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{{about|the theologically Evangelical Indian Church|the theological doctrine in [[Evangelicalism]]|Believers' Church}}
{{cite news |last=Varghese |first=Rinu |date=11 June 2008 |title=GFA says allegations politically motivated |url=http://www.christiantoday.co.in/articles/gfa-says-allegations-politically-%20motivated/2715.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729010838/http://www.christiantoday.co.in/articles/gfa-says-allegations-politically-%20motivated/2715.htm |archive-date=2014-07-29 |work=Christianity Today India |publisher=}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
{{Infobox Christian denomination
|name = Believers Eastern Church
|name = Believers Eastern Church
|image = Believers Eastern Church, Mallappally.jpg
|image = St. Mary's Believers Eastern Church - Niranam.jpg
|alt = A parish of the Believers Church
|alt = A parish of the Believers Church
|imagewidth = 300px
|imagewidth = 300px
|caption =  
|caption =  
|type =  
|type =  
|main_classification = [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]]
|main_classification = Independent Church
|orientation = [[Eastern Protestant Christianity|Oriental Protestant]] · [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]]
|polity = [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal]]
|polity = [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal]]
|leader_title=[[Metropolitan bishop]] <br> (Moran [[Mor (honorific)|Mor]])
|leader_title=[[Metropolitan bishop]]  
|leader_name = Athanasius Yohan (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]])<ref name=yohan>https://www.bec.org/athanasius-yohan/</ref><ref  name=wthrockmorton>https://www.wthrockmorton.com/2018/10/18/k-p-yohannan-gives-himself-a-new-name/</ref>
|leader_name = Samuel Mor Theophilus<ref name=Theophilus>{{cite web |title=Holy Synod Elects New Metropolitan |url=https://www.bec.org/new-metropolitan-of-believers-eastern-church-announced/ |website=Believers Eastern Church |date=17 June 2024}}</ref>
|leader_title1 = [[Bishop]]s
|leader_title1 = [[Bishop]]s
|leader_name1 = 30 (2017)<ref name="TH2018"/>
|leader_name1 = 30 (2017)<ref name="TH2018" />
|founder= K. P. Yohannan
|liturgy=Orthodox Liturgy|headquarters=St. Thomas Community, Thiruvalla, Kerala|founder= Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan I Metropolitan
|founded_date = 1993  
|founded_date = 1993
|merger =  
|merger =  
|aid =  
|aid =  
|separations =
|hospitals=Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Believers City Clinic, Believers Hospital - Konni|separations =
|associations = [[Kerala Council of Churches]]<ref name="TNIE2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/sep/03/csi-to-stiffen-stance-over-believers-churchs-induction-into-kerala-council-of-churches-1651785.html|title=CSI to stiffen stance over believers church's induction into KCC|date=3 September 2017|publisher=The New Indian Express|language=en|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>
|associations = [[Kerala Council of Churches]]<ref name="TNIE2017">{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/sep/03/csi-to-stiffen-stance-over-believers-churchs-induction-into-kerala-council-of-churches-1651785.html |title=CSI to stiffen stance over believers church's induction into KCC |date=3 September 2017 |publisher=The New Indian Express |language=en |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321130350/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/sep/03/csi-to-stiffen-stance-over-believers-churchs-induction-into-kerala-council-of-churches-1651785.html |archive-date=2018-03-21}}</ref> and National Council of Churches in India
|division_type = Dioceses
|division_type = Dioceses
|division = 33
|division = 91
|division_type1 =  
|division_type1 =  
|division1 =
|division1 =  
|congregations =14,000+{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}
|churches=15000 parishes worldwide|members =  3,500,000{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}
|members =  3,500,000{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}
|ministers =  
|ministers =  
|secondary_schools =  
|secondary_schools =Believers Church Residential School - Thiruvalla, Believers Church Residential School, Believers Church Mahatma Central School, Believers Church English Medium School Alappuzha, Believers Church Vijayagiri Public School, Believers Church Grace Garden School and many other schools
|tertiary =  
|tertiary =  
|website = {{URL|www.bec.org}}
|website = {{URL|www.bec.org}}
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}}
}}


'''Believers Eastern Church''' (previously '''Believers Church''') is an [[Eastern Protestant Christianity|Oriental Protestant]] Church of [[India]]n origin with congregations and parishes worldwide. It is also a branch of the ministry [[Gospel for Asia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://donorbewise.com/believers-church-and-gospel-for-asia-one-man/|title=Believers Church and Gospel for Asia - one man - Donor Be Wise|website=donorbewise.com}}</ref> The church now follows an [[episcopal polity|episcopal]] governance.<ref name="urlBC-About"/> The church holds Christ as the head of the Church ({{bibleref2|Col|1:18|AMP}}) but also requires that bishops and ordained ministers swear to submit to its metropolitan and any successors of the metropolitan.<ref>http://www.gfadiaspora.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Pats-ordination-with-no-last-names.pdf</ref> It is governed by a committee of bishops, the Synod, with one central bishop holding the honorary title of "[[prima inter pares|first among equals]]" and follows [[Evangelical Christian]] doctrine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gfa.org/believerschurch/|title=History of Believers Eastern Church|publisher=[[Gospel for Asia]]|language=en|access-date=12 March 2015}}</ref> Believers Eastern Church is administratively based in the state of [[Kerala]] in southwestern [[India]]. In 2015, the church reported it was re-organized into 33 [[diocese]]s;<ref name="urlBC-About">{{cite web| url = http://www.believerschurch.com/about/|title = About|publisher = Believers Eastern Church|access-date = 2015-01-10}}</ref> a decrease from the 36 [[diocese]]s reported by Smith in 2009.<ref name="Smith 2009">{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Warren Cole|title=A Lover's Quarrel with the Evangelical Church|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ekey6mPjIn8C&pg=PA194|access-date=19 November 2014|date=7 May 2009|publisher=InterVarsity Press|isbn=9780830856985|page=194}}</ref> According to Believers Eastern Church, it claims its membership consists of more than 3.5 million people in 10 countries speaking a hundred languages. The Church has 30 bishops, and the [[Presiding bishop|Metropolitan Bishop]] is Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]]).<ref name=wthrockmorton /><ref  name=yohan />
'''Believers Eastern Church''' ('''BEC''', previously '''Believers Church''') is a church of [[India]]n origin with congregations and parishes worldwide. It follows an [[episcopal polity|episcopal]] governance and structure.<ref name="urlBC-About">{{cite web |title=About |url=http://www.believerschurch.com/about/ |access-date=2015-01-10 |publisher=Believers Eastern Church}}</ref> It holds Christ as its head ({{bibleverse|Col|1:18|AMP}}) and further requires that bishops and ordained ministers submit to its metropolitan and his successors. It is governed by a committee of bishops, the synod, with one central bishop holding the honorary title of "[[prima inter pares|first among equals]]" and follows [[Evangelical Christian]] doctrine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bec.org/structure-and-governance/ |title=Structure and Governance |publisher=Believers Eastern Church |access-date=9 July 2025}}</ref> BEC is administratively based in the state of [[Kerala]] in southwestern [[India]]. The church has 91 dioceses<ref name="Believers Eastern Church">{{Cite web |title=Believers Eastern Church Contact Information |url=https://www.bec.org/contact/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Believers Eastern Church}}</ref> in 14 nations. It claims a membership of more than 3.5 million in 10 countries speaking a hundred languages. It has 30 bishops, and the [[Presiding bishop|Metropolitan Bishop]] is Moran Mor Samuel Theophilus<ref name=Theophilus /><ref name="Theophilus2">{{cite web |url=https://www.bec.org/moran-mor-samuel-theophilus-metropolitan/ |title=Moran Mor Samuel Theophilus Metropolitan  |website=Believers Eastern Church |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> who replaced Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan I Metropolitan<ref name="yohan">{{cite web |url=https://www.bec.org/athanasius-yohan/ |title=Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan |website=Believers Eastern Church}}</ref> (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]]).


==History==
==History==
Believers Eastern Church has its roots in [[Pentecostalism]].<ref name="DaughrityAthyal2016">{{cite book|last1=Daughrity|first1=Dyron B.|last2=Athyal|first2=Jesudas M.|title=Understanding World Christianity: India|date=1 August 2016|publisher=Fortress Press|language=en|isbn=9781506416892|page=52|quote=Some of the more prominent Pentecostal groups are the Sharon Fellowship Church (est. 1975), the New India Church of God (est. 1976), New India Bible Church (est. 1975), and the Believers' Church, run by the Gospel for Asia ministry (est. 1978) under the leadership of K. P. Yohannan, from a St. Thomas Syrian Christian background.}}</ref><ref name="Jacob2003"/> The denomination was founded in 1993 as part of the [[Gospel for Asia]] apostolate.<ref name="Bergunder2008">{{cite book|last=Bergunder|first=Michael|title=The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century|date=6 June 2008|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|language=en |isbn=9780802827340|page=54|quote=In 1993, Gospel for Asia created its own church administrative structure, the Believers'Church, where newly founded congregations supported by Gospel for Asia were grouped together.}}</ref> On 6 February 2003, K. J. Samuel, the Moderator Bishop of the [[Church of South India]] (a part of the worldwide [[Anglican Communion]]), along with the P.M. Dhotekar, [[Anglican Bishop of Nagpur|Bishop of Nagpur]] of the [[Church of North India]], and the Bancha Nidhi Nayak, Bishop of Phulbani of the Church of North India, consecrated Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]])<ref  name=wthrockmorton /><ref  name=yohan /> as a bishop in Anglican lines of [[apostolic succession]]; K.P. Yohannan thereafter became the first Metropolitan of the Believers Eastern Church, and acquired an [[episcopal polity]] of ecclesiastical governance.<ref name="Jacob2003">{{cite web|title=Crisis brewing in CSI|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/10/stories/2003021003650400.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141125190727/http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/10/stories/2003021003650400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 November 2014|last=Jacob|first=George|date=10 February 2003|access-date=19 November 2014|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Kottayam}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://anglican.ink/article/slander-suit-filed-believers-church-against-csi|title=Slander suit filed by Believers Church against the CSI|last=Conger|first=George|date=18 October 2017|publisher=Anglican Ink|language=en|access-date=20 March 2018|quote=On 6 Feb 2003 the Rt. Rev. K. J. Samuel, Bishop in East Kerala and former moderator of the Church of South India, assisted by the Rt. Rev. P.M. Dhotekar, Bishop in Nagpur of the Church of North India, and the Rt. Rev. Bancha Nidhi Nayak, Bishop in Phulbani of the Church of North India, consecrated Yohannan as metropolitan archbishop of the Believers Church.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319075454/http://anglican.ink/article/slander-suit-filed-believers-church-against-csi|archive-date=19 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Believers Eastern Church describes itself as being "Apostolic in origin, universal in nature, Biblical and evangelical in faith, ecumenical in outlook".<ref name="Yohannan2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.drkpyohannan.com/believers-church/|title=Believers Church|last=Yohannan|first=K.P.|year=2018|language=en|access-date=20 March 2018|quote=Believers Church, a Christian denomination, is Apostolic in origin, universal in nature, Biblical and evangelical in faith, ecumenical in outlook, and has a constitutional episcopacy for governance. The Church adheres to the Nicene Creed, Biblical Faith, and traditions of the historical church backed up with its own Canonical Constitution.}}</ref> It adheres to the [[Nicene Creed]], biblical faith, and traditions of the historical church backed up with its own canonical constitution.<ref name="Yohannan2018"/> The Episcopal Synod and the diocesan councils take the responsibility for planning and executing the mission, religious life and charitable programs of the Church. The Believers Eastern Church is divided as regions into dioceses, each with its own [[bishop]]. Each [[local church]] has members ranging from less than one hundred to a thousand with an average of hundred, and the number of parishes themselves are increasing.<ref name="Smith 2009"/> The Believers Eastern Church is divided into various dioceses under the leadership of Diocesan Bishop or a Vicar-general.
[[File:Consecration of Metropolitan Yoahn.jpg|thumb|Consecration of Metropolitan Yohan by Bishop K J Samuel. Mar Aprem Mooken and other bishops alongside]]
The Church was founded in 1993 as part of the GFA World (formerly [[Gospel for Asia]]) apostolate.<ref name="Bergunder2008">{{cite book |last=Bergunder |first=Michael |title=The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century |date=6 June 2008 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |language=en |isbn=978-0-8028-2734-0 |page=54 |quote=In 1993, Gospel for Asia created its own church administrative structure, the Believers'Church, where newly founded congregations supported by Gospel for Asia were grouped together.}}</ref> On 6 February 2003, K. J. Samuel, the Moderator Bishop of the [[Church of South India]] (a part of the worldwide [[Anglican Communion]]), along with the P. M. Dhotekar, [[Anglican Bishop of Nagpur|Bishop of Nagpur]] of the [[Church of North India]], and Bancha Nidhi Nayak, Bishop of Phulbani of the Church of North India, consecrated K. P. Yohannan as a bishop in Anglican lines of [[apostolic succession]]. Bishop [[John Gladstone (bishop)|John Wilson Gladstone]], [[Aprem Mooken|Mar Aprem Mooken]], Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East in India (Chaldean Syrian Church) were also present for the consecration ceremony. K. P. Yohannan thereafter became the first metropolitan of the Believers Eastern Church, and acquired an [[episcopal polity]] of ecclesiastical governance.<ref name="Jacob2003">{{cite web |title=Crisis brewing in CSI |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/10/stories/2003021003650400.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141125190727/http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/10/stories/2003021003650400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 November 2014 |last=Jacob |first=George |date=10 February 2003 |access-date=19 November 2014 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Kottayam}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://anglican.ink/article/slander-suit-filed-believers-church-against-csi |title=Slander suit filed by Believers Church against the CSI |last=Conger |first=George |date=18 October 2017 |publisher=Anglican Ink |language=en |access-date=20 March 2018 |quote=On 6 Feb 2003 the Rt. Rev. K. J. Samuel, Bishop in East Kerala and former moderator of the Church of South India, assisted by the Rt. Rev. P.M. Dhotekar, Bishop in Nagpur of the Church of North India, and the Rt. Rev. Bancha Nidhi Nayak, Bishop in Phulbani of the Church of North India, consecrated Yohannan as metropolitan archbishop of the Believers Church. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319075454/http://anglican.ink/article/slander-suit-filed-believers-church-against-csi |archive-date=19 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He later changed his name to Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan in honor of his beloved patron saints, St. Athanasius, the defender of orthodoxy, and St. John (Yohan) the Apostle & Evangelist [https://www.bec.org/athanasius-yohan/]. BEC describes itself as being "Apostolic in origin, universal in nature, Biblical and evangelical in faith, ecumenical in outlook".<ref name="Yohannan2018">{{cite web |url=https://www.drkpyohannan.com/believers-church/ |title=Believers Church |last=Yohannan |first=K.P. |year=2018 |language=en |access-date=20 March 2018 |quote=Believers Church, a Christian denomination, is Apostolic in origin, universal in nature, Biblical and evangelical in faith, ecumenical in outlook, and has a constitutional episcopacy for governance. The Church adheres to the Nicene Creed, Biblical Faith, and traditions of the historical church backed up with its own Canonical Constitution.}}</ref> It adheres to the [[Nicene Creed]], biblical faith, and traditions of the historical church backed up with its own canonical constitution.<ref name="Yohannan2018" /> The Episcopal Synod and the diocesan councils take the responsibility for planning and executing the mission, religious life and charitable programs of the Church. The Believers Eastern Church is divided as regions into dioceses, each with its own [[bishop]]. Each local church has members ranging from less than one hundred to a thousand with an average of a hundred, and the number of parishes themselves are increasing.<ref name="Smith 2009">{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Warren Cole |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ekey6mPjIn8C&pg=PA194 |title=A Lover's Quarrel with the Evangelical Church |date=7 May 2009 |publisher=InterVarsity Press |isbn=978-0-8308-5698-5 |page=194 |access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref> The BEC is divided into various dioceses under the leadership of a diocesan bishop or a vicar-general.


In 2009, the church ordained seven bishops.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Seven-more-bishops-for-Believers-Church/article16823721.ece|title=Seven more bishops for Believers Church|date=11 December 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|language=en|access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> On 2 March 2017, Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]])<ref  name=wthrockmorton>https://www.wthrockmorton.com/2018/10/18/k-p-yohannan-gives-himself-a-new-name/</ref><ref  name=yohan /> consecrated twelve bishops for the Believers Eastern Church.<ref name="TH2018">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/believers-church-gets-12-new-bishops/article17398353.ece|title=12 bishops of Believers Church consecrated|date=3 March 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|language=en|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>
In 2009, the church ordained seven bishops.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Seven-more-bishops-for-Believers-Church/article16823721.ece |title=Seven more bishops for Believers Church |date=11 December 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612214548/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Seven-more-bishops-for-Believers-Church/article16823721.ece |archive-date=2018-06-12}}</ref> On 2 March 2017, Metropolitan Yohan consecrated twelve bishops for the Believers Eastern Church.<ref name="TH2018">{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/believers-church-gets-12-new-bishops/article17398353.ece |title=12 bishops of Believers Church consecrated |date=3 March 2017 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320211214/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/believers-church-gets-12-new-bishops/article17398353.ece |archive-date=2017-03-20}}</ref>
 
==Emblem==
[[File:BEC Emblem.png|thumb|120x120px]]
The emblem of the Believers Eastern Church reflects its core beliefs, featuring a cross within a circle, surrounded by a dove, heart, book, and fish—symbols of faith. The cross, chosen by early Church fathers, represents Jesus Christ's crucifixion, death, and resurrection. It extends beyond the circle, signifying that Christ's redemptive work transcends time and is central to the faith. The circle represents eternity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Emblem |url=https://www.bec.org/church-emblem/ |website=www.bec.org |publisher=Believers Eastern Church |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref>


==Faith and practice==
==Faith and practice==
The [[liturgy]] used in Believers Eastern Church "includes prayers, Scripture readings and a confession of the [[Nicene Creed|Nicene]] or [[Apostles' Creed]] of the Church."<ref name=Tradition>{{cite web|url=https://www.gfa.org/believerschurch/about/|title=History of Believers Church|publisher=[[Gospel for Asia]]|language=en|access-date=12 March 2015|quote=Believers Church liturgy includes prayers, Scripture readings and a confession of the Nicene or Apostle’s Creed of the Church. These serve to bind us all together in common faith.}}</ref> The readings come from the [[Revised Common Lectionary]], which has a three-year cycle; Believers Church observes the [[liturgical year|liturgical kalendar]] of [[Western Christianity]], thus keeping [[Lent]], for example.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kpyohannan.org/2018/02/14/gods-heart-aches-wants-share-us/|title=God's Heart Aches and He Wants to Share That With Us|last=Yohannan|first=K.P.|date=14 February 2018|language=en|access-date=20 March 2018|quote=Today marks the first day of Lent. It is one of the oldest holy days on the Christian calendar. As Christians, we have many holidays that we celebrate throughout the year such as Christmas, Palm Sunday and Easter. Lent is a special time like those when we can stop and remember what our lives here on earth are about.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.believerschurch.com/lectionary-2013/|title=Lectionary 2012-2013|year=2011|publisher=Believers Church|language=en|access-date=12 March 2015}}</ref> Believers Church administers the [[sacrament]]s of [[Baptism]] and [[Holy Communion]].<ref name=Tradition/> Women in [[church (building)|churches]] of this denomination wear [[Christian headcovering]]s, in accordance with Believers Church's interpretation of {{Bibleverse|1 Corinthians|11:2-16|KJV}}.<ref name="Traditions"/> Communicants of Believers Eastern Church use the [[sign of the cross]] in their prayers.<ref name="Traditions">{{cite web|url=https://www.gfa.org/believerschurch/about/|title=History of Believers Church|publisher=[[Gospel for Asia]]|language=en|access-date=20 March 2018|quote=In our church services, you will see that the women wear head coverings as is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. In the same way, we adhere to the practice of baptism as commanded in Matthew 28:19, and Holy Communion, which is given to us in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. These are all part of the traditions of faith of Believers Church. Along with many Eastern evangelical churches in Asia, the members of Believers Church use the Christian sign of the cross to help identify them as followers of Christ as opposed to followers of other faiths. It is also a powerful visible symbol which says, “The Lord Jesus came from heaven to earth; died on the cross for me, a sinner, to take me from the left, representing the kingdom of darkness, and place me on His right side, representing salvation” (see Matthew 25:31-46).}}</ref>
The [[liturgy]] used in the Believers Eastern Church "includes prayers, Scripture readings and a confession of the [[Nicene Creed|Nicene]] or [[Apostles' Creed]] of the Church".<ref name="BECFaithSeries">{{cite book |last1=Moran Mor Athanasius |first1=Yohan |title=Believers Eastern Church Faith and Tradition Series |date=2017 |publisher=Believers Eastern Church Synod Secretariat |location=Kerala, India |pages=61 |edition=1st |url=https://www.bec.org/history/ |access-date=31 May 2024}}</ref> The readings come from the [[Revised Common Lectionary]], which has a three-year cycle; it observes the [[liturgical year|liturgical calendar]] of [[Western Christianity]], thus keeping [[Lent]], for example.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kpyohannan.org/2018/02/14/gods-heart-aches-wants-share-us/ |title=God's Heart Aches and He Wants to Share That With Us |last=Yohannan |first=K.P. |date=14 February 2018 |language=en |access-date=20 March 2018 |quote=Today marks the first day of Lent. It is one of the oldest holy days on the Christian calendar. As Christians, we have many holidays that we celebrate throughout the year such as Christmas, Palm Sunday and Easter. Lent is a special time like those when we can stop and remember what our lives here on earth are about.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.believerschurch.com/lectionary-2013/ |title=Lectionary 2012-2013 |year=2011 |publisher=Believers Church |language=en |access-date=12 March 2015}}</ref> It administers the [[sacrament]]s of [[Baptism]] and [[Holy Communion]]. Women in [[church (building)|churches]] of this denomination wear [[Christian headcovering]]s, in accordance with Believers Eastern Church's interpretation of {{Bibleverse|1 Corinthians|11:2-16|KJV}}. Communicants of BEC use the [[sign of the cross]] in their prayers.<ref name="BECFaithSeries" />


==Beliefs==
==Beliefs==
The church accepts the [[Old Testament]] and [[New Testament]] of the [[Bible]] as the [[Biblical inspiration|inspired]] Word of God which is [[Biblical inerrancy|inerrant]] and the fundamental standard of faith,<ref name=guiding>K.P. Yohannan (2004). ''Guiding Principles of Believers Eastern Church''. Believers Eastern Church Publications. pp. 197-199.</ref> and complete and final written revelation of God. It also adheres to the [[Nicene Creed]]. The church believes in the following doctrines:<ref name="urlBC-Faith">{{cite web
[[File:Believers_Eastern_Church_local_congregation.png|thumb|A group photo of believers in front of their church building in Asia]]
| url = http://www.believerschurch.com/about/statement-of-faith/
The church accepts the [[Old Testament]] and [[New Testament]] of the [[Bible]] as the [[Biblical inspiration|inspired]] Word of God which is [[Biblical inerrancy|inerrant]] and the fundamental standard of faith,<ref name="guiding">K.P. Yohannan (2004). ''Guiding Principles of Believers Eastern Church''. Believers Eastern Church Publications. pp. 197-199.</ref> and complete and final written revelation of God. It also adheres to the [[Nicene Creed]]. The church believes in the following doctrines:<ref name="urlBC-Faith">{{cite web |url=http://www.believerschurch.com/about/statement-of-faith/ |title=Statement of Faith |publisher=Believers Church |access-date=2015-01-10}}</ref>
| title = Statement of Faith
| publisher = Believers Church
| access-date = 2015-01-10
}}</ref>
* One eternal God revealed in the [[trinity]]: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
* One eternal God revealed in the [[trinity]]: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
* The divinity and humanity of [[Jesus Christ]], his virgin birth, sinless life, crucifixion and resurrection, ascension and intercession of Holy Spirit.
* The divinity and humanity of [[Jesus Christ]], his virgin birth, sinless life, crucifixion and resurrection, ascension and intercession of the Holy Spirit.
* The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon believers in Jerusalem after Jesus’ ascension, enabling them to preach the [[Good News (Christianity)|Gospel]] to the whole world.
* The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon believers in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension, enabling them to preach the [[Good News (Christianity)|Gospel]] to the whole world.
* Separation of all mankind from God through man's sin.
* Separation of all mankind from God through man's sin.
* Immediate forgiveness of sins through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ.
* Immediate forgiveness of sins through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ.
* The person and work of indwelling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit through baptism for all believers.
* The person and work of indwelling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit through baptism for all believers.
* The practice of [[Spiritual gift|gifts of the Holy Spirit]] within scriptural guidelines for the common good ({{bibleref2|1Cor|12:4-7|NRSV}}); Considers that [[agape]] love is more important than all the gifts, and without it, all exercise of spiritual gifts as worthless.
* The practice of [[Spiritual gift|gifts of the Holy Spirit]] within scriptural guidelines for the common good ({{bibleverse|1Cor|12:4-7|NRSV}}); Considers that [[agape]] love is more important than all the gifts, and without it, all exercise of spiritual gifts as worthless.
* Jesus Christ as the head of the church.
* Jesus Christ as the head of the church.
* The [[Second Coming|second coming]] of Jesus Christ and it will be personal and visible, which motivates active involvement of the laity in church activities.
* The [[Second Coming|second coming]] of Jesus Christ and it will be personal and visible, which motivates active involvement of the laity in church activities.
Line 62: Line 62:


