The Pentecostal Mission (TPM) or New Testament Church (NTC) formerly known as Ceylon Pentecostal Mission (CPM), is a pentecostal denomination which originated in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. The international headquarters is now situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations with around 2 million members worldwide in more than 65 nations. The mission was founded in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1923 by a Hindu convert, Ramankutty - later known as Pastor Paul.[1][2] It now has churches (or Faith Homes) in many parts of Sri Lanka, as well as India, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean Islands and the Middle East.
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In other parts of the world, the church is known by the following names:
OTHER BRANCHES IN
According to historian, Somarathna,[1] "The Ceylon Pentecostal Mission owes its origin to the ministry of Walter Clifford." The church was founded by Pastor Paul along with Pastor Alwin R. de Alwis. Pastor Paul was born to Hindu parents in the district of Trichur in Kerala, India.[4] While in Sri Lanka, at the age of 18, he became a Christian. Later, he felt a strong call from the Lord for his life and began to preach and share the gospel in various parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. In the initial stages, he had worked with other evangelists. The CPM espoused an ascetic approach to spirituality. The church also instituted indigenous forms of worship.[5]
TPM worldwide is led by a Chief Pastor, who is usually appointed for life. Leadership is passed down after death to the next in seniority. The current chief pastor, Pastor Wilson Joseph.
In America most of the church work was pioneered by Late Don M Spiers who also worked with Oral Roberts ministries.[6]
The doctrines of the church include: Trinity, New Birth, Water Baptism , Baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in unknown tongues, Separation , Divine Healing, Entire Sanctification (of the Body, Soul and Spirit), Overcoming Life, Consecrated Ministry, Rapture, Tribulation and Great Tribulation, Resurrection, The Millennial Reign, The Great White Throne Judgement, and Eternity.[7]
Annual International conventions are held at Irumbuliyur in Chennai, Kottarakara in Kerala India , Kokkavila Srilanka and in Ohio USA.
International conventions of India are held in Chennai and Kottarakara annually in March and February. In 2011 it attracted over 150,000 worshippers. International convention of America held in July and International convention of Srilanka held in December.
Every November an International Youth Camp is held at Irumbuliyur in Chennai, India. Admission is strictly for the youths only who have below 30 years of age and unmarried. If any young boy want to participate in the youth camp, he should obtain B-Form from his local church and apply well in advance though his local church. Nobody is allowed to participate directly.
The largest European convention held in London in the last week of August.
Other significant conventions are held in Malaysia(June), Singapore(June), Canada(July), Trinidad(July), ElSalvador(July), Germany(July), Switzerland(August), Sierra Leone(August), France(August), Papua New Guinea(September), Fiji(September), New Zealand(September), Australia(September), Nepal(October) and in Dubai - UAE(November).
Magazines in several languages are printed and distributed to subscribers. The English magazine published from India is called Voice of Pentecost. Pilgrim's Journal is published and printed in USA. Other English language magazines are: "Pentecostal Messenger" from Malaysia, "The Youth Herald" from Singapore, "Power Divine" from Sri Lanka, "Trumpet of the Lord" from the U.K.
Malayalam magazine PENTECOST is one of oldest Pentecostal magazines from Kerala. Hindi edition PENTECOST KI WANI published from New Delhi is also other landmark in the history of Church to spread the Gospel to northern part of India. Church Magazines are Being published in more than 40 Indian languages and many other foreign languages.
In 2002 the church opened its New Testament Christian Academy in Sierra Leone. The children from the Congo Cross and Wilberforce assemblies of this church attend the school.
Missions Education Fund (MEF) was founded in May 2007. MEF is 100% Christian Charitable Organisation that helps children from economic, social and physical poverty to receive education and enable them to become responsible , mature Christian adults. This sponsorship program is administered by Grace New Covenant Pentecostal Church Missions Education Fund(Canada) and is managed by Volunteers. Today, MEF has helped over 500 children attend school in 17 countries including Sierra Leone, Togo, Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea & etc. The MEF wish to expand this program to many other countries. The MEF currently have donors representing 10 different countries.
Tracts of different kinds and various life issues (topics such as peace, salvation; questions about life and healings) are also published in different languages.
Many books are published in many languages by the church.