(1875-1943)
The greatest achievement of K G Thomas was his efforts in merging of Brethren and "Viyojithar" movements. "Viyojithar" is otherwise called as "Verpadukaar" was led by Mahakavi K V Simon.
The greatest achievement of K G Thomas was his efforts in merging of Brethren and "Viyojithar" movements. "Viyojithar" is otherwise called as "Verpadukaar" was led by Mahakavi K V Simon.
K G Thomas was born in April 1875 in an ancient Karakattu family of Ranny, Kerala,- staunch Marthomites. Having lost his parents early in life he had to begin to earn after he finished his Malayalam middle school. However, he showed great avidity in reading which included quite a few books like John Buniyan's 'Holy War' and 'Pilgrims Progress'. He gained a working knowledge of Tamil by which he was able to benefit himself by obtaining and reading some Christian books in that language. He was married very early in life to Saramma, daughter of a CMS gospel worker, well known in the area.
His Salvation and First Believer's Baptism in Ranny
Young Thomas came to the conviction of sin at the preaching of late T. Walker, well known CMS missionary of Tirunelveli. However, it was at the meetings conducted later by the late famous evangelist Tamil David that he received the assurance of salvation. Following this he availed himself of Bible studies which were given by Messrs Wordsworth and Gregson; he also had spiritual guidance of the late P.E Mammen (ex Marthoma Priest) and P.T Thomas (Pookoyikal). He was baptized by immersion at the Ranny riverbank known as Perumpuzha. That was the first baptism of this kind in Ranny and was conducted in the presence of many hundreds of people among whom were some relations of the Marthoma faith who were men of considerable influence. One of them had to come with a long stick to prevent the rite being observed. However young Thomas stood courageous. Later he had the privilege of baptizing so many believers in the same river.Call for Christian service
Young Thomas had the conviction that he should serve the Lord and the beginning was made in Sunday school effort to which he gave leadership for the first time in the area. Convenience of travel being very limited those days, he used to walk from Ranny upto Changanassery and then reach Kottayam by boat to obtain biblical books from CMS Press there. We heard him say that he travelled 30 miles on foot to obtain a copy of the Malayalam New Testament !Since his conviction for Christian service grew, he left off his small business, got to know the late Mr Nagel and others and was involved in home visitations, Bible teaching and preaching. It was during those days that he came into contact with Mr E H Noel. This contact with Mr Noel resulted in their working together and establishing some 40 assemblies in that part of the state. Their joint activity resulted also in the establishment of a few primary and middle schools and a teachers' training school in the Ranny area. Large conventions became an annual feature in Ranny at the spacious grounds which face the Zion Hill Church Hall, to which many European missionaries came as speakers, among whom was the late Handley Bird, A.V. Thynne, C.J. Rolls, J.M. Davies, Alex Soutter
Thomas travelled 30 miles on foot to obtain a copy of the Malayalam New Testament !
W. Wilcox apart from speakers like K V Simon, PV George, and others (all now in the glory) Mr. Thomas was a good organizer of youth programmes. In spoken ministry, he had a very informal interesting style and had an aptitude to bring deep lessons in the scriptures in very simple manner. He also had a sense of humour and often spoke about his wife being such a wonderful person although she was rather short and swarthy. In appearance he was very fair and dignified and well-dressed. His activities took him on a few occasions to parts of Tamil Nadu and wherever he went he made friends very easily. He paid one visit to Madras and ministered the word by interpretation for a few days.
One of his greatest achievements was that bringing together K.V. Simon's "Viyojithar" movement into main stream of the brethren , This was possible as Mr. Simon held him in great respect and on Mr Thomas's part there was a great deal of spiritual tact.
His Family
His family consisted of 2 sons and 5 daughters. The 2 sons who were well known among the brethren namely, V.T Jacob and George V. Thomas went to be with the Lord within the last four years and his second, third and the youngest daughters are married to Messrs M.K Samuel, T.G Samuel and Justus Samuel.Home call
Mr. Thomas died rather early 1943, at 68, but having accomplished a greater deal for the Lord in various ways, mostly in association with the late E.H. Noel, a New Zealand missionary, based at Kumbanad. Mrs. Saramma Thomas who did much in rendering hospitality to hundreds of missionary guests, Europeon or Indian, was called home 19 years later. Courtesy: Steward News. August 1989 from 'Pioneers of the past' series.–The late Justus Samuel
This article originally appeared in the Harvest Times magazine's January 2017 issue.
