As the IMS struck root, flourished and filled the land, the need for support base also increased. Branches were formed in many towns and cities of our country. The IMS has presently 248 branches (including area centre) all over India. They collect subscriptions and donations from members, conduct annual fetes and raise funds. They foster fellowships by forming prayer groups in smaller areas, find supporters who give monthly/annual contribution towards missionary/Adivasi children support and render prayer support. The Chennai Branch functioning from the year 1915 is a strong support to the parent society from the very start with 108 Prayer Groups. . 

After successfully contributing for the construction of various churches, schools, missionary quarters and hostels in various mission fields, as the Branch work also increased with more and more members supporting the activities of the Branch we felt the need for our own place to work in Chennai. From January 2009 Chennai Branch is functioning from IMS House “Mercy Springs” Constructed at no.9, Sunderlal Nahata Avenue, Kellys, Chennai-10. Prayer meetings are conducted at various Prayer Group areas every month – details furnished in the monthly magazine of Chennai Branch, JEBA OSAI. Regular devotions are conducted in the Chapel at Sunderlal Nahatha Avenue every Thursday from 10:30 am to 12 noon.

The Branch has 105 prayer groups with more than 3000 members who support the IMS with dedicated prayers and generous contributions. Monthly prayer meetings are held by all the prayer groups in their areas. This year it is planned to get an effective membership of not less than 5000 in the city and increase the number of prayer cells in the city to 200 by March 2009.

The Concept of Prayer Cribs have been introduced in Chennai Branch. The volunteers who offer to pray daily for one hour for the missionary work have been enlisted by Prayer Crib Coordinators in each of the 10 areas. They were called for a meeting in Sept 2009 and were dedicated by Bishop Sunder Clarke. Again they were specially prayed for and counseled by Rev. Father Berchmans.

Prayer points will be distributed every month to the Prayer Flames in 10 areas thro the respective Prayer Crib Coordinators.

The sale festival of IMS Chennai branch will be held on the 2nd October every year in a grand manner, at St.Georges School, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai. As usual there will be more than a hundred stalls, selling delicious eatables, Biriyani, fancy and utility items. There will be games and entertainment. Lucky Donor Coupons draw etc. Few photographs taken during the Sale 2009 and the missionary commissioning service held on 1st Oct 2009 are shown below .

On the 1st October, 2009, 25 new missionaries were commissioned in a solemn service. At the same venue.

Every year after the Sale on 2nd Oct about 40 members go on a Mission Field tour and visit the mission fields in two or three States. During October 8th - 15th, 2009, 40 Members of Our Branch went on Mission Field tour to Assam and Meghalaya. The terrain was difficult. No proper roads. Yet we went up the hills to finally dedicate a church

During mission field visit in October 2008 we found the need for church, hostel, missionary quarters, medical / tailoring centre etc at Arora in UP state which is near Chakia where we built all these buildings an year ago. This year we plan to raise Rs.20.00 lakhs for this project in Arora, UP. The work has already been started. The enthusiastic Arora congregation .

In Malkangiri, Orissa also we have started three new projects.

  1.. Construction of a new Big Church Building - a future Cathedral.

We have decided to treat Paderu field as Model Mission Field for our youngsters to visit the field often and get a feel of the activities in the field and support the mission activities everywhere. To make the buildings there adequate to support this vision, we have planned to construct multipurpose hall, rest rooms, water tank, EB Rooms, Tailoring centre, Fencing and extra hostel block. The estimated cost is Rs.15.00 lakhs.

During the Lenten season retreats are conducted in all the five zones, and a combined retreat is held at Sogundi, a mango garden near Chennai. The members share the Word of God and meditate upon it. Easter song services are conducted in North and South Chennai. Members sing in groups and in solo praising the Risen Christ. Members contribute enthusiastically through Lenten Hundies. During the Christmas season Carol services are conducted in North and South Chennai. Carol rounds are also conducted in each prayer group area. Members share the joy of Christmas singing to the Glory of new born King. The collections through the services are spent on the poor children..

Just like Rhythm of the Universe programme in 2008, we had a Live Concert “Flames” at the YMCA, Royapettah on Easter Day (12 April 2009). More than 5000 persons attended. Praise and worship was conducted by Pr.Gerssom Edinbaro .

Similarly coinciding with the Foundation Day (12th Feb 1903)Anniversary of IMS we conducted a Special Family meeting with Bro. Paul Thangiah, Bangalore from 10 am to 2 pm and a Public meeting from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm on 6th Feb 2010.
Many people pledged to support the Missionary activities of IMS – Pledged amount equals Rs.20.00 lakhs .

Projects to be executed this year.

1.Missionary training center at Malkangiri, Orissa.

2.A Model mission field in Andrapradesh nearer to Chennai.

3.New office premises for the Chennai branch.

4.Missionary welfare fund.

5.Equipment for children’s hostel.

6.A Hostel for the Kui tribal children of Kandhamal District affected by riots last year.

CHURCH PLANTERS FOLD

Chennai Branch will be sponsoring the mission field work in 7 districts of Punjab now and will ultimately sponsor all the 18 districts of this State. To sponsor one district we require Rs.20000 per month. To adopt a village-Rs.500, a Block-Rs.2000 or support a missionary-Rs.3000 per month. .

To support the work in entire District Rs.20,000 per month .

Cost of a motor bike=Rs.40000.

TRAINING OF LOCAL EVANGELISTS AND LEADERS

We encourage the local leaders to train the believers to spread the good news and release the power of Jesus. The Kingdom of God is at hand. .

They have to be trained to do this job effectively. They only can reach their own community easily – better than cross cultural missionaries.

The training of local leaders is of utmost importance at this juncture. Training Centres are at Malkangiri(Orissa), Dhanora(Maharashtra) and Moga(Punjab).

WOMENS WING

Members of the Women’s wing regularly pray for the IMS and its ministries every second Saturday forming a chain from 5 am to 9 pm. They gather in one of their houses every first Saturday of the month for prayer and meditation. They take active part in Annual IMS Sale held on October 2nd every year, setting up various stalls. .

The Headquarters publishes Missionary Intelligencer every month giving details of the work done in various mission fields.

The monthly magazine of the Chennai Branch has been given a new look with many new features. It carries many interesting articles, Bible Quiz, Prayer meeting Schedule for the month and many other features.

For the glory of God, IMS choir praises our Almighty through songs during the special occasions. The present choir is a small group capable of singing with four parts. Talented people are identified and included in the choir.

SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAM PROGRAM has been started for supporting the social service ministries namely the hostel ministry, education ministry and medical ministry, along with the gospel ministry. The Govt. of India have recognized the Social Service rendered by us irrespective of caste, creed and language and have granted us Income tax concessions (under Section 80G) for the persons donating money for the Social Service aspect of our ministry mentioned above. The donors to these activities may draw the cheques/ drafts in favour of IMS Charitable Trust and obtain the receipt with the Govt. order no. mentioned therein to claim 50% income tax concession for the amount donated.
They have mainly three activities. –Hostel and School, Medical and Rehabilitation (Tailoring).

Hundi boxes are distributed to the traders of Chennai who are enthusiastically contributing through these Hundies. These contributions are utilized for the new projects of our Branch to build hostels, schools, rehabilitation centers and medical centers. Special monthly prayer meetings are held for the businessmen. Revival meetings are organized for them.

The various activities of the IMS, news from mission fields and special messages are regularly communicated to our dear & near ones living abroad. Prayer Groups have been formed in USA, Kuwait and Australia. This helps them to continue to keep the Love of our Lord in their minds and be an enlightening light wherever they are. 

These programs are held every year in all the zones of Chennai (North, South, East and West). Christian Matriculation Schools of each zone participate in this. The children of these schools enact dramas, sing songs and give other performances on Christian and missionary themes. The proceeds from the sale of tickets for these programs go for schooling and hostelling of poor & under privilege children in IMS Hostels in various states of India. The schools adopt some of these children in our mission fields with their monthly financial support. The better placed city children learn to support the less fortunate children.

IMS house is at Ponnan Lane ( Off Tana Street ), Purusavakkam, Chennai 600 007
Phone: 91 - 44 -  26625035
Mobile: 98415 81906