Gilgal Gospel Mission

Preaching Christ and Planting Churches
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The Founders 

 

 

 

The late Rev. Dr. Chelliah Russelliah & Mrs. K. Christobel Russelliah
The late Rev. Dr. Chelliah Russelliah was born in Kanyakumari District, a southern coastal area of India. He began his ministry after completing high school when he was just eighteen years old, working as an evangelist with the London Missionary Society (LMS) for two years. At that time, Dr. Russelliah committed his life to preaching Christ among Hindus but knew to be most effective for the Lord he needed higher theological training to better understand the Word and how to carry it forth. He entered South India Biblical Seminary (SIBS) in Bangalore, India in 1970 and was ordained under the Church of South of India (Andhra Pradesh) in 1974.  In 1986, Russelliah came to the US to pursue a Ph.D at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He later transferred to Trinity International University where he received his Ph.D. in Old Testament in 1994. He then left to India to continue the work of Gilgal Gospel Mission.  Dr. Russelliah and Christobel have two daughters – Thephil and Thehil. Click here for more details.

 

Christobel was born in a small village called Mathoor in the southern part of India.  She has a Bachelors of Divinity (B.D.).  Christobel married her husband, Dr. Russelliah, when she was just twenty-one years old.  She worked alongside her husband to preach Christ and plant Churches and helped to establish Gilgal Gospel Mission.  She followed her husband to the US, and worked to support the family while Dr. Russelliah finished his graduate studies.  More than ten years later, the family moved back to India to continue the work of the mission.  Christobel continues to be active in all aspects of the ministry from working with the masons during building construction projects, to being the mother to the kids in the Children's Home, to serving as the overall mission's administrator.  Christobel's heart is dedicated to reaching the lost and proclaiming the gospel to her people in India.  Click here for more details. 
 
 

Board of Directors

 

 
John Persson (President)
John Persson attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL.  John completed his Bachelor's degree in Teaching at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  He served at the Moody Church's Camp for 18 years.  Currently, John and his wife, Cathy, are working to support and encourage their five daughters.  John and Cathy live in Glen Ellyn, IL.
 

 

 

 
 
Rick Nelson (Treasurer)
Rick grew up in suburban Chicago and attended Wheaton College. Rick is a commercial real estate broker specializing in office and warehouse condominium developments in the Chicago metro area. He is currently working to be a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). He has also worked in the financial planning and insurance fields. He is a board member of the Rotary Club of Central Dupage and works with the club to raise funds for local and international philanthropy projects. Rick is a diehard Chicago Cubs fan and lives with his wife Pam, and son Erik in Wheaton, Illinois.                       
 
 
 
 
 
Pamela Nelson (Secretary)
Pam is from Cincinnati, Ohio and has been working in the health care field for over thirty years; the past twenty years have been in the area of health care administration. Following graduation from the University of Utah, with a BSN in nursing, Pam attended the Moody Bible Institute for a one year advanced study program in Bible and cultural studies in preparation for the mission field in Alaska with SEND. While in Alaska, Pam worked with Alaskan native villages in the area of health education, alcohol prevention, and treatment.  She also worked in the mission hospital.  Pam left Alaska in 1982 and enrolled in a graduate program at Wheaton College in Illinois.  She completed her Masters in Communications, Interpersonal and Cross Cultural in 1984.  Pam currently works as the Clinical Quality Manager for Adventist Health Network.  She became a full time student in 2006 with plans to complete a degree in Community Health Development by 2009.  Pam, her husband, Rick and their son, Erik, reside in Wheaton, Illinois.
 
 
 
 
Rev. Dwight Gunn
Elder Dwight Gunn is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  He was appointed Deacon in 1989 and the Lord called him into preaching ministry in October of 1990.  Elder Gunn was licensed by the late Rev. Milton R. Brunson on March 15, 1991 and ordained as a Preacher of the Gospel on July 31, 1992.  In January of 1997, Elder Gunn was appointed Assistant Pastor of Christ Tabernacle M.B. Church of Austin.  Upon the passing of Rev. Milton Brunson, Elder Gunn served as the Interim Pastor.  He served as Senior Pastor of Christ Tabernacle M.B. Church of Austin from February 1, 1999 to January 5, 2003.  On January 12, 2003, Elder Gunn lead the Inaugural Worship Service of Heritage International Christian Church (H.I.C.C).  He is also the founder of the Edifying the Saints Ministries, an outreach ministry designed to mature the body of Christ through encouragement and development, while promoting a Christ-like style in both word and deed.  Elder Gunn is married to Min. Monique Gunn and has 2 children, Majesty Christina and Grace Dominique.
   
   
 
 
 
Leslie Rocco
Leslie has a BA in Education and a MEd in Counseling. Leslie is retired and also serves on the Board of Directors of Community Outreach, Inc., Tucson AZ, a non-profit organization clothing and educating disadvantaged children. During her career, she worked at TIAA/CREF in New York City, the retirement system for state universities, Commerce Bank of Kansas City in the Trust Department and most recently as Sr. Exec. VP at First Commonwealth Trust Company, Indiana, PA where she specialized in estate planning and investment management. Leslie is very active in animal care organizations such as the Humane Society and Wags and Walkers. Her husband, Brig. General Domenic Rocco, US Army Retired, is past President and CEO of First Commonwealth Trust Company. 
 
 
 
 
 
Thephil Russelliah Roby
Thephil has a BS in Biochemistry and an MBA in Leadership and Change Management from DePaul University. She is the eldest daughter of the founders of Gilgal Gospel Mission and has been involved in the ministry since birth. Thephil was born in India but came to the US when she was five years old.  She grew up in Chicago and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago for her undergraduate degree.  She currently works in the financial industry as a Compliance Risk Officer. Thephil, her husband Christopher, and their daughter Ava, live in in Downers Grove, IL.