Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches

Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches
Abbreviation STBC
Classification Protestant
Orientation Calvinist
Scripture Bible
Polity Congregational
Associations
Region Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana
Language Telugu
Headquarters Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
Founder American Baptist Foreign Mission Society
Congregations 1,214[2]
Members 844,150 baptized[3]
Church buildings Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad

Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches (STBC) is a Protestant church society with Baptist orientation in the three states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu in India. The churches are part of the Telugu Christian community of Southern India. Its language is Telugu. It is affiliated to the Baptist World Alliance (BWA),[4] the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and the World Council of Churches (WCC). The Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches consists of 1,214 churches and 844,150 baptized members.[5]

History

American Baptists started missionary work in South India among Telugu-speaking people in 1836. In 1887 the existing churches were organized into the Convention of Telugu Baptist Churches. In 1962 the convention became the Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches, with a unanimously adopted constitution. It was registered in 1963.

Activities

Evangelism and the development of Christianity in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu States are at the heart of the STBC. It runs educational institutions, hospitals, health centres and one theological seminary, in Ramapatnam. There are five degree colleges, eight junior colleges, 14 high schools and 14 primary schools. The STBC has 4,500 Sunday schools with an enrolment of some 72,000 children.

The STBC strongly favours interdenominational cooperation through the regional Councils of Churches in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI). It participates actively in the programme of retreat and training centres of the Councils of Churches, for the training of voluntary church workers. It is involved in the work of the Henry Martin Institute of Islamic Studies in Hyderabad and the Christian Medical College in Vellore. It supports the Student Christian Movement and the United Mission Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Arogyavaram.

Theological college

The Andhra Christian Theological College is an interdenominational theological college at Hyderabad is affiliated with the Serampore University, Kolkata.

Notes

  1. ↑ Chennai, Nellore, Nellore, Udayagiri, Allur, Kavali, Ramayapatnam.
  2. ↑ Ongole, Addanki, Donakonda, Podili, Kanigiri, Kandukur.
  3. ↑ Guntur, Bapatla, Vijayawada, Madhira, Sattenapalli, Narasaraopet, Gurazala, Vinukonda.
  4. ↑ Kurnool, Nandyal, Cumbum, Markapur.
  5. ↑ Secunderabad, Jangaon, Suryapet, Nalgonda, Hanumakonda.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 K. J. W. Jayakumar (Compiled), The Lights That Never Quench - Baptist Missionaries, Self published by the author, Nellore, 2008, p.132.
  2. ↑ http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/samavesam-of-telugu-baptist-churches
  3. ↑ http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/samavesam-of-telugu-baptist-churches
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
  5. ↑ http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/samavesam-of-telugu-baptist-churches

Further reading

  • A. John Prabhakar (2016). "Preaching Contextually: A Case with Rural Dalits in India".
  • T. Punnaiah (2010). "My Memoir, Ministry and Message".
  • K. J. W. Jayakumar (Compiled) (2008). "The Lights That Never Quench - Baptist Missionaries".
  • R. Joseph (2003). "A History of the Telugu Baptist Churches (American Baptist Mission)".
  • R. Joseph, B. Suneel Bhanu (Compiled) (1993). "Bibliography of Original Christian Writings in India in Telugu".
  • American Baptist Historical Society (1968). "Foundations: A Baptist Journal of History and Theology". 11-12.
  • David Downie (1924). "The Lone Star: A History of the Telugu Mission of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.