CHAPTER VI

DEVELOPMENT OF SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST

CHURCH IN ANDHRA PRADESH

239

Origin and Establishment

Seventh-day Adventist work in Andhra Pradesh is a fascinating

story. It is a story of men who, after accepting the SDA truth in Rangoon,

Burma returned to their native villages in Andhra Pradesh. They faced

arguments, hardships and privation in order to lay strong foundation for the

advent truth in Andhra Pradesh. From the humble beginnings in 1913-1914,

the work of the remnant church in the Telugu field has steadily prospered1.

Early Phase

The names of Elders H.W. Votaw and G.A. Hamilton must be written

in letters of gold in the annals of Seventh-day Adventist church in Andhra

Pradesh. They were instrumental in bringing Telugu men into the Adventist

Church in Burma and thus were responsible for the early beginnings in

Andhra Pradesh2.

Vagiri Jacob Joseph worked in the city of Rangoon as a post man.

He was originally from Jonnapalem, a village about five miles from Palakollu,

a little off the road to Bhimavaram. As a part of his duty as post man, V.J.

Joseph came into contact with two American missionaries at Rangoon namely

1 Kalapala J Moses. “Andhra Adventist Platinum Jubilee Souvenir,” Narsapur, 1990, P 48.

2 M S Prasada Rao, “Lest We Forget Andhra Section of Seventh Day Adventists, Narsapur, 1996, P.3.

240

Mrs.Votaw who was the sister of President Hardinge of the United States of

America and Elder Votaw who was at one time, the Federal Inspector of

Prisons of the United States of America. Since then, when ever Joseph had to

deliver letters to Votaw, he would stay with them for a little while and came

to know about the Seventh-day Sabbath truth. Their studies from the Bible

were so convincing that Joseph believed the truth but because of the work he

was doing, he did not step out to be baptized until several years later3.

Nalluri Bhushanam Solomon, a native of Pedapudi Village in Guntur

District, providentially came in contact with Elder H.H. Votaw in Rangoon.

After much study and discussion, N.B. Solomon was baptized into the SDA

church on December 19124. Elder Votaw mentioned about this historical event

in the Eastern Tidings of January 1913 as: “The First Telugu Convert to this

faith in all the empire of India was baptized recently.” Soon there after

N.B.Solomon returned to Pedapudi and was instrumental in converting

among others, a prominent young personality was P.J.Kelly of Pedapudi

village.

3 Ibid P.4. 4 Opcit P.49

241

D.C.Jacob, a friend and a classmate of N.B. Solomon was baptized

at Ongole by Elder.J.S.James in 1916. Writing on this historical event in the

Tidings of January 1916, Elder James mentioned it as “The first Telugu

baptized in his own country.” Thus both N.B.Solomon and V.Jacob became

the first Telugu converts. The former as “The First Telugu in all the empire of

India” and the latter as “the first Telugu baptized in his own country.”

(Andhra)

Formative Phase

Vagiri Jacob Benjamin (1885-1977), a teacher from Agarthipalem,

near Narsapur, left for Burma in February 1914 in response to a call from his

twin brother, Vagiri Jacob Joseph. V.Joseph, as a postman to the Votaws,

came under the influence of the Adventist church and called his brother from

home to know the Seventh Day Sabbath truth. Benjamin therefore sailed to

Burma on February 14, to seek for better employment and also to enquire

about this new truth. Benjamin studied the remnant truth with the Votaws

and was baptized, along with his young friend Thadi Lazarus from Koeru,

Palakol on October, 1914 in the royal lakes of Rangoon5.

5 “Eastern Tidings”., Oriental Watchman Publishing House, Pune, January 1916,P.6

242

Two young Telugu men who accepted the truth in Rangoon had gone

to their country near Vizagapatnam to carry the truth to their own people,

one of these men has a good education and developed into a strong soul

winner. He has been busy translating number of Adventist tracts hoping that

some day they will be published.

The article in the magazine, The Review and Herald of April 1922

gave a graphic account of Benjamin’s arrival in India and the hardships he

faced in sharing the remnant truth, first with his relatives and later to others6.

Contrary to what was expected of those who returned from Burma in those

days, Benjamin landed at home with only four rupees six annas and six paise

in his pocket. Seeing this, his wife Santhoshamma (1888-1957) cried: “How

are we to live?” then Benjamin recounted to his wife the story of Captain

Joseph Bates, the early pioneer of the Seventh day Adventist Church in

America, who brought home only a few pounds of flour instead of a barrelful.

Seeing this Mrs. Bates was in tears and cried out, “What are we going to do?”

Finally, Captain Bates wrote a Book and supported his family while giving

full time to teaching the Advent message. Likewise, Benjamin assured his

wife of financial support by selling fish and vegetable curries and the oil.

6 Review & Herald, 40:560, April 6, 1922.

243

Santhoshamma in coarse of time accepted Adventist beliefs and participated

in her husband’s plans of teaching the new-found truths to their relatives and

others7.

N.B.Solomon who was also baptized at Rangoon returned to India

in 1913 and went to his own village Pedapudi, a village near Tenali in the

Guntur district and preached the Adventist message to P.J.Kelly and brought

him to the new faith. Further, D.C.Jacob, a schoolmate and a close friend of

Solomon who was working as an officer in one of the rubber plantation at

Malacca, Malay states also heard of this new faith and was baptized into the

Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Nurturing Phase

In December 1914 two great events took place for the first time in the

India Union Mission. The General Conference President of SDA from

America visited India and a ministerial institute was conducted at the SDA

7 Kalapala J Moses. “Andhra Adventist Platinum Jubilee Souvenir,” Narsapur, 1990, P 48.

244

Head Quarters. Among the delegates that attended the conference, from

south India were N.B.Solomon and D.C.Jacob8.

About the same time Benjamin and Lazarus returned to India in

1914. Soon after his return from Rangoon, Lazarus as a good lay member,

preached the Adventist message in Rajahmundry, Peddapuram Samarlakota,

Kakinada and Vizagapatnam. While he was preaching in Samarlakota area, it

so happened that he lived in a Lutheran church building. When the leaders of

the Lutheran church learnt about this, they were upset and chased him from

the church building. Some Baptist people heard about the incident and came

to the rescue of Lazarus and gave him shelter. From then onwards, Lazarus

spread the Sabbath truth around Samalkota area.

About the same time, a young man by the name Ch Devasayham who

was working in Baptist mission school at Antervedipalem in east Godavari

District regularly visited M.Prakasham’s house and studied the SDA truths

along with Benjamin. After knowing the Advent truth, Devashyam left the

Baptist Mission work in 1915 and attended the Sabbath school service every

Sabbath Day at Antervedipalem. He became an active member of this new

8 M S Prasad Rao, “Lest We Forget” Andhra Section of Seventh Day Adventists, Narsapur,

1996, P.6

245

faith. Another young man by the name Ganta.N.Solomon, who was one of the

students of M.Prakasham also heard of the Advent message, left the Baptist

mission employment and joined Seventh Day Adventist Church9.

During the years 1915-20, many people accepted the SDA truth due

to the untiring efforts of N.B.Solomon, Pastor.V.J.Benjamin, and Thadi

Lazarus. During this time, Pastor Benjamin went to Agarthipalem, which is

his father in laws place and also to Jonnalapalem area which is his native

place and continued the evangelistic work. While he was doing evangelistic

work, it so happened that Benjamin visited Antervedipalem about six miles

from Sakinetipalli in east Godavari district and stayed in the house of M.

Prakasam for several weeks and taught him the Bible truth. Prakasham had a

younger brother by the name M.P.Daniel who was a teacher in Baptist school

in Anthervedi in East Godavari District. Benjamin preached Sabbath truth to

both the brothers and they were convinced about the Biblical truth.

When they were admitted to Adventist truth, the Baptist missionaries

dropped both Prakasam and Daniel from the Baptist mission employment.

The Prakasham’s continued to stay at Antervedipalem moving out of Baptist

9 Ibid, p. 17.

246

mission quarters into the house of Hindu gentleman and preached the new

faith to the local people.

As Daniel’s father threatened to disown him for he has left lucrative

job in Baptist church, sent his wife and little daughter to his father in law’s

place and continued to stay in Agarthipalem, He went to the rice fields to

work for his living. His father told his mother not to give Daniel food but the

mother’s heart could not, refrain so, she gave him food whenever it was

possible. As a result, Daniel missed some meals whenever his father was at

home. But, however, Daniel did not disheartened but continued to teach new

faith to the villagers when ever there was an opportunity. His father used to

sit at a distance in the dark not to be seen by others and listen to the

discussion very carefully. One night to the surprise of everybody Daniel’s

father came into the group, and told them that he had been listening to all the

discussions and was now convinced that his son was right .That night he told

his son how proud he was of him and received him back into the house and

told him to bring his family. Daniel brought his wife and his daughter back to

Agarthipalem and continued his ministry.

247

Growth and Development

By the year 1917 the new Adventist truth reached to many people

Northeran Coastal Andhra and the early pioneers started establishing the

SDA mission work by building churches and by organizing workers. By the

end of 1917 Mathi.Prakasham and Mathi. Daniel returned to their native

place after they have completed their theological training in Lucknow. Daniel

received a request from Antervedipalem to go over there to help the people

with writing of some documents. Daniel agreed on one condition that he and

his family would live in Kollabathula Sampson’s house. Samson was a

deacon and a sincere member of Baptist Church. Although he had already

heard the Sabbath truth, he had not accepted it yet. To receive help from

Daniel, Samson allowed Daniel to live in his house10.

Every Sabbath day Daniel would conduct Sabbath school in Samson’s

house. One day Daniel invited Samson and his wife to attend Sabbath

school. After attending the Sabbath school they liked it so much that they

continued to attend the Sabbath school and were baptized into SDA Church

in 1918. Similarly many of the pioneers attended this family Sabbath school

10

E.N Simon, Lakkvaram SDA Church Souvenir, Narsapur, 1986, P.24.

248

services. They include Ch.Devasahayam from Ramarajulanka K.S.Mathews

and G.N.Solomon from Anthervedi.

