Seventh-day Adventist Telugu Work In Malaysia (1928–1970).
The Seventh-day Adventist (Indian) Telugu work in Malaysia (states of Perak, Selangor and Kedah) began in 1920s with Pastors Lot and Prakasham, missionaries from India. Later the work was expanded through Pr. R.J. Moses, Pr. P.G Ratham, Pr.V. Samuthram, Pr. V.N. Joseph, Pr.P. Benjamin and many others.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, there was a significant exodus of Andhras especially from the Vishakaptnam district to the Malay Peninsula. They came as manual laborers to meet the shortage of labor in the rubber and coconut plantations mainly owned by the British. The cause of their migration was the push factors present in India and pull factors of the promising Malaya. The push factors being the intolerable conditions in the Vishakapatnam district. There were floods which devastated the crops and dwindling of the shopping industry brought a lot of unemployment. On the other hand, when there was a surplus of labor in Andhra Pradesh, there was a shortage of labor in the plantations of Malaya. When conditions at home (India) was painful and when a promising alternative is shown the next step for a rational mind is to move. Therefore, in the year 1921, about 40,000 Andhras from India migrated to Malaya. Most of the Andhras who came to Malaya scattered throughout West Malaya though the concentration was mainly in Lower Perak (Bagan Datoh and Teluk Intan areas), Selangor, Negeri Sembilah, Kedah. (http:www.members.tripod.com/-ashrrita/3gen.htm)
In the early 1920s many Andhras have migrated to Malaya for a better life. Since, they now confronted with many challenges, this may have open the hearts of the people to hear the gospel. The Seventh-day Adventist Telugu work was first established in Sungei Way, near Kuala Lumpur in the late 1920s.
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(Seventh-day Adventist Telugu work pioneer’s Pastor Prakaham and Pastor Lot with garlands, 1930) |
The Gospel work then expanded to Bagan Datoh in 1928. (The Messenger, issue Jan 1960:1) The work spread with churches and companies in many places. It has been reported there were about 13 stations with one worker to care for each. However, after the war, the work has been greatly reduced with only three stations. (The Messenger, Nov-Dec, 1956 p. 7). Pastor Lot and Pastor Prakasham are known to be one of the pioneers to bring the Gospel to the Telugu population in Malaya. They are assumed to be the first missionaries to work in Bagan Datoh. Pastor Prakasham and Pastor Lot are seen sitting in the front row with garlands. This picture was taken in Kulim, Southeast of Kedah state. Another Telugu work in the early 1930s. (Picture will be available in the near future) Early converts met in believers home for worship. Several laymen from Sungei Way helped to flourish God’s work in Bagan Datoh. As the membership grew, Pastor William W.R. Lake (President of the Malaya Mission then), through his interviews and correspondence with the Estate manager, a temporary house of worship was built by the estate for the believers who were also granted Sabbath privileges. (The Messenger, issue Jan. 1960:1) |
| Pastor R.J. Moses came to serve the Sungei Way Telugu church in 1930s. The church grew with old members reclaimed and new ones are being added, while fresh interests are springing up in various places.
On Sabbath , December 16, 1939, nine people were baptized. About forty members gathered to witness the baptism service. (Notes of Progress, Feb., 1940 p.2). Pastor Moses also visits other Telugu churches in the state of Perak. He was in Teluk Anson church encouraging believers and leading out in Harvest Ingathering. (Notes of Progress, Oct., 1939 p.4). In the picture, Pastor. T.C. Chin, President of the Malayan Mission and Pastor. R.J. Moses (coat) with early Adventist believers in Kulim, Perak, 1947 |
Pastor P.G. Rathnam came to serve in Bagan Datoh and Teluk Intan in 1936s. He later worked in the Kulim district from 1941-1949. After that he returned to Teluk Intan and Bagan Datoh and remained there until 1957 at which he was called to be the pastor of Sungei Way, Telegu Church. (The Messenger, March 1959, p. 2). Pastor C.H. Rathnam worked in Bagan Datoh briefly when Pastor P.G. Ratham was transferred to Kulim.
Mr. and Mrs Prasada Rao missionaries from India held revival meetings in Bagan Datoh in April 1952. Pastor P.G. Rethnam in black coat setting next to the missionaries. (Picture will be available in the near future).
On April 7, 1956 pastor T.C. Chin, president of the Malay States Mission conducted a baptism service in Bagan Datoh church. Pastor P.G. Rathnam was excited about the baptism’s and that many more are studying the truth.
Pastor Samuthram parent’s are immigrants from India. They did not have any children for a long time and they prayed for a child. God answered their prayers and her mother conceived him as they crossed the Indian ocean to come to Malaysia for a better life. So they felt that it’s appropriate to name him as ‘Samuthram’ which means Ocean. Pastor Samuthram heard the gospel and the Sabbath truth at very early age. As a teenager he took the Sabbath truth seriously. He kept the Sabbath against the wishes of the estate manager and attended church faithfully. At this young age he had a strong passion to do the Lord’s work. Since his parents worked in the plantations area, there were not much educational opportunities. But this did not prevent him to pursue his quest for higher education. He went to the Seventh-day Adventist school (elementary) in Singapore to learn English as a second language. He was much older than all of the students in the class. He had to marked up several subjects in a short period of time. After which, he left to Narsapur, India to pursue his Theological trainings.
