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South Andhra Lutheran Church
(Dakshana Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Sangham)
HISTORY
The South Andhra Lutheran Church (SALC) is the result of work begun in 1865
by the German Lutheran Hermannsburg Mission. In 1923 the Joint Synod of Ohio (a
predecessor of the American Lutheran Church) began to assist in the work. After
World War I, the Hermannsburg Mission turned over all work in India to the
Americans because of impoverished conditions in Germany at that time. The church
was organized in 1945.
PRESENT SITUATION
This Telugu-speaking church serves mainly in the Nellore, Cuddapah, and
Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh, a large coastal area north of Madras. Most
of its 45,500 members are rural villagers, but there are also city
congregations, including some in Madras. The church is served by pastors,
evangelists, Bible women, and workers in other related ministries. The
membership of the SALC are mostly on low levels of the economic scale. Although
the church is heavily rural, most of the people are landless, and many are
unemployed or poorly paid. Nevertheless, the church is committed to work toward
self-sufficiency. Sunday Schools and youth and women's groups have aided this
effort. Also, the church has some income-producing investments which came from
converting the use of its property.
Education is high on the agenda of the church. The SALC maintains ten
elementary schools, five secondary schools, and one industrial school. Church
hostels also help young people from rural areas to continue their education. Two
hostels, one for men and one for women, are located near the university colleges
in Tirupati. A student center also serves the needs of college students.
The SALC has been a part of the Telugu Indigenous Curriculum Project, which
aids several different Telugu-speaking churches in Christian education in homes
as well as churches. Educational efforts include the use of festivals, songs,
dramas, and traditional Indian forms of communication. Lyrics which teach the
Christian faith are circulated to the general public through cassettes and
records.
The social service department of the church, assisted by the Lutheran World
Federation Community Development Service, has aided the poor by specializing in
well-drilling and maintenance, agricultural development, and the resettlement of
landless Indians in new farming communities.
The South Andhra Lutheran Church formerly had a hospital operating in
Renigunta. Although the hospital is closed, there have been health programs,
such as an eye clinic, functioning in the facilities. The SALC also relates to
the Christian Medical College and Hospital, which is located in the city of
Vellore in the southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu and is a major center for
healing and teaching.
The SALC is one of ten members of the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in
India. The UELCI is a member of the World Council of Churches and the Christian
Conference of Asia. The UELCI carries out mission development in India, and has
also become a member of the United Mission to Nepal.
QUICK FACTS
Bishop/President: Rev. K. Moses Vara Prasad, Bishop
Location Indian states: Nellore, Cuddapah, and Chittoor districts of
Andhra Pradesh
Headquarter Chittoor Tirupati
Languages Telugu
Member 45,500
Church Worker pastors, evangelists, Bible women, other workers
Church Structure
Memberships
Lutheran World Federation (LWF), since 1952
World Council of Churches (WCC)
United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI)
National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)
Christian Conference of Asia (CCA)
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