Andhra Pradesh - Ongole   

RBTS continuing its yeoman's service

— photo: Kommuri srinivas

The 136-year-old Ramayapatnam chruch that is serving as focal point for missionary work in Prakasam district.

ONGOLE: The 136-year Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary is continuing the good work done by the American Baptist

Mission (ABM), plans to double up efforts to train pastors to take up evangelism work particularly in rural areas of the state.

Speaking to The Hindu after pre-Christmas celebrations including the candle light service at the RBTS campus in Ramayapatnam, abutting the national highway in Prakasam district, its President Rev. Dr. J. M. Franklin says, “We want to turn out more pastors for running chruches in rural areas. We are keen on continuing the good tradition set by our predecessors from ABM.”

Every year, 20 pastors pass out from the RBTS and 50 to 60 evangelists undergo training at any given point of time, he said.

The church constructed by the ABM in a vast 111 acre campus in 1874 for missionary work among Telugu-speaking people, “is

fully self-sufficient,” he said, adding “we have donated five acres of land to the Government to run the Zilla Parishad school for the benefit of rural students.”

“As part of commitment to provide better health services in rural areas, we are also running Joe Louis multi-purpose nursing school and a dispensary in the campus,” he said.

“We are also providing for laymen certificate course in theology through correspondence, to assist the pastors,” he added.

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