K V Simon

K.V. Simon was a man sent by God to minister to the needs of His people in Kerala at a critical time. A man born with a talent to teach, possessing intelligence of a very high  standard, a poet, a reformer, linguist, writer, profound Bible scholar, debater, musician, selfless , extremely humble, these are some of the things one could say  briefly about this servant of, the Lord. 

Simon was born in a Christian family in Kerala in  1883. He manifested at a very early age that he possessed an unusually high standard of intelligence  and, mental capacity. On passing the Govt. examination at the tender age of 13 he became a school teacher and continued in this profession for over 20 years.

'During the visit of Tamil David to Travancore in 1895 Simon was saved in a convention. Then he was 12 years of age. He came across a booklet on believer's baptism and as a. result of reading and studying the subject he was convinced of the need for believers baptism, and obeyed the Lord in baptism when he was 20 Years old. This step brought him into conflict with those at home and in his denominational church. He had to suffer much on this account.  He was dismissed from his teacher's job. As, no other teacher were willing to take up the position compulsorily vacated by Simon, the church authorities re-installed him in his job. He continued there for a year more and then resigned to give his full time to preaching and teaching the word of God. Although  excommunicated from the church he had many, opportunities to preach the word. Organizing Bible Classes, conducting open air Preaching among youth and Sunday school and similar activities were carried on for several years. Many were brought to the Lord through this work.

Through  preaching and writing Mr. Simon confirmed, the teachings related to New Testament Church. More than thirty assemblies were established in this way They were held together for some years as a "Separatist" group. Eventually he decided to join the Baptist Church so as to get financial support for these churches known as the Viyojithar in Malayalam, the local language. Knowing his abilities, some senior believers among the Brethren persuaded him to join the Brethren instead, which he accepted promptly two decades after the Brethren Movement in India came to existence. 

Simon composed more than 300 songs and lyrics (many of which are still) used in the assemblies and in other Christian groups. He rendered the entire book of Genesis in poetry, and named in in Malayalam language as "Vedaviharam". It  is a literary classic, and it earned him the title of Mahakavi (Dean of Poets), conferred on him by the Sahitya Parishad (Academy of Literature). He authored several other books too. He was a voracious reader, and had a prodigious memory. He learned several Indian languages, and had a profound knowledge of Sanskrit, and also had a working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. He also understood English enough to translate, speeches  at meetings, and was conversent  with Syriac. He had a good library and devoted a good amount of time for reading.

Simon was afflicted with rheumatism and later suffered partial paralysis. He entered his eternal home  at the beginning of 1944.