Edavaka Mission

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“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Smaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”
– Acts: 1: 8

The 17th Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church, Late Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Thoma, an ardent supporter of Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangests’ Association stated that ‘every Marthomite is a volunary evangelist’. In accordance with his wishes, Titus II Mar Thoma Metropolitan sent out a circular to all parishes encouraging the foundation of branches of the Association. The Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association was formed in 1924. It was a long cherished dream fulfilled by the Leaders. Rev. C. P. Philipose Kassisa was the first President, Sadhu Kochu Kunju the Secretary and Kolakottu John Upadesi the Traveling Secretary.

The branch of the Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association is called the Edavaka Mission. The basic purpose of this organization is to spread the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to all those who do not know Christ. Since the leaders came to know that the very few full-time evangelists can’t fulfill the mission, the enthusiastic laymen were entrusted to present the Gospel to others.

The Edavaka Mission started functioning in the Ahmadi Mar Thoma Parish from the year of its inception. While every member of the Parish is its member, it has registered active members as well. The Edavaka Mission in our Parish is a registered unit of the Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association. The current active registered membership stands at 92.

The object of this organization is that every member of the Parish should be a witness to Jesus Christ. The members meet once a week for fellowship, intercessory prayer, Bible study and sharing experience. Then they go out and contact others to share the Gospel. They help with various services in the Parish such as; Edavaka Convention, Harvest Festival, organizing prayers in the prayer groups, assisting in Holy Communion Services, etc.. They visit the sick and the needy and give spiritual fellowship and material helps to them. They also seek opportunities to convey the message of the Gospel to non-Christians.

The functions of the Edavaka Mission are based on the seven activities of the Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association, such as; Intercessory Prayer, Bible Study, Wiitnessing & Sharing, House Visits, Charity Projects, Prayer Meetings and Gospel Work among non-Christians.

The Edavaka Mission has the Vicar as the President and Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer from the laity. The President acts as the Chirman, Vice-President as the substitute Chairman, the Secretary acts as the Chief Executive and the Treasuer as the Accountant. All lay leaders are elected annually by the active members of the Edavaka Mission.

In addition to the various financial assistance extended on account of Marriage Aid, Educational Assistance, etc., the Ahmadi Mar Thoma Edavaka Mission took very active participation in the mission projects based at the Srikakulam Mission Field (Andhra Pradesh). They have been supporting 20 Evangelists and 20 Hostel (Jeevandhara) Students (IRs.70,000/-) per month since October 2012. In addition, an enormous amount is spent for the maintenance of the Jeevandhara Girl’s Hostel, its fencing and Eco-farming projects. Plans are underway to support all the 40 Nos. students currently accommodated by the Jeevandhara Girls’ Hostel in addition to the Evangelists. The Edavaka Mission expresses its utmost gratitude to all those current and potential partners who wholeheartedly supports the Srikakulam Mission Field projects.

The Edavaka Mission is the most active and energetic organization of Ahmadi Mar Thoma Parish. It is also the spiritual power generating plant of the Edavaka. We proudly remember the ardent support extended by all the clergies and the laity who gave exemplary leadership to the Edavaka Mission all these years in order to make this organization a role model for all the Parish organizations in this part of the world.