In the will of the Lord, we will hold our 46th annual Family Conference as follows:
Dates:
Wednesday, July 2 – Sunday, July 6, 2025
Venue:
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN*
Theme:
Be Victorious…Lessons to the Churches
Theme Verse:
To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end. Revelation 2:26
Speakers:
Br. John Kurian, Kerala, India – Br. Kurian had the privilege of being born and brought up in a godly home. Growing up in the assemblies, he came to know the Lord while still a young boy and was baptized while in high school. In addition to the training at home and church, his involvement with Operation Mobilization and Evangelical Union (UESI) helped his spiritual growth. After university, he soon entered secular jobs in India and the Middle East for about 10 years in various capacities. When he was working with the Prison Fellowship International as Executive Secretary (Asia Pacific Region), the Lord led him to resign from his post to enter into a full-time teaching and preaching ministry in 1985.
Puthuppally Brethren Church, his home assembly, commended him for the work of the Lord in 1986. Since then, he has traveled extensively within India and around the globe to fulfill his call as an itinerant preacher and teacher.
He is helping in the teaching ministry of Bible Colleges in different places. Gospel Literature Service, Bombay, has published two of his books: ‘Christian Family'(co-authored with two other writers) and’ Triumphant Life’.
He lives with his wife, Betty, in Kottayam, Kerala, South India. God has blessed him with four daughters and eight grandchildren.
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 was involved in teaching 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.
God has blessed Raju and his wife Susan with children and grandchildren.
Br. Simon George, Florida, USA – Br. George was raised in South Florida. His parents and family were believers, and he came to know the Lord as his savior at a VBS at Ft. Lauderdale Bible Chapel. He continued to grow in the Lord at the chapel. He attended Florida International University (2007-12), and The Master’s Seminary (2012-17). In 2017, he returned to Ft. Lauderdale Hope Bible Chapel, where he was commended to the ministry in 2018. In April 2024, he married his wife, Mahima. They now serve the saints in their chapel and throughout the South Florida area, focusing on discipleship and biblical counseling.
Johnsy Mathews, USA – Br. Mathews and his wife, Happy, are commended by First Colony Bible Chapel in Sugar Land, Texas, and Hilltop Bible Chapel in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. They have two children, Ezra (14) and Skyla (11). Since August 2017, Johnsy and Happy have been engaged in cross-cultural tribal missions in Northeast India, primarily focused on running a Christian mission elementary school with a boarding facility for students to stay on campus.
Thomas Rajan, Dallas, TX—Br. Thomas was born and raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. There, he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior was baptized, and began participating in assembly fellowship. He immigrated to the United States to pursue his undergraduate studies and has lived and worked there since.
Thomas has spent the last 15+ years of his professional career as a senior management executive in global roles or as a strategic advisor to senior business leaders. He graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Thomas has been an itinerant preacher for nearly two decades, preaching the gospel and teaching in various groups and communities. He also serves as one of the elders of Edmonds Lane Bible Chapel in Lewisville, TX, where he and his wife Keerthi have been in active fellowship for the past seven years. They live in the Dallas area with their three sons, Rohan, Adarsh, and Vinod.
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 Counselling, 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.
Sis. Happy Mathews—Happy, married to Johnsy Mathews, has two children, Ezra (14) and Skyla (11). They have been serving as missionaries for 8 years and were commended by First Colony Bible Chapel in Texas and Hilltop Bible Chapel in Canada. It has been their privilege to serve at a missions school and boarding facility and help build up the local church.
Happy will be speaking at the Sister’s Meeting.
Other Speakers To be announced
Plenary Sessions
Abstract: Revelation 1:4 “John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
The book of Revelation is a letter to the seven churches in the province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (Revelation 1:11). The message is to provide a “revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1) and a blessing to those “who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)
The book of Revelation can be seen as organized according to what is stated in 1:19—“things which you have seen” (chapter 1), “things which are” (chapters 2 & 3—the letters to the seven churches) and “the things which will take place after these things” (chapters 4-22).
Thus, the letters to the seven churches can be understood as to what existed then and contain practical exhortations and instructions for the life of believers. If we compare the letters to the seven churches with each other, we will see that they have a similar structure where the Lord addresses them, encourages them, corrects them, and offers hope. Although many have read the seven churches as prophetic, speaking of stages in church history, there is little basis for doing so. These seven congregations existed at the time of John’s writing in what is referred to as Asia Minor in what is now western Turkey. We can also be encouraged and admonished by what the Lord tells us.
So, as we consider the blessing of reading, hearing, and keeping the message from the Lord, we want first to consider the Lord Himself and how he introduces Himself to the churches. Then, we will consider each of the messages to the local churches to receive exhortation and encouragement as we live in the world individually and gather in our local churches as a testimony for Him.
Session 1: The Faithful Witness-Jesus (Raju Kunjummen)
Key Verse: saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me” (Revelation 1:11,12).
In this session, we will consider the vision that John was allowed to see. The Lord uses aspects of the vision in the message he sends through John to the seven churches.
| The Church | Characteristic | Verses |
| Ephesus | “He who holds the seven stars in His right hand” (Revelation 3:1) | Revelation 2:16 |
| Smyrna | “The First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life” (Revelation 3:8) | Revelation 1:8, 17 |
| Pergamos | “He who has the sharp two-edged sword” (Revelation 2:12) | Revelation 1:16 |
| Thyatira | Son of God who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass” (Revelation 2:18) | Revelation 1:14-15 |
| Sardis | “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” (Revelation 3:1) | Revelation 1:4, 16 |
| Philadelphia | “He who is holy, He who is true” (Revelation 3:8) | Revelation 1:8 0 “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the almighty” |
| Laodicea | “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” (Revelation 3:14) | Revelation 1:5 |
Session 2: The Forsaking & Fearful Church (Simon George)
In this session, we will consider the first two churches.
Ephesus: The Forsaking Church (Revelation 2:1-7)
The church at Ephesus is described as a church that is strong in its doctrine, and they stand up for the Lord (Revelation 2:2-3). However, in their relationship with the Lord, they are described as one who “left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). We want to examine how a local church or an individual can stand strong for the Lord based on traditions and teachings but lose the blessing of a relationship of love with the Lord.
Smyrna: The Fearful Church (Revelation 2:8-11)
Smyrna is a church-going through tribulation and poverty (Revelation 2:9). The encouragement the Lord gives is, “do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.” (Revelation 2:10). In each one of our lives, as we walk for the Lord, we will face tribulation and suffering. The Lord is encouraging us to fear not as He is the “First and the Last.” (Revelation 2:8)
Session 3: The Faithless & Fallen Church (John Kurian)
This session will consider the messages to the third and fourth churches.
Pergamos: The Faithless Church (Revelation 2:12-17)
The church at Pergamos was a church that did not have full faith. They are described as a church that did not deny the name of Jesus. However, Satan’s throne is among them (Revelation 2:13). This is a compromising church that mixes faith with faithless living. Considering all of the deceptions we have in this world, the instructions given to this church are relevant to our lives today.
Thyatira: The Fallen Church (Revelation 2:18-29)
The church at Thyatira is described as a church that has love, service, faith, and patience (Revelation 2:19). However, they have fallen into immorality (Revelation 2:20-23). In today’s corrupt world, we hear of many who hold the name of Jesus Christ and have fallen into immoral living. Maybe this is one of us, but it is hidden. The exhortation from the Lord is to repent and hold fast to the faith in the Lord Jesus (Revelation 2:25)
Session 4: The Feeble and Faithful Church (Raju Kunjummen)
In this session, we will consider the messages to the fifth and sixth churches.
Sardis: The Feeble Church (Revelation 3:1-6)
The church at Sardis is described as a church that looks alive but is dead (Revelation 3:1). What does it mean for a church to look alive but dead? There is a small remnant who is walking with the Lord, but many are not holding fast to what the Lord taught. The exhortation is to repent and strengthen what remains (Revelation 3:2,3). Am I going through the motions in my walk with the Lord, but I really don’t have any life in me? Like the church at Sardis, the Lord is exhorting us to repent and strengthen what remains.
Philadelphia: The Faithful Church (Revelation 3:7-13)
The church in Philadelphia is a church that has been infiltrated and attacked by false teaching and slander. However, they are faithful to the Lord and His word. There are many false teachers and influencers in our society today. The exhortation is to continue to stay faithful to the Lord himself as He has the authority to open and shut doors to allow what happens in our life (Revelation 3:7)
Session 5:The Foolish Church (John Kurian)
In this closing session, we will consider the message to the seventh and final church.
