CALL AND MOTIVATION

An evangelist by heart, a science and theological graduate by education, Rev. Timothy Ravinder, hailing from an indigenous Christian community, was born in 1958 to S.Timothy and Emily Jane and was brought up in Ketti - a small village in the beautifully situated valley, South of Ooty, The Nilgiris, South India. I am married to Hemalatha - a dear wife, Home Executive, my best Companion ever and a loving and compassionate mother of Jaswant.T. Kari aged 27 yrs, Research Associate at the Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany, and Ajith V.Stephen aged 25 yrs, Creative Director at L. A. Digital, Dubai, U.A.E.

EDUCATION • School education at The Laidlaw Memorial School of St. George's Homes, Ketti and passed out in the year 1975. • Pre University Course, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore (1976 to 1977) B.Sc. Physics, University of Madras, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya (1977 to 1980) B.D, United Theological College, Bangalore, India (1991 to 1996). • University Course on New Testament (Christ & Culture) Luther and Soren Kierkegaard, Copenhagen Theological University, Denmark (1996 to 1997). • Zertifikat Deutsch, College of Applied Sciences, Rheinfelden (2005) German Language Course conducted by The European Language Certificates, Frankfurt University, Germany. • Refresher Courses on Ecumenism, Ecumenical Centre, Bossey, Switzerland (2003-2008).

WORK EXPERIENCE • Worked as a Development Practitioner, Project Manager and Coordinator in CSI Coimbatore diocese at Avinashi, Belrampatti, Kangayam and Kotagiri as a liaison between Coimbatore diocese and World Vision India - an International Developmental Christian Agency (1987 to 1991). • Jubilee Coordinator of CSI Coimbatore Diocese, Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the CSI (1947 1997) February 1997. Organized a Team from the diocese to be part of the larger Team of 2500 Presbyters from all over CSI under the guidance and leadership of Rev. Dr. Perumalla Surya Prakash the then Special Officer to this great Event in 1997. • Served for one term at the CSI Synod as the Chaplain at the CSI Centre in Chennai and as Moderator's Chaplain (1998 to 2000). • Synod Chaplain/Guest House Manager/Moderator's Chaplain, CSI Centre, Chennai (1998 to 2000). • Enabled vibrant Chapel Worship, Singing, making arrangements for Conferences and Meetings, managing the guest house, contributing to 'CSI Life' and giving Pastoral Care to those living in the Synod Campus at No. 5, White's Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014, managing Moderator's programmes - arrival, departure, local travel etc., besides others.(1998to2000). • Served as an Area Working Committee Member, Nilgiri Area (2001 to 2003) and as a Synod Youth Committee Member representing CSI Coimbatore Diocese, in the same biennium. • Pastored in the Coimbatore diocese until family Ravinder were deputed as Ecumenical Co-Workers from the diocese by the CSI Synod to work with the Protestant Church in Baden, Germany for 6 years (2003 to 2008). • Completed 4 years of ministry at CSI St. Luke's Church, Kotagiri on the Nilgiri Hills and one year at CSI St.Paul's Church in Tirupur. • Deputed from the Coimbatore diocese to work with the CSI Synod as the CSI-EMS Liaison Officer, India Desk in Chennai.

SKILLS

Communication, Planning and Team work A few of my capabilities:

• A caring husband and an affectionate father of two adult children. An Evangelist by heart, compassionate and loving person by nature and a responsible Presbyter by profession.

• Quality organizational, interpersonal and communicational skills to handle changing situations and work priorities.

• Good Tamil, English and German language skills to speak, read, write and also to understand the local dialect to enable proper and prompt correspondence.

• Ability to simultaneously manage numerous projects while meeting good standards.

• A thinker who has an attitude to be a learner and a patient listener, to develop useful expertise and produce remarkable contributions. • As an Ecumenical Co-Worker working for the CSI with the Protestant Church in Baden, Germany, it was important to communicate with a variety of staff.

• As the Chaplain of the Synod Centre it was vital to communicate with the Synod staff ranging from Manager to Must Roll workers; ability to organize preaching rotas and prioritizing tasks. Also managed Guests admissions, liaising with Overseas Guests at the Synod Guest house.

• Working with the German Congregation and Colleagues requires the ability to communicate ideas and concepts in their own dialect and the high German language and to handle difficult situations with sensitivity; Bringing up two children with my wife's major support and help has required flexibility and patience.

• Worked as a part of several Teams as Ecumenical Co-Worker and as the Synod Chaplain under pressure and priority. Here flexibility and initiative were essential.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

• Presented a Paper on "NFS Grundtvig and Soren Kierkegaard and their relevance in other Cultures" at the Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (1996)

• Represented CSI in various Forums, Boards and Committees. Was a bridge-builder between CSI and the Protestant Church in Baden, Germany (2003 to 2008) facilitating fraternity and friendship, partnership and priorities.

• Rev Timothy has secured first class for his Physics graduation.

• Received second prize in New Testament Greek (1995).

• Contributions to the "CSI Life" by way of articles and bible studies (from 1998 to till date).

• Publications in the Dictionary of South Asian Christianity Oxford University Press (2005).

• Yearly Participation in meetings and seminars (faith and order) at the World Council of Churches Bossey in Geneva, Switzerland (2003 to 2008).

• Took part in a partnership project activity between the church district in Zossen, North Germany and Canterbury diocese of the Church of England in the United Kingdom (2005).

• Participated in the study program along with the pastors of the church district Loerrach to Torre Pelice in Italy (2006).

• Took part in a Gender Justice conference conducted by CCA in Colombo, Sri-Lanka (2000).

• Assisted in Pastoral Ministry at the New Jersey Indian Church in the United States of America (2005 Dec. to 2006 Feb.)