An
institution born out of the vision of a group of committed Malayalee Christians who received a basic evangelical orientation
from Dallas Seminary, Texas, USA in the late 1970s. The emphasis being on Bible teaching, to counter the
nominalism of existing 3rd and 4th generation Christian communities giving a distinctive emphasis on having a born again
experience; the liberalism of the mainstream groups countered by a basic bible centred teaching with stress on the exegetical
including knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. The original group had Pentecostal origins but has since moved to a more classic
evangelical position. In contrast the Titus group who operate the Church on the Rock in Vishakapatnam, have remained within
the charismatic Pentecostal orientations. Within India these classifications are not as strong or binding as in the West.
The ministry was begun in Bangalore but has since moved on to a more rural campus outside of Hosur with
a start into new building in 1991. Hosur being 20 miles or so from Bangalore in the direction of Chennai. Hosur is in Tamil
Nadu a more favorable Christian environment than Karnataka where Bangalore is located. Christian response is much greater in
Tamil Nadu than Karnataka which remains resistant to the Gospel. The land was originally very barren and depleted but good
management, careful investment with enlightened understanding has transformed this into a very attractive campus with
buildings, trees and a gradual uplift of the ecology. The loss of one of the original founders early in the ministry proved
a great sorrow but has not prevented the ministry developing and growing.
In line with the original vision a Seminary has been developed with around 100 students, a day school from Grade 1-10 now
has 600 students drawn from the villages surrounding the area. A Hospital is also on the campus serving the students, staff
and people from the village areas. 25 acres of campus ground remain which presently sustain a dairy farm one of whose
principal virtues is the natural gas plant for cooking and the fertiliser produced to improve the soil. For some future
generation there could be the possibility of a significant Liberal Arts College giving a strong Christian emphasis.
The physical setup is very comfortable with a newly built attractive room, adjoining bathroom with hot
water and shower. An adjoining kitchen enables us to make tea easily. We are eating breakfast and dinner in the home of Dr
and Mrs Lilla George a mix of western and Indian food. The midday meal is shared with the Students in their Cafetaria where
over 100 are fed each day basic meals of rice and vegetable curry.
Janette's developing opportunities have further blossomed here. She has been in demand for a variety of
inputs. School chapels with staff, Ladies Bible Study groups; Choir inputs and singing lessons, for School staff teaching
methods as well as much personal interaction with different people.
The courses offered are not accredited by Serampore or the Asian Theological Association rather standing
on their own at the M.Th level.
Almost all the male students have completed a M Div or B D before being admitted. Wives of students are accepted with lower
qualifications and a few exceptions made for Hindu converts and other specialized people.
Colin has continued on with the basic teaching, a course on Major Indian Religions having been allocated
2 classes each day making for 20 teaching hours. The classes are quite large with 35 students so limited interaction. The
teaching facilities are normal , one plus being the projector which has enabled the use of Power Point applications making
for better presentations.
An indication of the students can be gauged from the results of one examination which shows a normal Bell
curve with a few with limited comprehension another group in the upper category leaving the majority in the middle range.
| Less than 5 |
5 to 7 |
8-10 |
| 2 |
25 |
8 |
Location of the students and their experience is another interesting batch of information. North East
includes; Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Myanmar these students are from Baptist Churches. South
India-Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Other is Madya Pradesh and Orissa.
| North East India |
South India |
Other India |
| 17 |
15 |
3 |
Church Backgrounds of Students
This institution is obviously the one favored by the more conservative evangelical groupings. The
teaching is seen to be strongly Bible based and on sound lines. The charismatic emphasis may not be spoken against but
this aspect of Christian teaching is not emphasized in this institution. The approach is strongly Knowledge Encounter
rather than Power encounter!
| Baptist |
21 |
| Brethren |
7 |
| Independent |
4 |
| Church of South India |
2 |
Previous Experience of Students
The large number who left either high school or secular college and proceeded direct to a Bible
School or Theological Seminary reflects that Bible belt outlook of most of these Baptistic churches which see the world as
a hostile place with sanctity and purity within the Christian Community.
| Direct from Schools |
Some Ministry |
Hindu Convert |
Work Experience |
| 27 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
The Institution is well run and of its kind one of the best. It faces the challenge of all such enclosed
communities which are sanctuaries from the world around , a world often perceived as hostile. How to prepare people for real
ministry that will reach out to that World beyond?
The Future
We fitted in well being given warm invitations to return next year on our visit to Asia. The assessments
given by the Students of the way the course had been run contained indicators of things I would have observed myself. They
say the course is too short for the material to be covered; they would favor more participation and interaction. I find the
numbers too many, 35 in all, to make much dialogue possible. Combined with difficulties in understanding various forms of
accented English so I gave up at that level, The teaching facilities are very basic. The computer assisted projector was very
good but did not last out till the end. The overhead projectors are very primitive their bulbs being quite inadequate to meet
the challenges of low electric power and power screens etc.
However, it may well be possible to develop a more interactive course where the students prepared Dramas
as part of the material. If I can use the assessments to recommend to the authorities that this is the way to go. Having met
me and analysed the situation better more co operation may be possible. Janette also did well and now could develop more
material suited to the situation. Ricky Gnanakan in Bangalore is also keen for her inputs into his Pre University course at
the High School where her experience and understanding of Mathematics may well have input and value.
