16,000 Telugu Baptists Celebrated Unity at Ongole, India
Benjamin Chan
January 16, 2008

More than 16,000 Telugu Baptists celebrated the formation of the Baptist Convention of Telugu Churches (BCTC) at Ongole, South India on January 15, 2008.. Dr. Revela Joseph, the General Secretary of BCTC shared his excitement in the Opening Ceremony, "Our Dream has come true. God has brought Telugu Baptists from all parts of Andhra Pradhesh (State) here, so that we may restore our unity in Christ." The Telugu Baptist churches have been divided for more ten years over the issues of leadership and property. Mr. P. Jayachandra Rao, BCTC President thanked the leadership of the International Ministries (IM), American Baptist Churches, and the Baptist World Alliance for their support in the reconciliation effort. Mr. Rao also thanked the presence of the IM delegation of which Rev. Benjamin Chan, Area Director of East Asia and India, and Dr. Imo Aier, the Power of Attorney were the keynote speakers of the celebration. The other IM delegates were Mr. David Perkins, Country Director of India Mission, and Mr. Ramesh Kumar, Property Team member and the Principal of the Balasore Technical School, Orissa.

BCTC has 970,000 baptized members. In the BCTC-IM consultation meeting which was held a day before the celebration, BCTC officers shared their vision to strengthen the fellowship and continuing education of more than 1,000 pastors and evangelists of the Convention. They also plan to complete the building construction of about 100 rural churches, and to start HIV/AIDS education program. Rev. Chan assured the BCTC leadership of IM's commitment for partnership, "We have worked closely with you in times of joy and struggle. We will continue to walk with you to achieve the revival of relationship and ministries."

The celebration was held in the Jewett Memorial Baptist Church. The Sunday Service of the church is well attended by an average of 6,000 believers and seekers. The church provides programs for 2,000 children and youth, and a four months annual evangelists training.