K.G. Thomas: Pioneer Evangelist of Kottayam

(1904-1977)

Shri Thomas completed his primary education in his village. Since childhood, his parents noticed a particular desire in him to be drawn to spiritual things rather than to the things of the world. He was a keen student of the Word of God. His grandfather, who had spiritual insight, was a source of encouragement to him. At the age of 12, he was saved after hearing the Gospel preached by an Evangelist named Sanjeev David. Sanjeev David was popularly known as 'Tamil David' - a great gospel orator of that time. This brought about a great change in his life and also resulted in great uproar in the family, as he was moving out of traditional religious practices and teachings of Orthodox churches.

He writes about a particular experience during his school days in one of his articles mentioning his reminiscences in a magazine he published. Suddenly, one day there was a change in his behaviour and his mother very curiously enquired about this change in behaviour. He then narrated to his mother the dream he saw last night. “Mother, in my dream last night, I saw an old man with long hair holding a long staff. He asked me if I could tend his sheep and I replied I could if he would let me, and the old man disappeared. Mother then replied if you want to tend sheep and animals, go ahead that could be your fate”

The family was interested to send him for higher education after he completed school, but his heart was bent on serving the Lord early on in his life. As Shri Thomas was a brilliant student and took keen interest in spiritual things, the School Manager of middle school, who was also a Priest in Orthodox Christian Church, took special interest in him to train him in order to become a Priest, but Shri Thomas was not happy with the traditions of the Orthodox Church. He had deep insight into the Scriptural truths from the beginning. As he spent more time in reading God's Word, he became more convinced about this.

During those days there was open air preaching in marketplaces and street corners. This drew the attention of Shri Thomas and later on he joined them to preach the gospel. He was an eloquent orator and people listened to him attentively. As time passed, Shri Thomas started to lose interest in secular studies and other matters of the world and spent more time in learning God's Word and got involved in spiritual activities. He started to share the Gospel in school and other community places.

As Shri Thomas was moving away from the traditional Orthodox beliefs and practices, a hostile atmosphere was developing in his own home. His father, who was a strong Orthodox believer, turned against him and persuaded him to denounce his new convictions of faith. Initially, his mother and grandfather had a soft corner towards him as they had some spiritual insight. The Orthodox Syrian Christian Community at Karthikapally did not approve of his spiritual convictions and considered him as a rebel who joined the group of the 'Dissenters'. At home, his father started to treat him harshly as he was not following the Church traditions.

During this time, he got an opportunity to attend the famous Maramon Convention held at the bank of River Pampa that was attended by thousands of people where eminent Bible Preachers from home and abroad gave Gospel sermons. The Marthomiote Church in Kerala organized this. While attending this Convention he could get to know similar friends who had equal spiritual passion. And with some of them he had lifelong associations later on. He could go around places for preaching the Gospel along with them after attending the convention. He also had the opportunity to attend Bible classes of some learned Bible Teachers like VC Varkey and VV Varughese.

While he was in Edasserimala, he was able to fellowship with a young man named K.T. Mathai later on with whom he had a long relationship. Shri K.T. Mathai told him about Mahakavi K.V. Simon, who was known as 'Martin Luther of India'. Shri Thomas wanted to visit him. The next day he, along with two of his friends Mathai and Kunjicka, went to Edayaranmulla to see Shri K.V, Simon. His friends introduced Shri Thomas to Shri Simon. Shri Simon expressed his joy to meet him and how he was eagerly waiting to see him as he heard about him and his spiritual commitments. They had a long discussion and later Shri Simon prayed and dedicated Thomas to the hands of God and sent him with an affectionate brotherly kiss. This visit warmed the heart of Shri Thomas.

When the schools re-opened, Shri Thomas was compelled by his parents to join school. His father was very furious regarding his neglect toward school. As he was not happy in continuing school education, he would sneak out of his home with a friend and would go to preach the Gospel at different places. He was however searched out and brought back home. His father became sterner with him now. However, he decided to obey the inner voice of his heart to stop studying and go for the work of the Lord.

