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| Wednesday, 30 June 2004 |
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APPRECIATION Rev. Dr. D T Niles - Memorable personality To all Christians and Methodists in particular, the name of Rev. Dr. D. T. Niles is synonymous with great preaching, Biblical scholarship and Christian leadership. His ministry took him to many parts of this island, where he preached the good news of God's salvation through Jesus Christ, to all who repent and trust in Him. Born to a Methodist family on May 4, 1908 at Tellipallai, Daniel Thambyrajah Niles entered the Ministry in 1932. He had his education at Jaffna Central College and later served as its Principal for several years. He served as a Methodist Minister for 38 years and influenced many lives by his Biblical teaching, prophetic preaching, pastoral care and exemplary life. To listen to his deep yet practical interpretation of the Word of God was an experience of a lifetime. He was a fiery orator in English and Tamil and had the ability to capture crowds with his eloquence. He, with a few other Church leaders, prepared a church Union Scheme to bring the main-line Churches into one National Church and spared no pains to bring about the 'United Church of Sri Lanka'. At the age 45, he became a respected leader of the World Church. He was appointed the Executive Secretary of the Department of Evangelism in the World Council of Churches in 1953 and the Chairman of the World Student Christian Federation. He lectured in many universities all over the world and was given Honorary Doctorates by two of them in the United States of America. He was appointed the General Secretary of the East Asian Christian Conference and later became its Chairman. He also became one of the Presidents of the World Council of Churches. In 1968 he was called to take over the leadership of the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka. During his two years as president, the Church in this land faced many challenges. He led the Church to face these challenges with courage and faith and encouraged many Methodists to get actively involved in mission. Dr. Niles organised the Uduvil Conference, which was a 2-week Bille Teaching Camp for Christians from all denominations. Thinking Christians from all over Sri Lanka benefited immensely from these conventions, which had the theme of Evangelism in 1953, Ecumenical Movement in 1958, Christian Witness in 1961 and The Church for Tomorrow in 1965. In addition to being a great preacher, he was a prolific writer. Thousands have benefited from his books. 'As Seeing the Invisible'. 'The Power at Work Among Us' are two publications which comes to mind as masterpieces of the great scholar. Dr. D. T. Niles spoke, addressed and preached at every opportunity, till he was called home in 1970. The Methodist Church, Sri Lanka is pleased to announce that the Rev. Dr. D. T. Niles Memorial Prize Essay Competition is being held this year for those under the age of 19 (nineteen) years, on the topic 'The Church's Role in Protecting Children from the Perils of Society'. Ransiri J. Fernando, Vice President Elect for 2004/2005 |
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