Purpose
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 20, Christ first appeared to the gathered disciples and showed them his hands and his side. He concluded this moment with this commission to his disciples, “Just as the Father sent me, so I am now going to send you.” But one of the disciples was was not with them. When later Thomas was informed of Christ’s appearance in that locked room he replied, “Unless I see in his own hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe!”
Just over a week later the disciples were indoors again, this time Thomas with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood in their midst. Seeing his Lord, and the evidence of the nails and the spear, Thomas exclaimed, ”My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “It is because you have seen me that you believe. Blessed are those who have never seen me and yet have believed!” That was Thomas’ commission.
The next time we hear of Thomas in church history, he is found in south India in A.D. 52. He preached the Gospel throughout southern India and according to tradition baptized about seventeen thousand converts, and ordained many elders. He eventually came to the Chennai (Madras) area, where a local king and many people were converted. His ministry outraged the Brahmins, who were fearful lest Christianity undermine their caste-based social structure. Thomas was condemned to death about the year A.D. 72. Anxious to avoid unrest, the Brahmins took Thomas to a nearby mountain where, after being allowed to pray, he was stoned and stabbed to death with a lance.
In sending the Apostle Thomas, our Lord surely had a love and desire for the millions in India to put their trust in Him. Today, everything our mission does is to continue the mission of Thomas. We teach and baptize believers, train preachers, build church buildings, rescue widows and orphans, heal the sick through our Christian Medical Center, teach life skills, and relieve suffering because of natural disasters.
This is the purpose of the North Andhra Coastal Evangelizing Association (NACEA), just as it was for Thomas, to lead precious souls to a belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and to guide them to be His faithful followers!
Just over a week later the disciples were indoors again, this time Thomas with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood in their midst. Seeing his Lord, and the evidence of the nails and the spear, Thomas exclaimed, ”My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “It is because you have seen me that you believe. Blessed are those who have never seen me and yet have believed!” That was Thomas’ commission.
The next time we hear of Thomas in church history, he is found in south India in A.D. 52. He preached the Gospel throughout southern India and according to tradition baptized about seventeen thousand converts, and ordained many elders. He eventually came to the Chennai (Madras) area, where a local king and many people were converted. His ministry outraged the Brahmins, who were fearful lest Christianity undermine their caste-based social structure. Thomas was condemned to death about the year A.D. 72. Anxious to avoid unrest, the Brahmins took Thomas to a nearby mountain where, after being allowed to pray, he was stoned and stabbed to death with a lance.
In sending the Apostle Thomas, our Lord surely had a love and desire for the millions in India to put their trust in Him. Today, everything our mission does is to continue the mission of Thomas. We teach and baptize believers, train preachers, build church buildings, rescue widows and orphans, heal the sick through our Christian Medical Center, teach life skills, and relieve suffering because of natural disasters.
This is the purpose of the North Andhra Coastal Evangelizing Association (NACEA), just as it was for Thomas, to lead precious souls to a belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and to guide them to be His faithful followers!
History
Tella Bhakta Paul is a third generation Christian. His grandparents were converted to Christianity by a Canadian Baptist missionary in the late 1800s, but when the mission withdrew, those few Indian Christians were left with no leadership. TB’s parents, schoolteachers by vocation, kept the spark of Christianity alive in their family for many years, praying for someone to come and proclaim the Gospel message to the surrounding villages.
When TB was in his teen years, he was challenged to take up the effort of winning the lost all around him. Even though raised in a mud hut with seven brothers and sisters, he was sent to college and gained a degree in banking and commerce; then on to Serampore University in Calcutta, where he earned a Master’s degree in Theology. Believing that he would someday be working primarily with Hindus in his home area, he also received a Master’s degree in Hinduism.
His abilities came to the attention of Arthur and Ruth Morris, missionaries stationed in Madras (now called Chennai), and they asked TB to become a lecturer and dean of the mission’s Southern Asia Christian College. He shared his vision for his home area with the Morrises and was encouraged to pursue it. One of the last activities of Arthur Morris before his death was to travel to coastal Andhra Pradesh, and dedicate a church building in the village where TB was raised. The land and cost of the building was underwritten by TB’s mother, after the death of her husband.
In 1990, Charles Grubbs of Antioch Christian Church, Washington, Indiana, traveled to India as he was researching details in order to write a book on the Morris’ work. Arthur Morris had been a minister to the Antioch church during the late 1940s, just prior to going to India. During Grubbs’ trip, he was introduced to TB Paul and heard of his vision. On a subsequent trip in 1992, Grubbs traveled north to experience the need first-hand.
Upon his return to the States, Grubbs shared that need with the Antioch church. As God led, the leadership of Antioch made it possible for TB to relocate to his home region, with his family. The church initially supplied living expenses, but after several other congregations heard of the need, funds for ministry work began to be sent and the North Andhra Coastal Evangelizing Association was born.
