The Pentecostal Mission (TPM) or New Testament Church (NTC) or Universal Pentecostal Church (UPC) or Ceylon Pentecostal Mission (CPM), is a pentecostal denomination which originated in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. In some countries, the church is known under different names. The international headquarters is now situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. This mission was founded in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1923 by Pastor Paul. It now has churches in over 65 countries.
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History
The church was founded by Ramankutty (a.k.a. Pastor Paul) along with Alwin R. de Alwis. Ramankutty 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. He later felt a strong calling from the Lord Jesus Christ for his life and began to preach and share the Christian gospel in various parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. It was through his service that the church was founded in 1923. Even after the death of Ramankutty , Over 95% of the members of this church is constituting people from the Indian Sub-Continent.
Church leadership
The church is led by a Chief Pastor, who is usually appointed for life. In addition, there is a Deputy Chief Pastor and an Associate Deputy Chief Pastor. Leadership is passed down after death to the next in seniority.
These are the current office holders:
In the United States most of the church work was pioneered by late Pastor Don M Spiers, who had previously worked closely with Oral Roberts. After the home call of Pastor Don and Pastor Michael Thomas, Pastor Gregory Wilson is heading the ministries in USA and in other Western and African countries. Sis Lisa Billow is the senior sister for the ministry in USA.
Pastor Wesley Peter who was the Chief Pastor of the church died on July 22, 2015. He is succeeded by Pastor Stephen Natarajan.
Doctrines and teachings
The doctrines of the church include: Trinity, New Birth (being born again), Water Baptism, Baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in unknown tongues, Separated life from mortal entertainments and sinful circumstances, Divine Healing, Entire Sanctification (of the Body, Soul and Spirit), Overcoming Life, Consecrated Ministry, Rapture, Great Tribulation, Resurrection, The Millennial Reign, The Great White Throne Judgement, and Eternity.
Criticisms and controversies
Pastor Alwin de Alwis
In 1962, Pastor Alwin de Alwis was excommunicated for sexual immorality. Alwin was probably responsible for the Ceylon Pentecostal Mission's formulation of special teachings that caused its split from other Pentecostal churches. Those teachings were propagated by a series of publications.
Murder of Pastor Kanagaraj
In 2016, a pastor in Tuticorin was suspected to have murdered another pastor. There was widespread protest in Tuticorin with believers accusing the church of hiding the perpetrators.
Church names
In other parts of the world, the church is known by the following names:
International conventions
Annual International Conventions are held at Kottarakara in Kerala, India (February) ; Irumbuliyur in Chennai, India (March); Kokkavila in Chilaw, Sri Lanka (December); and in Ohio, United States (July) and Toronto, Canada (July).
The International Convention in Chennai India takes place in the month of March, the Conventions in the United States and Canada in the month of July, and the International Convention of Sri Lanka in December. The European convention is held in London in the last week of August.
Magazine ministry
Magazines in several languages are printed and distributed to subscribers. The English magazine published from India is called The Voice of Pentecost. Pilgrim's Journal is published and printed in USA. Other English magazines are: "Pentecostal Messenger" from Malaysia, "The Youth Herald" from Singapore, "Power Divine" from Sri Lanka and "Trumpet of the Lord" from the UK.
Malayalam magazine PENTECOST is one of the oldest Pentecostal magazines from Kerala. Hindi edition PENTECOST KI WANI published from New Delhi, PENTECOSTI-CHI VAANI from Mumbai and PENTECOST DA SNEHA from Dhariwal (Punjab) are also other landmark in the history of Church to spread the Gospel to northern part of India. Church Magazines are Being published in more than 40 Indian languages and many other foreign languages.