A TRIBUTE TO OUR FOUNDERS
Rev. Sophia Mackertich
Rev. (Mrs.) Sophia Mackertich, Founder-Pastor of Bethel Chapel, Khurda Road for nearly forty years was called to glory on the 1″ October, 1991. Born on the 13th December, 1905 young Sophia came to India in 1929 from Iran,where she had lost her husband,and had a vision of Christ, beckoning her to come upto Him,in her time of deep sorrow. At Calcutta,she worked as an Armenian teacher in the La Martiniere Girls School where she came into contact with a godly Armenian lady who led her to a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Sophia, during a cottage prayer meeting one day wept bitterly, as she saw all her sins written on the wall. After that experience of repentance, she had a great spiritual hunger and asked the Lord to enable her to read the English Bible. She would spend hours on her knees and the Lord sanctified her day by day and filled her with His Holy Spirit. In the early 1950’s God called her to full-time ministry and she often recalled how she saw, as itwere, flames of fire on her fingers and thumb of both her hands, while in prayer. She visited Khurda Road along with Mrs. Phyllis Watts and Rev.B Charles in those early years. After much fasting and prayer, the Lord enabled Pastor Sophie Mack (as she was fondly known) toget on rent the entire Bethel Chapel building and in 1960, she founded theMission Primary School in the same campus with the help of herson, Mr. James Aidinyantz. Pastor Sophie Mack was ordained by the Assemblies God of North India in 1970 and Bethel Chapel was affiliated with the A.G.N.I in the same year. Pastor Sophie Mack had a powerful ministry of evangelism in many places in various parts of India, besides shepherding the flock at Bethel Chapel. Many were saved, healed and delivered and many received the infilling of the Holy Spirit under her ministry.
Mr. James Aidinyantz
She always said, “It is better to be faithful than
to be famous.” And she lived true to her calling to serve
sacrificially at Bethel Chapel, never depending on the Church, but with her son’s support. She preached on the very last Sunday before her home-going on Hebrews Chapter II and kept up her fasting every week-end to the last one.She always said, “It is better to be faithful than to be famous.” And she lived true to her calling to serve sacrificially at Bethel Chapel, never depending on the Church, but with her son’s support. She preached on the very last Sunday before her home-going on Hebrews Chapter II and kept up her fasting every week-end to the last one.
A great woman of God, Rev. Sophie Mack, who was also the Founder of Mission School, will always be remembered for her courageous determination and dedication, her unshakable faith, her passion for souls and her prevailing prayer. Her heart was always filled with compassion for the poor and down-trodden and she gave liberally and sacrificially to the needs of others. Her knowledge of God’s Word was so deep and rich, that even through her eyesight got dim, she could preach confidently, for she had stored up God’s Word in her heart, through the years.
The story of the exemplary life and witness of this precious soldier of the Cross, will be etched in letters of gold in the pages of eternity. She has handed the baton to us, to carry on the work of building God’s Kingdom in this part of His Vineyard, until Jesus returns.
On the occasion of this Golden Jubilee Celebration, we pay our rich tributes to our Founders, Rev. Sophia Mackertich and her son, Mr. James Aidinyantz, Former Chief Engineer, IISCO, Bumpur, for his generous heart and sacrificial service.
Dr. Anoop V. Ambrose
Chairman,
Mission School
Dear Mrs. Arline D’Souza,
Kudos on your achievement of completing fifty years of dedicated and loyal services at
Mission School, both as a teacher and then, as the Headmistress!
May the spirit of excellence continue to pervade every area of the School administration
under your leadership and may the students, the stars of Mission School, continue to
shine brightly, as they rise to their fullest potential and do their Alma Mater proud!
Congrats! The Management of Mission School holds you in high esteem!
May God shower His choicest blessings upon you and the Mission School family!
Dr. Anoop V. Ambrose
Chairman, Mission School
Jatani.
MRS. ANITA AIDINYANTZ
Secretary
Mission School, Jatani
Adminstration
It is an honour and privilege to compile our Golden Jubilee Souvenir and in so doing as I reminisce over the past years. I remember our humble beginnings – 18 little students eyes focussed and ears tuned as I addressed the small Assembly on 5th March, 1967.Right now, it is with a sense of pride that I see our children make it into this First issue of our School Magazine. Incredible Talent! While penning this report on MISSION SCHOOL, I recall the famous adage “Great Oaks from Little acorns grow” and as I look back it would be appropriate to associate that little acorn to the seed of commitment our Founding Fathers planted in everyone who passed through the Portals of this institution.MISSION SCHOOL was established on the auspicious date 15th August 1960 by the Late Rev.Mrs.Sophie Mackertich and her son, Late Mr. James Aidinyantz.The School grew slowly and steadily.With the sad and sudden demise of Our Founding Fathers Rev. Mrs. Sophie Mackertich in 1991 and Mr. James Aidinyantz in 1997, Mission School felt a great loss and for us, who remember these generous souls the void was Immense.With the sad and sudden demise Our Founding Fathers Rev. Mrs. Sophie Mackertich in 1991 and Mr. James Aidinyantz in 1997, Mission School felt a great loss and for us, who remember these generous souls the void was Immense. However, great are God’s plans! Mission School was soon under the wings of Mrs. Anita Aidinyantz, an eminent educationist and Founder of many well established Schools, one such School – Bethany School,Visakhapatnam now accredited as a Global School. Under her able guidance there was no looking back. MISSION SCHOOL grew from strength to strength! The Great Oak stood the test of TIME!
