_RESTORATION OF THE LORD’S CHURCH IN INDIA
I. INDIA – Evangelism - 1st Century to till today 2011.
The Apostle Thomas was the first to preach Christ in India. He was followed by Bartholomew, who took the book of Mathew with him (See International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, and p. 406 and Vol. 5, p.2973. 1939 Edition). India’s Christians believe this is historical fact, nor mere tradition. Many people from around the world, visit India, (Madras) Chennai saw the mount hear Madras (Chennai) where it is said that Thomas was killed by a Hindu. In a third of a century, the Gospel went to every creature (Colossians 1:23) that included India, an ancient land mentioned in the Bible (Esther 1:1). In A.D.165 the church at Alexandria Egypt sent Pantaenus to India. He said Thomas and Bartholomew planted churches in India.
50 A.D: Later new trade routes discovered to India by AD 50, many came, got several persecuted, very few survived to work, later the “falling away” foretold in the Bible, gradual change produced the Roman Catholic Church, their missionaries entered, in 1913, by 17th and 18th centuries brought many protestant missionaries from Europe to India. Americans, Canadians and others came in 1821. More than 100 denominations have come to India from 1886 to 1907.
II.1963: CHURCHES OF CHRIST served in India in 20th century, Indigenous Restoration began with tribal areas, and CIRCUMSTANCES made India ready in 1963, J.C. Bailey at his 60 entered India on April 25th, 1963. Many Denominations had laid a ground work in teaching great respect for the Bible and Christ. The multiplying of different kinds of denominations made it clear that the three percent of Christians, others 97 percent never reach, the three percent was divided a hundred ways. Many gladly heard the pleas for NEW Testament Christianity with unity in Christ’s one body, His Church. Many Denominational Preachers and Christian obeyed.
III. 1967. K.B.B. Chandrapaul was baptized by Bro. J.C. Bailey., when he was 17 years old; He was in Preacher Training College called Sunset School of Preaching from 1967-1971. This college class started with 400, 14 graduated and eight were chosen & supported to preach in major cities of India. Chandrapaul was one of the original eight chosen to Preach. As many as four Preacher Training Colleges were developed out of this class.
IV. 1970 Bro. Charles Scott was invited by Bro. J.C. Bailey to come to India. Bro. Chandrapaul and Bro. Scott worked together especially in North India, also working with American visitors, as travel guide and translator. In this connection, by the providence of God, happened to meet, work together with Bro. Jack Cox and Sister Zonelle Cox, from 1981 to 2000.
V. 1982: Jack Cox was carried by Charles Scott to India. Jack Cox & Chandrapaul worked together in villages every year when the decision was made to begin Preacher Training Institute. Because several people are obeying the Lord, they need to educate them, so educated preachers are needed.
VI. 1990: Decision was made to build Preacher Training Institute and construction was started. The Institute was named “The Northside Sayre Training Institute” (The N.S.T. Institute) after the supporting congregations at that time.
VII. 1991: 6 weeks and 3 months courses Preacher Training began, 3 months course each batch 20 to 30 students joined. 6 weeks course yearly once in summer 50 to 80 students joined. These two batches are mostly very evangelistic, all religions, all denominations may join. Once they joined their lives are changing. Mostly small denominations, independent small churches preachers attending and turning to be the Lord’s Churches.
VIII. 1992: Orphanage & Widows Home began with 20 children, because Sister Zonelle Cox visited some street children talked to them at Bus stations and Railway stations. She felt the need for it. And also at the widows learning the word, some professional course according to their desire, education, and age, and also began to serve the Orphan Children.
IX. 1992: English Medium (Speaking) School started from L.K.G. to 10th grade, for some reasons, neighborhood, congregation members requested, and we needed for our orphan Children too.
X. 1995: Christian Marriage Bureau Started, because of the services needed to the Christian families and the newly developing congregations. Because of this we are able to meet several newly converted to denominations and to the Lord’s Church and also we are able to lead them to the Lord and His Kingdom.
XI. 1984: Print Operation Began in North India, Bihar, Ranchi city all that carried to Vijayawada in 1987 Dec. We used all old style letter setting, later changed to Baby Offset Printing now.
XII. 2000: Leoma Church of Christ began support with Robert Morris (Trustee) Arliss Gray (Chairman Trustee – replacing Jack Cox, Titus was appointed as Trustee and began work with the Institute. Indian Trustees at this time are Chandrapaul and his wife Kumari and his son, Titus. American Trustees are Arliss Gray, Robert Morris and Zonelle Cox (Jack Cox’s wife).