Pastor V. Samuthram after returning from Ministerial training in Narsapur, India was called to serve in Bagan Datoh and Teluk Anson churches respectively in 1957. Meantime, Pastor P.G. Rethnam was transferred to Sungei Way, (Selangor) Telugu church. Soon after his return Pastor Samuthram got busy. He organized the MV society. His enthusiasm in developing this phase of work, and the honors displayed on the sash he wears really inspires the young men and women to become missionary volunteers. (The Messenger, October 1958 p. 5 ).
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Pr.Samuthram inspires young people to be Missionary Volunteers, 1958 |
He has worked with the young people for more than a year in leading out and developing the MV classes. Some of the young men are canvassing in the hereby towns. They hope to receive compensation enough to entitle them to scholarships for ministerial training in India. For some extra curriculum activities the young men are keen to play a football. They have just enough men to form a team as “Orion Footballers”. (The Messenger, October 1958 p. 5) The membership grew and there was a need for a new church. And also the old church building began to deteriorate. Towards the close of 1957 it was proposed that the old building be put into good shape through extensive repair. This plan of repairing the church was presenting to the manager with the estimated cost. The manager suggested of building a new church instead of repairing the present one. The estate would be happy to allotted another plot of land in a more prominent location with approximately one acre of land facing the main road. The new location was secured and the members set to work, they raised funds and cleared and leveled the land to great extent by their own labor. Finally with the donation from the Bagan Datoh estate and the Union, the church building, funitures, road and bridge was built. This beautiful church accommodates 168 people. Pastor Samuthram worked hard collecting funds for the church. (The Messenger January 1960, p. 1,2 ) On October 24, 1959 the newly erected Bagan Datoh Church was dedicated to the service of God. The invitations for the dedication were sent to many, including N.J. Cowie, Manager of the Bagan Datoh Estate, Pastors H.C. Currie, S.J. Lee from the Union; Pastor T.C. Chin from Mission headquarters. Pastor Currie preached the dedicatory sermon. There is no church of similar construction in this town. ( The Messenger, Jan. 1960 p. 2) Pastor Currie and Pastor Samuthram worked tirelessly to raise funds for the church building. An Indian money lender in Teluk Intan was impressed to see a white man in town soliciting and he gave a large sum of donation for the church building. Five candidates were baptized during the dedication service. Active laymen are ready to do the Lord’s work. Brothers V.N. Joseph, P. Benjamin, P.T. Jacob, and others later went to India for Ministerial training. There were many active laymen e.g. Philip, Ethiayah, K.S. Abraham, Y.J. Moses, P.T. Jacob, P. Moses and Israel.
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(Many of the active members remained faithful to the Lord. Mr. K.S. Abrabam is a retired school principal of the Tamil/Telugu school in Lower Perak. Dr. Y.J. Moses is teaching in Union College in Nebraska, USA. Pastor P. Benjamin retired from Peninsula Malaysia Mission. He served more than 30 years as pastor and later as a Departmental leader to the Telugu and Tamil churches. Pastor V.N. Joseph also served as a Pastor for about 30 years in Tamil and Telugu speaking churches respectively. Many of their off-spring are well educated and blessed.)
Pastor Samuthram also conducts services in Teluk Anson in another town. He cares for the flock in Bagan Datoh in the morning and in the afternoon this church in Teluk Anson. ( The Messenger, October, 1958.p.5)
The members in Teluk Anson were meeting in a club and needed a decent place to worship. Pastor Samuthram and the members got busy looking a place for a church building. After much painstaking effort a place was located.
Pastor Samuthram had an unusual experience confronting the evil spirits. The estate folks were told not to walk down the valley after dark from the main road from the church. They believe that some individuals were murdered and that their spirits were roaming restlessly in the valley. One day, Pastor Samuthram had an urgent matter to attend in the estate and he had to pass down the valley. He heard of the ‘spirits roaming’ story and it did not prevent him from going through that path. As he was crossing the valley, he heard a very loud screaming voice, which he believed was the evil spirits. As a man of God he fell on his kneels and prayed. He believed the angels of the Lord was on his side and without fear he continued his journey. He walked to the estate about a mile and the people told him that they too heard the loud screaming voice. After attending to his urgent need, he proceeded to walk back with a little lamp with him as it was pitch dark on the same path where he encountered God’s protection. He later shared this encounter with his wife (Swartha) and the church members. ( Interviewed by Mr.K.S. Abraham, pioneer of the Bagan Datoh Seventh-day Adventist work)
Pastor Samuthram and members took pride in beautifying the surrounding of the church. They were excited about the new church and many varieties of plants, scrubs and trees were planted. And it became a tourist attraction. The public would visit the church grounds and take pictures. This is the only Protestant church in that area till today.
Pastor Samuthram did not have the privilege to see the completion of the Teluk Anson Church. As he was returning from Teluk Anson to Bagan Datoh he met an accident on his motor-bike on his way home. A taxi driver (Mr. Krishna) found him lying down by the road way side. He quickly picked him up and left him in the Teluk Intan district hospital. The doctors were not much hopeful about his survival, he had several serious injuries on his head and other parts of the body. He battled for his life for three days before the Lord called him home. Nobody till today is certain how the accident took place. His death brought shock waves throughout the communities in Malaysia, Singapore and as far as India. He died on August 7, 1962 at the age of 40 years and served as a pastor for about five years. (Interviewed by K.S. Abraham, prominent and pioneer of the work in Bagan Datoh).
'Brother Samuthram, pastor of the Bagan Datoh and Telok Anson Churches of Malaya Mission, was killed in a motor-cycle accident on August 7, 1962.' (The Messenger, September-October, 1962. p.8)
| Even though, there are not many members in Bagan Datoh church today. Many have moved to bigger cities for better opportunities. But the members have not forgotten their roots.
Every year at least once (New year’s day), many of them would gather on this day to celebrate the New year. Members believe in a special blessings to start the New Year in Bagan Datoh Church. This New Year meetings tradition is still observed today. |
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Pastor V.N. Joseph returned from his Ministerial training in Narsapur, India and was called to serve in Bagan Datoh and Teluk Anson churches respectively in 1963.
Pastor T.C. Chin (President of Malaya Mission) visiting Bagan Datoh Church in 1964. Pastor V.N. Joseph is the newly appointed Minister.
(Seventh-day Adventist: 'The Messenger', 1964)
(Pastor V.N. Joseph served the Peninsula Mission for many years. As information is available, his ministry will reflect much of the Sungei Way church, Selangor. He also served in Bagan Datoh, Teluk Intan, Banting etc.)
Pastor P. Benjamin returned from Ministerial training from Tamil Nadu, India. Upon his return he served briefly as a chaplain in Penang Adventist Hospital. After which he was called to serve in Bagan Datoh and Teluk Intan churches respectively. And Pastor V.N. Joseph got transferred to Sungei Way Telugu Church. Pastor Benjamin worked in the two respectively churches for many years . In the year 1969, the two prominent Telugu pastors P. Benjamin and V.N. Joseph got together and conducted an evangelistic meetings among the Telugu-speaking people of Kuala Perak estate near Bagan Datoh. The response was overwhelming with 200 people showing up the first night of the meeting. Many came forward to accept Christ as their personal Saviour, of whom eight got baptized. (The Messenger, Nov-Dec, 1969 p. 4) The members were all excited about the new souls added to the church.
(As information is available, his ministry will reflect the work in Bagan Datoh, Teluk Intan, Ipoh, Sungei Way, Banting, Chemor, Shah Alam, respectively ).
Pastor T.C. Chin (Mission President) and Union President are seen visiting the Club house church in 1950s. Pastor P.G. Rathnam is the local church Minister.
Mr and Mrs Prasada missionaries from India held revival meeting in the Club house, Teluk Anson on April 4, 1952. P.G. Rathnam is the local church Pastor.
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Pr. P.G. Rathnam (black coat)local church pastor with Mr and Mrs Prasada missionaries from India, 1952 |
The Seventh-day Adventist church in Teluk Anson was organized on the 31st of October, 1933. The membership of the church is made up almost entirely of people of the local municipality. They held their meetings in a club house for many years through the courtesy of the club authority right up to the time when they moved to the new church building. The club house is not the most suitable place of worship. After some effort a new location was found through the kindness of the former owner of the land Mr. Thong Park Seng, a small sub-division of the land was arranged, and the transaction was completed in the early 1961. The total cost of the church project was nearly R$30,000. (The Messenger, Jan-Feb, 1964 p. 2)
Teluk Anson Church dedication 1964.It was a day of joy for the Telugu believers in Teluk Anson to be present to attend the dedication service . Now the believers have a permanent church building to worship God. Pastor C.D. Martin, Division MV secretary gave the dedicatory sermon. Brother M. Lucas from Singapore translated Pastor Martin’s sermon. Many other visitors were present especially the members from Bagan Datoh church. |
In August, 1966 a major evangelistic meeting was held in Teluk Anson. Pastor D.R. Guild, the Union president, joined with Pastor Benjamin conducted this meetings. The church was packed to capacity nightly for the first week as Pastor Guild presented the messages. Pastor Benjamin continued the meetings, using the Bible marking method and the ‘ It Is Written’ motion pictures. These meetings was held in Tamil in order to reach the Tamil speaking population.
Pastor D.R. Guild and Pastor Benjamin held a major evangelistic meetings August 1966 in Teluk Anson. (The Messenger, July-August 1966 p. 7)
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version.1996,c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville
Http:www.members.tripod.com/-ashrrita/3gen.htm The Messenger: bi-monthly official organ of the S.D.A. of Southeast Asia union. Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore. Notes of Progress: Monthly official notes of the Malayan Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore.