G. Devasahayam

G. Devasahayam[1] was the Indian President of the Protestant Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church Society and served during the periods 1956–1960[1] and again from 1963–1964.[1] During his second stint as President of the AELC, Devasahayam participated[2] in the opening of the newly formed Andhra Christian Theological College then located in the same campus of the Lutheran Theological College in Rajahmundry.

G. Devasahayam, AELC
The Reverend Doctor
ChurchLutheran
DioceseSynods of East Godavari, West Godavari, East Guntur, West Guntur, Central Guntur
SeeAndhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC)
In office1956–1960[1] and 1963-1964[1]
PredecessorA. N. Gopal[1] and K. Krupadanam[1]
SuccessorK. Krupadanam[1] and K. Devasahayam[1]
Personal details
Born
Andhra Pradesh, India
DiedAndhra Pradesh, India
Previous post(s)Professor, Lutheran Theological College, Rajahmundry (1944-1956), Professor, Andhra Christian Theological College, Rajahmundry/Hyderabad (1964-1972)

Studies

Gorikapudi Devasahayam completed his graduate studies[3] at the Lutheran Theological College, Rajahmundry which at that time was directly affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University) and was assigned pastoral ministry. Later, Devasahayam was appointed to teach at his alma mater, the Lutheran Theological College in Rajahmundry.[3]

The AELC Society sent Devasahayam on study leave to the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia during 1953–1954[4] where he studied during the period of the eminent human rights specialist, Frederick Nolde. The seminary awarded a postgraduate degree in Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) upon Devasahayam in the succeeding convocation in 1955.

Ecclesiastical ministry

Devasahayam began teaching at the Lutheran Theological College in Rajahmundry from 1944 onwards until his elevation to the Presidency of the Lutheran Society in 1956 and again in 1963 when Devasahayam proceeded to Guntur to take up the responsibilities of the Society. After his second stint as President ended in 1964,[5] Devasahayam returned to Rajahmundry and joined the faculty[6] of the newly formed Andhra Christian Theological College, a Protestant Regional Theologiate that included the Anglicans, Baptists, Congregationalists, Lutherans, Methodists and Wesleyans.

During the time as Professor in Rajahmundry, Devasahayam also served as a Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Rajahmundry from 1947–1950.[7]

Reminisce

Talathoti Punnaiah who studied a 3-year theology course leading to Bachelor of Theology at the Andhra Christian Theological College, both at Rajahmundry and at Hyderabad from 1970–1973 recalls his association with Devasahayam,

Devasahayam was President Emeritus of the AELC who taught us modern religious movements. He was very friendly in the class and used to share his experiences with us. We were blessed to have him as our Professor.[8]

References
  1. Kolluri Luther Richardson, Towards Self-Reliance : A historical survey of the programmes and efforts of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1927 to 1969, Published by Christopher and Kanakaiah, Vijayawada, 2003, pp.78, 85, 86.
  2. 1966 Yearbook, United Lutheran Church in America United Lutheran publication house, 1965, p.11.
  3. The Annual Report of the Foreign Missions of the United Lutheran Church in America for the Year, 1945, p.25.
  4. Minutes of the Annual Convention, 1955, p.86
  5. The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who, Bennett and Coleman, Calcutta, 1964, p.88.
  6. Prospectus ACTC, Printed by A. Nageswara Rao at Saraswathi Power Press, Rajahmundry, 1969, p.2.
  7. Martin Luther Dolbeer, The Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church: A Brief History, 1951, p.77.
  8. Talathoti Punnaiah, My Memoir, Ministry and Message: 60 years Life Experiences 1950-2010, Kakinada, 2010, p.24.

Further reading
  • Kolluri Luther Richardson (2003). "Towards Self-Reliance : A historical survey of the programmes and efforts of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1927–1969, Published by Christopher and Kanakaiah, Vijayawada". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Michael Bergunder (1999). Die südindische Pfingstbewegung im 20. Jahrhundert: eine historische und systematische Untersuchung. 113. Vol. of Studien zur interkulturellen Geschichte des Christentums. ISBN 978-3-631-33771-4.
  • R. Joseph and B. Suneel Bhanu (1993). "Bibliography of Original Christian Writings in India in Telugu". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Martin Senftleben (1992). "Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Unpublished PhD thesis, Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati" (PDF). I. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 December 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Martin Senftleben (1992). "Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Unpublished PhD thesis, Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati" (PDF). II. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 December 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • M. Victor Paul (1990). "Parish Renewal in Reflections on Theology Today – Papers presented by the ACTC faculty during the academic year 1988–1989 on Theology and Mission and Ministry of the Church". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • B. C. Paul (1984). "The Emergence of a Church in South India: A Study of the Growth and Development of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church: 1905–1927. Unpublished Th. D. thesis submitted to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago". Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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