Indian Christianity

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA : M. M. NINAN
Kanneettu Revival Church and a failed Prophecy
Among the Brahmin converts from Tamil Nadu was a priest of the CMS Church called Yoosthose
Joseph. He was a scholar in the Bible and was known as Vidwan Kutty Achen. Vidhuvankutty Achen
found all these superstitions and rituals are against the Bible and conducted revival meetings in and
around of Mavelikara, kannettil and all places of Travancore. VidhwanKutty Achen was great singer an
composer of hymns. He wrote many Malayalam revival songs. His hymn "Sthuthipin Sthuthipin, Yeshu
Devane" (Prais Jesus the God) is still sung every year to conclude the final meeting of the Maramon
convention
His chornological studies of the Bible led him to a conclusion that Jesus was going to return before 1871.
Since the Church did not support this view he along with another Priest Koodara Pallil Thommen
Kathanar started a new church called Kanneettu Revival Church better known as “Youyomaya Sabha”.
A large number of aherents of the faith gathered together on a hill awaiting the return of Christ. It is said
that all those who gathered together pulled out all their gold ornaments as they waited ready for Jesus to
come. The gold measured five and a half Idangazhi measure. When his predictions did not come true
the church declined and died out. The church is today referred to as "Ancherakkaar" (People of five and
a half). The hymn of prayer he wrote at the time of disappointment "Kanthaa Thaamasam Enthaho?" (O
beloved what is the delay?) is still a favorite song of all Malayalam Churches.
George Burg
The present day structure and independent Pentecostal Churches are the result of American Missions.
The first effective mission of the Pentecostal teaching came through th efforts of one George Burg, an
American of German origin. He came down to Kerala and held several meetings in and around
Trikannamangal, Kottarakara, Mavelikkara and Adoor in 1909. His followings were mainly from Mar
Thomas Church and C.M.S church. In 1913 Burg returned to Kerala with larger financial support and
missionary personal support from the All World Pentecostal Conference held in Califonia (1912). The
independent Pentecostal churches arose due to their efforts.
Robert F. Cook and the Church of God
In 1914 several independent Pentecostal Churches joined together in America to form the Assemblies of
God Church. The new church was able to reach out to India and started several bible schools among
them was the Bethel Bible School in Punalur.George Burg was followed by others like Charles
Commins,,Miss Browncil, Al Dwingle, and Robert Cook. In 1915 they started the Bethel Bible College in
Punalur and Punalur became the administrative center. . Pastor P.D. Johnson was one of the pioneers of
the movement. Robert Cook was one of the missionaries from Assemblies of God who came to
Mulakuzha in Chengannur in 1914. Later he started the Church of God in Kerala. In 1928 Zion Bible
School in Mulakkuzha was started. The headquarters of the Church of God in India remains there now.
Among those who supported was Pastor T.M. Varughese. The mission of the Pentecostal Churches
were essentially constrained within the Syrian Christian Community simply as a reform movement and
not as a missionary outreach as such.
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