ABOUT EDAVAKA MISSION
The Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association is the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church. The first and oldest of the National Missionary Movement in India owes its origin to the enduring vision of a small band of devout men - 11 laymen and one priest- who gathered for prayer in the upper room of the Kadavil Malika (Kallissery-Chengannur) on the banks of River Pamba. This Missionary Movement was started in the wake of the Reformation Movement pioneered by Abraham Malpan, the Martin Luther of the East. It marked the resurgence of the Ancient Church in Kerala and has given new life and inspiration for the total renewal and mission of the church. The Church awoke to its missionary task and the Evangelistic Association was formed in the year 1888 ad was registered under the Company’s Act of India.
125 years have elapsed since its inception and the Association has grown far beyond the dreams and imaginations of the original founders. Rapid strides of progress have been made in evangelistic endeavours in and outside Kerala. This spectacular growth was achieved through the untiring efforts, devotion, commitment and missionary zeal of our Revered Bishops, Priests, Evangelists, and laymen.
The spiritual renewal in the Malankara Church, which was the offspring of reformation created a yearning in believers to present the Gospel to others. It was realized that this could not be fully achieved by the services of a few full time evangelists. On the other hand every member of the Church should be a missionary filled with such joy and assurance of salvation as to be Christs witness to those who come into contact with him, irrespective of ones profession in secular life. Believers interested in evangelistic and intercessory activities used to assemble periodically for prayer and fellowship. It was in the annual meeting of such a gathering in 1924, the present Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists Association got formed. Bishop Abraham Mar Thoma was the ardent supporter of this movement.
The object of this association is that every member of the Church should be a witness to Jesus Christ, whatever his occupation may be. Those who volunteer to be members of the Association meet together in each parish at least once a week for fellowship, intercessory prayer, Bible study and sharing experiences. The branch of the Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists Association in the Parish is called ``Edavaka Mission``.
OBJECTIVES
– To prepare every member of the Church to testify and witness the Salvation in and through Jesus Christ.
– Equip every member for Christian fellowship, social action, Christian charity, and intercessory prayer.
– Encourage each member to be involved in spiritual and social activities, and assist them to associate with those organizations within the Church involved with the same mission.
– Train every member to study and to preach along with their regular work.
– Equip every member to participate in the mission of the Church.
– Organize seminars, classes, workshops, conferences, etc. to create in every member interest in Bible studies, faith, practices of the Church, history of the Church, and ecumenical relationships.
