Spouse(s) Aleyamma Varghese Name M Varughese | Website www.pastormav.in | |
Born 4 November 1946 ( 1946-11-04 ) Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala Occupation Preacher, Evangelist, Publisher Children Rev. Abraham Varghese, Rev. Johnson V | ||
addressed by pr m a varughese
Mudanakuzhiyil Abraham Varughese, popularly known in the Pentecostal Christendom as "Rev. Dr. M A Varughese" or MAV (born 4 November 1946) is an evangelist, revival & motivational speaker, publisher, Founder President of Bethel Gospel Team and Senior Pastor of Bethel Assembly of God Church, in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
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Early life
M A Varughese was born and brought up in an orthodox Christian (Marthoma) family. His parents brought him up in the fear of God and traditional Christian walk. At the age of 12, he accepted Jesus as his Saviour. He decided to accept water baptism. He faced persecution from family, community and the society for embracing Pentecostal faith. He was sent out of home and had to work for food. His education was stalled in primary school at the age of 12. From this young age he had a thirst within him to serve the Lord and has been in the ministry of Lord Jesus Christ from 1956. Street evangelism and literature distribution were the areas of ministry that he could involve during those days. From the age of 15, he had been bearing witness to co-students, neighbors and friends.
In 1965 after his basic educations he left Kerala for a secular Job. He joined the Indian Air Force and served at various places in India. Along with the occupation in the central Government services it was his choice to study the engineering subjects with priority in the spiritual activities. Wherever he was posted, he involved and participated in the nearest Full Gospel Church in spiritual ministry.
In 1971, he got married to a believer, Aleyamma. After marriage both were involved in the ministry. In 1975, Rev Varughese was selected by the Government of India for pursuing higher studies on Microwave and Digital Technology and was sent to WJ, Maryland, USA.
Early Church
M A Varughese had been simultaneously working in the armed forces and serving God from the very beginning. In the year 1983, he was transferred to Bangalore, India. In Bangalore, the Central District of the South India Assemblies of God gave him the responsibility to assist the Pastor of Bethel AG Church. Later in 1984 M A Varughese was appointed as the pastor-in-charge of Bethel AG Church with a total of 22 members.
Bethel AG Church Bangalore, Ganganagar
M A Varughese and Aleyamma started working as the Pastor of the Church along with the secular Job. The Church started to grow in number. As the membership increased beyond 250, and could not be contained in the small building, a new Church was formed about 10 km away. The Central District of the South India Assemblies of God approved it as a Church. Many new Churches were formed. Today there are over 20 such Churches in Bangalore.
During 1991 on a clear call from the Lord, Rev. M A Varughese resigned from the secular Job, from the post of a Junior Research Scientist at a Research and Development Organization of the Government of India. He then ministered in the Church on a full-time basis..
Church Growth
God enabled M A Varughese to build up a large multi-level building with four floors to seat a total of about 2000 people. When the membership further increased, the church purchased a plot of land measuring 3.5 acres (14,000 m2) at a prime venue Hebbal on the Ring Road / New Bangalore International Airport intersection. Currently there are two temporary structures that can accommodate over 3500 members each. Today Bethel AG Church is the Largest Malayalam speaking Pentecostal Church around the Globe. Through the years, the work of God in Bangalore city has been unfolding beyond human plans at Bethel. Eight linguistic services (Malayalam, English, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, French & Nepali) cater to the spiritual needs of the many ethnic groups in this metro city.
Temporary Structures at Hebbal
People belonging to various communities and nationalities come together, breaking all barriers of caste, creed and social standings, to worship the almighty God, in Spirit and in Truth. Many ministers travel around the nation and across the globe under the apostolic umbrella of Bethel, spreading the gospel. They carry the revival fire imparted at Bethel to the body of Christ in various parts of the world. Powerful prayer backing of the church is an invaluable asset and a blessing from God to them. Bethel AG Church has over 16,000 Communicant members in the main Church and over 20 Churches around Bangalore as sister Churches. Apart from the local ministry, many ministers from Bethel AG Church also travel to conduct crusades, seminars, etc.
Personal life
Rev. Dr. M A Varughese is blessed with two sons. Rev. Abraham Varghese and Rev. Johnson V. They both work with him. Both of them are ordained ministers of the Assemblies of God. Rev. Varghese & Mrs. Aleyamma has four Grand children ,their names are as follows Blesson Abraham and Ashish Ninan Abraham who are the children of Rev. Abraham Varghese and Joshua Johnson and Jeffery T Johnson who are the children of Rev. Johnson V .Dr. Varughese worked with the Indian Air Force for 18 Years. His work was in the Radio/Telecommunication Wing (January 1966 – January 1984). He also worked as scientific staff at the R&D department for 5 years. Rev. Dr. M A Varughese has traveled and ministered in over 30 nations.
Educational Qualifications
Diploma in
Doctorate
Present Ministry Involvements
Today he serves the Lord;
Works
(Books in Malayalam)