Brief History of the Bible Mission

The history of the Bible Mission is deeply intertwined with the life of a devout servant of God, Father M. Devadasu Ayyagaru, who served in the Lutheran Mission for 46 years. The name "Devadas" means "Servant of God." He lived a consecrated and unblemished life of celibacy, constantly in communion with God. From his childhood, he experienced divine revelations (please refer to the Biography of Father Devadas Ayyagaru). On August 21, 1901, he began receiving full divine revelations, which included face-to-face conversations with the Lord. During his stay at the Sanitorium in Rajahmundry, many people gathered to hear his teachings. He introduced seven new doctrines:

1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
2. The Gift of Tongues
3. The Gift of Visions
4. Divine Healing
5. Casting Out Demons
6. The Rapture
7. Waiting for the Lord’s Revelation.

Those who listened to his teachings received the grace and blessings of God.

However, when the missionaries of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Mission learned of these teachings, they objected, stating that these doctrines were not part of their mission's teachings. They asked him to cease preaching them. In response, Ayyagaru told that since both his teachings and the doctrines of the Lutheran Mission were based on the Bible, they should be accepted. Despite this, the elders of the mission forbade him from continuing the teachings.
It was at this time that the Lord chose to reveal “Bible Mission" to this great servant of God.

The Revelation of the Bible Mission

On January 31, 1938, at around 3:00 p.m., while Father Devadas was in prayer, a great light from heaven filled his room. In that light, he saw golden letters in Telugu spelling out "The Bible Mission." The Lord then instructed him to start His mission, following the principles and practices given to him, and to maintain constant fellowship with Him. Obeying this divine revelation, Father Devadas founded the mission, with the Lord as its sole leader, guide, patron, and overseer. He famously declared, "This is not my mission or India’s mission, but the Lord's mission. He alone must guide, provide for, and develop His mission." With this unwavering faith, he established the Bible Mission in Andhra Pradesh, India.

The Founding

Father Devadas officially established the Bible Mission on May 5, 1938, with a small group of followers. In accordance with the Lord's command, the Bible Mission was not to rely on any form of foreign aid. Even those who loved him deeply rejected him because of his involvement with the Bible Mission. Faith alone was the foundation for him and the evangelists who worked in this mission. Father Devadas firmly believed, "The Bible Mission is not born out of human efforts but of God, the Almighty." His primary ministry involved printing gospel tracts and distributing them. He also used a locally made trumpet, named "The Voice of Maranatha," to preach the gospel in popular indigenous forms that appealed to all sections of society. Thus, he founded the mission solely on faith, without providing regular remuneration for his workers.

Early Hardships

The early followers of the Bible Mission endured significant hardships for their faith. Many were socially boycotted by their villages. They were denied access to village ponds, commodities, and even church buildings for marriage functions or social gatherings. They were also barred from working in the fields. These hardships were often inflicted by local Christians, particularly because some of the mission’s believers had originally belonged to other denominations, primarily Lutheran. This persecution led the mission to gain followers among Hindus, who were drawn to the liberal theology of Father Devadas. As Father Devadas's life demonstrated that hardships are the royal road to glory, the early followers considered it a privilege to suffer for their mission. They did not complain about their troubles. Both the pastor and the church faced these difficulties in the early days of the mission. As the church members encountered various forms of persecution, some withdrew from the Bible Mission. In certain areas, the Bible Mission churches were nearly extinct, yet they eventually revived and flourished over time.

Challenges and Perseverance of the Bible Mission Workers

Without a steady income or fixed salary, the Bible Mission workers faced significant hardships. The lack of financial security made their ministry particularly challenging. Despite these difficulties, they continued their work with unwavering faith. Many believers even sold their lands and properties to support the mission and its workers. However, the mission also faced opposition from Christian leaders of other denominations, who spread false allegations and claimed that Father Devadas was a "false prophet." They predicted that the Bible Mission, which was divinely revealed, would soon disappear after his death
Yet, the Lord had promised that the Bible Mission would spread wherever the air could reach. Establishing faith in the Bible Mission among Christians and new converts was another significant challenge the mission had to overcome. The following lines encapsulate the divine assurance that guided and sustained the mission through these trials:

1. 1 Thou hast established - Thou wilt provide
2. Thou hast established - Thou wilt Prosper
3. Thou hast established –Thou wilt Bring name
4. Thou hast established – Thou wilt lead
5. Thou hast established – Thou wilt guide
6. Thou hast established – Thou wilt rectify
7. Thou hast established – Thou wilt bring people
8. Thou hast established – Thou wilt turned the world
9. Thou hast established – Thou wilt