Laodicea: The Foolish Church (Revelation 3:14-22)
The church at Laodicea is described as a wealthy church with all the resources it needs. They consider themselves self-sufficient. Their identity is confusing as the Lord calls them a lukewarm church (Revelation 3: 15-16). This makes the Lord sick to the point of vomiting them out of His mouth (Revelation 3:16). Their self-sufficiency and wealth are also making them foolish as they don’t see that they are really “wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:17). Their foolishness is so great that this church does not realize that the Lord is not in their midst, but He is outside knocking at the door desiring to come into fellowship with them. In our affluence and desire to be self-sufficient, where is the Lord in our life and our church?
Workshops:
Workshop 1: Spiritual Vision for an Assembly
An assembly must glorify God, nurture the spiritual growth of believers, and reach the lost through evangelism. To effectively fulfill these purposes, it is imperative that a church has a clear vision and plan regarding these principles. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
Often, both members and leadership assess the strength and quality of our assemblies on the basis of a lack of “conflicts/disputes.” However, underlying weaknesses in critical areas can fracture its future growth and spiritual potential.
One of the key reasons assemblies fail to grow beyond their founding members, relatives, and new immigrants is the absence of a clear and compelling vision. A strong vision is essential for growth, guiding the assembly’s direction and inspiring others to get involved in its execution.
Eph 4: 15, 16 (KJV)
But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
For an assembly to thrive and grow, it is essential that they:
• Provide teaching focused on assembly distinctives.
• Teach and encourage practical aspects of church life.
• Establish a process to evaluate/measure/cultivate the spiritual growth of the church.
• Establish a plan to preach the gospel, thereby daily adding to the church (Acts 2:47)
• Establish a process to develop future leadership and transition leadership at the appropriate time.
The members and its leadership together must define a vision for each of these areas. These components are essential in raising and equipping the future generation, welcoming new believers, and guiding members and families through discipleship and mentorship to be effective in their spiritual walk. The gathering of spiritually effective believers will build an impactful church. In this workshop, we go over the practical methods of how the church vision can impact the believers and the body of Christ.
Workshop 2: Biblical Family Pattern
A strong family structure is the foundation of society, culture, and life in general. In fact, God commanded in Exodus 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.” Paul quoted this verse (Ephesians 6:1-3) and emphasized that this is the only command with a promise, showing the importance of heeding this command.
Given the importance of the family, how do we, as believers, establish a strong, godly family? This involves a close husband-wife relationship and examples that the children can follow. In addition, parents only have a few years to teach and influence their children and establish a godly foundation. How do we do this effectively, from Scripture, especially given the tremendous assault the family is facing in our culture today? This workshop will discuss Scriptural teachings on how we can strengthen our spousal relationships and bring up children in a godly manner.
Workshop 3: Balancing Career Growth with Faith
The need for kingdom-minded professionals in the workplace has never been greater. However, as young professionals navigate career choices, promotions, and workplace challenges, they often struggle to balance ambition with their Christian values. This workshop provides practical guidance for managing one’s career from a spiritual and secular perspective.
This session is ideally suited for individuals earlier in their careers. It will explore strategies for career planning, skill development, and networking while maintaining integrity and a Christ-centered approach. We will also discuss practical career tips, such as goal setting, continuous learning, and decision-making, aligned with both professional aspirations and spiritual convictions, through corporate-tested frameworks and extensive Q&A/dialogue.
Attendees will leave with actionable insights to help them thrive in their careers while remaining faithful to their calling as ambassadors of Christ in the workplace.
Workshop 4: The Biblical Foundation and Practice of Teaching
This workshop will explore the biblical mandate for teaching, its role as a spiritual gift, and its significance in discipleship. Participants will gain insights into the objectives, philosophy, and progressive methods of biblical teaching. The session will also introduce foundational principles that govern effective teaching and how they can be applied in various learning contexts. Through discussion and interactive learning, attendees will be equipped to teach with clarity, purpose, and spiritual impact.
Workshop 5: Fellowship Among Believers
“Koinonia” in its original Greek meaning, “Fellowship,” appears multiple times in the New Testament. So then, what is Fellowship?