==Core values==
==Core values==
For being distinguishable members of Believers Eastern church, and the message of the Word of God to be applied in an individual's life leading to a greater maturity in Christ, following are the official code of living.<ref name="urlBC-Core Values">{{cite web
For being distinguishable members of Believers Eastern Church, and the message of the Word of God to be applied in an individual's life leading to a greater maturity in Christ, following are the official code of living.<ref name="urlBC-Core Values">{{cite web |url=http://www.believerschurch.com/about/core-values/ |title=Core Values |publisher=Believers Church |access-date=2015-01-10}}</ref>
| url = http://www.believerschurch.com/about/core-values/
| title = Core Values
| publisher = Believers Church
| access-date = 2015-01-10
}}</ref>
* Knowing the Lord Jesus more fully and intimately.
* Knowing the Lord Jesus more fully and intimately.
* Being a people of integrity and excellence.
* Being a people of integrity and excellence.
Line 80: Line 75:


==Religious orders==
==Religious orders==
The Sisters of Compassion is a [[religious order]] of [[nun]]s within Believers Church that is dedicated to serving the "neglected of society".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegospeltruthnewspaper.com/2016/03/|title=Prime Minister Narendra Modi describes meeting with church head as "wonderful"|date=18 March 2016|publisher=The Gospel Truth Newspaper|language=en|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="TH2018"/>
The Sisters of Compassion is a [[religious order]] of [[nun]]s within the Believers Eastern Church that is dedicated to serving the "neglected of society".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thegospeltruthnewspaper.com/2016/03/ |title=Prime Minister Narendra Modi describes meeting with church head as "wonderful" |date=18 March 2016 |publisher=The Gospel Truth Newspaper |language=en |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321064704/http://www.thegospeltruthnewspaper.com/2016/03/ |archive-date=2018-03-21}}</ref><ref name="TH2018" />


==Humanitarian services==
==Humanitarian services==
[[File:Bridge-Of-Hope.jpg|thumb|Bridge of Hope students on their way to class.]]
[[File:Bridge-Of-Hope.jpg|thumb|Child Sponsorship Program students on their way to class]]
Believers Eastern Church is involved in various social projects and has been lauded for "its humanitarian service towards the society at large."<ref name=literacy>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120419090414/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-25/patna/29581165_1_literacy-campaign-literacy-programme-chief-guest "Church devoted to literacy campaign."] ''Times of India'' (May 25, 2011)</ref> The church's social service includes [[Poverty reduction|poverty alleviation]],<ref>[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120625/jsp/bihar/story_15653056.jsp "Bihar, News in Brief: Project"] ''The Telegraph'' (June 25, 2012)</ref> and promoting adult [[literacy]].<ref name=literacy/> The church is also providing shelter to [[street child]]ren through a home called Asha Grih, which is licensed by the [[Government of India|Indian Government]].<ref name=echo>[http://www.echoofarunachal.com/?p=23394 "Believers Eastern Church turns new page in lives of lesser privileged"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102162822/http://www.echoofarunachal.com/?p=23394 |date=2014-11-02 }} ''Echo of Arunachal'' (July 22, 2012)</ref> Additionally, Believers Eastern Church has a child development project called Bridge of Hope (BOH). BOH provides [[Holistic education|holistic development]] to needy children throughout [[South Asia]]. As of 2012, the project is helping 60,000 underprivileged children by providing them free education, a nutritious diet and school supplies. Bridge of Hope's 525 project centers are staffed by 2,400 individuals.<ref name=echo/> Other major projects include the Believers Church Medical College Hospital,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcmch.org/|title=BCMCH|website=www.bcmch.org}}</ref> Believers Eastern Church Caarmel Engineering College<ref>{{cite web|title=Believers Eastern Church Caarmel Engineering College|url=http://bccaarmel.ac.in/|website=Believers Eastern Church Caarmel Engineering College|access-date=28 November 2017}}</ref> and Believers Church Theological Seminary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcseminary.org/|title=Believers Church Theological Seminary -|website=www.bcseminary.org}}</ref> Most of the funds for these social projects are sent over from the United States by the ministry [[Gospel for Asia]], of which Believers Church is a part. The metropolitan of Believers Church, Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]]),<ref name=wthrockmorton /><ref name=yohan /> is also the president of [[Gospel for Asia]].
Believers Eastern Church is involved in various social projects and has been lauded for its "humanitarian service towards the society at large".<ref name="literacy">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120419090414/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-25/patna/29581165_1_literacy-campaign-literacy-programme-chief-guest "Church devoted to literacy campaign"] ''Times of India'' (May 25, 2011)</ref> The church's social service includes [[Poverty reduction|poverty alleviation]],<ref>[https://archive.today/20130203115634/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120625/jsp/bihar/story_15653056.jsp "Bihar, News in Brief: Project"] ''The Telegraph'' (June 25, 2012)</ref> and promoting adult [[literacy]].<ref name="literacy" /> The church also provides shelter to [[street child]]ren through a home called Asha Grih, which is licensed by the [[Government of India|Indian Government]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Asha Grih |url=https://www.ashagrih.org/ |website=www.ashagrih.org |access-date=10 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="echo">[http://www.echoofarunachal.com/?p=23394 "Believers Eastern Church turns new page in lives of lesser privileged"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102162822/http://www.echoofarunachal.com/?p=23394 |date=2014-11-02 }} ''Echo of Arunachal'' (July 22, 2012)</ref> Additionally, BEC has a child sponsorship program which provides [[Holistic education|holistic development]] to needy children throughout [[South Asia]]. As of 2012, the program has helped some 60,000 underprivileged children by providing them free education, a nutritious diet and school supplies.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} The church sponsorship program has 525 project centers with 2,400 staff.<ref name="echo" /> Other major projects include the Believers Church Medical College Hospital,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcmch.org/ |title=BCMCH |website=www.bcmch.org}}</ref> Believers Eastern Church Caarmel Engineering College<ref>{{cite web |title=Believers Eastern Church Caarmel Engineering College |url=http://bccaarmel.ac.in/ |website=Believers Eastern Church Caarmel Engineering College |access-date=28 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201000410/http://bccaarmel.ac.in/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Believers Church Theological Seminary.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcseminary.org/ |title=Believers Church Theological Seminary - |website=www.bcseminary.org}}</ref>


==Court rulings==
==Criticisms==
The Times of India has reported that "The Believers Church, founded by Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]]), and three NGOs associated with it have been barred from bringing in foreign funds to India with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) canceling their FCRA registrations." As of September 2017, GFA provided the requested documents for review to MHA and "Fr Panthapallil said though the MHA website has advertised that the registrations of the four organisations are cancelled, they are still under revision."<ref>{{Cite web|title=MHA: No foreign funds for Believers Church - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/mha-no-fgn-funds-for-believers-church/articleshow/60962612.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> In August 2017, [[The Hindu]] (a newspaper in India) reported that, "The [[Church of South India]] (CSI) has decided to pull out from the [[Kerala Council of Churches]] (KCC), an ecumenical forum of non-Catholic Protestant Churches in Kerala, in protest against the KCC decision to provide membership to the [[Believers Church]]. The latest development has to be viewed in the backdrop of the controversy over the episcopacy claims of the Believers Eastern Church that its head, K.P. Yohannan, was consecrated by the CSI Church."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kuttoor|first=Radhakrishnan|date=2017-08-28|title=CSI pulls out of Kerala Council of Churches|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/csi-pulls-out-of-kerala-council-of-churches/article19576267.ece|access-date=2019-01-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Narada News in India reported concerning that, "The CSI senate committee probed the issue. They came to the conclusion that their bishop was paid huge sums of money and a luxury car for this. The church sacked bishop KJ Samuel from the CSI for this deed."<ref>{{Cite web|title=KP Yohannan and his web of deceit: How the Pentecostal pastor became Episcopal Bishop|url=http://naradanews.com/2016/07/kp-yohannan-and-his-web-of-deceit-how-the-pentecostal-pastor-became-episcopal-bishop/|last=https://www.facebook.com/naradanewslive|website=naradanews.com|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref>
The operations of [[Gospel for Asia]] and BEC were scrutinized after Believers Eastern Church, under the guidance of Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan purchased a {{convert|2268|acre|km2|adj=on}} rubber estate in Kerala, India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cash scanner on evangelist |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080610/jsp/nation/story_9389712.jsp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130706014839/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080610/jsp/nation/story_9389712.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 6, 2013 |newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref><ref name="cheruvally">{{cite web |title=Cheruvally Rubber Estate |url=http://www.believerschurch.com/cheruvally-estate/ |publisher=Believers Eastern Church |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808170719/http://www.believerschurch.com/cheruvally-estate/ |archive-date=8 August 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Opponents said the church had diverted foreign funds to amass land for itself and for uses other than declared purposes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Probe on into functioning of Gospel for Asia, HC told |url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article535507.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728054909/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article535507.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 July 2014 |publisher=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
Further, it was alleged that the rubber estate, which Believers Eastern Church purchased from Harrison's Malayalam Ltd., was on leasehold from the government and not saleable.<ref>{{cite news |title=God's own country |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080713/jsp/7days/story_9543119.jsp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130830190808/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080713/jsp/7days/story_9543119.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 30, 2013 |newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref>
Legal proceedings are still ongoing.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2016/nov/18/smooth-take-off-unlikely-for-proposed-erumeli-airport-1539786.html |title=Smooth take-off unlikely for proposed Erumeli airport |website=The New Indian Express |date=18 November 2016 |accessdate=22 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Yohannan-has-no-stake-in-Cheruvally-estate/articleshow/55842542.cms |title='Yohannan has no stake in Cheruvally estate' |newspaper=The Times of India |date=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/live-updates-breaking-pm-modi-to-address-the-nation-at-8-pm-2271409 |title=After PM Modi's announcement about Rs 500 and Rs 1000, reactions pour in |date=8 November 2016 |website=DNAIndia.com}}</ref>


There is also been an ongoing court case regarding the illegal filling in of wetlands in order to build the Believers Church Medical College Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Govt overruled objections to aid illegal filling of land - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Govt-overruled-objections-to-aid-illegal-filling-of-land/articleshow/49798205.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref>  GFA has been paying a special tax because a "substantial" amount of its income is not used for intended purposes of the fundraising.  An Indian court said, "It is not in dispute that substantial income of the assessee trust was not used by both the assessees for the purposes for which they were formed."<ref>{{Cite web|title=M/S Gospel For Asia, Thiruvalla vs Department Of Income Tax on 12 December, 2014|url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/6359714/|website=indiankanoon.org|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]]) says that the claims were politically motivated and that the workings of Gospel for Asia and Believers Church are transparent.<ref>{{cite news|title=GFA says allegations politically motivated|publisher=Christianity Today|url=http://www.christiantoday.co.in/articles/gfa-says-allegations-politically-%20motivated/2715.htm}}</ref><ref name="gfa.org">{{cite web|title=An open letter to fellow Christians from K.P. Yohannan|url=http://www.gfa.org/integrity/}}</ref>
There is also been an ongoing court case regarding the illegal filling in of wetlands in order to build the Believers Eastern Church Medical College Hospital.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Govt-overruled-objections-to-aid-illegal-filling-of-land/articleshow/49798205.cms |title=Govt overruled objections to aid illegal filling of land - Times of India |newspaper=The Times of India |date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719232715/http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/07/17/indian-tax-court-on-gospel-for-asia-and-believers-church-substantial-income-not-used-for-intended-purposes/ |archive-date=2015-07-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/07/17/indian-tax-court-on-gospel-for-asia-and-believers-church-substantial-income-not-used-for-intended-purposes/ |title=Indian Tax Court on Gospel for Asia and Believers' Church: "Substantial Income" Not Used for Intended Purposes |access-date=2018-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522013629/http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/07/17/indian-tax-court-on-gospel-for-asia-and-believers-church-substantial-income-not-used-for-intended-purposes/ |archive-date=2018-05-22 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


GFA has been criticized for engaging in predatory proselytization while providing aid in the aftermath of the [[2004 tsunami]].  The [[Hindu American Foundation]] condemned the organization for pressuring vulnerable tsunami victims to convert to Christianity, setting up illegal unregistered orphanages and forcing orphans recite the Christian prayers several times a day.<ref>{{cite news|author=Pawan Deshpande|date=2014|title=Is Predatory Proselytizing During Disasters Fair Game?|website=[[Hindu American Foundation]]|url=https://www.hafsite.org/pluralism/?p=57|access-date=2018-12-25}}</ref>
Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan said that the claims were politically motivated and that the workings of Gospel for Asia and Believers Eastern Church are transparent.<ref>{{cite news |title=GFA says allegations politically motivated |url=http://www.christiantoday.co.in/articles/gfa-says-allegations-politically-%20motivated/2715.htm |publisher= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729010838/http://www.christiantoday.co.in/articles/gfa-says-allegations-politically-%20motivated/2715.htm |archive-date=2014-07-29|last=Varghese|first=Rinu|date=11 June 2008|work=Christianity Today India}}</ref> Further, the rubber estate is an investment to help fund social service activities among underdeveloped communities<ref name="cheruvally" /> and not a personal land grab as opponents have stated.


The operations of [[Gospel for Asia]] and Believers Eastern Church were scrutinized after Believers Eastern Church, under the guidance of Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]]),<ref name="wthrockmorton" /><ref name="yohan" /> purchased a {{convert|2268|acre|km2|adj=on}} rubber estate in Kerala, India.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cash scanner on evangelist|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080610/jsp/nation/story_9389712.jsp|newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref><ref name="cheruvally">{{cite web|title=Cheruvally Rubber Estate |url=http://www.believerschurch.com/cheruvally-estate/ |publisher=Believers Eastern Church |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808170719/http://www.believerschurch.com/cheruvally-estate/ |archive-date=8 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Opponents said the church had diverted foreign funds to amass land for itself and for uses other than declared purposes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Probe on into functioning of Gospel for Asia, HC told|url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article535507.ece|publisher=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Further, it was alleged that the rubber estate, which Believers Eastern Church purchased from Harrison's Malayalam Ltd., was on leasehold from the government and not saleable.<ref>{{cite news|title=God's own country|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080713/jsp/7days/story_9543119.jsp|newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref> Hence, Believers Eastern Church was accused of illegally holding government land.<ref>{{cite web|title=Madhyamam|url=http://www.madhyamam.com/en/node/6891|publisher=Govt files petition against Harrisons, Yohanan}}</ref> At a later time, Harrison's Malayalam was accused of forging their land title, leading to continued debate about the legality of the sale.<ref>{{cite news|title=Forgery case filed against Harrisons Malayalam staff|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/forgery-case-filed-against-harrisons-malayalam-staff/article5307999.ece|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>
In 2017, the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] had suspended the [[Foreign Contribution Regulation Act]] (FCRA) licenses of the church and three NGOs associated with Believers Eastern Church from receiving foreign funds.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/believers-church-dismisses-media-reports/article33061316.ece |title=Believers Church dismisses media reports - The Hindu |newspaper=The Hindu |date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109181617/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/believers-church-dismisses-media-reports/article33061316.ece |archive-date=2020-11-09}}</ref>
It is mandatory to have FCRA clearance from the Home Ministry for any organization to receive foreign funds. The trust enjoyed exemption under the [[Income Tax Act, 1961|I-T Act, 1961]] as charitable/religious trust, receiving donations from foreign countries ostensibly for helping the poor and destitute and evangelical purposes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/nov/08/believers-church-used-paper-firms-to-route-unaccounted-money-2220992.html |title='Believers Church used paper firms to route unaccounted money'|date=8 November 2020 |publisher= The New Indian Express |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108011915/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/nov/08/believers-church-used-paper-firms-to-route-unaccounted-money-2220992.html |archive-date=2020-11-08}}</ref>
The government has reconsidered the decision to allow prior permission to two NGOs after detailed verification.