The Foundation and Growth of the Bible Mission As the Bible Mission sought to establish itself within mainstream Christianity, it encountered many turning points, largely due to the unique principles introduced by Father Devadas. With no fixed salaries, the workers relied on their faith in Jesus for every need, which strengthened their spiritual foundation and commitment to the mission. This reliance on faith became the cornerstone of their ministry and contributed to the mission's expansion.
Father Devadas conducted special Bible classes that brought workers together, deepening their understanding of faith, hope, endurance, and more. The Biblical teachings became deeply ingrained in the workers' mindset, reinforcing their commitment to the mission. Special meetings for the anointing of the Holy Spirit played a crucial role in the early history of the mission. Healing campaigns attracted new followers, while the Holy Spirit anointing meetings solidified their faith, turning them into devoted workers.
These were the formative years of the Bible Mission, marked by its foundation and growth. In its later years, the Bible Mission saw steady progress, largely due to the efficient leadership of Father Devadas and the support of key individuals. He registered the mission, established healing centres, and formed an executive body to guide its operations.
From Rajahmundry to Guntur: Due to unrest in Rajahmundry, Father Devadas was forced to leave. During his journey, he established a healing center in Prathipadu, then moved to Eluru, and finally settled in Guntur on February 15, 1949. This relocation marked a significant turning point in the Bible Mission's history. In Guntur, he stayed at "Bethel House," the home of Rao Bahadur J. Raja Rao, who had invited him to live there. While at Bethel House, Father Devadas received a vision that read, "The Lord, Jehovah has brought you to this place." Over the next 12 years, this vision came to fruition as Father Devadas expounded on "The Song of Songs" and "The Book of Revelation," leading to the growth and fulfilment of the Bible Mission.

Registration:
Guntur became the central hub for the Bible Mission, and its significance grew over time. Father Devadas established a renowned healing centre at Kakani, near Guntur, on Monday, May 16, 1949. From then on, he focused on the ecumenical aspects of the mission and published over 40 new books on various themes, concepts, and practices of Christian life within the Bible Mission. After nearly a decade of growth and stability in Guntur, he officially registered the mission as “The Bible Mission” on July 22, 1959, in accordance with the original divine revelation. He praised God, saying, “Lord, by now, I have been able to set up Your mission as You revealed to me.”

Establishing Leadership:
Following the registration, Father Devadas appointed four senior Reverends to key leadership positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary. He humbly stated that he was not to be the President but rather the first member of the Bible Mission, emphasizing his role as a servant of God rather than an executive authority. The appointed leaders were:

- Rev. B. Elisha (President)
- Rev. B. Charles (Vice-President)
- Rev. G. Samuel (Secretary)
- Rev. P.M. Jacob (Joint Secretary)

These individuals were instrumental in supporting Father Devadas, especially during times of division. Their leadership solidified the mission's foundation and propelled its development
Father Devadas passed away in 1960, but his tireless work left a lasting impact. Despite predictions that the mission would fade after his death, the Bible Mission continued to thrive, bolstered by Father Devadas's prayers and the ongoing guidance of the Lord. Before his passing, Father Devadas expressed that he would soon be “emptying the crucible of his suffering body,” after which the mission would flourish even more. Today, we witness the fulfilment of his prophecy as the Bible Mission has reached new heights, particularly in the four decades following his departure.

Stability and Growth: Under Father Devadas’s leadership, the mission experienced significant expansion in both the number of branches and membership. Most followers came from traditional Hindu communities, which helped the mission remain stable and free from internal strife. The Bible Mission is now recognized as one of the fastest-growing churches in the Indian subcontinent. The Annual Convention, held on January 27th, 28th, and 29th, attracts nearly 500,000 attendees each year, contributing significantly to its growth

Missionary Campaigns: The mission's growth was driven by various missionary campaigns led by Rev. S. Samuel, the former president. He organized tours across India, using three to four buses to distribute gospel tracts and messages unique to the Bible Mission. Many places they visited have since become fruitful for the mission. Rev. S. Samuel’s efforts, along with the prayerful support of Smt. P.J. Graceamma, were crucial for the mission's development after Father Devadas’s death.

Effective Administration: Under Rev. Dr. J. John Selvaraj’s leadership, the mission has seen improvements in its administration. He standardized many processes, abolished detrimental practices, and introduced new visions for growth. He also oversaw the translation of Father Devadas's writings into various Indian languages and English. For his exceptional contributions, he was honoured as the "International Man of the Year, 2000."

Global Recognition The Bible Mission has attracted attention from Christian leaders and researchers globally. The ‘Rainbow Team’ from the USA visited the Head Office in Guntur and observed the healing programs, while delegates from Mauritius praised the mission’s work. A doctoral thesis on “The Song of Songs” was submitted to the University of Hyderabad, reflecting the mission’s influence.

The Clarion Call: With its established presence and vision, the Bible Mission now calls people to the redemptive cross of Christ. We invite Christians worldwide to unite, listen to His voice, and follow His commands in evangelizing and preparing the universal Church as the spotless Bride.

Father Devadas’s prayer to realize this mission was:

“O Lord! Appear unto me,
Appear unto all.
O Lord! Speak unto me,
Speak unto all”.

With Christ as its chief Teacher and Modulator, the Bible Mission, through His revealed universal teachings, invites the Christian world to prepare as His raptured “Bride Church,” reflecting the nature of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

The Legacy:
The Bible Mission leaves behind a profound legacy rooted in spiritual traditions that prepare for the Rapture and the pure state of the Bride. After nearly 86 years, the mission has matured and grown strong, influencing both the world and the Christian community towards the goal of the Rapture (the second coming of Jesus Christ).
The mission highlights the path to the “Bride’s line” and encourages churches to practice the silent hour (Sannidhi), transforming to reflect the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ. We invite you to reflect on this remarkable mission and become part of its glorious vision. May God bless you and catch you up in His Rapture.