Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association

Mar Thoma College for Women, Perumbavoor is under the Mar Thoma Evangelical Association. This organization is responsible for all the missionary and evangelical work conducted by the Mar Thoma Church. It runs several schools, colleges, hospitals. It also is responsible for organizing the world-famous Maramon Convention. A brief highlight of the history and work of the Evangelistic Association is given here.

History

A small group of 12 persons, (Rev. Thomas Abraham, Kottarathil and 11 laymen) met for prayer in 1888 at Kallissery, near Chengannoor and  decided to start evangelistic work among non-Christians. The first place that they chose as their field was Othara in Central Travancore. Rev. C. P. Philipose became the General Secretary of the Evangelistic Association in 1890 and he continued to lead the Association in that position for 50 years. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan gave encouragement to the infant Association. By 1894 four full time paid evangelists were appointed and four teachers worked in schools belonging to the Association. By 1903 these numbers increased to 17 and 20. The work expanded on Central Travancore and reached out to the sea coast and North Travancore. By 1926 evangelists were sent to Palghat area.  Gradually the work extended to Wynad in the Nilgiri area and Gudalur. 

Rev. P. I. Jacob made great contribution to the cause by his untiring work in the mission fields of Central Travancore and the Sea Coast areas. He continued to work till he became too old and weak to continue. Another stalwart was Rev. C. I. Abraham of Venmony. He worked in North Travancore area. The Palghat Ashram was established in 1924, under the leadership of Rev. P. John Varghese. Work was started in South Travancore area under the leadership of Rev. K. A. Varghese. 

Mar Thoma Evangelical Association had been instrumental in doing missionary work within and outside India. Some of the highlights follow:

Activities

North Kanara

When? Started in 1910

Where? Karwar District. 

Leaders: Mr. P. S. Mathai, Rev. P. X. Varghese, Mr. K. K. Kuruvilla and Mr. P. O. Philip

Highlights: 

1919 - High School at Honavar, Rev. M. P. Philipose - Principal.

1940 - Ankola - Christa Mitra Ashram was established by Rev. P. J. Thomas and two young graduates (Mr. Philip Oommen, now Philipose Mar Chrysostom, Suffragan Metropolitan and Mr. P. John Thomas, later Rev. P. John Thomas). 
The Ashrarn started a hospital, a home for boys and girls, and a destitute home and other services.

Sihora

Where? Sihora

When? 1942

What? Christa Panthi Ashram

Leaders? Rev. K. T. Thomas, Mr. John Varghese and Mr. M. P. Mathew, (became ordained minister of the Church later.)

Highlights: There are more than 40 members, including permanent workers and volunteers. Activities of the ashram include: gospel work, hospital work, village schools, destitute home, agricultural work and rural development program.

Satna

What? Christya Bandhukulam

When? 1952

Where? Satna, Rewa

Leaders: Rev. A. T. Chacko and a group of 4 people from Kaviyoor.

Highlights: School up to the XII Standard (Grade) which has developed a high reputation in the area.

Tibetan Border work

Where? Bhotia community located in Tejam and Munsiari on the border of Tibet.

What? Suvartha Premi Samithi

Leaders: Rev. A. K. George and co-workers  

Highlights: Congregations have been founded at Munsiari and Tejam. At present two groups are working here.

Vapi Mission

Where? Vapi, Valsad District, Gujarat.

When? 1968

Highlights:  Took over a hospital from an American Mission. The medical work is being continued with the cooperation of the parishes of the Mar Thoma Church in Gujarat and Bombay.

Hoskote Mission

Where? Hoskote, 25km. from Bangalore city. 

When? 1946.

What? Hoskote Mission

Leaders:  Rev. A. C. Zachariah, Mr. M. T. Joseph, Rev. E. J. George and Dr. Mrs. Sophy George

Highlights: A chapel and medical work. Over 700 leprosy patients from the nearby villages are given treatment. Six congregations have been developed in those villages. 

Santhi Mandiram, Secunderabad

Where? Secunderabad city, Andra Pradesh

What? Santhi Mandiram 

Highlights: A school for the children. Medical help for the villagers also was given by doctors and medical personnel from the Mar Thoma parish in the Secunderabad Hyderabad cities.

Rajasthan Work

When? 1983

Where? Jaipur, Rajasthan; Bhambhori village, 25 km. from Jaipur

Highlights: Teaching illiterate people.  In 1985 the work was started in the villages near Rawalpetta with the cooperation of the Parishes in Rawalpetta and Kota.

The Maramon Convention

The Maramon Convention is one of the most well-known activities of the Evangelistic Association. It is conducted annually  since 1896 on the banks of the river Pampa, near Kozhencherry, usually in the month of February Attended by about 80,000 people. It is an occasion for listening to the Word of God, preached by Evangelists of world renown and eminent exponents of the Bible. 

Missionaries of the Evangelistic Association also come from their mission fields for sharing their experiences and renewing their strength. People from far and near look forward to this great annual event.

The centenary of the Maramon Convention was celebrated in 1995.

Some of the institutions under the Evangelistic Association

Educational Institutions: 

Hospitals:

1. Bishop Abraham Memorial Hospital. Coyalmannom, Palghat
2. Hoskote Mission Hospital, Hoskote, Karnataka
3. Ashram Hospital Ankola, Karnataka
4. Sarvajanik Mission Hospital, Vapi, Gujarat
5. Ashram Hospital, Sihora, Madhya Pradesh.

Destitute Homes:

1. Dharmagiri, Kumbanad
2. Carmel Mandiram & Orphanage, Ayroor 

(Source: Marthoma Heritage & Mission by His Grace Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan)