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THE APOSTOLIC DIOCESE OF CEYLON
An Introduction
The Apostolic Diocese of Ceylon (ADC), established in 1991, is a denomination dedicated to serving, uplifting, and empowering the body of Christ to fulfill the Lord's commission and advance His kingdom purposes. Under the leadership of Rt. Rev. Dr. Kirby de Lanerolle, ADC’s revived mandate aims to establish bishopric governance within free churches. The ADC currently episcopates over 600 churches establishing the Diocese as one of the largest Christian denominations nationally. As the Independent and autonomous free church movement was growing; The necessity for leadership and representation was a national concern. After discussions with the free church community and government leaders the ADC took the pioneering step to invite already existing independent churches to come under one umbrella. In July of 2015 under the auspices of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Honorable Ranil Wickremasinghe and the Minister of Christian Affairs Hon John Amaratunge; The ADC launched its first steps envisioning the first Diocese for already existing free churches nationally. Within the last year the ADC is in training of close to 150 free churches to be a part of an Episcopal culture. It is the only diocese that offers episcopal governance for free churches with an institute to train and educate clergy. A part of the ADC vision is to bring back certain episcopal traditions that were lost in the progression of the charismatic revival.
Who we are
The ADC is the Sri Lanka branch of the Indian National Apostolic Diocese (INAD), which is the largest government sanctioned Diocese for Free Churches in India with over 11,500 churches to its name. It is headed by Bishop Paul T. Maran, who ordained Rt. Reverend Dr. Kirby de Lanerolle as Chief Overseer of the ADC in a ceremony held in July 2015. of Special Projects Felix Perera.
Accolades
Member of IIADS (11,500 Churches)
670 Churches Locally
400 Students in ADC School
Presidential Environmental Award
Swarnadeepa Golden Award
MASSCO Award
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The ADC follows a 4-step approach to verify and qualify pastors who would like to come under its covering. Please fill out the downloadable PDF to proceed.
Social work
Christmas party with the children of the Nelly Tree Project (2024 Dec 14)
Speeches
Who We Are
Bishop Kirby de Lanerolle
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Statement Of Faith
What is the Role of a ‘Free Church’?
A significant aspect of a free church is its ability to function without the denominational barriers and colonial influences that previously constrained it. When it's free, the church can serve an individual community and nation with effective sensitivity.
A part of the ADC mission is to set up a structure of governance based on the five-fold ministry – namely Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists. If these five offices are not established the body of Christ in that area becomes weakened and dysfunctional; hence the principal mission of the ADC is to identify the five-fold ministry and strengthen it within the Free Churches, as a necessary step towards promoting functionality within the Kingdom of God.
Reconciliation between Faiths
With the guidance of Rt. Rev. Dr. Kirby de Lanerolle The ADC also aims to operate as a solution based ministry and a tool of reconciliation between faiths. INA Diocese has appointed Bishop Kirby de Lanerolle as the secretary for inter-religious harmony. The Sri Lankan population comprises of a variety of religions and ethnicities that coexist within one cultural spectrum, and yet the history of this nation has been marred by religious and ethnic conflict. Identifying itself as a ‘Ministry of Reconciliation”, the ADC aspires to bridge the gap in serving the nation together by promoting inter-religious dialogue through its various social programs.
Social work
Established since 2011 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Kirby and his wife Fiona, The Warehouse Project is non-profit organisation that is designed to serve society by providing educational and support programs to underprivileged youth. The objective of this undertaking is to facilitate creative solutions for urban community problems through arts, entrepreneurship and micro-financing, ensuring that all those in need are served regardless of class, race, or religion. Standing true to its vision, the ADC hopes to promote interfaith dialogue through The Warehouse Project, which embodies the prospect of social and religious harmony in the nation. The dedicated service of the Management team of the TWP has earned them the respect of leaders of other religious organizations that honoured the heart of reconciliation administered by the project initiative. Rt. Rev. Dr. Kirby was awarded a national accolade by the Buddhist prelates as “Deshaabimana” for his service, a title rarely given to Christians.
Sri Lanka is primarily a Buddhist nation, and yet many faiths exist within its boundaries. The true scope of interreligious harmony can only be achieved once each faith is respectful and considerate of the other. The Warehouse Project is one of the many steps that will be taken by the ADC to ensure a safe and secure environment of reconciliation in hope, faith and honour amongst the nation. This program is done in the Spirit, promoting interfaith dialogue. The TWP works with Venerable Kolonnawa Narada of the Sri Narada Foundation.