Legal proceedings are still ongoing. "Former Ernakulam District Collector Dr M G Rajamanickam, who was appointed as the Special Officer of the government to confiscate the illegal and excess estate lands under the custody of various companies, had issued an order in May, 2015, confiscating the 2,268 acre of land from Believers Eastern Church." However, this ruling was appealed and now there is further complication because the local government wants to build an airport on this estate.<ref>{{cite news|title=Smooth take-off unlikely for proposed Erumeli airport|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2016/nov/18/smooth-take-off-unlikely-for-proposed-erumeli-airport-1539786.html}}</ref> News outlets are reporting that the local government wants to buy the property. However, it is also reported that "The government does not need permission from K P Yohannan to set up airport in the Cheruvally estate, BJP national executive member V Muraleedharan said."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Yohannan-has-no-stake-in-Cheruvally-estate/articleshow/55842542.cms|title='Yohannan has no stake in Cheruvally estate' - Times of India|website=indiatimes.com}}</ref> The BJP is currently behind a large scale anti-corruption crackdown on Black Money inside India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/live-updates-breaking-pm-modi-to-address-the-nation-at-8-pm-2271409|title=After PM Modi's announcement about Rs 500 and Rs 1000, reactions pour in - Latest News & Updates at DNAIndia.com|date=8 November 2016|website=dnaindia.com}}</ref> The final status of the estate for building the airport is still unsettled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/question-mark-over-airport-project/article19448783.ece|title=Question mark over airport project|date=8 August 2017|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>
In 2020, the [[Income Tax Department|Income Tax officials]] conducted searches at around 60 premises associated with the Believers Church.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/keralas-believers-church-under-scanner-for-huge-foreign-fund-flow-914020.html |title=Kerala's Believers Church under scanner for huge foreign fund flow |publisher= Deccan Herald| date = 10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110170148/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/keralas-believers-church-under-scanner-for-huge-foreign-fund-flow-914020.html |archive-date=2020-11-10}}</ref>
 
The I-T officials seized Rs 14.5 cr from the raid at the offices of Believers church. Out of the total amount, Rs 7 cr was recovered from the boot of a car owned by an employee of the hospital under Believers church. Rest of the amount was seized from various places including [[Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/dramatic-events-during-i-t-raid-at-believers-church-priest-tries-to-destroy-iphone-kerala-1.5195047 |title=Dramatic events during I-T raid at Believers Church; priest tries to destroy iPhone |date=9 November 2020 |publisher= Mathrubhumi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109053321/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/dramatic-events-during-i-t-raid-at-believers-church-priest-tries-to-destroy-iphone-kerala-1.5195047 |archive-date=2020-11-09}}</ref>
There is also been an ongoing court case regarding the illegal filling in of wetlands in order to build the Believers Eastern Church Medical College Hospital.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Govt-overruled-objections-to-aid-illegal-filling-of-land/articleshow/49798205.cms|title=Govt overruled objections to aid illegal filling of land - Times of India|website=indiatimes.com}}</ref> GFA has been paying a special tax because a "substantial" amount of its income is not used for intended purposes of the fundraising. An Indian court said, "It is not in dispute that substantial income of the assessee trust was not used by both the assessees for the purposes for which they were formed."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/07/17/indian-tax-court-on-gospel-for-asia-and-believers-church-substantial-income-not-used-for-intended-purposes/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522013629/http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/07/17/indian-tax-court-on-gospel-for-asia-and-believers-church-substantial-income-not-used-for-intended-purposes/ |archive-date=2018-05-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
I-T officials revealed that they are looking into transactions over the last ten years. The church had got around Rs 4,000 crore over the years and a chunk of it had gone into the construction of institutions and real estate dealings.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/it-sleuths-reveal-believers-church-used-paper-firms-to-route-unaccounted-money/679311 |title=IT sleuths reveal Believers Church used paper firms to route unaccounted money |date=9 November 2020 |publisher= Times Now News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109161256/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/it-sleuths-reveal-believers-church-used-paper-firms-to-route-unaccounted-money/679311 |archive-date=2020-11-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/nov/12/ed-probe-likely-into-money-seizure-from-believers-church-2222584.html |title=ED probe likely into money seizure from Believers Church |date=12 November 2020 |publisher=The New Indian Express |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041330/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/nov/12/ed-probe-likely-into-money-seizure-from-believers-church-2222584.html |archive-date=2020-11-12}}</ref>
 
Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan (formerly known as [[K. P. Yohannan]])<ref name=wthrockmorton /><ref name=yohan /> says that the claims were politically motivated and that the workings of [[Gospel for Asia]] and Believers Eastern Church are transparent.<ref>{{cite news|title=GFA says allegations politically motivated|url=http://www.christiantoday.co.in/articles/gfa-says-allegations-politically-%20motivated/2715.htm|publisher=Christianity Today}}</ref><ref name="gfa.org"/> Further, the rubber estate is an investment to help fund social service activities among underdeveloped communities<ref name="cheruvally"/> and not a personal land grab as opponents have stated.


==Ecumenical relations==
==Ecumenical relations==
Believers Eastern Church is a member of the [[Kerala Council of Churches]].
Believers Eastern Church is a member of [[National Council of Churches in India|The National Council of Churches in India]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Member Churches – NCCI |date=2 August 2016 |url=https://ncci1914.com/member-churches/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Kerala Council of Churches]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Member Churches |url=https://www.keralacouncilofchurches.org/members.html |website=www.keralacouncilofchurches.org |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref> It has also held ecumenical contacts with the [[Anglican Church in North America]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Provincial Council 2016: Live Blog |url=http://www.anglicanchurch.net/?/main/page/1254 |website=Anglican Church in North America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625111455/http://www.anglicanchurch.net/?/main/page/1254 |archive-date=June 25, 2016}}</ref>
The Believers Eastern Church has also held ecumenical contacts with the [[Anglican Church in North America]].<ref>[http://www.anglicanchurch.net/mainpage1254 Provincial Council 2016 Live Blog, ACNA Official Website, 22 June 2016]{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>  In addition, Gospel For Asia frequently has and continues to solicit funding from evangelical churches, but does not disclose that Yohannan is a metropolitan, as most evangelical churches are congregational or elder-led and generally oppose a hierarchal structure with one person at the top (such as the Roman Catholic or the various Orthodox bodies).
 
==Criticism==
===Suspension of FCRA licenses===
In 2017, the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] had suspended the [[Foreign Contribution Regulation Act]] (FCRA) licences of the church and three NGOs associated with Believers Eastern Church from receiving foreign funds.<ref>https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/believers-church-dismisses-media-reports/article33061316.ece</ref> It is mandatory to have FCRA clearance from the Home Ministry for any organisation to receive foreign funds. The trust enjoyed exemption under the [[Income Tax Act, 1961|I-T Act, 1961]] as charitable/religious trust, received donations from foreign countries ostensibly for helping the poor and destitute and  evangelical purposes but was actually siphoning off such tax-exempted funds to engage in unaccounted cash transactions for personal and other illegal expenses in real estate transactions.<ref>https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/nov/08/believers-church-used-paper-firms-to-route-unaccounted-money-2220992.html</ref> The government has reconsidered the decision to allow prior permission to two NGOs after details verification.
 