Two-Year Preacher Training class started. This is additional training for those who have finished the 3 month/6 week training. Along with Bible training they are given vocational training as a means of financially supporting themselves and their families.
XIII. 2002: Jack Cox passed away (April 8, 1924 – May 7, 2002). In the same year the NST Institute changed to Jack Nelle Institute, in the giving honor to them, as “...that rule will be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” I Timothy 5: 17.
XIX. 2003: Institute Recognized by the Government of India for FCRA and Income tax exemption etc., and all related for the Institute by the Government.
XX. 2006. First Magazine Published, currently Print 5000 copies per month in two languages, English and Telugu. It is a communication with our Training Graduates, new Churches, new Christians etc., also for evangelism by the readers.
XXI. 1984, 1991, English Speaking School started in Bihar, Ranchi, in 1984, and re-started in 1991, recognized by the Government in 2007.
XXII. 2010: One Indian Trustee Bro. P. Vijaya Babu & One American Trustee Zonelle Rainbolt (Elder Daughter of Bro. Jack Cox) added, in the Trust Board to replace her mother, Nelle Cox. Also, Jay Dryden was appointed as Trustee.
XXIII. 2011: Current Statistics:
Orphans: started with 20, At Present 78, Total Children to date 688.
English School: Started with 50, Now 300, Total about 3000.
Total Bible trained in 6 weeks, 3 months, 2 years, 3010..(6 weeks 1213 + 3 months 1469 + 2 Years 328 = 3010)
XXIV: 2011: Junior College (two years College) started with Government Approval, a very good welcome from the community, churches, and families.
XXV: 2011: Robert Morris requested to be removed as Trustee. Lynnwood Cockerham (reporting Deacon over India Mission at Madison Church of Christ), who have supported the work in India for ten years, graciously accepted the role of American Trustee.
XXVI: Current American Trustees: Arliss Gray (Chairman), Jay Dryden, Lynnwood Cockerham and Zonelle Rainbolt. Current Indian Trustees: K.B.B. Chandrapaul (Chairman), K. Titus Bharath, K. Kumari Kims, P. Vijaya Babu.
I. INDIA – Evangelism - 1st Century to till today 2011.
The Apostle Thomas was the first to preach Christ in India. He was followed by Bartholomew, who took the book of Mathew with him (See International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, and p. 406 and Vol. 5, p.2973. 1939 Edition). India’s Christians believe this is historical fact, nor mere tradition. Many people from around the world, visit India, (Madras) Chennai saw the mount hear Madras (Chennai) where it is said that Thomas was killed by a Hindu. In a third of a century, the Gospel went to every creature (Colossians 1:23) that included India, an ancient land mentioned in the Bible (Esther 1:1). In A.D.165 the church at Alexandria Egypt sent Pantaenus to India. He said Thomas and Bartholomew planted churches in India.
50 A.D: Later new trade routes discovered to India by AD 50, many came, got several persecuted, very few survived to work, later the “falling away” foretold in the Bible, gradual change produced the Roman Catholic Church, their missionaries entered, in 1913, by 17th and 18th centuries brought many protestant missionaries from Europe to India. Americans, Canadians and others came in 1821. More than 100 denominations have come to India from 1886 to 1907.
II.1963: CHURCHES OF CHRIST served in India in 20th century, Indigenous Restoration began with tribal areas, and CIRCUMSTANCES made India ready in 1963, J.C. Bailey at his 60 entered India on April 25th, 1963. Many Denominations had laid a ground work in teaching great respect for the Bible and Christ. The multiplying of different kinds of denominations made it clear that the three percent of Christians, others 97 percent never reach, the three percent was divided a hundred ways. Many gladly heard the pleas for NEW Testament Christianity with unity in Christ’s one body, His Church. Many Denominational Preachers and Christian obeyed.
III. 1967. K.B.B. Chandrapaul was baptized by Bro. J.C. Bailey., when he was 17 years old; He was in Preacher Training College called Sunset School of Preaching from 1967-1971. This college class started with 400, 14 graduated and eight were chosen & supported to preach in major cities of India. Chandrapaul was one of the original eight chosen to Preach. As many as four Preacher Training Colleges were developed out of this class.