He thus left home and went around preaching the gospel. Finally, he reached the house of Shri K.V. Simon and stayed with him and started learning God's Word along with other pupils living there. In the meantime, his mother sent his uncle to search him. This uncle, when he came to K.V. Simon's house, noticed a close relationship between K.V. Simon and K.G. Thomas.

After staying with Shri Simon for some time, Shri Thomas returned to Karthikapally to see his parents. During this time, he heard that a well-known Gospel Preacher named A.D. Khan was speaking in a convention at Arattupuzha - a distant place from his home. He decided to go there. Along with two of his friends he went to attend the convention. The messages were convicting, which touched the heart of Shri Thomas. As the Preacher spoke about the need of baptism for those who have been saved, he was convicted on the issue of taking baptism. He decided to take baptism and gave his testimony in a meeting getting baptized at the hands of A.D. Khan. Shri Thomas did not return home immediately and went to the residence of a pastor named A. I. John where Mr Khan was also staying. Shri Thomas was restless during the night and Mr Khan came to the room and encouraged him with the words “The Lord is My Light and Salvation, whom shall I fear”, “When my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up”.

Shri Thomas returned home after he heard from reliable sources that his father's rage against him had subsided. When he came home his father did not welcome him at all. After a few days his father questioned about his baptism and accused him of joining with the dissidents group. Many family members also turned against him. Shri Thomas strongly defended his baptism and said it is according to the New Testament teaching and infant baptism had no basis in the New Testament. His father became furious after hearing this and disowned him from being his son, casting him out of his house. Thus, once again he left home taking his Bible along with him and spent the night in the Watch Tower. The father did not allow his mother to show any sympathy to him.

The next day Shri Thomas walked a great deal, tired and hungry and reached Kumbanad, where he happened to be received and entertained by an old woman who was running a tea shop. She was a godly mother. She fed him and after hearing his full story introduced him to an old man named Kochu Koshy, who was also a believer. He was the grandfather of Bishop Mar Chrisotom. After hearing his testimony and commitment to serve God, Kochu Koshy arranged a gospel meeting in a school nearby, where Thomas preached in the evening. Many people attended the meeting. He spent a few days there and then left for Edayaranmulla for the house of K.V. Simon. Shri Simon was eagerly waiting for his coming as he heard the news about all what happened to him at his home. The stay at Shri Simon's house healed his wounds.

By this time, his father's heart began to melt, and he felt sorry for casting his son out of home. So one day he sent his elder brother-in-law to Shri Simon's house to bring Thomas back home. This time, his father received him with delight. However, he insisted that he continue his education. To this, Shri Thomas agreed as he thought that it would help his ministry also. He thus joined 5th grade in English Middle School at Cheppattu. Though his father did not forbid his preaching, he managed to limit it. Shri Thomas continued his ministries at his home place and surrounding places during this time.

One day, New Testament in hand, he left his home again to preach far and near. Eventually, he reached Adoor where he found some people preaching by the roadside. He approached them, introduced himself and joined them in preaching. Among them were 'Kuriachan' (K. G. Kurian) and 'P.I. Ounnoonni', with whom he developed a long-lasting association later on.

Over time, Shri Thomas was able to attend many debates conducted by Shri K. V. Simon, which later helped him to effectively counter the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists.

The 12-year-old lad, cast out of home, grew up to become a handsome young man - enthusiastic in nature and passionate towards the Lord's work. The time came to start a family life and there were people interested in giving him their daughters' hand in marriage.

Kangazha, Panickeruveettil, Shri P.C. Joseph gave his daughter Aleyamma in marriage to Shri Thomas. The marriage was arranged, and Shri K.V. Simon and his team arrived from Edayarnmulla to conduct the wedding. On being insisted hard by his pupils, Shri Simon instantaneously composed a Blessing Song to sing during the wedding ceremony. The poem was 'Adhyantham Ellatha Nithiante Kantha Pradyothathan Pol Prakashichu Nilckum'. Today, this song is sung to bless the newlyweds in most of the Brethren Assembly weddings.

He had an opportunity to deliver a message in a religious conference instead of Shri K. V. Simon. Here he saw the presence of great literary scholars such as Ulloor Parameswaran Iyer, Vallathol Narayana Menon and Mannathu Padmanabhan.

He built a small hut in Kangaza, his wife's hometown, for them to live together. Many people including Shri K.V. Simon visited them he thoroughly enjoyed the stay because of the couple's warm and hearty hospitality.

At this time, there were problems in the Dissenter's group / Separated group. Due to the financial hardships Shri K.V. Simon was going through, he was unable to support the young evangelists working along with him. As a result, some of them left Shri Simon. Shri K.E. Abraham was one amongst them who joined the Pentecostal Church

Shri K.V. Simon's Dissenter's group (Viyojithar or Verpaadukaar) merged with the Brethren Assembly after making some agreement with the missionary E H Noel. Initially, Shri Thomas was unhappy with this coalition, but after a while he too joined hands with E. H. Noel's ministries.

Meanwhile, Shri Thomas had opportunities to visit Puthuppally and met believers who, later on, became his close ministry associates. They were Payappady Kunjappan Kaniamparampil Kunjappan and Kuttapan. They expressed their desire for Shri Thomas to move from Kangazha to Puthuppally. Consequently, he moved to Puthuppally along with his wife and young children and duly started the work in Puthupally along with the few believers there. He was heartily welcomed in Puthupally. Early on, he resided with Payappadil Kunjappan, who gave him one room of his small house for stay. Later, he moved to a small, rented house that cost him Rs 1/- per month as rent. Here he started a Bible class and many people started attending the classes. People were saved and subsequently got baptized through the teaching of the Word of God. During this time, he had the opportunity to work with the missionary George Black and Dr. Long whose messages he would translate into Malayalam. At the initiation of Shri Thomas, Handly Bird, a renowned Bible Scholar and Teacher from Madras was invited to preach in the meetings and to take Bible classes.

Shri Thomas considered it as an opportunity to learn the doctrines precisely in these classes. While in Puthupally, Shri Thomas experienced starvation. At times, he had to live without food for days together, as he did not get regular support from anyone. He took a decision not to borrow money from anyone or express his material needs to anyone. He tried to follow the example of George Müller, having read about him during that period. He mentions in his writing about a time when there was no food at home for three days continuously and no one extended any support. On the third day, someone came with a full basket of food items, which was given by another believer to hand over to Shri Thomas. He was held up to deliver this due to the heavy rains. Shri Thomas records that through this incident, the Lord was teaching him a lesson in faith. There was a believing sister, Rosa Chandler, in England, whom he had met after many years on his way to USA. She had subscribed the magazine 'Life of Faith' for him. She also managed to send him several books in English, which helped him to improve his English. Sr. Rosa Chandler later became a source of support to him, drawing from her own limited resources in England.

After partaking in meetings with a few others in Areepparampu, Shri Thomas had a bitter experience of a mob attack while returning. Some Orthodox Syrian Jacobite people followed him carrying lethal weapons and sticks and attacked him midway. He miraculously escaped un-hurt with the help of the people who happened to be around then. It is pertinent to mention that the grandfather of the writer came to know the Lord and left the Jacobite Church through the ministries of Shri K.G. Thomas along with three other forefathers and the local Evangelist Shri K.K. Chacko. All of them had to undergo various sufferings as well as isolation from families for the cause of the Gospel. The incident mentioned above strengthened Shri Thomas' faith in the preserving power of God.

Starvation was regular experience in the house of Shri Thomas. After serving a meagre breakfast to her little children one day, Shri Thomas' wife, Aleyamma, told them that they had run out of food and there would be nothing to set before them for lunch. She encouraged them to pray to God for their provision. The two children (the older brother later known as Dr George Thomas and his younger sister Ammini) prayed. George prayed to God to provide for them some rice to eat while Ammini prayed for a little curry. George corrected her pointing that rice would be enough for them. This incident very well narrates the starvation the family faced at that time.

While Shri Thomas was doing the work of the Lord in Puthupally, he had a burden to spread the Gospel in the town of Kottayam as there were many Christians living in the town during that time. As had started to study in English medium schools. However, the Lord was ever good in providing the means to meet his needs.

In 1932, Shri Thomas conducted an evangelical crusade in Kottayam which saw Shri A. Sooter, Vilcox and J. M. Davis as the main speakers. This was attended by large number of people.

In 1937, the missionary E. H. Noel offered Shri Thomas to occupy the bungalow in Chemmarappally, which had been vacated by the missionary George Black. He gladly accepted the offer and moved there. This relieved him from paying the rent and he was also able to put the land to good use for cultivation which would meet some of their need for food. During the period he stayed in Chemmarapally, Shri Thomas started a small Bible School there named 'Bethesda'. It did not last very long but paved the way to start a Bible School in Kottayam later on. In 1951, he started another school in Ernakulam, which too lasted for only a few months since there was no solid support to run the school regularly. However, Shri Thomas had the desire to establish a full-fledged 3-year term Bible School. This was partially fulfilled during 1964-1966 when a Bible School began in Kottayam named as 'Bethesda Bible Institute' located at Thiruvarppe near the boat jetty. The writer had the opportunity to study here till mid1966. Some of the students of this batch were men of God namely M. Joseph Andamands, T. A. Abraham, Mazhuckeer, late K.G. Varughese Ranchi, D. Jacob Kottarackara, and P.A. John Pallam and a few more. Apart from Shri K. G. Thomas, eminent teachers, Shri A.M. Samuel Pravoor, P.C. Samuel Kallissery, M.

M. Zachariah Kottayam were those taking classes, along with many visiting teachers. This school could not continue due to lack of funds which were required to pay off the rent of the land and bungalow. It had to be vacated soon after the middle of 1966 and moved to another rented place in order to complete the term.

There arose a problem of social discrimination between the Syrian Christians and believers belonging to the backward classes, who came to know the Lord through the ministries of Shri Noel and others. Shri Thomas firmly stood against this discriminatory attitude. He continued mingling with all and tried to maintain unity amongst both the group. Shri Thomas strongly opposed the disparity felt amongst believers.

Shri Thomas had long desired to travel abroad and visit England and America. Eventually, he contacted Mr. Gordon Brown, a Canadian pastor who succeeded in arranging the visa for him as well as another brother K. K. Thomas Kottayam, the father of Paul Thomas, to visit Canada. Initially, the notion was not welcomed by many believers in Kerala. However, he went ahead with his plans and prepared for the travel. Miss Rosa Chandler from UK extended the required financial support for purchasing the ticket. When the day finally dawned, many believers came to see off Shri K. G. Thomas and K. K. Thomas Kottayam - who were embarking on their long journey to the other end of the world by sea.

Foreign visit and ministry

They left Kottarackara on 11th October 1948. After a few months at sea, they finally reached their destination - Canada. From the Canadian border, they travelled to Toronto by train. Mr. Gordon Brown received them. Later he contacted Silas Fox, who was a missionary in India. He came to meet Shri Thomas and they spent happy hours conversing with one another.

While in Toronto, Shri Thomas had the opportunity to meet four prominent Christian scholars. The first one was Pastor Brown who was a Baptist pastor and a well-known Bible scholar. Others were S. G. Watson, a well-known preacher among the Brethren assemblies in Canada, Dr. Oswald J. Smith who was pastoring the Peoples Church in Toronto – home to 2000 members. On his invitation Shri Thomas preached in the Peoples Church. It was a remarkable experience for him. The last person was Dr. H. A Ironside who was an outstanding Bible scholar and had authored various Bible commentaries and books. All these meetings were of great importance to Shri Thomas.