===Income tax raid and money seizure===
The [[Income Tax Department|Income Tax officials]] conducted searches at around 60 premises associated with the  Believers Church in November 2020.<ref>https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/keralas-believers-church-under-scanner-for-huge-foreign-fund-flow-914020.html</ref> The I-T officials seized Rs 14.5 cr from the raid at the offices of Believers church. Out of the total amount, Rs 7 cr was recovered from the boot of a car owned by an employee of the hospital under Believers church. Rest of the amount was seized from various places including [[Delhi]].<ref>https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/dramatic-events-during-i-t-raid-at-believers-church-priest-tries-to-destroy-iphone-kerala-1.5195047</ref> I-T officials revealed that they are looking into transactions over the last ten years. The church had got around Rs 4,000 crore over the years and a chunk of it had gone into the construction of institutions and real estate dealings.<ref>https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/it-sleuths-reveal-believers-church-used-paper-firms-to-route-unaccounted-money/679311</ref><ref>https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/nov/12/ed-probe-likely-into-money-seizure-from-believers-church-2222584.html</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
 
{{Portal|Christianity}}
* [[History of Pentecostalism in India]]
* [[History of Pentecostalism in India]]
* [[Believers Church Airport]]


==References==
==References==
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{{Churches in India|state=collapsed}}
{{Churches in India|state=collapsed}}
{{Eastern Protestants}}


[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1993]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Pentecostalism in India]]
[[Category:Evangelical denominations in Asia]]
[[Category:Evangelical denominations in Asia]]
[[Category:Pentecostal denominations in Asia]]
[[Category:Pentecostal denominations in Asia]]
[[Category:Pentecostalism in India]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1993]]
[[Category:Saint Thomas Christians]]

Latest revision as of 11:02, 25 March 2026

Varghese, Rinu (11 June 2008). "GFA says allegations politically motivated". Christianity Today India. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014.

Believers Eastern Church
A parish of the Believers Church
ClassificationIndependent Church
PolityEpiscopal
Metropolitan bishopSamuel Mor Theophilus[1]
Bishops30 (2017)[2]
Dioceses91
AssociationsKerala Council of Churches[3] and National Council of Churches in India
LiturgyOrthodox Liturgy
HeadquartersSt. Thomas Community, Thiruvalla, Kerala
FounderMoran Mor Athanasius Yohan I Metropolitan
Origin1993
Members3,500,000[citation needed]
Church buildings15000 parishes worldwide
HospitalsBelievers Church Medical College Hospital, Believers City Clinic, Believers Hospital - Konni
Secondary schoolsBelievers Church Residential School - Thiruvalla, Believers Church Residential School, Believers Church Mahatma Central School, Believers Church English Medium School Alappuzha, Believers Church Vijayagiri Public School, Believers Church Grace Garden School and many other schools
Other name(s)Believers Church (formerly)
Official websitewww.bec.org

Believers Eastern Church (BEC, previously Believers Church) is a church of Indian origin with congregations and parishes worldwide. It follows an episcopal governance and structure.[4] It holds Christ as its head (Col 1:18) and further requires that bishops and ordained ministers submit to its metropolitan and his successors. It is governed by a committee of bishops, the synod, with one central bishop holding the honorary title of "first among equals" and follows Evangelical Christian doctrine.[5] BEC is administratively based in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. The church has 91 dioceses[6] in 14 nations. It claims a membership of more than 3.5 million in 10 countries speaking a hundred languages. It has 30 bishops, and the Metropolitan Bishop is Moran Mor Samuel Theophilus[1][7] who replaced Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan I Metropolitan[8] (formerly known as K. P. Yohannan).

History[edit | edit source]

Consecration of Metropolitan Yohan by Bishop K J Samuel. Mar Aprem Mooken and other bishops alongside

The Church was founded in 1993 as part of the GFA World (formerly Gospel for Asia) apostolate.[9] On 6 February 2003, K. J. Samuel, the Moderator Bishop of the Church of South India (a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion), along with the P. M. Dhotekar, Bishop of Nagpur of the Church of North India, and Bancha Nidhi Nayak, Bishop of Phulbani of the Church of North India, consecrated K. P. Yohannan as a bishop in Anglican lines of apostolic succession. Bishop John Wilson Gladstone, Mar Aprem Mooken, Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East in India (Chaldean Syrian Church) were also present for the consecration ceremony. K. P. Yohannan thereafter became the first metropolitan of the Believers Eastern Church, and acquired an episcopal polity of ecclesiastical governance.[10][11] He later changed his name to Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan in honor of his beloved patron saints, St. Athanasius, the defender of orthodoxy, and St. John (Yohan) the Apostle & Evangelist [1]. BEC describes itself as being "Apostolic in origin, universal in nature, Biblical and evangelical in faith, ecumenical in outlook".[12] It adheres to the Nicene Creed, biblical faith, and traditions of the historical church backed up with its own canonical constitution.[12] The Episcopal Synod and the diocesan councils take the responsibility for planning and executing the mission, religious life and charitable programs of the Church. The Believers Eastern Church is divided as regions into dioceses, each with its own bishop. Each local church has members ranging from less than one hundred to a thousand with an average of a hundred, and the number of parishes themselves are increasing.[13] The BEC is divided into various dioceses under the leadership of a diocesan bishop or a vicar-general.

In 2009, the church ordained seven bishops.[14] On 2 March 2017, Metropolitan Yohan consecrated twelve bishops for the Believers Eastern Church.[2]

Emblem[edit | edit source]

The emblem of the Believers Eastern Church reflects its core beliefs, featuring a cross within a circle, surrounded by a dove, heart, book, and fish—symbols of faith. The cross, chosen by early Church fathers, represents Jesus Christ's crucifixion, death, and resurrection. It extends beyond the circle, signifying that Christ's redemptive work transcends time and is central to the faith. The circle represents eternity.[15]

Faith and practice[edit | edit source]

The liturgy used in the Believers Eastern Church "includes prayers, Scripture readings and a confession of the Nicene or Apostles' Creed of the Church".[16] The readings come from the Revised Common Lectionary, which has a three-year cycle; it observes the liturgical calendar of Western Christianity, thus keeping Lent, for example.[17][18] It administers the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Women in churches of this denomination wear Christian headcoverings, in accordance with Believers Eastern Church's interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:2–16. Communicants of BEC use the sign of the cross in their prayers.[16]

Beliefs[edit | edit source]

A group photo of believers in front of their church building in Asia

The church accepts the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible as the inspired Word of God which is inerrant and the fundamental standard of faith,[19] and complete and final written revelation of God. It also adheres to the Nicene Creed. The church believes in the following doctrines:[20]

  • One eternal God revealed in the trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  • The divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, sinless life, crucifixion and resurrection, ascension and intercession of the Holy Spirit.
  • The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon believers in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension, enabling them to preach the Gospel to the whole world.
  • Separation of all mankind from God through man's sin.
  • Immediate forgiveness of sins through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ.
  • The person and work of indwelling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit through baptism for all believers.
  • The practice of gifts of the Holy Spirit within scriptural guidelines for the common good (1Cor 12:4–7); Considers that agape love is more important than all the gifts, and without it, all exercise of spiritual gifts as worthless.
  • Jesus Christ as the head of the church.
  • The second coming of Jesus Christ and it will be personal and visible, which motivates active involvement of the laity in church activities.
  • The resurrection of the body unto eternal life for the saved and unto eternal separation for the lost; But salvation, redemption and forgiveness are freely offered to all by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Core values[edit | edit source]

For being distinguishable members of Believers Eastern Church, and the message of the Word of God to be applied in an individual's life leading to a greater maturity in Christ, following are the official code of living.[21]

  • Knowing the Lord Jesus more fully and intimately.
  • Being a people of integrity and excellence.
  • Living in submission to God's Word.
  • Being a people of faith.
  • Being a people committed to prayer and worship.
  • Having a servant lifestyle.
  • Being a people of grace and love.
  • Serving sacrificially.
  • Being a people with passion for souls.
  • Being a people who work together with the Body of Christ.