Samson’s wife is from a village called Lakkavaram which is six miles

from Anthervedi. The people around the place were Hindus. So Samson had

a burden to give the Sabbath message to those people. Accordingly Benjamin

and Daniel went to Lakkavaram and in the face of opposition they preached

unto them the Gospel. Early in 1919 M.Daniel shifted his family to

Lakkavaram. He did all his work without any remuneration from the SDA

mission. This work led Brethren Eswara Rao, E.S.Sudershanm,

K.Eestheramma, M.Sunderamma and Krupavathi the charter students of the

school to accept the new faith11.

Through Public Evangelism

The first public evangelistic meetings were held in Rajahmundry in

September, 1917. Writing in the Eastern Tidings of October 1, 1917, Elder

G.G. Lowry mentioned that “we have arranged for only one effort for the

present and have asked Brethren Solomon and Benjamin to work together.

They are working at Rajahmundry… this is the first Public Effort that has

11

Ibid.P.17.

249

ever been made in this great field.” The first public evangelistic meetings

attracted many young people, especially those undergoing seminary training

in the Lutheran Seminary. One of the students, by name G.C.Joseph who was

from Tharlapadu of Nellore District, not only accepted the remnant truth but

also pioneered the work around Korukonda, Srirangapatnam and

Narsapuram12.

Elder.W.W.Fletcher after his visit to Rajahmundry on March 25,

1918, has stated that N.B.Solomon started a school in Rajahmundry at

Danavaipet with 35 children attending the day classes and nearly that many

more mature class of young people for the evening classes.

Pastor.V.J.Benjamin was helping in the work at Rajahmundry until he was

moved to Antervedipalem in July 27, 191813. As early as October 1915 Elder

J.S.James translated some English tracts into Telugu while the booklet, Bible

readings were translated by Solomon and D.C.Jacob. Those translations have

received wide circulation in the SDA mission area.

12

K J Prasad Rao “Srirangapatnam SDA Church Swarnothsavamulu”. Srirangapatnam,

1914.P.2 13

I.bid., P.3

250

THROUGH MISSION STATIONS

Seventh-day Adventist truth was shared by the early pioneers in

the places where they have their relatives, as a result this new truth was

spread rapidly. Some of the important areas where this message was spread

are:

West Godavari: Elurupadu and Bhimavaram area

The South Telugu Mission by the beginning of the year 1921 had

two Sabbath Schools with a membership of 85 and church membership of 35

with one evangelist and three teachers. Pastor.Flaiz reported in Tidings that,

outside Narsapur they had established work in two places namely

Lakkvaram and Elurupadu. In Elurupadu two Christian and five Hindu

families accepted SDA truth by reading Adventist Literature. This little

company was without a pastor for six months and hence Ch.Devasahayam

was sent to the village to teach in the primary school and to lead out the

Sabbath Evangelistic work. By the end of the year, 25 believers were baptized.

Besides these places the SDA mission work was established in twenty other

villages. The believers from Elurupadu were responsible in sharing the

Sabbath truth all around.

251

Narsapur and Kopparu Area

Pitta Purushotham who was a farmer in Kopparu area near Narsapur

school compound heard about the SDA mission that was teaching Sabbath

doctrines. So he came to Narsapur School to know about the new faith and

was convinced of the truth and accepted it and was baptized. He had such a

burning desire to study, and even though he was older than all the other

students in the school, he studied along with them in Narsapur School for

some time. For many years he and his family members were the only

Adventists in the village. It did not ditter their enthusiasm and they

continued to preach the new message to others around14.

In a personal letter Dr.Flaiz who wrote about the beginnings of the

SDA work is as follows: in the month of November, 1920, I came from

Bangalore to the Telugu Country to make the serious exploration for a

location for the new Telugu Station headquarters. I came directly to

Narsapur, and there discussed this whole matter with Prakasham, and then

went to visit several possible places for the beginning of SDA work. Places

14

M S Prasada Rao “Lest We Forget” Andhra Section of SDA, Narsapur 1966.P.37.

252

which we visited at the time were Baptla, Vijayawada, Nellore, Palakollu and

Narsapur15.

“Upon arrival back in Narsapur, there was no question in our minds

but that Narsapur was the place of choice. I sent off a telegram to Brother

Lowry stating that we were recommending the selection of Narsapur16. We

were particularly impressed with a stretch of land two and one half miles

south of Narsapur, which we learned was owned by Asawathama Naidu, a

much respected citizen there in Narsapur.” Accordingly this land was

purchased late in March 1921.

On returning from hill leave in the summer of 1921, Pastor and

Mrs.Peden lived in Narsapur for about six months. Doctors advised them to

leave India immediately in the interests of Mrs.Peden’s health. Therefore,

they left Narsapur at the beginning of 1922 for Bangalore, where they taught

for a year and left for America in 1923. The Pedens were very reluctant to

leave the Telugu field which they had learned to love. The Flaiz’s who

succeeded Pendens were quite young when they came to the Telugu field, but

they displayed mature judgment and were sagacious, far-sighted and

15 Ibid, P.34. 16 Suvarna Raj “Flaiz Adventist College Souvenir” Narsapur, 2002.P.32.

253

optimistic in their approach to their work. To them must go a large share of

the credit for laying the strong foundation in the Telugu field that is yielding

results when the left India. This followed the appointment of Pastor Flaiz to

Narsapur area. When Pastor Flaiz visited the villages he could talk to them in

Telugu and was one with them, and the local people really loved the Flaizes.

They were patient and untiring in all that they did.

Mrs. Flaiz, though young, was a real mother in Israel. When the

village people came to Narsapur and went to see the Flaizes, they would

walk through the bungalow freely, look at everything inquisitively, open the

cupboards and feel the clothing, sit on their beds to see how they felt, kiss the

children, and lift the lids of the vessels in the kitchen and even taste their

food-all without any formalities. The Flaizes adapted themselves

marvelously, to the Indian conditions and to the people and won their hearts.

After being away from India for several years, they returned to Surat, he as

the medical superintendent of the hospital17.

Elder.S.A.Wellman’s wrote in 1923 about Flaiz as a missionary to AP.

“We would be recreant to our duty if we did not mention the excellent way in

17

M S Prasada Rao, “Lest We Forget”, Andhra Section of SDA, Narsapur 1966.P.30.

254

which Sister Flaiz cared for the visitors during our stay in this village

location, four miles from the railway station. The work that Brother and Sister

Flaiz did in the Telugu land is one of God’s appointment, and we believe

should have the united prayers of God’s people that which has been begun

may grow and multiply, the workers being given wisdom and good health

for service in this hot and trying country.”18

Pastor and Mrs.Flaiz lived for a while in a tiled county house called

“Green Bungalow”-reputed to be haunted-on the other side of the canal

opposite the Lutheran church. From there Pastor Flaiz used to go often to the

new site to plan for the construction of buildings. This new site was sandy

soil, and a jungle of cashew nut trees. Some of the trees were soon cut, and

enough land cleared for the construction of the bungalow. At the same time,

work began on the construction of thatched sheds in which to begin the

school that was soon to open.

Prasad Rao shared the experience he had with Pastor Flaiz. “One

Sabbath afternoon Pastor Flaiz walked over to the new site to have Sabbath

school with the construction workers living on the place, especially for one

Raju, a carpenter, who had accepted the SDA truth. We went to the first shed 18

Ibid. p. 31.

255

under construction, it was to be a workshop. The roof was not fully on, so the

sun was shining through the roof. There was no concrete floor; it was all

sand. I remember Pastor Flaiz spreading his coat on the sand, but we sat on it

and had our Sabbath School.Those were the days of modest and small

beginnings”19.

On July 19, 1921, the Telugu Intermediate School for Boys was opened

in Narsapur with an enrolment of over thirty. Pastor Flaiz narrated, as we

had an allowance which meagerly cared for fifteen boys, it was necessary to

keep within the allowance by some means or another.We received only those

boys who on careful examination appeared to be attending truly for the

truth’s sake and among them are two baptized boys are the sons of the SDA

believers. Inspite of taking these precautions our enrolment was still double

the allowed number20.

In the first few days, a number of boys left, and it looked as though

they might all go; but later they learned that this idea of work was only for a

short while. They they learned to do any amount of work without complaint,

and have rejected offers to return to other schools which are literally trying to

19

E.N.Simon, “Lakkavaram SDA church Souvenir”, Narsapur, 1986, p.23. 20 K Bhaskara Rao, “Flaiz Memorial High School Platinum Jubilee Celebrations”, “Souvenir”,

Narsapur, 1997, P.6.

256

buy them back. The boys have proved better than expected. Out of this

number seven are baptized, ten are in the baptismal class, and on the whole,

all have shown a very good spirit.” There was no record of who the first

teachers and students were, but inquiry reveals that at least the following

were: O Bhooshanam, Headmaster; A.V. Jesudas and Y.Sundara Rao,

Teachers; and the following were the Charter Students M.Benjamin,

K.S.Matthews, K.Solomon, K.Devasahayam, K.S.Daniel, K.G.Prakasam,

M.V.Nehemiah, E.S.Eswara Rao, M.Venkatareddy, P. Joseph, and E.S.

Sudershnam21.

East Godavari District, Rajahmundry and Srirangapatnam :

In the year 1916 Nalluri Bhushanam and Vaguri Benjamin started

evevgemsilm in Rajahmundry in a primary school at Danavaipet. Later they

took a big hall for rent in the same place and started a big evangelist

campaign with a banner “Tatkala Satyam”. These meetings were reported in

the Tidings as the first evangelistic meetings in Andhra Pradesh.

Adventist message was preached in these meetings and many

people accepted the SDA truth in and around Rajahmundry area. Among the

21 Ibid,.P.7

257

people who attend these meetings were some Bible Seminar training students

from Luthergiri. As their teachers were from Lutheran background objected

and hence most of the students stayed back from attending these meetings.

However there was a student of the seminary by name China Joseph whose

native place was Tarlapadu in Guntur district. He secretly attended these

meetings and accepted the Seventh-day Sabbath truth. Thus he became the

first man to carry the seventh-day Sabbath truth to Sritrangapatnam. After

the completion of the seminary he was posted as a teacher in a Lutheran

school in Korukonda. As he was a sincere Bible student, he taught the ten

commandments and the Sabbath truth to the students and as a result, he was

suspended from the job. Therefore, he went to Srirangapatnam with his

family and shared the Sabbath truth with his Lutheran friends and started the

Adventist presence there22.

