Gilgal Gospel Mission

Preaching Christ and Planting Churches
Home     About     Indian Missionary Church     Children's Home     Indian Theological Seminary     St Phillips School     Get Involved     Contact      
About India     About the Founders     Board of Directors     Statement of Faith      
About the Founders
 
 
The late Rev. Dr. Chelliah Russelliah was born on May 2, 1948 in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, 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.

That same year he married K. Christobel on May 9th. The newlyweds left their home state to begin an assignment at St. Thomas SPG Church in Secunderabad, India where Russelliah served as pastor for the congregation.
 
After services, the young couple visited nearby Hindu villages to preach the gospel. They formed many friendships with the villagers. Soon a Sunday School and later a church was established in three different villages. The Russelliahs saw God’s hand upon their work and knew that there was much more to be done for His glory.

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.
 
Russelliah and Christobel have two daughters – Thephil and Thehil. The entire family is actively involved in the ministries of Gilgal Gospel Mission.