Shri Thomas had a great desire to visit the United States of America, for which he did not have visa. With the indispensable help of Dr. Ironside he finally managed to get a visa. He promptly proceeded to set off for the US - carrying with him the addresses of two people living in New York. When he reached New York, the first person he approached - the pastor of a church - did not treat him well. He was prejudiced. The second person, a manager in Macy's departmental store, was very courteous in treating him very well. He stayed with him for a week and preached in different assemblies as per the program chalked out by his host. Shri Thomas had opportunity to visit other places in US such as Florida, San Fransisco, Iowa and others where he could meet many people, and preach in the assemblies. He gathered varied experiences in these visits. He plainly noticed the racial discrimination prevalent in the American Society, as the Whites were not prepared to treat the Blacks equally. The social, racial and cultural disparity could be seen everywhere. He also noted a sharp moral decline in the American society. But there were many true believers who rose above these social evils, loving the Lord sincerely and maintaining true brotherhood. They supported the Lord's work whole-heartedly with their hard-earned incomes.

His return Journey and visit to England

After travelling around for over one year in Canada and America, Shri Thomas visited England en route to India. Shri Thomas was welcomed and had opportunities to minister the Word of God in England as well. One of the fascinating incidents was the visit to see Miss Rosa Chandler, who had been praying for and supporting him all these years. What he first saw shocked him! He recounts that her house was similar to the poorest house he had lived while in Canada and America, with minimum facilities. She and her elder sister lived there. However, she served him with all joy. Out of her poverty she had been liberally supporting him and the ministry since years, putting off her own needs. This reminded him of the two coins the widow cast into the treasury, which our blessed Lord noticed and praised. How great an honour will such people receive from the Lord on that great day of giving rewards! This visit to the house of that poor sister taught him a valuable lesson. Saints give for the Lord's work not always from their abundance but when in extreme poverty as well. Hence, it is required that those who receive the gifts should be extremely careful about how they use those gifts.

Shri Thomas returned to Kerala with vivid memories and exciting experiences after spending almost two years in the countries mentioned above. It was a great joy for him to be united with his beloved wife, children and all dear believers.

Great Schism in the Assemblies

Shri Thomas' foreign trip was not fully welcomed amongst the Brethren believers. He noticed an incredible change in the attitude of certain foreign missionaries in Kerala as well as some native evangelists. When people saw the excellent reception and honour he had received in foreign lands, there were false assumptions made against him, which caused misunderstandings and resentments. Shri Thomas continued with his ministries. He also moved his family from Chandakadav to Thiruvatta - the inner part of city where he rented a bigger accommodation necessary for his large family.

After Shri Thomas' return from his American visit, things in India amongst Brethren believers did not turn out to be favourable for him. Supported by the foreign missionaries, many of his close associates and some of his own disciples, whom he had brought up in the Lord, turned against him. They were not happy about his foreign connections and his plans for expanding the ministry using support from abroad. This made him quite upset. As a result of this many believers left the Brethren assemblies and joined other denominations. It sizably affected the rapid growth of assemblies. After few years, there was reconciliation owing to the initiative of M. E. Cherian. Thereafter, Shri Thomas received acceptance amongst the assemblies and continued with the ministry despite his deteriorating health.

His association with Billy Graham

In the beginning of 1956, Dr. Billy Graham came to Kerala and held his crusade in Kottayam. Shri K. G. Thomas was the main translator of his messages from English to Malayalam. This gave him opportunity to establish a good relationship with Dr. Billy Graham and his Association. Dr. Graham invited Shri Thomas to visit America and attend his Crusade in Louisville. Shri Thomas made another visit to USA as an invitee of Dr. Billy Graham. He was given the honour of being seated in the front along with other spiritual leaders during the crusade. Shri Thomas writes that it was a thrilling experience to witness how the crusade was conducted and to hear the gifted man of God preach.

His failing health and the home call of his beloved wife

During this time his health started deteriorating as he had developed heart troubles. At Mannarathara, during a convention, he suffered a massive heart attack during the night. At the time, E. P. Varughese was present with him. God miraculously saved him from imminent death.

Meanwhile, Smt Aleyamma, the beloved wife of Shri K. G. Thomas had developed a serious illness. Consequently, she passed away due to the sickness. In the funeral program, pioneer evangelists E. P. Varughese and K. G. Kurien ministered from the Word. The body was taken to Olassa Brethren cemetery for burial.

The death of his beloved wife, who made a great impact upon his life, caused immense sorrow, and brought about a disposition of loneliness in his life.

It had been the desire of Smt Aleyamma to buy a house of their own and was something, which could not be accomplished during her lifetime. However, after her death, Shri Thomas was able to purchase a beautiful house in Kudamaloor along a brook - a tributary of the Meenachil River. He and his youngest daughter moved to this house. His eldest son Dr. George Thomas, who was living on the other side of the town, would often visit him.

He had 5 sons and 4 daughters, out of which 4 sons and 3 daughters were settled abroad with their families. He was happy to see all his children well settled in life. While he was living in Kudamaloor, he started to write the only book he published - 'Israel and Nations of the World" - in Malayalam. The book speaks of the vast knowledge he had acquired on the historical and prophetic truths of Scripture. Although he would regularly write articles for various Christian magazines and for his own magazine, the Christian world could not get enough of the great treasury of the knowledge of Scripture he possessed, in written form, as an asset for the generations to come.

Home call

In April 1977, he had a surprise when he heard that two of his daughters were coming to his home - one from Kuwait and the other from Alwaye. He was extremely happy on hearing this and waited anxiously for them, reading the book of 'Blessed Hope' written by Dr. John F Walwood. They arrived late in the night, and he spent happy hours with them past the midnight. Next day they all woke up early and prayed together. He had a joyful time with his children and grand-children. In his conversation, he remarked to his daughters - “I need a new shirt”. His oldest daughter asked, “Appacha, why do you need a new shirt?”. He replied, “I am going to my home where Abraham, Sarah and David live”. Hearing this, she chuckled and asked “Father, do you really think David will be there?”. “Of course!”, came the reply, “David repented of his sins with an earnest and contrite heart, so he will definitely be in his eternal home”. Later, following his routine, he had his lunch with them, and everybody spent the time happily - talking and laughing together.

Abruptly, at 4 pm that day, he complained of a terrible headache. This was the beginning of his end. His condition worsened and everybody knew that he would be soon leaving the world. He had instructed his children to sing a song written by M. E. Cherian, which touched his heart very much, at the time of his death. His children sang his favourite song at his deathbed. The lyrics go like this: "Ninmaha sneham Yeshuv...." The hymn speaks of the great love of God that is beyond our comprehension.

After they sang the song, they asked him whether he had heard it. He nodded his head and closed his eyes to open them on the other shore. He was promoted to glory on 13th April 1977 at 11 PM. The news of the death of Shri K. G. Thomas flashed all around the world. Irrespective of denominations, a large number of people gathered for his funeral. Four people from the Brethren assembly spoke at the funeral service and narrated their touching experiences with him. They were K. G. Kurien Kottayam, M. E. Cherian Mathura, MM Zacharia, who was his most devoted disciple and E. I. Samuel. Not only did they comfort the bereaved family members but also reminded them of Shri K. G. Thomas' great contribution to the Christian world. The body was taken to the Olassa Brethren cemetery for the burial.

Shri K. G. Thomas went to be with the Lord almost 40 years ago, but his memory is still alive in the hearts and remembrance of many saints. “Every flower has to wither, but the fragrance of some flowers lasts even after they fall on the ground.“ Shri Thomas is one of the flowers that hold the sweet fragrance forever among the people of Kerala.

– V. K. Abraham

It originally appeared in the Harvest Times magazine's October, November and December 2016 issue.