At the close of the effort in Rajahmundry, several people stepped out

of their beliefs and accepted the truth, among them being Bathini Prakash

Rao and his sister Santhoshamma. Later Santhoshamma married

P.Jeevarathnam, who was a teacher in Narsapur School. A Sabbath School

was organized and Brother Solomon gave the following report. “The

22 K.J.Prasad Rao, “Srirangapatnam SDA Church Swarnothsavamulu”, Srirangapatnam,

1991.P.3.

258

enrollment of the Sabbath School was about eighteen in the

beginning…Brother Benjamin taught the children’s class and Prasad Rao

taught the senior class. It is through the Sabbath School that the adults have

learned the Advent truth. Thus the Adventist message was spread in and

around Rajahmundry23.

In coarse of time Brother N.B.Solomon, started a school in

Rajahmundry at Danavaipet. Elder.W.W.Fletchers who visited Rajahmundry

on the 25th of March, 1919, said that Brother Solomon has been laboring in

Rajahmundry for some time, with the assistance of the Telugu Brethren, he

has been carrying on school work in a village community on the outskirts of

the town. About thirty-five children attended the school and almost the same

number attended the matured class of young people together for the evening

classes. A great deal of the instruction was given from the Bible stories. Later

in 1918 V J Benjamin was transferred to Antervedipalem and Gangaraju

Samuel of Thummalacheruvu came to Rajahmundry to help Solomon in the

School work.

23 Ibid.P.5

259

Mandapeta

Barnabas who was a pastor of Baptist church in Mandapeta was

transferred to another place. But he showed relevance to move there.

Therefore he was dropped from the Baptist work. When Barnabas heard

about the new mission, he requested the Seventh-day Adventist missionaries

to come to Mandapeta and teach the SDA truth. Brother Aaron was sent to

Mandapeta in the response to the call. Several of them who were genuinely

interested in the Sabbath truth accepted it and were later baptized.

Later Brother Aaron and Pr.Daniel labored in that area with most

trying circumstances. Even though after a little while Barnabas was dropped

from the Seventh-day Church, for his undue activities, the church in this area

has prospered, and through the enthusiastic missionary activities of its

faithful members, several churches have been established around this area24.

Lakkvaram Area

Benjamin went to Antervedipalem on July 27, 1918. Daniel was

already there with his family. Kollabathula Samson by this time had accepted

the SDA truth. Samson wife is from a village called Lakkvaram, a distance of

24

.M.S.Prasad Rao, “Lest We Forget”, Andhra Section of Seventh-Day Adventists, Narsapur,

1966, P.51.

260

about six miles.His wife’s people were all Hindus, so he had a burden to give

them the Adventist message. Accordingly Benjamin went over to

Lakkavaram and in the face of opposition preached unto them the gospel25.

On returning from there, he talked to Daniel about the prospects of a good

work developing in Lakkavaram and convinced him to accept the challenge.

So toward the end of 1918, Daniel went to Lakkavaram but the people were

very unfriendly and would give him no place to stay. Then Thathayya, a

local leader intervened and pacified them saying that the new teacher was

going to teach them good things from the Bible. After this he was permitted

to sleep on the mud platform in front of Injeti Venkayya’s house. So Daniel

used to cook his own food under the shade of the trees. In coarse of time

started a small school on the same mud platform on which he slept at night.

After observing him for some time, and seeing that he was not undesirable in

any way, the people allowed him use one of the rooms in the house.

Early in 1919, Daniel took his family to Lakkavaram. The whole family

including two children lived in that one room, and at the same time carryied

on the school on the mud platform in front of the house. And all this they did

was without any remuneration either from the villagers or from the mission,

for the sheer love of giving the message to others, and to see them saved.

25

E.N.Simon, SDA Church Platinum Jubilee Celebrations”, Lakkvaram,1992, P.28

261

Mrs.Daniel helped the villagers. She even helped the caste people,

with her first aid methods and simple home remedies. Along with her

hospitality she has been an influence in breaking down prejudice for good in

all the places where her husband had worked. Brethren Eswara Rao,

E.S.Sudarsanam, K.Estheramma, M.Sundaramma, and Krupavathi were

among the charter students of that village school26.

In the April 1, 1920, issue of the “Tidings”, Pastor G.G.Lowry gave

a report of his visit to the Telugu field and says that “We should walk to

Lakkvaram where Brother Daniel has a mission school, all heathen but very

bright children. As it is the only Christian School in the Community we hope

for good results in the future. Already many have turned towards the

Adventist truth because of the work of the school. Two of the leading men of

the village have been keeping the Sabbath for nearly a year, and have given

up idol worship as well as all bad habits27. It was a beautiful testimony to the

saving power of this truth which these two old, grey headed men gave when

Pastor Lowry questioned them regarding their experience while preparing for

baptism.

26 Ibid, P.29. 27 “Eastern Tidings”, 44:540, June, 1, 1920.

262

It is without any question that these two men who have been heathen

all their life have now accepted Jesus. They were baptized that same

afternoon. (Wednesday), as a testimony to their heathen relatives and friends

of the fact that they have at last found the good way of Jesus. These were

Injeti Subbayya and Injeti Venkayya their families and siblings stand to

testimony till today.

Narendrapuram Modekurru and Ganti Area

Teachers from the Lakkvaram SDA school conducted Sabbath

schools in the near by places such as Gudapalli, Visweswarayapuram,

Kesinapalli and Katrenepadu, Irisumanda and their neighbouring areas.

Some of the church members of Lakkvaram had relatives in Narendrapuram.

So the SDA message had reached the village and after that to Gantipedapudi,

Modekurru, and other areas. Several students of early year became pioneer

workers of SDA Church in different areas of Andhra Pradesh28.

Nandigama Area

In 1920, the C.M.S. Church in Nandigama was in a flourishing

condition. It was composed of members mostly from two Dalit communities,

28 M S Prasad Rao, “Lest We Forget Andhra Section of Seveth Day Adventists, “Narsapur,

1966, P.33.

263

between whom there were bitter feelings, and much animosity. In 1921, the

CMS church dignitaries called a meeting to talk things over with a view to

help them to resolve their differences. But during the discussions, things went

from bad to worse, resulting in an open clash. The teachers belonging to one

community walked out of the meeting, saying that they did not want to

belong to a church that was riddled with caste-feeling, superiority complex

and power politics, without Christian graces. They soon set out looking for a

church that lived up to what it preached29. They ultimately came to know

about Adventist Church and hence thirty seven of these teachers wrote a

petition to pastor Flaiz requesting that someone be sent to teach them the

SDA truth. Among the signatories to this petition were P Rajrathnam,

evidently the leader of the group R Luke,K.Joseph, K.Yesurathnam,

P.Devdanam, S.Harlad and others. When the petition was received Pastor

Flaiz was on hill leave so Pastor Prakasham received it and forwarded it to

Pastor Flaiz30. Pastor Flaiz evidently did not reply immediately. Hence a

delegation of teachers went to the Prakasam home to ascertain the result of

29 Devedas.I.D.“Andhra Adventist Platinum Jubilee Souvenir, Flaiz Memorial Junior College,

Narsapur, 1990, PP 50-51. 30

K Bhaskara Rao, Flaiz Memorial High School Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, Souvenir, Narsapur,

1997, P.8.

264

their petition31. Pastor and Mrs.Prakasam initially visited Nandigama area

and spoke on after receiving the report from them, Pastor.Prakasam,

Pastor.Flaiz arranged a month long Bible instruction to this group32.

A large group accepted the Sabbath truth and many of them started

their ministry as self-supporting teachers. A large number of them

P.Rajarathnam, P.Devadanam, K.Satyanandam, Kota Joseph, R.Luke,

M.Brahmanandam, D.Samuel, S.John and Lingiah became pioneering

workers in such places as Nandigama, Chanderlapadu, Gopavaram,

Madhavaram and other areas. A layman by name Anaparthi Reuben, a cattle

merchant preached the Adventist Truth at Ganguru, Atkur and other places

and brought many into the Adventist church. In the late twenties, Pastor

Prakasam went to Dondapadu and brought in the Rayavarapu family33.

Chandrullapadu

One day Marapalli Joseph of Chandrullapadu went to Nandigama,

and heard the Sabbath Truth. He went to Nandigama again and again and

31 K Bhaskara Rao, Flaiz Memorial High School Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, Souvenir,

Narsapur, 1997, P.9. 32 M S Prasad Rao, “Lest We Forget Andhra Section of Seventh Day Adventist, “Narsapur,

1966, P.44. 33 I bid, P.47

265

learnt more of the Sabbath truth and each time he returned to

Chandrullapadu he used to the people all that he had learned. Later Flaiz

and Prakasham went Chandrullapadu there and taught them the Sabbath

truth for several days. K.Satyanandam was the first convert from

Chandrullapadu. There was quite a bit of opposition, therefore the worker

and the interested members fasted and prayed to the Lord for his help. As a

result the first baptism was conducted in 1926 and later Dr.Flaiz baptized

eight members. Thus the Adventist Truth spread around that area34.

Ganguru &Athukuru

Ganguru is about seven miles from Bezwada. A man named

Anaparthi Ruben lived in that village. He did Carpentery and Cattle trading

works and on one occasion he went to Palakollu cattle market, he received a

tract and for the first time he heard about Seventh-day Sabbath. On returning

home he read the tract again and again and referred to the Bible references

and was convinced of the truth that it contained. Later when he went to

Bezwada he along with P.Yohan divided to attend the SDA meetings at

34 Juesurathnam P.J “Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Gudem Madhavaram SDA Church

Souvenir, South Andhra Section of SDA, 2009, PP.3.4

266

Nandigama. They were convinced and accepted the SDA truth fully and were

baptized along with Lanka Nathaniel of the same village.

After having accepting the Seventh-day Adventist message Ruben

had told his relatives at Athukuru about the truth and they were quit

interested and learned more and more about this message and many were

baptized. These faithful people have spread the truth around that area and by

the year 1936 the Adventist Church was organized in Athukuru35.

