Lutheran Churches in Andhra Pradesh

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Lutheranism was introduced into Andhra Pradesh, one of the southern states of India, in the year 1842 by a Pennsylvanian missionary of German origin, the Rev. John Christian Frederick Heyer, M. D., who was commonly called Father Heyer. It was all built by the British and other Europeans during post-independence period.

Lutheranism branch of Protestantism based on the teachings of Martin Luther

Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teaching of Martin Luther, a 16th century German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation. The reaction of the government and church authorities to the international spread of his writings, beginning with the 95 Theses, divided Western Christianity.

Andhra Pradesh State in southern India

Andhra Pradesh is one of the 29 states of India. Situated in the south-east of the country, it is the seventh-largest state in India, covering an area of 162,970 km2 (62,920 sq mi). As per the 2011 census, it is the tenth most populous state, with 49,386,799 inhabitants. The largest city in Andhra Pradesh is Visakhapatnam. Telugu, one of the classical languages of India, is the major and official language of Andhra Pradesh.

India Country in South Asia

India, also known as the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh largest country by area and with more than 1.3 billion people, it is the second most populous country as well as the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the northeast; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and the Maldives, while its Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Thailand and Indonesia.

Church bodies

There are 13 Lutheran church bodies in Andhra Pradesh:

Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church

Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) was constituted in the year 1927 in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the Indian successor to the United Lutheran Church in America which was started as a self-supporting, self-governing, and self-propagating church among Telugu Christians.

South Andhra Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in India. It is Telugu-speaking. It is led by Bishop Rev.O. Michael Benhur ,who is living as a parish pastor in Nayudupeta of south Andhra pradesh It has tens of thousands of members. It belongs to the Lutheran World Federation. The other churches belonging to the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India are:

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John Christian Frederick Heyer Lutheran missionary

John Christian Frederick Heyer was the first missionary sent abroad by Lutherans in the United States. He founded the Guntur Mission in Andhra Pradesh, India. "Father Heyer" is commemorated as a missionary in the Calendar of Saints of the Lutheran Church on November 7, along with Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg and Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen.

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Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam

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Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church is a major Christian denomination in India. It was established in 1882. At that time the founder of the SHEL mission in Germany was pastor Christian Jensen, who was praying for the people of India. Pioneer missionaries Rev Ernest Pohl and Rev. Herman Bothmann.came to India and reached the Koraput district of Odisha on 31 May 1882 and started mission work. They faced many problems. Gradually they learnt the local language, culture, customs, and the traditional system of the local people. The first woman, Asimuti Behera of the village Joba under the Kotpad mission station, was baptized by the missionary Timmke on 6 December 1886. Day by day the indigenous people took an active part in the congregation and they knew the living God. The people took part in various mission programmes.

Arcot Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in India. It has about 40,000 members. It belongs to National Council of Churches in India, United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches. It is led by Rt. Rev. G. Raja Socrates Its headquarters are in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. The other churches belonging to the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India are:

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya Pradesh is a Church belonging to the Lutheran denomination in India. It has about 17,000 members. It is affiliated with United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, National Council of Churches in India, Lutheran World Federation and Christian Conference of Asia. It is currently led by Bishop Dr Emmanuel Panchoo. It exists since 1949. The other churches belonging to the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India are:

Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Himalayan States is a Christian denomination in India. It has about 25,000 members. It belongs to the Lutheran World Federation. Its president is Godwin Nag. The other churches belonging to the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India are:

Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in India. It has about 40,000 members. Its headquarters is in Bhadrachalam, Madhya Pradesh. It has been founded in 1972. It is led by T. Esther Rani. The other churches belonging to the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India are:

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E. Prakasam, a Lutheran was the first Indian President of the Protestant Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church Society whose ministry was primarily based in Guntur District and also in East Godavari District, West Godavari District, Krishna District, and Visakhapatnam District. Being one of the established Indian Pastors, Prakasam was elected as President and served from 1944 to 1950 after which Prakasam resumed his Pastoral duties as a Lutheran Pastor.

A. N. Gopal was the second Indian President of the Protestant Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church Society and served during the period 1951-1955. On completion of his term as President of the AELC, he was assigned the responsibility of President of the Lutheran Theological College, Rajahmundry.

Samuel William Schmitthenner was a Lutheran who served as the President of the Protestant Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church Society in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India from 1969-1981.

K. Frederick Paradesi Babu is the current President of the Protestant Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church Society. He had his ministerial formation at the Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad, a Seminary affiliated to the nation's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University).