The spiritual renewal that emerged from the Mar Thoma Reformation awakened within believers a deep desire to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and share the joy of salvation with others. It soon became evident that the mission of evangelism could not be accomplished solely by a few full-time evangelists. Rather, every member of the Church, regardless of vocation or social standing, was called to be a witness to Christ in the ordinary circumstances of daily life. This conviction gave birth to a movement that emphasized the ministry of the laity and inspired believers to share the Gospel naturally through their relationships and interactions.
Long before the formation of an organized association, believers who were passionate about evangelism and intercessory prayer gathered periodically for fellowship, Bible study, and spiritual encouragement. During the annual meeting of one such gathering in 1924, the Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists' Association (M.T.V.E.A.) was formally established.
The movement received enthusiastic support from Bishop Abraham Mar Thoma, whose vision and leadership greatly shaped its development. Titus II Mar Thoma Metropolitan further strengthened the initiative by issuing a circular to all parishes encouraging the formation of local branches of the Association. Rev. C. P. Philipose Kassisa served as the first President, Sadhu Kochu Kunju as the Secretary, and Kolakottu John Upadesi as the Travelling Secretary.
The Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists' Association occupies an important and official place within the Mar Thoma Church. Its guiding principle is beautifully expressed in its motto, "Every Believer a Missionary." The Association seeks to ensure that every member of the Church becomes a faithful witness to Jesus Christ, sharing the certainty and joy of salvation with all those around them.
The Association functions through a comprehensive seven-point programme that includes intercessory prayer, Bible study, sharing personal spiritual experiences, visiting homes, caring for the sick and the needy, engaging in fellowship, and proclaiming the Gospel. Through these ministries, believers are encouraged to deepen their faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and become active participants in the mission of the Church.
Members of the Association gather regularly in their respective parishes for fellowship, prayer, Bible study, and the sharing of spiritual experiences. They seek opportunities to communicate the Gospel message to those with whom they live and work, support various ministries of the parish such as the Sunday School and Youth Fellowship, visit the sick and the needy, provide spiritual encouragement and material assistance, and work towards reconciliation wherever relationships have been broken. They also endeavour to bear witness to Christ among friends and neighbours who may not yet know Him.
The parish-level unit of the Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists' Association is known as the Edavaka Mission. Wherever these groups function actively, parishes experience renewed spiritual vitality, deeper fellowship, and a stronger commitment to Christian witness. The vicars of the parishes play an important role in guiding and strengthening these groups through biblical teaching and spiritual leadership.
The Edavaka Missions of various parishes within a region come together as a Centre, meeting regularly for fellowship and planning future mission activities. These Centres, in turn, send representatives to the Diocesan Samithi of the Voluntary Evangelists' Association. At the wider Church level, representatives from all dioceses gather annually under the central organization of the M.T.V.E.A., reflecting the unity and missionary vision of the entire Church.
The central organization of the Association has also made significant contributions to evangelistic training and mission work. It administers the Abraham Mar Thoma Memorial Bible Institute at Kompady, Thiruvalla, which provides laypersons with training in personal evangelism through courses of varying durations. The Association's Gospel Team undertakes parish tours and evangelistic ministries in non-Christian areas, while the annual Abraham Mar Thoma Memorial Lectures continue to highlight the vision and emphasis placed by Abraham Mar Thoma Metropolitan on the witness and ministry of the laity.
Furthermore, the Association manages mission fields at Achencovil near Punalur, Mukkada near Ranny, and Kalkulam near Chungathara, extending the Church's missionary outreach to various communities. Its official publication, the tri-monthly magazine Sandesam, serves as a valuable resource containing sermon notes, Bible studies, articles, and news relating to the activities of the Association.
The Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists' Association remains one of the most significant organizations within the Church, continually emphasizing the missionary responsibility of every believer and strengthening the ministry of the laity. The Platinum Jubilee of the Association was celebrated in 1999, marking seventy-five years of faithful service and witness.
At Bethel Mar Thoma Church, New Delhi
The Bethel Edavaka Mission, as the parish unit of this great movement, continues to uphold its vision of making every believer a missionary. Through regular prayer meetings, Bible study, intercessory ministries, visitation programmes, and active participation in the life and mission of the parish, the Edavaka Mission seeks to nurture spiritual growth and inspire its members to bear witness to Christ in both word and deed.
We thank Almighty God for His abundant blessings upon the ministry of the Edavaka Mission and pray that it may continue to be an instrument of spiritual renewal, evangelistic witness, and Christian service, enabling every believer to joyfully proclaim the love and salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ.