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Pastor G.Sundram was born on 7th
February 1909 in a small village known as Palliyadi near
Marthandam. Marthandam is a fairly large town in Kanyakumari
district on the highway that connects Kanyakumari and Trivandrum.
His father was Gabriel and his mother was Jeevavirutcham. Both
were employed as teachers. His family was fairly large with five
sisters and two brothers.
His father was a hard workingman. Besides teaching, he was
involved in farming. Right from their early days the children were
trained in hardwork. The spiritual training they received from
their parents is also worth mentioning. The children had the fear
of God and they were regular in prayer and Bible reading.
Pastor.Sundram had his primary education in the same village and
secondary education at the Government High School, Marthandam. He
received the best part of his training from his mother.
Visit to Malaysia
Pastor.Sundram had to go to Malaysia with his younger sister after
her marriage. It was here that he committed his life to Jesus.
This miracle happened on May 9, 1929. He put on Christ at the
waters of baptism and was anointed by Holy Spirit. After salvation
his life was totally changed. He decided to live for Christ.
His sister compelled him to become a teacher and for 3-1/2 years
he was teaching in a primary school. Even when he was involved in
a secular job, he led hundreds of people to the saving knowledge
of Christ. In 1932, he surrendered his life to Christ. He had
clear call from the Spirit of God, for full time ministry. Though
his family was against it, he chose to obey God’s call.
Full Time Ministry
The call to full time ministry came strongly to him when he read
II Timothy 2:4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the
affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him
to be a soldier”. During the early days of his ministry, he had
fellowship with Pastors Titus, Ponnuraj, John Rose, Daniel, Jacob
and others. All the other young men were trained by Pastor Titus.
Ministry in India
In 1934, he became a full time worker of Ceylon Pentecostal
Mission. He continued this work for about 12 years. God honored
his work and used him powerfully in different parts of South
Indian and Ceylon.
Marriage and family life
Pastor.Ponnuraj solemnized the marriage of Pastor.Sundram and
Sis.Beatrice at Coimbatore. Sis.Beatrice had to face severe
opposition from her family when she decided to marry
Pastor.Sundram. However, she was firm as she had clear guidance
from God regarding her marriage. But the early days of their
married life was one of struggle.
The Origin of Apostolic Christian
Assembly
In 1948 Pastor.Sundram was in charge of the church established by
Pastor.Ponnuraj at Coimbatore. Accepting God’s call he came to
Madras and took responsibility for the small church started by
Pastor.Ponnuraj in Madras. This was a mutual transfer that was
arranged by the Spirit of God and both the servants of God obeyed
the call in simplicity.
The church that was started in 1948 has now grown with several
branches all over India. For 60 years he was involved in God’s
ministry and he entered into glory when he was 80 years old. His
life is a challenge to Christian workers and an example to
believers. There were many trials and difficulties in his life but
it is the eternal grace of God that sustained him and guided him
in the ministry. |