When TB was in his teen years, he was challenged to take up the effort of winning the lost all around him. Even though raised in a mud hut with seven brothers and sisters, he was sent to college and gained a degree in banking and commerce; then on to Serampore University in Calcutta, where he earned a Master’s degree in Theology. Believing that he would someday be working primarily with Hindus in his home area, he also received a Master’s degree in Hinduism.
His abilities came to the attention of Arthur and Ruth Morris, missionaries stationed in Madras (now called Chennai), and they asked TB to become a lecturer and dean of the mission’s Southern Asia Christian College. He shared his vision for his home area with the Morrises and was encouraged to pursue it. One of the last activities of Arthur Morris before his death was to travel to coastal Andhra Pradesh, and dedicate a church building in the village where TB was raised. The land and cost of the building was underwritten by TB’s mother, after the death of her husband.
In 1990, Charles Grubbs of Antioch Christian Church, Washington, Indiana, traveled to India as he was researching details in order to write a book on the Morris’ work. Arthur Morris had been a minister to the Antioch church during the late 1940s, just prior to going to India. During Grubbs’ trip, he was introduced to TB Paul and heard of his vision. On a subsequent trip in 1992, Grubbs traveled north to experience the need first-hand.
Upon his return to the States, Grubbs shared that need with the Antioch church. As God led, the leadership of Antioch made it possible for TB to relocate to his home region, with his family. The church initially supplied living expenses, but after several other congregations heard of the need, funds for ministry work began to be sent and the North Andhra Coastal Evangelizing Association was born.
TB’s wife, Rani, works with him as a Field Associate. Their oldest son, Rajesh is an oral surgeon and has an MBA. He is now working with his parents in ministering to the medical needs of the villagers. Rajesh married Soujanya, a young medical doctor. Soujanya is an accomplished physician, specializing in infectious diseases, including HIV research. She also is trained in diabetic treatment and has recently been trained in ophthalmology.
Susan, the Paul’s daughter, has completed her training as a nurse and is married to a physician, Sikindar Mohan, who specializes in lung diseases; they both are working with the mission on a part time basis. Sikindar and Susan have a daughter, JoEllyn who has just begun her studies to become a cardiologist.
A second son, Rakesh, who has an MBA, is the Oberst Christian Academy principle and is the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) coordinator. He also preaches at the Pedapatnam Christian Church and has attended Seminary. He is married to Rose, who is a nurse, and they have two sons, Methuselah (Max) and Melchizedek (Melik).
T.B. and Rani also have a younger son, Rupesh (nicknamed ‘Richie’) who has recently graduated from Seminary and is currently preaching at the Colony Church. In addition, he manages the Computer Institute.
Susan, the Paul’s daughter, has completed her training as a nurse and is married to a physician, Sikindar Mohan, who specializes in lung diseases; they both are working with the mission on a part time basis. Sikindar and Susan have a daughter, JoEllyn who has just begun her studies to become a cardiologist.
A second son, Rakesh, who has an MBA, is the Oberst Christian Academy principle and is the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) coordinator. He also preaches at the Pedapatnam Christian Church and has attended Seminary. He is married to Rose, who is a nurse, and they have two sons, Methuselah (Max) and Melchizedek (Melik).
T.B. and Rani also have a younger son, Rupesh (nicknamed ‘Richie’) who has recently graduated from Seminary and is currently preaching at the Colony Church. In addition, he manages the Computer Institute.
Statement of Beliefs
North Andhra Coastal Evangelizing Association (NACEA), as manifested by its stateside supporters, Board of Directors, and field personnel in India, hold firmly to the teaching of the Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, and the authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
As taught in Scripture, we believe in:
As taught in Scripture, we believe in:
- One God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
- Our Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, His virgin birth, His sinless human life, His divine miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, His mediating work, and His Personal return in power and glory;
- The Salvation of lost and sinful man through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ by responding to the Gospel as presented in Scripture; repenting of sin; confessing belief in the Son of God verbally and through words, actions and attitudes; participating in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection through Christian baptism (immersion) for the remission of sin and the resulting gift of the Holy Spirit;
- The Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the believer is enabled to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ;
- The goal of Unity of the Spirit of all true believers, the Church, the Body of Christ;
- The Resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of eternal life, they that are lost unto the resurrection of eternal damnation.
Mission Statement
- Our mission extends beyond structures; it is rooted in the unwavering commitment to share the gospel with the eager hearts of those we serve. The mission of NACEA is a testament to the transformative power of faith, education, and healthcare, working harmoniously to uplift and enrich the lives of the precious people we are blessed to serve. Hallelujah and Amen – the journey continues, guided by the enduring light of the gospel of Jesus Christ
Vision Statement
- Our vision at the North Andhra Coastal Evangelizing Association (NACEA) is to lead precious souls to a belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ and to guide them to be His faithful followers. Through addressing practical needs in healthcare, education, vocational training, childcare, and church planting, we aim to build strong, compassionate communities rooted in faith. Our work seeks to transform lives by spreading the love of Jesus and fostering spiritual growth across the Machilipatnam region and beyond.