Foundation of Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association

The Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association is the oldest of the National Missionary movements in India. It was entirely indigenous in its origin, growth and development. It covers its origin as a result of the enduring vision of a small band of twelve devoted men who gathered for prayer in the upper room of the Kallissery Kadavil Malika (Chengannur) in Kerala, on the banks of the River Pamba . Kadavil Malika is now under the possession and ownership of MTEA, which is being maintained as scared place and prayer hall of historical importance. The founding fathers whose names are given below were empowered by the Holy Spirit like the disciples of Jesus Christ, in the wake of the reformation movement pioneered by Abraham Malpan, the Martin Luther of the East to launch out in the deep for a missionary thrust in the South. The Church thus awoke to its missionary task and thus was founded the Malabar Mar Thoma Syrian Christian Evangelistic Association on 5th Sept.1888. It was registered as a company in 1904 as per the provisions of the Companies Act of 1882 and all along it has remained as a valiant Missionary wing of the Church.

1 Kottarathil Thomas Kasseessa, Chengannur 2 Edavamvelil Mathai, Eraviperoor. 3 Kottooreth Yohannan, Chengannur 4 Chempakasseril Abraham, Kallissery 5 Chakkalayil Cherian Upadesi, Puthencavu 6 Chempakasseril Mathew, Kallissery. 7 Azhakinal Thommi, Kallooppara 8 Nathaniel Upadesi, Chengannur 9 Kurichiath (Vattadiyil) Ittiyavara, Niranam 10 Arangat Philipose, Maramon 11 Ottaplammoottil Kunju Mathew, Kallissery 12 Kochumannil Skariah, Edayaranmula

Kadavil Malika Renovated on Saturday the 10th September 2005 MEDITATION CENTRE OF M T E A

113 Years have now elapsed since its inception and the Association has grown far beyond the dreams and imaginations of the founding Fathers.. Rapid strides of progress have been made in evangelistic endeavors of the Church in Kerala and outside. This spectacular growth in the mission centers spread all over India from the Tibetan Border in the North to Cape Comrin in the South was achieved through the untiring efforts, devotion, commitment and missionary zeal of our Revered Bishops, Clergy, Evangelists and laymen all through the decades of its growth and expansion.

Down the centuries the Church has chosen various times and occasions as mile stones and set targets to finish the unfinished task of Evangelisation. The time has now come for an honest evaluation and assessment of the pit falls and draw backs of the mission endeavors of the Church and M.T.E.A as a whole and draw out a blue print for a major and meaningful thrust in our evangelistic efforts in India under the guidance of the Holy spirit as we are on the threshold of a new century and a new millennium. There are thousands of un-reached people groups, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Tribals etc., besides urban challenges to be faced on a scale undreamt of in the past. Our slums have become enters of oppression, violence and sin. People belonging to Dalit sections need our attention and care. They have to be rightly challenged and motivated to improve their lot. Our mission centers have to be quipped to become "Vibrant Nerve Centers" radiating Christian love and concern for the total emancipation and up-liftment of the lowliest and the lost.

Valuchirackal Avarachan One of the founders of MTEA

The M.T.E.A is duty bound to take up this challenge and to take such steps that are necessary to give concrete shape and content to a major project aimed at the revival and the awakening of the Church, from the grass root level, to concentrate the youth to this great task an to launch out "a missionary crusade" in this new millennium with the deliberate objective of reaching the un-reached peoples and groups in India with the Gospel in the coming decades of this new century.