About Our Mission

Then Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations ….and…. teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 - ( Matthew 28:17-20)

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”

 - ( Matthew 24:14 )

You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”

 - ( Acts 1:8 )

Centered in the very words of Jesus, given above, are the ultimate goals of the Mission of the Church.

And they are four-fold:

  • Commission
  • Compassion
  • Community
  • Continuity

Mar Thoma Church is a mission-driven church. Our Motto "Lighted to Lighten" embodies the missionary zeal of the church. Embracing the “Great Commission” in “truth and spirit” means that every member of the church is expected to be an evangelist. 

An integral part of the Diocese of North America, The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey actively contributes and supports various Mission activities of the Diocese to share the Gospel and serve the communities in North America and around the world.

4 wings of our Diocesan Mission:

  • The Mexico Mission
  • Native American Mission
  • Neighborhood Mission and 
  • India Mission

Mexico Mission

There are 45 families living in the housing complex "Colonia Mar Thoma" in Metamoros , Mexico, constructed by the Diocese to rehabilitate the families of poor fishermen. The "manna" program through which food packets are distributed on a weekly basis helps to eradicate starvation and malnutrition in the community, enabling them to seek employment towards self- sufficiency. There are students attending the kindergarten and primary schools in the 'Colonia' and those in higher classes attending schools elsewhere. Students in the middle school, high school and university including one in the medical school receive tuition support. These programs are made possible by the generous contributions and sponsorship of friends and well wishers. A new chapel has been constructed and dedicated. VBS in Spanish and English are held every year in June and the Christmas Carol in December.

Native American Mission

The Native American Mission began as part of the effort to reach out our neighbors in North America. Since 2003 the diocese has been working among the Choctaw and Houma Native American communities living in Alabama, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The primary aim is to reach out to this community with Christian love thereby fostering fellowship, deepening Christian faith, providing mentoring , empowering parents and youths and encouraging local leadership. VBS and Youth Conference are held in Mt. Vernon, Alabama among the Choctaw community. Mission programs like VBS are also held among the Choctaw community in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

Many community based projects like Clothing and Household Item Collection, Adoption and Foster Care Support, Home for the Homeless, etc. are undertaken for the overall development of these people. For the past several years, relief work has been undertaken to restore the lives and homes of Houma Indians, hard hit by Katrina in Dulac, Louisiana. Medical Mission camps were also held there.

Neighborhood Mission

" Shining God's light in our neighborhood" is the vision of the church at grassroots level. The Neighborhood Mission strives to serve various communities in New Jersey through several mission activities, namely,

  • Market Mission – Morristown, NJ
  • Good Samaritan Fund
  • Prison Ministry
  • Medical Ministry
  • Ecumenical Ministry

Other Outreach Activities 

  • Angel Tree Ministry
  • Coat Drive
  • Blood Drive
  • Education Aid
  • Marriage Aid
  • Medical Aid
  • Housing Aid

India Mission

Every year different teams of young people under the leadership and guidance of an adult visit the various mission centers of the Mar Thoma Church in India to get a firsthand knowledge of the mission projects there and to see for themselves the struggle through which the people in the villages pass. The Diocese sends different teams to various mission centers in India and were blessed and strengthened in faith.