We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. – II Corinthians 5:20
Manapakkam Wesley Church (From a mission field to an established Church
The Manapakkam congregation was started through the efforts of the Rev. Christopher Solomon in 1988. With the need for an Evangelist being felt by one and all, Mr. K. Rajendran, the catechist at CSI Nagari Church was appointed as the Evangelist. What started as an outreach at Manapakkam by the Wesley English Church, St. Thomas Mount blossomed into a full fledged congregation. The evangelist under the direct supervision of the then presbyter of the Wesley Pastorate was supported financially by Wesley English Church, St. Thomas Mount. Through the untiring efforts of the evangelist, many souls were added to the congregation. With the ever growing congregation, it was felt to have a church built at Manapakkam. When Rev. Chandran Lite became the pastor of the Pastorate, things started moving fast. Through the efforts of the Pastorate, the Land was bought and the church was built and dedicated for God’s glory in 2001. What was initiated as an outreach, has blossomed into a fully grown church. The church has been handed over to the Diocese of Madras by the Wesley Pastorate.
Church at Athimanam
Wesley English Church, St. Thomas Mount has always been a church with a vision. It has always been felt by the church that Mission is not the `ministry of choice’ for a few hyperactive Christians in the church. Mission is the purpose of the Church. It was through the great efforts of Rev. Florence Lawrence, the then associate pastor of the church who introduced the mission field to Wesley English Church, St. Thomas Mount. Many fellowship groups used to visit Athimanam as an outreach programme of the church. With the growing congregation, there was a deep desire to establish a church at Athimanam. Fund raising was initiated in 2003-05 and the work of building up the church was initiated. In 2007, the uncompleted work was planned to be finished. The harvest festival 2007 was earmarked for completing this project. With a sizable funds being raised, the church was completed in 2008 and dedicated for the glory of God in December 2008.