From the Memories –
P T Chandapilla

The centenary birthday of our first General Secretary (1959-1976) and the founding President of Jubilee Memorial Bible College, Rev. P. T. Chandapilla, falls on 18th March 2026, and we desire to honour his life and legacy.

Bro. Chanda (as he was affectionately called in UESI) was born on 18th Mar 1926, to parents who were evangelists in the Marthoma Church. They raised him with deep missional commitment. Bishop Abraham Marthoma prayed and sent him to Miraj, Maharashtra, to pursue his nursing studies at the Miraj Medical Mission. He would often recount that it was there in Miraj, under the guidance of a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Vishwasrao Sathralkar, that he came to a deeper personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ

After completing his nursing studies, he worked in the Gulf for some time and later pursued theological studies at Columbia International University. Despite compelling opportunities across the globe, he chose to serve the Lord in the villages of India, beginning his ministry in Rajnandgaon, Madhya Pradesh (now in Chhattisgarh).

In 1956, soon after his marriage to Dorothy, they joined UESI as its first Indian staff workers. He later became UESI’s first General Secretary. Page after page could be written about their work in UESI during those formative years. Mrs. Chandapilla said in one interview, “from nothing to nothing we worked, keeping nothing for ourselves, but those were days of tasting God’s faithfulness and days of great challenges.”

What titles can we attribute to him? Bible Teacher — as he was known for his profound Bible studies and passionate preaching. Writer — of My Mother, My Teacher; A Grain of Wheat; Master Trainer; Christian Leaders and Leadership; Local Churches & Evangelism; Servant; India’s McNally Tai; and many more. Pastor — having served the St Thomas Evangelical Church of India as an ordained presbyter and later as its Vicar General. Mentor — hundreds of men and women would testify that “Chanda” was their mentor.

So many titles could rightly be given to Bro. Chanda.

Those who worked closely with him, remember him most for his intense personal love — a love that compelled him to write letter after letter — and for his deep concern for individuals.

And if he were to choose a title for himself, it would simply be this: Servant (you may read more about this in his own book, Servant).

Oh, how I wish we could compile a memoir capturing his personal interactions and the vision he instilled in others, through which he helped shape UESI and the wider Mission in India.

Jacob Varghese, General Secretary, UESI
(With inputs from Bro. Reji Koshy Daniel and Sis. Betzy Koshy)