Gajapati District in Odisha state is one of the top 10 districts in percentage of Christians (at 38%) in South India, according to the 2011 Indian census. This is the highest percentage in Odisha and the 6th highest in South India.
Contents
- Brief History
- Surnames usually seen in these people as follows
- Major Violence Against Christians
- Key people
- References
The following sub-districts of Gajapati District have the respective percentages of Christians:
Christians in Gajapati are mainly Baptist. Other denominations like Roman Catholics and Fellowship are also represented. Except for Adava Sub-District and Mohana sub-districts, all sub-districts in Gajapati are predominantly Baptist.
Brief History
All these Churches are the product of Canadian Baptist missionaries who worked in Serango area in Gajapati District. Prominent among these were J A Gladdening who later sent Suratha Pani (1910-1986) to Baptist Theological Seminary (Kakinada) for Bible studies and started work among the people. After the Canadian missionaries left Odisha (then Orissa) Suratha Pani took care of the Christians in the area and other parts of Odisha. His main objective was to eradicate false doctrines among the Churches. In the later days Suratha Pani emerged as an excellent Bible teacher in Odisha. The Canadian Baptist missionaries had set up an hospital at Serango which is still now active in serving patients, one at Serango, the branch at Ranipentha, Paralakhemundi. One of the faithful Canadian nurses worked there is Myrtle McDonald who authors a few books now.
Surnames usually seen in these people as follows
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Major Violence Against Christians
Key people
Commonly known as Pani Babu (1910-1986) is from a village named Gumma near Serango. JA Gladdening, the Thomas of Gajapati took care of his theology training at Baptist Theological Seminary, Kakinada. He was brilliant student. After his theology training he was involved in mission work. Unlike modern organization heads he served the tribal people both spiritually and earthly. He used to have teaching and prayer days twice a day at his residence at Gumma where he taught them Bible and prayed for them.
In later days Pani Babu turned into an excellent Bible teacher. Still now he is regarded the most excellent Bible teacher in the State of Odisha. He was not only a Bible teacher, but also a godly person. He had also an excellent capability of leadership. He was one among the three who was given the responsibility of taking care of the Sammilani.
Commonly known as Karada Babu was from Badapada, Gajapati. However, he also spent some time at Gumma. He is known for miraculous activities throughout South Odisha.
Commonly known as Parichha Babu is from a small village of Kumulasing, Gajapati. He is regarded now the most excellent Bible teacher in Odisha. He is a great Bible orator in Odia, Soura and Telugu. Before his conversion into Christianity he was an anti social person. Later when he embraced Christianity by receiving Jesus he turned into a great Bible teacher. Kenneth Knight, in his book mentions of his 40 days fasting with the Lord. .
He was the former pastor of Gumma. He was one among the three persons who was given the responsibility of taking care of the Sammilani. He was a school teacher. He left his job just to serve the Church. He is also a good Bible teacher. .