For the past couple of years, The Warehouse Project has been working with the temple to promote better living standards, laying the groundwork through its Education Program for the poor and needy children in Colombo. The objective is to provide knowledge in the fields of IT, English, Mathematics and Science and Linguistics while providing facilities for extracurricular activities. Currently over a 100 children benefit from the Educational Programs which focus on total personality development.
A daily meal is also provided free for the children with the program.
Providing relief to flood-affected areas island-wide.
(In partnership with the Red Cross) Taining and educating trishaw drivers in first aid and crucial life-saving skills, enabling them to provide immediate assistance in emergency situations.
Improved waste management and recycling initiatives have been implemented in Sri Lanka to curb the effects of the surge in solid waste generation caused by rapid urbanization.
Skill development for hairdressers, enhancement of products by entrepreneurs, enhancing the skills of underprivileged minorities in the beauty industry, promotion of entrepreneurial skills in prisons, and training programs in the food and beverage industry are being carried out in rural regions of Sri Lanka.
Face mask distribution initiatives, dry food distribution programs, based on the directives of the Governor of the Western Province aiming to provide essential dry food and support to individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic along with recurring dental clinic programs are also carried out.
Projects aimed at enhancing the nutritional needs and health awareness of expectant mothers and the repairing and renovating homes for the elderly, ensuring they have safe, comfortable, and well-maintained living environments.
After School Educational Programmes
Scholarships
Vocational Training
Other services
Overview
Established since 2011 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Kirby and his wife Fiona, The Warehouse Project is non-profit organisation that is designed to serve society by providing educational and support programs to underprivileged youth. The objective of this undertaking is to facilitate creative solutions for urban community problems through arts, entrepreneurship and micro-financing, ensuring that all those in need are served regardless of class, race, or religion. Standing true to its vision, the ADC hopes to promote interfaith dialogue through The Warehouse Project, which embodies the prospect of social and religious harmony in the nation. The dedicated service of the Management team of the TWP has earned them the respect of leaders of other religious organizations that honoured the heart of reconciliation administered by the project initiative. Rt. Rev. Dr. Kirby was awarded a national accolade by the Buddhist prelates as “Deshaabimana” for his service, a title rarely given to Christians.
Sri Lanka is primarily a Buddhist nation, and yet many faiths exist within its boundaries. The true scope of interreligious harmony can only be achieved once each faith is respectful and considerate of the other. The Warehouse Project is one of the many steps that will be taken by the ADC to ensure a safe and secure environment of reconciliation in hope, faith and honour amongst the nation. This program is done in the Spirit, promoting interfaith dialogue. The TWP works with Venerable Kolonnawa Narada of the Sri Narada Foundation.
After School Educational Programmes
For the past couple of years, The Warehouse Project has been working with the temple to promote better living standards, laying the groundwork through its Education Program for the poor and needy children in Colombo. The objective is to provide knowledge in the fields of IT, English, Mathematics and Science and Linguistics while providing facilities for extracurricular activities. Currently over a 100 children benefit from the Educational Programs which focus on total personality development. The management has recruited the services of paid and voluntary teachers who conduct lessons on a daily basis. The heart of TWP is to prosper and bless the youth of nation with the right blend of education that focuses on love, care and honour. A daily meal is also provided free for the children with the program.
Scholarships
Furthermore, The Warehouse Project offers children around the Island annual scholarships along with additional facilities to enhance their intercultural communication skills through the performing arts. Programs are underway to promote the children’s dancing, drama and aesthetic skills to international standards.
Vocational Training and Other services
The Warehouse Project has introduced a vocational training program, in order to open up avenues of employment. School leavers are hence trained in Coffee Shop and Hair Styling programs. In addition the Project aims to support those engaged in self-employment and small business ventures and also provides medical services, legal advice and leadership training to those in need. TWP also provides dental Clinics and Eye Camps for both children and adults in the community.
සියලු ආගම්වල අයිතිය සුරකින
බවට හිටපු ජනපතිගෙන් ප්රතිඥා
President Affirms Protection
of Religious Rights under the Constitution
