Paulose Thudian

Paulose Thudian was born on October 25, 1930 and was brought up in a very orthodox Christian family in Angamaly, a remote village of Kerala, the southern state of India. In his school days he had an ambition to become a Doctor of medicine, but in his teenage he was attacked by rheumatic fever and psoriasis (skin decease) then completely paralysed for two years. By some herbal treatment he was healed to some extend. Due to this he couldn't continue his studies. These experiences made him a desperate person. But God in his mercy saved him. One night he became unconscious because of the sickness and all his relatives thought that he is going to die. But God didn't allow him to die. God opened his conscious and he cried and confessed his sins to the Lord. God filled his heart with joy and peace. Even though the infirmities on his body continued, he experienced God's grace and strength and that enabled him to press on.

After the recovery from his sickness, he did business with his Dad for some years. In 1956 again the sickness made him bedridden. On that sick bed, when he was reading book of Ephesians Chapter 1, prayer of Paul struck his heart. 'You may know the hope of His calling'. He understood that God has a hope in his life. Since he was physically paralised and crippled, he asked God 'What is that hope? God said to him; "I want you". For several days he prayed and God convicted in his heart that God wants him. He surrendered himself to the Lord for God's service.

In the same year, a godly man Brother E.P. Varghese, in his village, called him to sing some songs with the musical background for the radio broadcast through Srilanka broadcasting corporation, that time God used his throat to sing for God's glory. Since then Lord has been using him mightily in several ways for the glory of God. He started preaching the gospel in the nook and corner of his village. God enabled him to write a gospel tract for distribution. He continued that ministry for couple of years.

In 1959, He had a desire to study the word of God systematically; he got admission in Hindustan Bible Institute, Madras. It was a turning point in HIS life. He was trained under the efficient leadership of Dr. Paul.V.Gupta. The Bible training changed his life all together and led him to love the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. He got a very good training in street evangelism. Shouting bible verses and distributing gospel booklets were a regular activity. These training gave him the courage to stand before the people and exalt the name of Lord Jesus Christ. During the studies, Lord opened a door to sing and preach over the radio through living waters gospel broadcast. God trained him to prepare messages and compose songs for this ministry. In 1962 he graduated and continued to serve the Lord in Madras through different Medias.

Along with the radio ministry, he was able to work with the organisation called Word of Life service in Madras. This ministry was aimed to reach all over India through news paper evangelism. Advertisement was given in every Sunday news paper which resulted in getting thousands of letters from the readers. He was in charge of sending gospel booklets and making correspondence with them. It continued for four years.

In 1966 He married Leela. After the marriage he was called to work in the head quarters of Living waters ministries in Bombay. God opened more doors for him to serve the Lord in that big city. Lord enabled him to preach and teach the word of God in different churches and several places in North India. As a result many youngsters were encouraged for out reach evangelism and as a team they started working in the streets of Bombay for several months. God blessed this team work and able to form a assembly in Chembur, Bombay. As the works were flourishing in one side, he faced several hardships and sufferings in the ministry as well as in personal life. With all the infirmities in his body and oppositions and discouragement from inside as well as outside, Lord helped him to fulfill the task fruitfully and faithfully. The ministry in Bombay continued until 1972.

In the year 1972 he was again attacked by the sickness which compelled him to return to Kerala for the effective treatment. After the treatment he was led to Cannanore. It was his vision and desire to see home churches established in the Hindu dominated pagan region. He began the evangelistic activities through street preaching, door to door visit in towns and villages, as a result many assemblies were formed.

To carry out God's work with the right strategies as we see in 2nd Timothy 2:2, He focused on young people to train them in Sound doctrines and evangelism. In early days he conducted short term courses which gradually developed to a Bible School. Many were trained and became able to reach and teach resulting formation of churches in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

In the year 1978, God entrusted him with a new ministry of radio broadcasting in Malayalam language through Ceylon and Feba Seychelles. These programs reach the whole Asia and Middle East which brought tremendous result and opened a wide horizon for the ministry. A good number of listeners are responding to these programs and receiving Jesus Christ as their personal saviour and Lord. Each month our office is dealing with nearly 500 letters.

In order to follow them up in their spiritual life he began to write and publish gospel booklets and bible study materials. A correspondence course program also started from 1980 onwards. Average thousand students are being completing these courses every year. A monthly magazine also started aiming the spiritual nourishment of new Christians. Lord helped him to write and publish 18 Bible study materials so far. Four more books are ready for publishing. In order to support the out reach ministries of churches, a gospel team consists of ten young men was formed. They reach out interior villages, education institutions, prisons etc. These youngsters are talented in teaching, preaching and music.

Appreciating Poulose Thudian's allround efforts in preaching Christ through all available medias and as an encouragement for his exemplary example of a godly life, Hindustan Bible Institute honoured him with the degree of ‘Doctor of Divinity’ on the 2nd day of October 1999.

Lord blessed him with four children and eight grand children. All four children are married and serving the Lord in different capacities.

Poulose Thudian’s funeral service took place at his residence in Kannur on the 15th of May. Believers and evangelists from all around South India arrived for the function. A large crowd from various parts of Malabar region was also present. Bro. John Kurian Kottayam presided over the function. Prof.P.P. Skaria -Calicut, C.V.Vadavana, Thomas K.David -Kunnamkulam, Thomaskutty -Vazhoor, Leslie Anjan-Kannur, Jayalal Thomas-Coimbatore, Sam George-Tenkasi, Abraham Thomas - Kochi, K.P.Samuel-Trichur, M.A.Jose-Trichur, E.G.Benny-Kidangoor, Kunjumon Thottappally, Jose Mankudy, John Sebastian, Joymon Varghese-USA, Rev. George Jacob-Kannur, spoke about Poulose Thudian's personal life examples and his achievements in the spreading of the Gospel. Representing the family, Jose Thudian, Poulose Thudian’s brother spoke of their big brother, Son in Law Binu Mathew, and eldest son Rejoy Thudian also remembered their beloved father.

Around 5 .45 pm the mortal remains were carried to the Brethren cemetery in Kannur and while hundreds of believers and servants of God from Malabar watching, Poulose Thudian’s body was buried remembering the blessed hope of the resurrection of the saints.

[Essay prepared by Dr. Johnson C. Philip, using personal memories and input by Paulose Thudian's son Rejoy Thudian]