LOCATION:

The headquarters of Baptist-India are located in a town called Nidumolu, Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh (AP) - a southern state and the fifth largest both in area and population. Nidumolu is standing on the highway between Vijayawada (45 kms)and Machilipatnam (20 kms). Bay of Bengal/ Machilipatnam sea shore is about 25 kms from the headquarters.

LAUNCHING:

The ministries are started in 1951 in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Eventually Baptist India expanded its scope to other regions of India. The initial focus was on building a strong foundation through Church planting. As our work expanded, our interaction with the communities in the various villages and towns, showed a need for Hospitals, Schools, Orphanages, Bible College and so on. The needs were placed before God in prayers, in the course of time God opened the gates in His own way to activate all these related needs. Baptist India, having completed fifty years, had celebrated Golden Jubilee in the year 2001 and today moving ahead with enlarged vision towards centenary celebrations.

PRESIDENT : REV. DR. CHATLA

Rev. Dr. Chatla Devasahayam was born in a Hindu family. Chatla's father, Mrs. Kempu Ratnam, was an orthodox Hindu. His mother came to know Christ submitted herself. Chatla's father left the house as his mother stood to her convictions. Later on, in order to meet the needs of the family, Chatla's mother used to work/give labor eight to ten hours each day for one dollar. In the course of time this had become difficult and Dr. Chatla was adapted by one of his relatives, Rev. Dr. Ishmael and Vazram who were school teachers at first, but resigned and became full time missionaries responding to the call of God.

Though most of his desires and needs of the childhoold and adolescent were unmet and went in vain, he learned to spent his days in the church like boy Samuel. There he grew up in prayerful atmosphere, used to take part in all the church and mission activities. Later as his step parents had begotten a baby boy, they let him married in 1973.

Then chatla came out with his wife and three children as a missionary to a place named Nidumolu. Countless days were passed in poverty. Though materially he was given nothing, the enormous wealth the adopted parents had given him was Godly fear and prayerful life. As such his timeless efforts, consistent faith and trust in God had provided very soon local members to the church, who supported the family for long time. God opened the doors and few missionaries from US have come into contact and the ministry extended progressively and reached number of people and areas. The vision of Chatla is to offer a helping hand to the needy to reach their vision, which he himself lacked in his life.

DR. CHATLA AND FAMILY:

God blessed Dr & Mrs. Chatla with eight children - four sons and four daughters. His wife Suguna is assisting him unreservedly in the ministry.

Eldest son Luther Did Master’s degree (Th.M.) in Old Testament and assisting him in the functioning of the Bible college being its principal. Luther’s wife Ratna is a medical doctor and rendering her services in the Mount Zion Mission Clinic. Second son Wesley did Master’s degree in Business Administration and assisting Chatla in functioning of the Orphan Home. His wife Sony is a post graduate in Child Psychology and is looking after the school being the principal.

Eldest daughter Prasanthi Florida is also a theological student and married to Kiran, who was a graduate in Civil Engineering. But now he closed his consultancy having experienced the call by God and today serving among the youth in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Second daughter Soumya did Post Graduation in computer applications; Moses also is a theological student, completed M.Div and helping Dr. Chatla in the ministry; Hepsiba, Beaulah and Ezra are doing their secular studies.