Religious orders[edit | edit source]

The Sisters of Compassion is a religious order of nuns within the Believers Eastern Church that is dedicated to serving the "neglected of society".[22][2]

Humanitarian services[edit | edit source]

Child Sponsorship Program students on their way to class

Believers Eastern Church is involved in various social projects and has been lauded for its "humanitarian service towards the society at large".[23] The church's social service includes poverty alleviation,[24] and promoting adult literacy.[23] The church also provides shelter to street children through a home called Asha Grih, which is licensed by the Indian Government.[25][26] Additionally, BEC has a child sponsorship program which provides holistic development to needy children throughout South Asia. As of 2012, the program has helped some 60,000 underprivileged children by providing them free education, a nutritious diet and school supplies.[citation needed] The church sponsorship program has 525 project centers with 2,400 staff.[26] Other major projects include the Believers Church Medical College Hospital,[27] Believers Eastern Church Caarmel Engineering College[28] and Believers Church Theological Seminary.[29]

Criticisms[edit | edit source]

The operations of Gospel for Asia and BEC were scrutinized after Believers Eastern Church, under the guidance of Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan purchased a 2,268-acre (9.18 km2) rubber estate in Kerala, India.[30][31] Opponents said the church had diverted foreign funds to amass land for itself and for uses other than declared purposes.[32] Further, it was alleged that the rubber estate, which Believers Eastern Church purchased from Harrison's Malayalam Ltd., was on leasehold from the government and not saleable.[33] Legal proceedings are still ongoing.[34][35][36]

There is also been an ongoing court case regarding the illegal filling in of wetlands in order to build the Believers Eastern Church Medical College Hospital.[37][38]

Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan said that the claims were politically motivated and that the workings of Gospel for Asia and Believers Eastern Church are transparent.[39] Further, the rubber estate is an investment to help fund social service activities among underdeveloped communities[31] and not a personal land grab as opponents have stated.

In 2017, the Ministry of Home Affairs had suspended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licenses of the church and three NGOs associated with Believers Eastern Church from receiving foreign funds.[40] It is mandatory to have FCRA clearance from the Home Ministry for any organization to receive foreign funds. The trust enjoyed exemption under the I-T Act, 1961 as charitable/religious trust, receiving donations from foreign countries ostensibly for helping the poor and destitute and evangelical purposes.[41] The government has reconsidered the decision to allow prior permission to two NGOs after detailed verification.

In 2020, the Income Tax officials conducted searches at around 60 premises associated with the Believers Church.[42] The I-T officials seized Rs 14.5 cr from the raid at the offices of Believers church. Out of the total amount, Rs 7 cr was recovered from the boot of a car owned by an employee of the hospital under Believers church. Rest of the amount was seized from various places including Delhi.[43] I-T officials revealed that they are looking into transactions over the last ten years. The church had got around Rs 4,000 crore over the years and a chunk of it had gone into the construction of institutions and real estate dealings.[44][45]

Ecumenical relations[edit | edit source]

Believers Eastern Church is a member of The National Council of Churches in India[46] and the Kerala Council of Churches.[47] It has also held ecumenical contacts with the Anglican Church in North America.[48]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Holy Synod Elects New Metropolitan". Believers Eastern Church. 17 June 2024.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "12 bishops of Believers Church consecrated". The Hindu. 3 March 2017. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "CSI to stiffen stance over believers church's induction into KCC". The New Indian Express. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "About". Believers Eastern Church. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "Structure and Governance". Believers Eastern Church. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "Believers Eastern Church Contact Information". Believers Eastern Church. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "Moran Mor Samuel Theophilus Metropolitan". Believers Eastern Church. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  8. ↑ "Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan". Believers Eastern Church.
  9. ↑ Bergunder, Michael (6 June 2008). The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-8028-2734-0. In 1993, Gospel for Asia created its own church administrative structure, the Believers'Church, where newly founded congregations supported by Gospel for Asia were grouped together.
  10. ↑ Jacob, George (10 February 2003). "Crisis brewing in CSI". The Hindu. Kottayam. Retrieved 19 November 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ Conger, George (18 October 2017). "Slander suit filed by Believers Church against the CSI". Anglican Ink. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018. On 6 Feb 2003 the Rt. Rev. K. J. Samuel, Bishop in East Kerala and former moderator of the Church of South India, assisted by the Rt. Rev. P.M. Dhotekar, Bishop in Nagpur of the Church of North India, and the Rt. Rev. Bancha Nidhi Nayak, Bishop in Phulbani of the Church of North India, consecrated Yohannan as metropolitan archbishop of the Believers Church.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Yohannan, K.P. (2018). "Believers Church". Retrieved 20 March 2018. Believers Church, a Christian denomination, is Apostolic in origin, universal in nature, Biblical and evangelical in faith, ecumenical in outlook, and has a constitutional episcopacy for governance. The Church adheres to the Nicene Creed, Biblical Faith, and traditions of the historical church backed up with its own Canonical Constitution.
  13. ↑ Smith, Warren Cole (7 May 2009). A Lover's Quarrel with the Evangelical Church. InterVarsity Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-8308-5698-5. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  14. ↑ "Seven more bishops for Believers Church". The Hindu. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018.
  15. ↑ "Our Emblem". www.bec.org. Believers Eastern Church. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Moran Mor Athanasius, Yohan (2017). Believers Eastern Church Faith and Tradition Series (1st ed.). Kerala, India: Believers Eastern Church Synod Secretariat. p. 61. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  17. ↑ Yohannan, K.P. (14 February 2018). "God's Heart Aches and He Wants to Share That With Us". Retrieved 20 March 2018. Today marks the first day of Lent. It is one of the oldest holy days on the Christian calendar. As Christians, we have many holidays that we celebrate throughout the year such as Christmas, Palm Sunday and Easter. Lent is a special time like those when we can stop and remember what our lives here on earth are about.
  18. ↑ "Lectionary 2012-2013". Believers Church. 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  19. ↑ K.P. Yohannan (2004). Guiding Principles of Believers Eastern Church. Believers Eastern Church Publications. pp. 197-199.
  20. ↑ "Statement of Faith". Believers Church. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  21. ↑ "Core Values". Believers Church. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  22. ↑ "Prime Minister Narendra Modi describes meeting with church head as "wonderful"". The Gospel Truth Newspaper. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Church devoted to literacy campaign" Times of India (May 25, 2011)
  24. ↑ "Bihar, News in Brief: Project" The Telegraph (June 25, 2012)
  25. ↑ "Asha Grih". www.ashagrih.org. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Believers Eastern Church turns new page in lives of lesser privileged" Archived 2014-11-02 at the Wayback Machine Echo of Arunachal (July 22, 2012)
  27. ↑ "BCMCH". www.bcmch.org.
  28. ↑ "Believers Eastern Church Caarmel Engineering College". Believers Eastern Church Caarmel Engineering College. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  29. ↑ "Believers Church Theological Seminary -". www.bcseminary.org.
  30. ↑ "Cash scanner on evangelist". The Telegraph.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Cheruvally Rubber Estate". Believers Eastern Church. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014.
  32. ↑ "Probe on into functioning of Gospel for Asia, HC told". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014.
  33. ↑ "God's own country". The Telegraph.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  34. ↑ "Smooth take-off unlikely for proposed Erumeli airport". The New Indian Express. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  35. ↑ "'Yohannan has no stake in Cheruvally estate'". The Times of India. 7 December 2016.
  36. ↑ "After PM Modi's announcement about Rs 500 and Rs 1000, reactions pour in". DNAIndia.com. 8 November 2016.
  37. ↑ "Govt overruled objections to aid illegal filling of land - Times of India". The Times of India. 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 19 July 2015.
  38. ↑ "Indian Tax Court on Gospel for Asia and Believers' Church: "Substantial Income" Not Used for Intended Purposes". Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  39. ↑ Varghese, Rinu (11 June 2008). "GFA says allegations politically motivated". Christianity Today India. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014.
  40. ↑ "Believers Church dismisses media reports - The Hindu". The Hindu. 9 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020.
  41. ↑ "'Believers Church used paper firms to route unaccounted money'". The New Indian Express. 8 November 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020.
  42. ↑ "Kerala's Believers Church under scanner for huge foreign fund flow". Deccan Herald. 10 November 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020.
  43. ↑ "Dramatic events during I-T raid at Believers Church; priest tries to destroy iPhone". Mathrubhumi. 9 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020.
  44. ↑ "IT sleuths reveal Believers Church used paper firms to route unaccounted money". Times Now News. 9 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020.
  45. ↑ "ED probe likely into money seizure from Believers Church". The New Indian Express. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020.
  46. ↑ "Member Churches – NCCI". 2 August 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  47. ↑ "Member Churches". www.keralacouncilofchurches.org. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  48. ↑ "Provincial Council 2016: Live Blog". Anglican Church in North America. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016.

External links[edit | edit source]

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