IV. 1970 Bro. Charles Scott was invited by Bro. J.C. Bailey to come to India. Bro. Chandrapaul and Bro. Scott worked together especially in North India, also working with American visitors, as travel guide and translator. In this connection, by the providence of God, happened to meet, work together with Bro. Jack Cox and Sister Zonelle Cox, from 1981 to 2000.
V. 1982: Jack Cox was carried by Charles Scott to India. Jack Cox & Chandrapaul worked together in villages every year when the decision was made to begin Preacher Training Institute. Because several people are obeying the Lord, they need to educate them, so educated preachers are needed.
VI. 1990: Decision was made to build Preacher Training Institute and construction was started. The Institute was named “The Northside Sayre Training Institute” (The N.S.T. Institute) after the supporting congregations at that time.
VII. 1991: 6 weeks and 3 months courses Preacher Training began, 3 months course each batch 20 to 30 students joined. 6 weeks course yearly once in summer 50 to 80 students joined. These two batches are mostly very evangelistic, all religions, all denominations may join. Once they joined their lives are changing. Mostly small denominations, independent small churches preachers attending and turning to be the Lord’s Churches.
VIII. 1992: Orphanage & Widows Home began with 20 children, because Sister Zonelle Cox visited some street children talked to them at Bus stations and Railway stations. She felt the need for it. And also at the widows learning the word, some professional course according to their desire, education, and age, and also began to serve the Orphan Children.
IX. 1992: English Medium (Speaking) School started from L.K.G. to 10th grade, for some reasons, neighborhood, congregation members requested, and we needed for our orphan Children too.
X. 1995: Christian Marriage Bureau Started, because of the services needed to the Christian families and the newly developing congregations. Because of this we are able to meet several newly converted to denominations and to the Lord’s Church and also we are able to lead them to the Lord and His Kingdom.
XI. 1984: Print Operation Began in North India, Bihar, Ranchi city all that carried to Vijayawada in 1987 Dec. We used all old style letter setting, later changed to Baby Offset Printing now.
XII. 2000: Leoma Church of Christ began support with Robert Morris (Trustee) Arliss Gray (Chairman Trustee – replacing Jack Cox, Titus was appointed as Trustee and began work with the Institute. Indian Trustees at this time are Chandrapaul and his wife Kumari and his son, Titus. American Trustees are Arliss Gray, Robert Morris and Zonelle Cox (Jack Cox’s wife).
Two-Year Preacher Training class started. This is additional training for those who have finished the 3 month/6 week training. Along with Bible training they are given vocational training as a means of financially supporting themselves and their families.
XIII. 2002: Jack Cox passed away (April 8, 1924 – May 7, 2002). In the same year the NST Institute changed to Jack Nelle Institute, in the giving honor to them, as “...that rule will be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” I Timothy 5: 17.
XIX. 2003: Institute Recognized by the Government of India for FCRA and Income tax exemption etc., and all related for the Institute by the Government.
XX. 2006. First Magazine Published, currently Print 5000 copies per month in two languages, English and Telugu. It is a communication with our Training Graduates, new Churches, new Christians etc., also for evangelism by the readers.
XXI. 1984, 1991, English Speaking School started in Bihar, Ranchi, in 1984, and re-started in 1991, recognized by the Government in 2007.
XXII. 2010: One Indian Trustee Bro. P. Vijaya Babu & One American Trustee Zonelle Rainbolt (Elder Daughter of Bro. Jack Cox) added, in the Trust Board to replace her mother, Nelle Cox. Also, Jay Dryden was appointed as Trustee.
XXIII. 2011: Current Statistics:
Orphans: started with 20, At Present 78, Total Children to date 688.
English School: Started with 50, Now 300, Total about 3000.
Total Bible trained in 6 weeks, 3 months, 2 years, 3010..(6 weeks 1213 + 3 months 1469 + 2 Years 328 = 3010)
XXIV: 2011: Junior College (two years College) started with Government Approval, a very good welcome from the community, churches, and families.
XXV: 2011: Robert Morris requested to be removed as Trustee. Lynnwood Cockerham (reporting Deacon over India Mission at Madison Church of Christ), who have supported the work in India for ten years, graciously accepted the role of American Trustee.
XXVI: Current American Trustees: Arliss Gray (Chairman), Jay Dryden, Lynnwood Cockerham and Zonelle Rainbolt. Current Indian Trustees: K.B.B. Chandrapaul (Chairman), K. Titus Bharath, K. Kumari Kims, P. Vijaya Babu.