35

Devadas. I.D. “Andhra Adventist Platinum Jubilee Souvenir, Flaiz Memorial Junior College,

Narsapur, 1990, P.50.

267

Vizag, Vijaynagaram and Salru area

As the SDA message started spreading to various places in Andhra

Pradesh interest has aroused in faithful men who carried the message to

various places such as Rajahmundry Kakinada, Vadisleru, Vizagapatam,

Bhimilipatnm, Vijaynagaram and Salru and number of other towns. As a

result many churches were established.

Expansion of SDA in Andhra Pradesh

Towards the beginning of 1921 the Adventist Church in Andhra

Pradesh began to spread in many places. And many people from various

places began to respond to the call of God. As the Gospel work continued in

the Telugu felid it was divided into two fields for better growth.

In the historical Biennial Conference Session held from December

25 to January 4, 1920, the India Union Mission became South India Union

Mission which included among others, North Telugu Mission and South

Telugu Mission. Elder H.L. Peden was appointed as the superintendent of

North Telugu Mission with D.C. Jacob and M. Prakasam as Advisory

committee members. Elder T.R. Flaiz became South Telugu Mission

268

Superintendent and V.J. Benjamin and N.B. Solomon as Advisory Committee

members36.

However, N.B. Solomon died prematurely at the age of 32 on March

04, 1920 at Rajahmundry. Paying tributes to Solomon, Elder G.G. Lowry

wrote: “He loved the truth and did all he could to teach to his people…He

served on the South India Committee for several years and took a lively

interest in the development of the work in the South.” Thus, one of the

brightest stalwarts of the beginning years was lost to the Mission37.

The Telugu Missions, the North under H.L. Peden at Waltair and

the South under Elder T.R. Flaiz at Narsapur, held their annual meeting at

Narsapur, September 4 to 7, 1921. Pastor Flaiz reported for the South Telugu

Mission two Sabbath Schools, one day school and 35 baptized members.

Pastor H.L. Peden reported to the North Telugu Mission three workers and 19

members. Compare the 1921 membership of two fields with that of 1989. In

about seven decades the membership of North Andhra was nearly 30,000

while the South had little over 20,000, thus making a total of over 50,000

membership. This tells us how much the SDA work in AP had expanded.

36 . I.bid.P.51 37 M S Prasad Rao, “Lest We Forget Andhra Section of Seventh Day Adventists, “Narsapur,

1966, P.40.

269

After the departure of Pastor and Mrs. H.L. Pedon from the Telugu

field in 1921 on account of Mrs. Peden’s ill health, the Missions were united

into one Telugu Mission with headquarters at Narsapur. Elder T.R. Flaiz,

though young in those years, assumed the charge as Superintendent and gave

dynamic leadership to the growth of the work. He was assisted specifically

by Pastor M. Prakasam in the spreading of the gospel to different areas of the

field. While Pastor Daniel Pioneered the work both in evangelism and

education, in Lakkavaram area, the main thrust of Adventist work began to

be centered around Narsapur and Ongole areas38.

Assisted by Pastor Prakasam, Pastor Flaiz purchased a property

close to the road from Narsapur to Mogalthur. He purchased the land in

March 1921 from Aswathama Naidu. The Pedens lived in Narsapur for only

six months and then left for Bangalore. On July 19, 1921 the Telugu

Intermediate School for boys, the forerunner of the present Flaiz Memorial

Higher Secondary School was opened with an enrolment of over thirty.39 The

1920s saw the work moving forward in several areas. Osuri Bhushanam was

instrumental in bringing Pastor Ch.Devadas into the truth.M.B.Laban from

Ongole, Penumaka David from Mummidivaram, G.Isaiah from Vijayawada,

38 Ibid. 39 Sudershnam Injeti “A Brief History of the Lakkvaram Church Platinum Jubilee

Celebrations, SDA Church Lakkvaram”, Rathna Offset Printers Palakollu, 1992 ,P.29 .

270

Jale Reuben from Cherukuvada and Pitta Purushottam from Kapparru were

attracted to the truth and later became prominent contributers to the progress

of SDA work.

The school at Lakkavaram continued to make progress, while but

the church witnessed a problem in the church building, novel methods were

used to raise money for a new worship place. Selling small slots of

construction at Rs. 6-4-0 each, using gramophone advertisements for

donations and other methods were used to raise money and for the first time

in the history of the entire building, work was done on self-supporting basis.

A fine example was left for the posterity40.

Among the first batch of students in the India Training School opened

in Lucknow on November 3, 1915 were N.B. Solomon, V.J.Benjamin and

D.C.Jacob. According to the Tidings of January 1916, P.J.Kelly from Pedapudi

and Padavala Solomon from Agarthipalem were the two Telugu boys who

went to the SDA School at Coimbatore. The next batch of Telugu students

who went to Lucknow India Training School in August 1916 were

M.Prakasam, M.P.Daniel, and P.Rajarathnam from Ongole. The first Telugu

40 M S Prasad Rao, “Lest we Forget”, Andhra Section of Seventh-Day Adventists, Narsapur,

1966,

P.22.

271

girl to study in the girl’s school at 3 Wheeler road, Bangalore was P.

Karunamma, who married P.J. Kelly after a couple of years41. The first

colporteur Institute in the Telugu field was held at Rajahmundry from

September 4 to 16, 1916. Pastor M.S. Prasada Rao remembers well going to

the venue of this institute as a student at Luthergiri, Rajahmundry. Fourteen

young men were in attendance receiving instructions from Elder J.S. James

and Elder A.W. Knight42.

N.B. Solomon and Pastor V Benjamin carried on school work,

public evangelistic efforts, and translation of Telugu tracts. Pastor M

Prakasam, carrying on some business for family sustenance, went about

spreading the remnant truth, especially to the young students.

Ch.Devasahayam, G.N.Solomon, K.S.Matthews were among his students

who accepted the truth.Ch.Devasahayam came under the guidance of

Pastor.V. Benjamin in 1917. Pastor.R.John Moses studied the “Present Truth”

with Pastor.V. Benjamin. Pastor M.P. Daniel began as a Colporteur for a short

while, and moved to Antervedipalem to carry on the remnant truth. Towards

the end of 1918 Pastor Daniel went to Lakkavaram. There he carried on the

school work consisting of five students…Eswara Rao, E.S.Sudershanam,

41

Ibid, p. 24. 42

E.N. Simon, Lakkavaram SDA Church Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Lakkavaram, 1992, p.22.

272

K.Estheramma, M.Sundaramma and Krupavathi. Pastor Daniel’s untiring

efforts in preaching the message while teaching in the school resulted in two

elderly men…Injety Subbiah and Injety Venkayya being baptized in 192043.

Osuri Bhushanam of Narsaraopet and Y.L. Daniel came under the

influence of N.B. Solomon and accepted the truth. Thadi Lazarus went about

witnessing the Sabbath in Samarlakota, Kakinada, Rajahmundry areas.

During the initial period the work was carried on by the National workers

without the missionaries. During this period the South India Mission

Superintendent was directly supervising the progress. However, in response

to the appeal made, Elder and Mrs. Hugh Love Peden reached India in 1917

and assumed the responsibility of the Telugu Work after language study in

Waltair.

Administration

In July of 1930 Pastor & Mrs. D.H. Hunter came to the Telugu Field,

endeared themselves to the people as loving missionaries, and served the

field from 1933 to March 1937 as Superintendent of the Field and Principal of

the school. He was succeeded by the C.A.Hansen for a brief period both as

the field superintendent and Principal of the school until the appointment of

43

Don. F.Neufled, Seventh-Day Adventist Encyclopedia”, Commentary Reference Series, Vol.10

Review & Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, USA, 1966, P.1179.

273

Pastor Woodward in 1939. Elder Woodward worked under severe conditions

due to the war and finally left India in 194244.

Soon after the Second World War started, most of the missionaries

left India. During this time the administrative responsibilities of the hospital,

the field work, and the school administration came into the hands of national

leaders. Pastor P.J. Kelly and Pastor Osuri Israel were appointed

superintendents of South and North Telugu Mission respectively. Ch. B

Williams was appointed as the principal of Narsapur High School. B

Solomon, Y Daniel, S Joseph and Sister Gracamma looked after the hospital

work. Under the successive administrations of National leaders, the field

work was bifurcated in 1942 and two sections carried the field work with

much success. It was amalgamated in 1963 with headquarters at Hyderabad.

Pastor William Moses, the youngest son of Pastor M.P. Daniel became the

President of one Andhra field. During his tenure the Golden Jubilee

Celebrations of Andhra work were held at Narsapur, April 6-9, 1966.

From the humble beginnings in 1914, the work of God prospered

under the Divine leadership and with the zeal and dedication of hundreds of

44

Ibid, p.482.

274

leaders and workers. At the end of 50 year period there were 6, 214 baptized

members in 65 organized churches and 55 Companies.

275

ADMINISTRATIVE CHART OF ANDHRA FIELD

During the course of 75 years of its existence, the work of Seventh-

day Adventist Church in Andhra has had many changes. Below is given the

list of Superintendents of Telugu Missions and presidents of the Sections with

the headquarters.

NORTH TELUGU SOUTH TELUGU

H.L. Peden, January 1920-Jan 1921 Waltair.

T.R. Flaiz, January 1920 to January 1921, Narsapur

ONE TELUGU MISSION

T.R. Flaiz, January 1921 to June 1930, Narsapur

D.W. Hunter, July 1920 to March 1937, Narsapur, Nuzvid

H.A. Hansen, April 1937 to 1939, Nuzvid

H.G. Woodward, 1939 to April 1942, Nuzvid

TWO MISSIONS

NORTH TELUGU SOUTH TELUGU

O Israel, May 1942 to April 1948

Narsapur and Rajahmundry

P J Kelly, May 1942 to December 1946,

Nuzvid

E.N. William, May 1948 to March 1949,

Narsapur

R John Moses, Jan 1947 to March 1948

Nuzvid.

