The Pentecostal Mission

The Pentecostal Mission (TPM) or Ceylon Pentecostal Mission (CPM) or New Testament Church (NTC) or Universal Pentecostal Church (UPC) is a Pentecostal denomination which was founded in Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1923. The international headquarters is now situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It now has churches in over 65 countries operating under various names.

This article is about The Pentecostal Mission/New Testament Church (NTC)(20th century). For the century Pentecostal Mission holiness denomination, see Pentecostal Mission.

History

The church was founded by Pastor Paul Ramankutty, who was born to Hindu parents in the district of Trichur in Kerala, India. While in Sri Lanka, at the age of 18, he became a Christian. Later, he felt a strong call and began to preach and share the gospel in various parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, working with other evangelists. In 1923 he founded the church.[1]

Church leadership

The church is led by a Chief Pastor (currently Abraham Mathew). In addition there is a Deputy Chief Pastor (currently M.T Thomas) and an Associate Deputy Chief Pastor (currently G. Jeyam).

In the United States most of the church work was pioneered by the late Don M Spiers, who had previously worked closely with Oral Roberts.[2] Gregg Wilson now heads the work in USA and countries around USA. He is assisted by the sister-in-charge Lisa Billow.

Full-time ministers are expected to practice an ascetic life-style including celibacy, obedience to the elder pastors, communal living (including disposal of private possessions) in faith homes. TPM churches are run by full-time ministers who are celibate and predominantly single. Married couples who enter full-time ministry can become celibate, and may be sent to different locations by the TPM leadership if they so choose.

Doctrines and teachings

The doctrines of the church broadly align with trinitarian Pentecostalism.[3]

International conventions

Annual International Conventions are held at Kottarakkara in Kerala, India (February); Irumbuliyur in Chennai, India (March); Kokkavila in Chilaw, Sri Lanka (December) and Indiana (IUP) near Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, United States (July). The European Convention is held in London in the last week of August. The Irumbuliyur (Chennai) Convention can attract over 10,000,000 people from across the world. The Sri Lanka Convention is the second largest, attracting over 5,000,000 from across the world. People who come to the conventions will receive free accommodation and food. The chief pastors come to most conventions.

An annual International Youth Camp usually takes place in November at Irumbuliyur in Chennai, India.

Magazine ministry

Magazines are produced in several languages. The English language magazine published from India is called The Voice of Pentecost. Pilgrim's Journal is published and printed in USA. Other English language magazines are Pentecostal Messenger from Malaysia, The Youth Herald from Singapore, Power Divine from Sri Lanka and Trumpet of the Lord from the UK.

Church Magazines are being published in more than forty Indian languages and other foreign languages. Malayalam magazine Pentecost is one of the oldest Pentecostal magazines from Kerala. A Hindi edition Pentecost Ki Wani published from New Delhi, Tamil edition named Pentecosthin Peroli from Irumbilyur (Chennai), Pentecosti-Chi Vaani from Mumbai and Pentecost Da Sneha from Dhariwal (Punjab) are also produced.

See also

References
  1. "DoT | About". Doctrineoftruth.com. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  2. "Oral Roberts". Futurliner.com. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  3. "Basic Doctrines of Christ". PENTECOST VOICE. 28 October 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.


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