purity, gentleness, peace, mercy, and sincerity. In contrast, earthly wisdom—rooted in jealousy and selfish ambition—produces disorder and every evil practice. Mature believers demonstrate their wisdom through their conduct and attitudes, not merely through words.
Summary:
Faith that works must think wisely, embracing the wisdom from above that produces righteous conduct and peaceful relationships.
Plenary 5 — Faith That Submits Humbly
Text: James 4:1–12
Conflicts and quarrels arise from desires at war within believers. Worldliness, pride, and self-will disrupt fellowship with God. James calls the church to repentance: submit to God, resist the devil, draw near in purity, humble yourselves, and stop speaking evil of one another.
Summary: Faith that works submits humbly before God, overcoming pride and restoring peace through repentance and dependence.
Workshops:
The workshops are offered on multiple days, and the topic is repeated.
Living Out Faith Practically
Explores how genuine faith expresses itself through obedience, endurance, and righteous conduct, reinforcing the central James theme of faith evidenced by works.
Building Spiritual Habits Before 30
Practical spiritual disciplines (prayer rhythms, Scripture intake, repentance practices, accountability structures) that cultivate lasting transformation beyond emotional conference moments. Bible discipline in college, Prayer life without parental structure & Accountability in early adulthood
Preventing Conflict & Building Unity in the Assembly
Practical frameworks for handling disagreements, protecting unity, cultivating humility, and building trust among elders, families, and younger believers.
Raising Christ-Centered Children in a Secular Culture
Equipping parents to disciple their children intentionally in the home—addressing college transitions, digital culture, identity confusion, cultural pressures, and intergenerational faith retention. Practical tools for building spiritual habits, open communication, and gospel-centered parenting.
Interpreting Scripture Rightly
A brief introduction to fundamental concepts about what constitutes a trustworthy interpretation of the Bible (Hermeneutics). How do we make sure that what we say in God’s name, using Scripture, is what He actually said, not our own ideas? Although the topic requires extensive discussion and formal training spans multiple courses, this workshop will focus on fundamental principles and methods. We’ll clarify exactly what the meaning is, how it is to be discovered, and how it is to be applied.
The Scriptures provide many warnings about the careless handling of the word of God (2 Tim 2:15; 1 Tim 1:6-8; 2 Pet 3:15-16; James 3:1,2). We can realize that mere quoting of Scripture in itself may not be in accordance with its intention, since the Bible itself mentions improper use, both by the devil and by people (Matt 4:6; 19:7; John 6:31), just as many among us employ 1 John 2:27 without understanding it. Biblical interpretation is to be undertaken carefully and in a principled way. The goal of this workshop is to address this fundamental matter and throw some light on ‘how’.
Other Meetings & Opportunities for Fellowship:
In addition to the above Plenary Sessions, Workshops, and Youth Sessions, there are many other meetings and other fellowship opportunities. The following is a list of the many meetings and events:
- Men’s Fellowship Meeting
- Women’s Fellowship Meeting
- Young Children’s VBS
- Youth Classes (KG-3, 4-6, 7-8, and High School)
- Ministry Reports
- Nursery during Plenary Sessions
- Hymn sings
- Excellent Gymnasium (racquetball, volleyball, basketball, exercise room, running/walking track, outdoor tennis courts)
Registration:
Registration will open in the middle of May.
Pricing:
To be announced.
Housing:
Indiana Wesleyan University has a beautiful campus. We have access to Townhouses, Apartments, Suites, and Dorms. But each of these is limited in number, especially the Townhouses and Apartments. Please review the information below and select the appropriate housing during your registration. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and priority is given to those who register and attend the full conference.
Townhouses are air-conditioned, self-contained units featuring three bedrooms (each with two twin beds), three private bathrooms, a small kitchenette, and a living area. Each bedroom features two twin beds, comfortably accommodating up to six people. This is ideal for a larger family. Each bed includes a basic linen package with sheets, a blanket, a pillow, a towel, and a small soap.
The apartments are air-conditioned and have two bedrooms or three bedrooms (two twin beds in each). The three-bedroom apartment has two bathrooms, and the two-bedroom apartment has one bathroom. Every apartment has a small sitting area and a refrigerator. The apartments can comfortably accommodate four to six people. This is ideal for a larger family. Each bed includes a basic linen package with sheets, a blanket, a pillow, a towel, and a small soap.
Suites are air-conditioned and have two bedrooms (each with two twin beds) and one bathroom, with a connecting bathroom between each bedroom. This is ideal for an average-sized family or for same-sex roommates. Each bed includes a basic linen package with sheets, a blanket, a pillow, a towel, and a small soap.
Dorms are air-conditioned, with four bedrooms (two people per bedroom) and dorm-style bathrooms (typically four bedrooms share a dorm-style bathroom). They are reserved as all-male or all-female housing and are typically not suitable for families. Each bed includes a basic linen package with sheets, a blanket, a pillow, a towel, and a small soap.
When registering, please indicate if you require first-floor accommodation due to a physical disability. We will try to assign you a room on the first floor or in a building with an elevator. We should have plenty of rooms available, but housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Townhouses typically run out first, followed by Apartments. Please register early to ensure you get your preferred option.
Transportation:
Airport
The IWU Campus is close to Indianapolis (Indy) International Airport (about 1 hour & 40 minutes away) and Fort Wayne International Airport (about 1 hour away). If anyone plans to fly into Indy, please call Br. Jaby Jacob at (516) 507-2222 or email jaby_jacob@yahoo.com.
If you are flying into the Indianapolis International Airport on Wednesday and require a ride, please plan to board the IWU bus before 2 PM EDT. The bus will depart from the airport at 2:30 PM and arrive at IWU by approximately 4:15 PM. Only one pickup is planned.
On Sunday, the bus will depart from the Townhouses at Noon and arrive at the airport roughly at 1:40 PM. Please plan your departure accordingly. Only one drop-off is planned.
The cost is $25 per person, each way, for using the bus. Please pay the bus cost (both to IWU and return to the airport) when checking in.
Contact:
Don’t hesitate to contact (call or text) the following people during the day or early evening.
George Mathew (IL) 847-530-7170 (Registration)
Jebby Tommy (MI) 586-945-5615 (Registration)
George Varghese (MO) 443-636-0324
Regimon Kallinkal (PA) 267-252-9830
John George (MA) 617-605-3212
* This is not a function of the Indiana Wesleyan University