Acts 2:42 mentions fellowship when the first church was formed. One would recognize that the overarching principle of fellowship is love for Christ and one another.
This workshop will explore various aspects of fellowship. It will try to answer questions like
• Why do we fellowship
• How to fellowship
• When to fellowship
• Where to fellowship
• Who to fellowship with.
This workshop will address practical aspects of fostering greater fellowship among believers, including the disconnected ones, and perhaps other means of fellowship we typically don’t think of.
Workshop 6: Malayalam workshop
The Malayalam workshop will be offered on Thursday and Saturday. Two different topics will be addressed each day. “The Role of Mentorship in Discipleship” will be covered on Thursday, and “The Biblical Foundation and Practice of Teaching” will be addressed on Saturday.
The Role of Mentorship in Discipleship
Mentorship plays an essential role in the progression of discipleship, acting as a relational and intentional way to guide individuals on their spiritual journey. In a discipleship context, mentorship provides a framework for growth, accountability, and support. It involves a more experienced believer (the mentor) guiding a less experienced one (the mentee) through the teachings of Scripture, prayer, and practical Christian living. In essence, mentorship in discipleship is about the intentional, relational transfer of knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual practices that ultimately lead to spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with Christ. This process of guiding others not only strengthens the individual being mentored but also contributes to the broader community of believers, creating a legacy of faith that endures across generations. There is no scarcity of qualified itinerant preachers and teachers; what is lacking in our local assemblies is mentors. The mentor should reflect the attributes of the Master – Lord Jesus Christ – through his life, which will transform the mentee.
This workshop will explore the key elements of mentorship in discipleship, including the following topics:
- Jesus Christ as Master Trainer
- Spiritual Guidance and Teaching
- Personal Accountability
- Building Relationships
- Modeling Christ-like Behavior
- Encouragement and Support
- Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential
The Biblical Foundation and Practice of Teaching
The role of teaching within the Christian faith is both essential and biblically grounded. The Bible presents teaching as a key aspect of the believer’s spiritual formation and mission. Christian teaching is a command from the Lord, and Christ’s ministry on Earth consists of preaching, teaching, and healing. “Biblical teaching” is a spiritual gift—a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit that enables individuals to effectively communicate and explain biblical truths to others, fostering deeper understanding and spiritual growth. Teaching is done on behalf of Christ as His steward, and teachers are called to be faithful stewards of God’s Word. The objectives of teaching include salvation, Bible knowledge, spiritual growth, Christian living, and Christian service. Teaching is not merely an activity but a calling deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. It requires a strong foundation in Scripture, a heart full of love, and dependence on the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission. The biblical practice of teaching is designed to impart knowledge and transform lives through the power of God’s Word, equipping believers to live out their faith and share it with others. This workshop will explore the biblical foundations of teaching, offering an integrated approach to Christian education, and will cover the following topics:
- Teaching as a Commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ
- Teaching as a Spiritual Gift
- The Objectives of Teaching
- The Philosophy of Teaching
- Progressive Methods of Teaching
- The Role of Teachers in the Old and New Testaments
- Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Role Model for Teachers
- The Principles of Biblical Teaching
- The Practical Application of Biblical Teaching
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 is open. Please click on the link from the main page.
Pricing:
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 with three bedrooms (two twin beds each), three private bathrooms, a small kitchenette, and a living area. Each bedroom has two twin beds, comfortably accommodating six people. This is ideal for a larger family.
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.
Suites are air-conditioned and have two bedrooms (two twin beds in each) and one bathroom connecting each bedroom. This is ideal for an average-sized family or singles of the same sex rooming together.
Dorms are air-conditioned, with four bedrooms (two people per bedroom) and dorm-style bathrooms (typically four bedrooms share one bathroom). They are reserved as all-male or all-female housing and are typically not suitable for families.
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 always assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. Please register early to ensure that you get your preference.
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 leave the airport at 2 PM and will arrive at IWU by about 3:40 PM. Only one pickup is planned.
On Sunday, the bus will depart from the Townhouses at Noon and arrive roughly at 1:40 PM at the airport. Please plan your departure accordingly. Only one drop-off is planned.
There is a cost of $25 each way per person for the use of 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
Jaby Jacob (NY) 516-507-2222
Regimon Kallinkal (PA) 267-252-9830
*This is not a function of Indiana Wesleyan University