E.S. Eswar Rao, April 1948 to March

1949, Nuzvid

AFTER REALIGNMENT OF TERRITORIES

E.S. Eswar Rao, April 1949 to March

1952, Nuzvid

E.S. Sudarsanam, April 1949 to March

1950, Chirala

R.H. Broderson, April 150 to March 1951,

Madras

B.S. Moses, April 1951 to March 1956,

Chirala

I Subhushanam, April 1952 to July 1957, G Isaiah, April 1956 to March 1959

276

Nuzvid and Vijayawada Nellore and Hyderabad

M.S. Prasada Rao, August 1957 to

August 1963, Vijayawada

I Subhushanam, March 1959 to August

1963, Hyderabad

ANDHRA SECTION

William Moses, August 1963 to 1966, Hyderabad

M.D. Moses, 1966 to 1967, Hyderabad

P.S. Prasada Rao, 1967 to January 1972, Hyderabad

R.I Matthew, February 1974 to December 1979, Hyderabad

TWO ANDHRA SECTIONS

NORTH ANDHRA SOUTH ANDHRA

N.S. Bhaskara Rao, January 1980 to June

1983, Hyderabad

K Israel, January 1980 to June 1981,

Guntur

K Christopher, July 1983, Hyderabad P.S. Prasada Rao (Acting) July 1981 to

1982, Guntur

P. Judson Moses, 1982 to April 1989

Guntur and Ibrahimpatnam

I James, May 1989

Ibrahimpatnam

EXPANSION (1980-2010)

Seventh-day Adventists in Andhra Pradesh

Seventh-day Adventist mission field in Andhra Pradesh was

organized in the year 1920 into two mission fields as the North and South

Mission fields. Again in the year 1921 it was united into one Telugu mission

till 1942 and again due to Admisntrative convenience the Seventh-day

Adventist Telugu mission fields were divided into Telugu mission till

277

1963.And was united to one Andhra Section from 1963-1979 and finally in the

year 1980 the Telugu Seventh-day Adventist mission was divided into North

Andhra Section with Hyderabad as its capital and the South Andhra Section

with Guntur as its capital45.

In April 1989 the districts of Adilibad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar,

Medak, Sangareddy and Ranga reddy Districts are separated to .form the

West Andhra Region. The year 1999 and 2000 are very important in regard to

the expansion of Seventh-day Adventist mission in Andhra Pradesh. The

special plans for the growth are implemented through mass revival and

public evangelism such as five village evangelism, ten village evangelism,

twenty village evangelism, fifty village evangelism, and the one hundred

village evangelism etc. Through the progress, Adventist Message entered into

many new areas. Evangelism was supported by Special funds from the

foreign missionaries. Thousands of congregations were formed and churches

were built and evangelists were trained and recruited and Schools were

established especially free Adventist boarding schools to enable the children

of the new converts to have the Adventist education. Further to carter to the

45 A Directory of General Conference, Seventh Day Adventist, “Year Book “,Review & Herald

Publishing Association Hagerstown, USA, 2007, P.337

278

needs of the newly established congregations, the mission field was sub

divided, the chart below shows the details of the growth46.

EAST-CENTRAL INDIA UNION SECTION

The East Central India Union was organized in the year 1929 and

was reorganized in the year 1956, 1970, 2002, 2008. Its Territory comprises of

the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, and the district of Yanam in

the union territory of Pondicherry. Its Mission Fields are The Hyderabad

Metro, North Andhra Section, South Andhra, Southeast Andhra, and West

Andhra Sections, and the Guntur, North Rayalaseema, Northeast Andhra,

Northwest Andhra, South Rayalaseema, and Vishaka Metro Regions. There

are 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh with 213 towns and 26613 villages. The

literacy percentage is 60.47%. It has 2182 churches with an Adventist

membership of 8,73,065 that is 1.09%47.

Mission fields

Guntur Region was organized in the year 2008 and its territory

comprises of the District of Guntur. It has a Membership of 59,102 with 224

Churches, with a Population, of 4,874,500. Hyderabad Metro Section was

46

Ch. John, “Constituency Reports of the East Central India Union” Hyderabad, 2005, P.7. 47

A Directory of the General Conference, Oppocit, p.339.

279

organized in the year 2001, it comprises of the districts of Hyderabad and

Rangareddi it has a membership of 5,182, with 12 Churches with a population

of 7,877,959. North Andhra Section was organized in the year 1920 and was

reorganized in the year 1942, 1963, 1979, 2006. It comprises of the districts of

East Godavari and West Godavari in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and the

district of Yanam in the union territory of Pondicherry it has a membership,

150,987, and with a 208 churches, with a population of, 9,531,994. North

Rayalaseema Region was organized 2003 it comprises of the districts of

Kurnool and Mahboobnagar. It has a membership 56,659, 180 Churches

with a population, 7,687,32248.

Northeast Andhra Region was organized 1999 it comprises of the

districts of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram with a membership of 43,752 and

116 churches with a population 5,227,964. Northwest Andhra Region was

organized 2003 it comprises of the districts of Khammam and Warangal. It

has a membership of membership, 57,787,104 Churches, with a population,

6,348,558. South Andhra Section was organized in the 1980 and reorganized

48 Ibid.P.339

280

in the year 2008 it comprises of the districts of Krishna and Nalgonda with a

membership of 107556, and 322 churches with a population of 8,117,23749.

South Rayalaseema Region was established in the year of 1999 it

comprises of the Districts of Anantapur and Cuddapah it has Membership,

62,330 with 197 Churches with a population of 6,804,195. Southeast Andhra

Section was Organized in the year 2001 it comprises of the Districts Of

Chittor, Nellore, and Prakasam it has a Membership, 121,140 with 120

churches, with a population, 10,349,485 .Vishaka Metro Region was organized

in the year 2006 it comprises of the District of Vishakhapatnam it has a

membership of 8,546 with 8 Churches with a population of 4,150,880. West

Andhra Section was organized in the year 1989 it comprises of The Districts

of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Medak, and Nizamabad it has a membership of

Membership, 113,861 with 276 churches, with a population, 12,005,118.

Activities of Seventh-day Adventists in Andhra Pradesh

Seventh-day Adventist church understands the biblical principles

of the gospel commission in the four fold methods. Firstly, Educational

Ministry through schools, colleges and vocational training centers. Secondly

49 CMJ Suvarna Raj, Flaiz Memorial Higher Secondary School of Seventh-day Adventists

“Prospectus” Creative Graphics, Narsapur, 2009, P.2.

281

through medical ministry, through hospitals and dispensers and nursing

colleges, Thirdly welfare services such as ADRA, ACCA, and IMEWS and

orphanages, Fourthly through Literature ministry by Printing health and

religious material mostly evangelism through personnel and public ministry,

Radio and TV ministries and through Bible correspondence course50.

Educational Ministry

Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in the philosophy of

education which states that the true education is the harmonious

development of the physical, the mental, the spiritual, and the social powers

and that such an education prepares the student for the joy of service in this

world and for the higher joy of wider service in the word to come”51. Such an

education provides more than mental discipline. It provides more than

physical training, and it strengthens the character. Such an education makes a

student strong and not weak. Institutions of learning may send for the men

strong to think and to act, men who are masters and not slaves of

circumstances, men who posses breathe of mind cleanliness of thought and

the courage of their convictions.

50 Ellen White “Education”, Oriental Watchman Publishing House, Salisbury Park, Pune,

1952, P.13 51 I.bid, P.18.

282

Because higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s

ideal for his children. Godliness and god likeness is the goal to be reached52.

Activities of the Seventh-day Adventist system of education aims in

providing the holistic education to the pupils. Adventist denomination owns

and operates one degree college, one vocational center, three Junior colleges,

two major boarding schools, seven semi boarding schools, one blind school,

fifteen day schools, and four church schools in Andhra Pradesh.

They are Flaiz Adventist College, in Narsapur, West Godavari

District, Seventh-day Adventist Higher Secondary School, Nuzvid in Krishna

District and Seventh-day Adventist higher secondary school in the same

district, the Flaiz memorial junior college of the seventh day Adventists

Narsapur, Vocational training and Development and Center in Rajanagram,

East Godavari District. Boarding Schools namely Seventh-day Adventist

boarding School Narsapur and Seventh-Day School, Nuzvid. Seven Semi

Boarding School are located in Cuddapah, Darshi in Ongole, Lakkvaram, and

Vempally in Cuddapah, Rajanagram, and Kurnool, Machiliptnam,

Pithapruam. Blind School-Seventh-day School for Sight Impaired at Bobbili53.

52 Mathew .C.D, “Southern Asia Division Directory” Department of Records and Archives,

Hosur, Tamil Nadu, 2009-P.31 53 I. bid, P.32

283

The Fifteen Day Schools owned and operated by the Seventh-Day

Mission are situitated in the following places such as Ajith Singh Nagar,

Vijayawada, Bhimavaram, Vijaynagaram, Baljipeta, Bobbili, Chittor,

Gopalpuram, Madhavaram, Hastinaparuam, Hyderabad, Kesinapalli,

Mandpeta, Muvvanaaplem-Vizag, Padmaraonagar-Secunderabad,

Rajahmundry, Secunderabad, Ungutur, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam and

Zaheerabad and the church schools are situitated in Avanigadda,

Chanderlapadu, Gudivada, G.Madhavaram, Lambadipeta, Tenali, Woodpeta,

and Chirala54.

One of the outstanding features of Adventist education is that Bible is

taught as one of the subjects and the institutions are run not as business

oriented but as service oriented .Students are given opportunities to develop

in all spheres therefore, this system of education is rightly termed as Holistic

Education. Another aspect of the SDA educational institutions is that they

are all run on self supporting basis. These SDA schools which are recognized

by the Government of Andhra Pradesh do not get any sort of Government aid

or grant. These schools are not qualified for the Government aid because the

SDA schools do not follow the curriculum as for the frame work of the

54

Ibid, P.32.

284

Government of Andhra Pradesh. SDA schools cannot run classes on the

Saturday because the students and other congregational members go to

church on that day55.

In the SDA public schools fees is collected from the students in par

with the corporate schools. Fee concession is given to the SDA students. The

schools are operated to earn profit which is to be used for the support of the

evangelistic work of the denomination. As the schools do not work on

Saturdays, these SDA schools prefer and opt the central Government syllabus

i.e. ICSE and ISE on the 10th and 12th grades respectively. However, the

Seventh Day Adventist Educational system has a tremendous influence on

the people of Andhra Pradesh”56.

Day School and Church Schools

Church Schools are primarily started to teach the children of the

members and of the village the primary education .When the children reach

to the age of being admitted into the boarding schools they are transferred to

the boarding schools administered by the local church under the supervision

55

C M J Swarna Raj “Flaiz Memorial Higher Secondary School Prospectus” creative Graphics,

Narsapur, 2009, p.2. 56

Ibid, P.3.

285

of the local church pastors. Day schools are operated to accommodate the

children of Adventist Church Members as well as the public with the

objective to reach the parents of the children through the students. The

curriculum followed in the day School is more or less same in the boarding

school. Five days week is followed, Bible is taught as a subject of Moral

Science which is given equal importance. The religious songs and prayers are

taught to all the students. A total number of students studying in all the

Adventist day schools in Andhra Pradesh are 5422. Student aid is arranged

for the financially weaker sections and the financial support to the students of

the Gospel workers57.

Boarding Schools

There are three major boarding schools owned and operated by the

Seventh-day Adventist Church. Establishing educational institutions in the

Adventist mission is a visionary activity of the fonder of the mission Ellen

White, basing upon the Biblical schools of the prophets of the Old Testament

times. Secondly, as the Seventh-Adventist church believes and propagates the

Biblical truth of keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath (i.e. Saturday) holy by not

57

Ellen White “Education”, Oriental Watchman Publishing House, Salisbury Park, Pune,

1952, P.46.

286

doing any work or study on that day except worshiping the creator God, it

would become difficult for the Adventist children to attend public schools

where the students are excepted to attend and do the learning activity in the

school on the Sabbath day. Therefore it had become necessary for the church

to establish its own educational institutions. And the third reason for

establishing Adventist Institutions is to provide employment opportunities

for the qualified Adventist faculty and finally with a concept of reaching the

women of the family through the children58.

The primary vision of the mission is to provide holistic education to

the students emphasizing on the physical, mental and spiritual faculties. In

the areas of spiritual development of the student the teaching of Bible is

incorporated into the syllabus and both the teacher and the students give

equal importance to the learning of Bible, which is the moral science along

with the other subjects. In view of this the Seventh-day Adventist Church at

the Division level conduct two exams simultaneously at high schools and

higher secondary schools respectively namely DHSC (Division High School

58

Op.Cit.P .P.145.

287

Leaving Certificate) and DCEC (Division College Eligibility School

Certificate)59.

In the accomplishment of the physical emphasis in the education

the following activities are incorporated as co-circular activities in the

curriculum such as hostels and dormitories are attached to the schools

therefore these special schools are termed as boarding schools in the Seventh-

day mission. High discipline is maintained in the schools as well as in the

hostels. Morning and evening worship services are scheduled for all the

students for their learning and the students are given opportunities to lead

song services to sing songs to play music to learn Bible verses and stories and

to preach.

Students learn individuality and independency through the

philosophy of work education programme as the Adventist philosophy of

Education give prominence to the work programmes students do the manual

labour such as cleaning their clothes, their rooms, and their surroundings

even their bathrooms. Supervised work for the students and labor credit is

arranged to their account for the work they have accomplished gardening is

taught to the students. Students produce vegetables through gardening to

59 Justus Devedas, Oreodoxa, 04 Vol.39, President Spicer Memorial College, Pune, 2004, P.3.

288

supply to the boarding .Agricultural cultivation is also taught to the students

to teach them the value of manual labour60.

Junior Colleges

Seventh-day Adventist mission owns and operates three junior

Colleges Seventh-day Adventist higher secondary school, Nuzvid in Krishna

District and the other one Seventh-day Adventist higher secondary school in

the same district, the third one Flaiz memorial junior college of the seventh

day Adventists Narsapur west Godavari district. The main syllabus followed

is ISC Science and Arts, higher secondary certificate affiliated to Delhi board.

The students who have completed the higher secondary school in the

Adventist junior Colleges find their way easily through the degree colleges as

the curriculum in the ISC board is challenging61.

60 Justus Devedas, Oreodoxa, 04 Vol-39, President, Spicer Memorial College, Pune, 2004,P.3 61

C D Mathew, “Southern Asia Division Directory” Department of Records and Archives, Hosur,

Tamilnadu, 2009, P.12.

289

Flaiz Adventist Degree College

The one and only Seventh-day Adventist Degree college in Andhra

Pradesh is named after the missionary who established the Adventist

mission work in Narsapur West Godavari District, Pastor.T.R.Flaiz. This

institution in the inception was a church school to carter to the educational

needs of the children of the members. After several years it has taken various

phases as a high school, as a higher secondary school later to the present

status of a degree college named as Flaiz Adventist College affiliated to

Andhra University. It is situated in about 22 acres of land. It servers the

Adventist Mission and others in and around Narsapur and other parts of

Andhra Pradesh. The courses offered are Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of

Commerce- Computers, and B.Sc Computers and Micro-biology. Several

students are receiving their college education through Flaiz Adventist

College62.

62 CMJ Suvarna Rao “Flaiz Adventist College Prospectus” Creative Graphics, Narsapur, 2009,

p.11.

290

Leadership Training

At every given responsibility, leadership training holds

prominence in all the spheres such as in schools, classrooms, hostels,

worships, sports and games and work place. Student leaders are trained to

lead independently and to conduct effectively along with the circular

programme. Time is allotted for regular sports and games and supervised,

well organized sport and games training is given. The concept of acquiring

Biblical knowledge is taught .The curriculum is followed a five day

programme to make it convenient for the students and the faculty to keep the

Sabbath day holy. Chapel exercises are arranged twice a week at various

levels to impart General Knowledge and awareness for the students.

Programme such as quiz and elucidation, art competitions are arranged63.

Seventh day Adventist School, Lakkavaram

The Seventh day Adventist School in Lakkavaram was started in

the year 1917.The first teacher M P Daniel started this School with much

opposition from the locals, however by the support of the two families of

Injety Venkayya and Subbiah the School work was started. As a result the

63 Kalapala J Moses, “The Story of Adventism in Andhra” Andhra Adventist Platinum Jubilee”, Flaiz

Memorial Junior College, Narsapur,1998, P.53.

291

SDA church in Lakkavaram began to grow, As a result of the influence of the

School and the church the mission work was spread in and around the Taluk.

The main churches that were established around area: Lakkavaram,

Irisumanda, Kesinapalli, Gudapalli, Anthervedi, Mattaparru,

Visvasraipuram, Malkipuram, Sakinatipalli, Ponnamanda, Karavaka,

Magatapalli, Narendrapuram64.

Seventh Day Adventist High School, Hyderabad:

SDA High School at Hyderabad was established in 1981 by pastor

N.S.Bhaskararao the then president of North Andhra section of SDA. The

first principal of the school was Pr. Y.S. Methuselah. The school was started

with the initial enrolment of 44 with 6 teachers. The existing building which

can accommodate 1000 students was built by Mr. Ravi varma who was the

second principal of this school. This school follows ICSE syllabus and

conducts classes’ unto 10th standards. The present enrolment of the school is

850 both boys and girls together. And the staff and faculty are 42. The school

achieved 100% pass results during the year 200950. The school is run purely on

self supporting basis. The impact of the school on the students and the

64

M S Prasad Rao ,“Lest we Forget ” Andhra Section of SDA, Narsapur, 1966, P.112. 50

292

parents is tremendous through a bible teaching, boards and advertisements

and the high discipline of the school.

Seventh Day Adventist School, Ibrahimpatnam :

The Seventh Day Adventist School at Ibrahimpatnam in Krishna

District was established in 1976 by Mrs. Hepsy Victorsam. The school

building was constructed by Mr. George Look in 1982. The school was

started with 22 students and one teacher. Later the school was upgraded to

high school status. By following SSC AP State board exam. Later in 2000 the

present school block was constructed by Mr. Rajan babu through the donor

Mr. Mecnelius Garwin from USA. Later hostels were attached to this school

and school was upgraded to a Junior College status during the time of Mr.

Jaya Josaph. The present enrolment of the school is 1027 and total number of

staff is 61. The school is operated on self supporting basis. Some students are

supported by SDA welfare organization known as Asian Aid Programme.

The children of the SDA church members from the Districts of Nellore,

Prakasam, Krishna and Guntur are accommodated in this school. This

293

institution plays a tremendous role on the lives of both the students and their

parents65.

65

Personal Interview with the principal of the School, Jaya, Joseph, on July 24, 2010 in

Ibrahimpatnam.

294

Seventh Day Adventist School, Hastinapuram :

The Asian Aid Organization of the SDA has established an orphan

home through Pastor K. Christopher in Hyderabad in the section office in

1983. After two years a suitable land was purchased from Mr. C.R.Mohanarao

an Adventist Layman in Hyderabad near Nagarjuna Sagar Road. Later in

1985 the orphanage was moved to the new place and an elementary school up

to 5th standards was established in 1985 by Pastor K. Christopher. The

existing school building and the hostel for the orphanage was constructed by

Mr. K. Balaji in 1986. Later 1986 itself the school was upgraded into a high

school while Mr. Devy Sudhakar was the principal. The present enrolment of

the school is 380 and the staff and faculty are 18. The influence of the school

is highly appreciatable. As a result of the school a big church was established

in the campus66.

Seventh Day Adventist School, Bobbili :

Seventh Day Adventist School, Bobbili in Vijayanagaram District

was established in 1983 by Pastor K. Christopher the then president of North

Andhra section of SDA. The first principal of the school was pastor Jala

Israel. The school was built in 70 cents land in the town. The SDA mission

built the first floor of the school in the second floor of the school was build by

66

Personal Interview with the Principal of the School, K.Isaac Kumar, Jan, 2010 in Hastinapuram.

295

Mr. Mecnelenius Garwin who was an Adventist layman from USA. Later the

school was upgraded into a high school. The present enrolment of the school

is 462 and the total staff is 23. This is a day school and the discipline

maintained the school has attracted many students and has spread a grate

influence among the people around that area67.

Seventh Day Adventist School, Balgipet :

The Seventh Day Adventist School at Balgipet in Vijayanagaram

District was established by Pr. N.S. Bhaskararao in 1979. The school is

located in 1 ½ acres of land. Mr. O.B.R.Prasad was the 1st principal of the

school. It is a semi boarding school. The hostel buildings were built by Mrs.

Helen Eagar who is a missionary from Australia on behalf of Asian Aid

Organization of SDA. The school buildings were constructed by Mr. Garwin

Mecnelius from USA. The present enrolment of the school is 432 and total

number of staff is 23. The children of the members of the SDA churches from

the districts of Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam study in this boarding school.

The school plays a major role in spreading the SDA truth and influence in and

around that area.

Seventh Day Adventist Blind School at Bobbili :

67

Personal Interview with the Head Master of the School, G.Goral Rao, May 2010 in Bobbili.

296

The establishment of the Seventh Day Adventist Blind School at

Bobbili in Vijayanagaram District was an interesting story. It was in 1992 that

a small blind school was established in Narsapur by Mrs. Glory Moses

through the help Asian Aid organization. Later in 1999 this institution was

moved to Bobbili. The school was built in 13 ½ acres of land. The whole

school and the hostel buildings were constructed by Mr. Mecnelius Garwin.

The buildings occupied 3.86 acres of land and the rest of the land is used for

agricultural purpose. This institution was established initially by the support

given by Mrs. Mercy from Hosur, Mr. & Mrs. Jayanand Moses and the main

donor is Mother Ellen eager from Australia. The classes are conducted from

1st to 10th standard. And AP state board SSC is followed. The present

enrolment of the students is 183 and the staff is 25. This is a totally free

institution. There are some totally blind students and few partially blind

students. R. N. Prabhudas is instrumental in shaping this institution and

acquiring the land. This school has tremendous impact on the students as

well as their parents68.

Seventh Day Adventist School at Vijayawada :

68

Personal Interview with the CEO of the Boarding Schools of ECU, Dr. R.N. Prabhudas on June,

2010 in Hyderabad.

297

The Seventh Day Adventist School at Vijayawada was established

by Mrs. Valentine in 1967 as a single teacher elementary school. The school

was established purely as a self supporting day school. Later the school was

upgraded as a High school in 1975. The existing school building was build by

Mr. Y.S. Methuselah in 1986. Later the school adapted the ICSE Delhi Board

exam to avoid the appearing for the board exam on the Seventh Day. The

present enrolment of the school is 534 and the total number of staff is 38. The

school is maintaining 100% pass results since 2004. As a result of the

influence of the school, a city church was established and in the year 2000

which was constructed in the campus.

Seventh Day Adventist School at Machilipatnam :

The Seventh Day Adventist School at Machilipatnam in Krishna

District was established in the year 1972 by Mrs. S.J. Satyanandam. Initially

the school was church school establish to teach to the children of the SDA

members. Later the school was upgraded to upper primary school and then

it was further upgraded to high school status. The present school building

was build by Mr. Jaya Joseph and the SSC syllabus is followed. The present

enrolment of the students is 292 and the total number of staff and faculty are

298

23. The impact of the school was spread around and as a result many

churches were established around the school69.

Seventh Day Adventist School at Rajahmundry :

The Seventh Day Adventist School at Rajahmundry was

established initially as a church school for the children of the church members

in Rajahmundry in 1970 by Pr. I.V.Rao. The initial enrolment was 10 students

with a single teacher. By 1971 the enrolment was increased up to 50 and 5

teachers were employees. Later Mr. Ravi varma the then principal of the

school had build the school building as tin sheets class rooms to run the

classes. And the school was upgraded to upper primary level. The present

school block was built by Bathini Moses family. In the year 2000 and in the

same year the school was upgraded to high school status. AS the school

began to grow the church also was established. The school is operated purely

on the self supporting basis70.

Seventh Day Adventist High School at Secunderabad :

69

Personal Interview with the zonal Education Director. Ch. Samuel Paul on August 2010 in

Hyderabad. 70

Personal Interview with the first Headmaster of the School. IV Rao on August, 2010 in

Rajahmundry.

299

The seventh day Adventist School at Secunderabad was established

as a church school in 1952 by Mrs Harris, a missionary from USA. Due to the

discipline and the standard maintained by the school, it was up-grated into a

High School. During the principal ship of Pr. Steven Kelly from 1969-1973, the

existing school buildings were constructed and the school was elevated. In

fact the school had become one of the best schools in the city during this

period. This school supported the evangelistic work of the section

extensively. The present enrollment of the school is 700 and the total no of

staff is 50. As a result of influence of this school a beautiful church building

was built right in the campus and the no of congregation were raised around

the school71.

Seventh Day Adventist High School at Zaheerabad :

The seventh day Adventist School at Zaheerabad was established

in 1986 by Pr K.Christopher. The first principal of the school is Pr. Paulson.

This semi boarding school was established for the growth and development

of the Adventist work in Adilabad and Medak districts. The children of the

members of the congregations in this area study in this boarding school. Mrs.

71

Personal Interview with the Principal of the social N. Daniel Kumar, on September, 2010 in

Secunderabad.

300

Ellen Eagar the Director of Asian Aid Organization had given a great support

to the school. The hostel buildings were a donation from the Asian Aid

Organization. In the year 2007 Mr. Bob Robinson, the missionary from USA

had sponsored for the school building. The present enrollment of the school is

370 and total no of staff is 21. This school fallows SSC syllabus. The impact of

the school had helped in the growth and development of the gospel work

around this area.

Seventh Day Adventist High School at Visakhapatnam:

The seventh day Adventist School at Visakhapatnam was

established in the year 1952 by Mrs. Valentine. The school was started while

Enjety Eswar Rao was the pastor of the church. The school continued as a

Upper Primary School until 1978. Pr. C.M.J. Suverna Raj took over the school

as the principal in 1978 and in the same year the school was up graded to a

High School status. The existing school buildings were constructed by Steven

Kelli, I.D.Deva Das and George Luke. The present enrollment of the school is

420 and the total no of staff is 21. Through the influence of the school and

through the hard work of the staff the gospel work began to spread with in

301

the city. There were more than 21 SBA churches which were established

around the school due to the impact of the school72.

Vocational Training and Development Centre at Rajanagaram in East

Godavari District:

The seventh Day Adventist mission in Andhra Pradesh had established a

vocational training and development center in Rajanagaram in 1990. The area

of this center’s campus is 7 acres of land. This institution was establish by Pr.

K Christopher the then president of the North Andhra section of SDA

through the sponsor ship of Ellen eager who is the director of Asian Aid

Organization of SDA from Australia. The courses offered are ITI in welding,

electrical, carpentry and fitter courses. This institution was supported by the

Funds from the denomination. The first director of this unit is Mr. Gompa

Devadas. Tailoring training is also given to the girls free of cost. In 2005 a

Bible seminary is also conducted in this campus. At the same time an

elementary school was started by Mrs. Gladys Vararaj. In 2008 Pr. R.N.

Prabhudas was placed as a director and the institution was developed and

hostel and class room buildings were added and the elementary school was

72

Personal Interview with C M J Suvarna Raj the main contributes of the School on July, 2010 in

Visakhapatnam.

302

upgraded to 10th standard in 2009. The impact of this institution has attracted

many people, as result a beautiful Church was built.

Medical Ministry

Seventh-day Adventist mission in India owns and operates eleven

hospitals run by the medical trusts of Seventh-day Adventists. They are

Aizwal Adventist Hospital in Mizoram, Bangalore Hospital in Karnataka,

Mattson Memorial Hospital in Hapur, Pune Adventist Hospital in

Maharashtra, Ruby Nelson Hospital in Jalandhar, Ottapalem Hospital in

Kerala, Thanajavur Hospital in Tamil Nadu, Surat Hospital in Gujarat, and

Gifford Memorial Hospital in Andhra Pradesh73.

The earliest organization sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventists

for the overall guidance of the denomination was the Adventist Medical

missionary and benevolent association. This organization was incorporated in

1893 and was organized as both a property holding organization and as an

administrative organization intended originally for the control and oversight

of all the Adventist Medical institutions.

73

Kalapala J Moses, “The Story of Adventism in Andhra” Andhra Adventist Platinum Jubilee”, Flaiz

Memorial Junior College, Narsapur, 1998, P. 53.

303

The term Medical work is a phrase common in Seventh-day Adventist’s

usage, meaning not only the profession but the other phrases of healing arts such as

nursing, dentistry, dietetics, the various paramedical techniques and health education.

Adventist hold that it is the very nature of Christian’s life and faith to exercise

compassion towards those who need help to aid both soul and body, professional

education to train physicians and nurses and many types of technical workers is

needed to sustain the wide spread of medical work to which Seventh-day Adventists

are committed.

Gifford Memorial Hospital

The Raja of Telaprolu as a young man started to build Nuzvid

hospital in 1912. As a result of the European War, he stopped building the

hospital in 1915. With great difficulty he collected building material, later

after seven years i.e. in 1922 when Dr Flaiz came into contact with him he

reactivated the construction and completed building the Nuzvid SDA

hospital. Thus the Seventh-day Adventists came in possession of the Nuzvid

hospital. However, Dr.Cyone who was one of the old fashioned dedicated

Adventists who started the medical work first at Narsapur in West Godavari

and later at Nuzvid74. By 1925 the hospital began to grow and 1514 patients

have been treated. The Zamindar of that area was pleased with the

development work of the hospital and gave another Five thousand rupees

74 Eastern Tidings, Oriental Watchman Publishing House, May 1925, P.3.

304

added to his original cash gift of ten thousand rupees. By January 1926

brother G.C.Joseph was transferred to Nuzvid to do the evangelistic work in

connection with the hospital75.

Later Dr.Clark took over the hospital work and continued the

medical ministry. In March 1932, Miss Emma Binder a staff nurse arrived in

Nuzvid to carry out the burden of the nursing services and the teaching of the

nursing school. After the Seventh-day Adventist Hospital at Bobbili was

closed Miss Gore returned to Nuzvid and on the combined services of Miss

Emma and Miss Gore the medical work at Nuzvid reached its heights. All

these doctors and their helpers took a deep interest in the evangelistic work

around the hospital. Besides the hospital work evangelistic preaching in the

wards, and talking to patients and to their relatives about the truth. Groups of

hospital workers went out during the Sabbath afternoons to conduct the

Sabbath schools.

The overseas doctors and nurses also assisted them in their

evangelistic work; as a result several churches were established around the

hospital.The influence of the hospital reached far and wide. Patients that were

given up by other doctors came to Nuzvid hospitals as a last resort from

places beyond Vizag even beyond madras and beyond Hyderabad. The

75

Eastern Tidings, Oriental Watchman Publishing House, May 1925, P.4.

305

doctors would offer prayer before undertaking an operation this had a

profound impression on the patients and on their relatives and even on

Hindu families76. In August 1928 Nurses and compounder classes were

started at Nuzvid with an enrollment 8-10 young people from these modest

beginnings the training programme has grown as a Division training school

for nurses, therapists and technicians. Dr.E.J.Hiscoks first arrived in Nuzvid

to fill the need of lady doctor she wedded to her work from the morning till

late in the night77.

She is kind and sympathetic and had won the respect and affection

of her patients she has given her whole life to service at this hospital. In 1946

Dr Oliver and Mrs Oliver came to India as the Medical Superintend of the

Nuzvid Hospital. The team worked hard for the development of this hospital.

The patients and the people who lived around this hospital were

highly influenced through the loving treatment of the doctors and were

drawn to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Their children who studied in the

Adventist Institutions and later joined the Nursing College under the

guidance of these medical missionaries have now spread to United States and

too many other countries of the world thus the impact of the Seventh-day

76 . Op.cit., Lest WE Forget “PP 59-61 77

M S Prasada Rao, “Lest we forget” Andhra Section of SDA, Narsapur, 1966, PP. 51-61.

306

Adventist church, through the Seventh-day Adventist Medical institutions

have spread far and wide78.

78

Personal Interview with Pr. M.L.Narayana, the Senior Pastor of SDA Church, Nuzvid on Feb., 2010.

307

VILLAGES AROUND NUZVID WHERE G.M.HOSPITAL HAD

ESTABLISHED SDA CHURCHES.

1. Vattigudem 21. Visannapeta 41. Thathaguntla

2. Posannapalli 22. Kondaparava 42. Mittagudem

3. Sagguru 23. Chittapur 43. Kalagaa

4. Vedulagudem 24. Annavaram 44. Surampalem

5. Agiripalli 25. Venkatayapalem 45. Korlamanda

6. Choprametla 26. Hanumanthulagudem 46. Mallela

7. Pinnamaanipalem 27. Venkatayapalem 47. Laxmipuram

8. Edara 28. Rukkalagudem 48. Siddarthanagar

9. Sobhanapuram 29. Mukkollipadu 49. Kandrika

10. Yanamadala 30. Chintalelli 50. Ramanakkapeta

11. Bathulavarigudem 31. Pothieddipalli 51. Digavalli East

12. Sitarampuram 32. Jangangudem 52. Digavalli West

13. Mylavaram 33. Devaragunta 53. Kothagudem

14. Chandrala 34. Gopavaram 54. Somavaram

15. Veladam 35. Katrenipadu 55. Surepalli

16. Ganapavaram 36. Velpucherla 56. Marlapalem

17. Neguluru 37. Chellaboyinapalli 57. Thukkuluru

18. Jagannadapuram 38. Kothapalli 58. Danmmahota

19. Reddigudem 39. Venkadripuram 59. Soprametla

308

20. Vempatigudem 40. Narasapuram 60. Gollapalli

BOBBILI SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST HOSPITAL

The history of the establishment of the Seventh-day Adventist

Hospital at Bobbili is an interesting story. While Dr.Emma Hughes worked at

Nuzvid hospital, she was invited more than once to Bobbili to treat the

mother of Raja of Bobbili. Each time she visited that place for treatment she

has to spent more than four weeks, her medical treatment was highly

appreciated and her efficient service was soon recognized as a result the

Bobbili samsthanam called the Seventh-day Adventist mission to start a

hospital at Bobbili. The large guest house of Bobbili Raja was used as a

hospital and the adjacent building was used for the staff.

In the middle of 1933 Dr.Hughes after her return from Furlough

proceeded to Bobbili with few helpers to start a hospital. After the medical

service in the hospital continued for one year a report was given that the

medical work in the hospital is developing. The progress of the hospital was

recorded in the Tidings of May 1, 1934.”Our Hospital at Bobbili where Dr

Hughes is in charge is thriving though she is at work alone without even a

qualified nurse to assist her and with poor facility. Dr.Hughes and her staff

309

are highly appreciated for the work that they have done under the

circumstances. Among the early workers at this institution are P.Jacob,

A.V.Jesudas, Mrs.Cole, Mr. &.Mrs.Dakshinamurthy, P.S.Johnson, & R.John

Charles. Later on Brother G C Joseph joined as an evangelist79.

In the year 1934 Miss Beatrice Gore came to Bobbili as the nursing

superendinet Dr & Mrs Browns Burger also joined the hospital at the same

time. Since there are many people around Bobbili suffering from eye diseases

Dr Browns Burger who is an eye specialist treated them successfully as a

result their name and fame spread quickly. As a result many eye patients

from distant places began to come. As there are not many trained medical

helpers in the hospital even the hospital evangelists was drafted into medical

work. Later the mission has decided to close down the hospital at Bobbili.

Even after the hospital was closed down the evangelistic work did not stop.

The influence and the impact that was put in the minds of the people around

the Bobbili area has attracted many people to Jesus Christ. As a result today

we have hundreds of Adventist congregations in and around Bobbili area80.

79

M S Prasada Rao, “Lest we Forget”, Andhra Section of Seventh Day Adventists, Narsapur, 1966,

P. 79. 80

Ibid,P.63.

310

NARSAPUR HOSPITAL

One of the missionaries of the Plymouth Brethren (Baptist Mission)

in narsapur, negotiated with Dr. Long a doctor in England, and started a

hospital in Narsapur town, on a private basis. Dr. Long was an eminent

surgeon, and the hospital was doing very well, in patronage, and in profits.

But however, there arose differences between Dr. Long and the management

on the collection of hospital fees from the patients. This issue led Dr. Long for

his resignation from Narsapur hospital and returned to England.

In response to the need for a doctor for this hospital, Dr. and Mrs.

A.E. Clark answered the request Dr. Clarke took a course in tropical medicine

at Calcutta and went on the Narsapur in November 192581. Inspite of

difficulties, the hospital work progressed. The attendance during the early

months of the year averaged thirty to forty patients daily, but this figure has

grown rapidly and raised to 100 patients. The average number of in-patients

in November was twelve. It keeps the doctors very busy attending to the

rush of patients.

81

Moses, J. Kalapala. “The Story of Adventism in Andhra” in Souvenir for Andhra Adventists

Platinum Jubilee, Narsapur, 1990, p. 40.

311

Some of the early workers in Narsapur Hospital were B. Solomon,

N. Isaiah, L.B. Devasikhamony, O. Israel, T. Prakasam, O.B. Devasahayam,

Kota Joseph, and Sister Tharabai Alice. Pastor Prakasam was the evangelist

and Brother Ch. Samson was the registrar.

For some time, Dr. Nelson conducted a successful clinic in

Narsapur town, in conjunction with the hospital. Since at one time, there

were three hospitals in the Telugu field, while in the rest of the Division there

were practically none, it was decided to close down the Narsapur and Bobbili

hospitals in order to spread Seventh Day Adventist medical service

throughout the Division.

Welfare Services

Seventh-day Organization has contributed a great deal in the field

of welfare such as ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief

Activity).IMEWS (Indian Medical and Educational Welfare service, Adventist

Risk Management), ACCA (Adventist Child Care Agency) orphanages and

deaf ministries. Asian Aid-Orphanages-Elim home Sweet home, Deaf

Ministries. A Seventh-day Adventist Blind School was established in Bobbili

of Srikakulam district in 12 acres of land. Students both Adventist and others

312

are enrolled into the boarding school for the blind. Separate hostels for boy’s

and girls are available. No fee is being collected. But the school is supported

by the SDA Admisntration82.

Vocational Training a development center was established in the year

1986 in seven acres and located in Rajanagram of East Godavari District. The

Courses offered are wielding Fitter, Electrical and Carpentery. It is a two year

course of Industrial Training institute and also tailoring school is operated

with Government certificate, the main objective in operating this institution is

to train the Adventist boys and girls to develop their trade and to stand on

their feet and still be a support to the organization. Another outstanding

activities of the Seventh-day Adventist literature service reaching the reached

through publishing literature. Seventh-day initial stage-publish first early

days translated one and only publishing home in OWPH-Oriented watchman

publishing home in Pune.

The years 1970s and 80s saw God’s work in Andhra make rapid

strides and unprecedented growth. Another bifurcation of the field into

North Andhra and South Andhra took place in January 1980, with 18000

82

R W Kedas, “Adventist Movement of Western India”, Western India union of SDA, Frank and

Earnest Brothers, Salisbury Park, Pune, 2005, P. 152.

313

memberships. With dynamic leadership given in the fields with the

awakening of lay members to fulfill their God-given commission, thousand of

members were added to the membership. Great out-pouring of the Holy

Spirit was experienced in all segments of the field. Consequently, towards

the end of 75 year period in 1989 the remnant church in Andhra passed a

50,000 membership mar -30,000 in North Andhra and 20,000 in South

Andhra, Zaheerabad Region has been organized in April 1989 with over 9,000

members. We praise God for His continued leadership to His work in

Andhra83.

There are still many challenges the present generation need to face.

Thousands of towns and villages are still unentered, millions of Andhra

people are not aware of God’s redeeming grace, and many young people

need to be trained for future challenges. The Anguish of Cecil Rhodes is

beaconing us. “So little is done, so much to do” from the humble beginning

of the torch lit in Rangoon but kindled in Pedapudi and Agarthipalem, the

gospel light is burning in hundreds of places throughout the Andhra field.

As Pandit Nehru said on the fateful day of August 14/15, 1947, “My

generation shall soon pass away”.The torch of gospel truth shall soon pass

83

Ellen White, “Life Sketches,” Oriental Watchman Publishing House, Pune, 1952, P.196.

314

on to the future generation. A great challenge lies ahead. But, the Divine

Assurance beacons us. “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we

shall forget the way the Lord has led us and His teaching in our past history”.

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