During her tenure as Secretary these are and will be a few milestones in the History of MISSION SCHOOL, JATNI.
08-08-1996
No Objection Certificate from the Government of Orissa to upgrade the School to Secondary level 23-10-1997
MISSION SCHOOL receives provisional Affiliation to the Council for the ISC Examinations, New Delhi 18-09-2000
MISSION SCOOL receives Permanent Affiliation to the Council for the ISC Examinations, New Delhi
Overall development will always be her priority.
The Mission School family has grown and with a roll strength of 663 students, we are committed to high levels of excellence in every field – moulding and motivating high moral values and inculcating the urge to raise the efficiency bar in every respect of sound education.
To our Students Dream and work hard to make that dream a reality. Yes, you can! you have so much potential, you can climb the ladder of success – every rung taking you closer to your Goal, You are the pillars of this Institution and on your tender shoulders rests the responsibility of keeping the MISSION SCHOOL Banner flying High. You are our future and we are committed to Building A Better India by Building Better boys and girls through love and labour. You have done us proud on many occasions. Keep up the good work!
To our Students’ Parents : Thank you for entrusting your children into our care. I ‘assure you’ on behalf of our Staff, that we will not leave any stone unturned in the over-all Development of your children. Thank you for your continued co-operation and may God Bless you with the grace to nurture your lovely children to be great human beings. Spend quality time Children love to be heard and appreciated. My earnest request to you is “BUILD BRIDGES, NOT WALLS”. Reach out to your children – giver them time to express their feelings. It will surely make a difference to them.’ I take this opportunity to thank every member of our Teaching Staff – Past & Present who have excelled in their role of imparting knowledge. Thank you for your steadfast co-opeation as we work shoulder to shoulder for the Glory of God and the Honour of MISSION SCHOOL. A very special thanks to our Helper Staff, Security and every helping hand that has made a difference to this Institution. There have been trying times, hurdles to cross, undue criticism but nothing was too big or too grave – God cleared every obstacle and MISSION SCHOOL, the GREAT OAK stands as a testimony to HIS FAITHFULNESS and the goodwill of the people of Jatni.
Our deep gratitude to members of our School Board – especially to our Chairman Mrs. Rose Ambrose an eminent educationist and Founder Principal of the chain of Public Schools in Sunabeda, Jeypore, and Koraput. Her valuable contribution in prayer & guidance for the success of our School is greatly appreciated. Let us respect our children and help build their self esteem. Let us appreciate their attributes, be it Sports,academics or even art. A balance of talent and participation in Co-curricular activities helps a student face challenges and gain confidence.
Let us not rest on our past laurels; Let us continue to strive for excellence.
The BEST is yet to come!
Headmistress
A MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION
During a life time of teaching in Mission School, spanning 50 years. Our Headmistress, Mrs. Arline D’souza is loved by the Staff, Students and Parents alike and has received rich tributes and messages of appreciation. Her deep love for teaching is epitomised in the completion of 50 years of service in Mission School Jatani, which has qualified her among a small number of Teachers and Administrators to complete a Teaching Career spanning 50 years and one of the few in the Country to have done so at the same School.
Her sensitivity to those who need help, her pleasant and helpful manners, excellent teaching capabilities and her commitment to passing on the highest standards to Students and Staff are among her fine qualities It’s a pleasure to see her face light up whenever she meets former students. She also has a great rapport with Parents
A quality to be admired in her is her insight into the minds of Students and Teachers. She can recognise immediately the dodger, the worker, the effort maker Lovely qualities and a great advantage for a Headmistress
To us, Teachers and Office Staff, she has been a wonderful Administrator Leader and Friend She is everything one could look for in a good mentor She groomed us to be sound professionals and made working with her an interesting and memorable experience. We will always be grateful to her for her support and kindness towards us
“Thank you ,Ma’am” for being such a great role model, for opening our eyes to new vistas of opportunity and strength. Your perseverance, integrity and loving nature are just a few of your qualities that continue to inspire us. We have learned from you the values of tolerance, patience and dedication. From weakness to strength, from grass to grace, the knowledge you have imparted to us will be a great asset throughout our careers. You are an icon of sincerity and devotion, as well as a great philanthropist
May God continue to shower his blessings on you and may you enjoy many more years of contentment and fulfilment May His peace always surround you.
With warm regards,
Sophia Leake
(Headmistress )