K M Paul: An Evangelist from Odisha

(1959-2014)
A brief biography of Evangelist
“We preach Christ crucified”

Early Childhood Days and Knowing Christ

Born to Rev K K Mathen and Mrs. Chinnamma Mathen in Evangelical Family (Keecheril House), K M Paul was the eldest in the house. K K Mathen was working in BHEL Bhilai, at the time of Paul's birth. Mathen sent his wife and son K M Paul to Kerala, as he wanted to be a priest and went to study at Pune Seminary. K K Mathen wanted his son to be a missionary like Apostle Paul, so he named him Paul. KM Paul studied Diploma Course in Electrical Engineering and a course in Binding, after completing his matriculation. Paul was a working member in the Evangelical Church and actively participated in the Youth activities. Yet deep in his heart, there was no Christ, he did things to pain his father K K Mathen. To the point that he left home, but his loving father found him and got him back home. K K

Mathen wanted all his children to understand the saving grace of God and spoke gospel to them. After several ways of preaching the gospel to Paul, Rev K.K.Mathen had to finally ask him, "what will be my answer when God asks me, where is your son which I had gifted you ?". This completely struck Paul and he decided to submit his life to Christ.

Paul's call for the Ministry

After Paul got saved, he had a desire to study the word of God systematically, so he shared this matter at home and the church. So, the Evangelical church supported his desire and sent him to Bharat Bible College at Secunderabad for a four years Bible course(1979 1983) to become a priest for their church. During his studies at the Bible college along with his friends, he attended the Brethren Assembly regularly at Secunderabad. He came to know the literal meaning of the doctrines and the need of baptism for a believer. In the year 1982, he decided to obey the Lord's commandment and took baptism by Evg K.V.Samuel at Secuderabad. News of this reached his home and the evangelical church, that he took baptism. The evangelical church debarred Paul from the church. The Bishop of the church sent a letter to Paul stating him to repent before the church as he had already received child baptism. But Paul remained firm to obey the word of God because he wanted to honour God than men. God too Honored him and Paul lived a life befitting to the word of God. Though he was ousted from his home and church, he chose to live a life looking unto God. His Biblical studies was sponsored by the evangelical church, but owing to the decision that he took, the church discontinued his sponsorship and told him to bear the fees in full.

Paul sold his bicycle to complete his studies. He completed his studies and got graduated, but there were lot of questions arising in his mind where to go? Who will support? Evg K.V.Samuel gave Paul the address of his brother K.V.Mathew. Despite the opposition from his family, he met Br K.V.Mathew on the same day. Bro K.V.Mathew told him about the ministry of YMEF team at Madhya Pradesh and Paul took the opportunity to work with them. During the ministry, he had an urinary infection and because of his ill-health he had to come back to Kerala. He then met Bro C.J.Easow, one of the elders of Chuzhana Brethren Assembly and Evg. Chandapilla Philip and preached the Gospel in Kerala.

In 1985, Bro. T.M.Daniel Sir(Pathanamthitta) asked Paul if he was willing to go to Jeypore in Odisha for Village Evangelization work and he agreed with great joy. In February 1985, along with Bro. Thomas Kurian, Paul reached Jeypore and participated in the village ministry. Every morning along with late Evg Sunny T Daniel, Paul would preach the Gospel in different villages of Jeypore. During the periods of ministry, when he walked through the hilly areas of the villages Paul told his co workers that he had a great vision and ambition to work in the villages of Odisha and that God had called him for this ministry. His friends heard this and laughed at him and asked why he would work in villages as he was holding a B.th degree. But Paul took a decision to obey the call from the Lord and by the guidance of the Lord decided to work in Koraput District of Odisha. It was necessary for Paul to have a family to support him, so he went back to Kerala for marriage.

Marriage and Ministry

K.M.Paul married Jessy George, Daughter of late P.P.George and Annamma George, Chirumukathu House, Koipuram, Tiruvalla on 9th May, 1985. Paul's father opposed the marriage and so did not attend the wedding. On 28th June, 1985 and Jessy reached Jeypore (Odisha). The Lord faithfully led them in the ministry in different parts of Koraput District. Along with the help of Jeypore Brethren Assembly believers, it was the mercy and will of God that he was able to actively participate in

Sunday School, Worship Meeting, Bible Study, House Visiting, Sisters meeting teaching in Bible School etc. With the assistance of brethren, he could also reach the rural villages of Jeypore and conduct Bible study about 3 years.

On 15th August 1988, they moved to an internal village Nandapur, 70 kms from Jeypore. This was a remote village and there was only one bus at that time to nearest towns. Most of the people had to go walking to reach the nearby town for the necessities. For buying medicine and food for Children, 70 km. journey was necessary to Jeypore. After constant prayer and hard work, the Lord enabled him to start an Assembly with the local people. Progressively, he started Sunday school, Bible Study, Sisters meetings. On every 25 th of December, they visited all Hindu houses and gave them New Testament and tracts and preached Gospel. Through this ministry, many accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and took Baptism. Evg. Mathew Abraham, Jagdalpur assisted believers to witness through Baptism. The Lord blessed the assembly testimony and raised up people within the assembly for the assembly needs.

Leading of God

God had different plans for Paul; Paul understood this and started ministry at Sunabeda 30kms from Nandapur. This new ministry was started in 1988, along with brethren who came and ministered the gathering in Bible Study and Gospel. By the Grace of God, an assembly was formed in Sunabeda (Sunabeda Brethren Assembly). By the year 1991, Paul was involved in the ministry of God at different areas in the Koraput district, in addition to the ongoing ministry at

Nandapur and Sunabeda. The brethren used to go by bicycle to the villages for ministry. Following God's purpose in his life to spread the word, Paul along with the assembly prayerfully entrusted the assembly at Nandapur to Evg. Surendra Takri & family. With the support of the brethren from Sunabeda Assembly, Paul started work at Khejara Kota, a tribal village, 25 kms. from Sunabeda. Soon God blessed and an assembly started gathering at Khejara Kota. Many tribals in the area came to know the Saving Knowledge of God, got saved and witnessed through waters of Baptism. God also lead him to start a gathering at Damanjodi about 20 km. from Semiliguda. Further, to start Bible study, Sunday school (in English) and later a Malayalam gathering started in the factory campus of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL.), Sunabeda. God gifted a two-wheeler for Paul in 1996. Paul also took initiative in starting V.B.S. at different villages. In association with the SBS (Suvishekan Bala Sangham), Paul was able to organise a V.B. S. training programme at Sunebada. The results were showing and Gospel was preached to the children. For the VBS program, Paul translated the "The Bible lesson of Joseph" in Oriya.

God also enabled Paul to visit Gulf countries to minister from the word. God provisioned a Jeep from the gift received from the brethren in Gulf countries. Paul's family insisted him to purchase a small vehicle and the balance could be used to buy a house. But Paul did not agree and said, "God will provide." With the Jeep, Paul now could reach to almost all the villages and carry more people for the Gospel work. He had an ambition that all villages in Semiliguda block should receive the Gospel. For this, he invited many teams from Kerala & other places for work. Team from Alwaye, NIBI (Evg. T.J. Jospeph & others), BBI students and Teachers also strived in the field many a times with him. Evg. O.T. James and Team from Vijaywada, Late Evg. Israel & team from Vizag Steel Plant Assembly also worked with him. Along with them Paul worked in different parts of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Paul's wife & children were also involved in the ministry along with him. Their children also followed the ways of their father. His son is working at Sankeshwar Mission Hospital (Karnataka) in Hospital Ministry and Daughter is active in the Child Ministry in Gujarat. His wife is involved in Church Ministry at Sunabeda and different Assemblies in Orissa.

God blessed Paul with the ability to learn Oriya language and a special gift to translate to Odiya language. Initially he translated the V.B.S. book in English to Odiya. He also translated the Bible lessons for sisters' meeting and Missionary stories in Odiya for V.B.S. But he never published his name in any of his work.

Being brought up in a studious environment it was his attitude to take Bible classes only after a meticulous preparation. He always used early morning time to prepare for the Bible study. He encouraged the youth in the Gospel Ministry and outreach work. He taught in many Bible Colleges in North India and most of his students are now working in the Gospel field. "If I am not preaching the word, it is awful", "Till the end preach the Gospel, our Lord is coming".

"We preach Christ the crucified", those were the slogans of Br. Paul. Till the end of his life he was faithful to accomplish this.

Sickness

From the age of 32 he was a diabetic & B.P patient. 2013 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and he was treated for about 1½ years at Vellore C.M.C. During the treatment, he took time to read Bible, pray for the Workers mentioned in Prayer Hand Book. Whenever doctors asked him, 'how are you Paul?" always said, 'I am O.K. Sir'. On 13th November 2014 morning also, he replied the same to doctors who visited him. But it was well pleased to the Lord to call him on that night to His heavenly place.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

He had left nothing but a large number of books and Bible Commentaries to his wife and children. When asked, he replied that 'Yehova jireh, God will provide" They too continue to look the same Lord for their needs.

-Mrs. Jessy K Paul is wife of Evg. K M Paul.

This article originally appeared in the Harvest Times magazine's October 2017 issue.