P. J. Thomas

P. J. Thomas Biography

P. J. Thomas was an Indian pastor from Kerala belonging to Indian Pentecostal Church & Sharon Fellowship Church. He is widely regarded as a prophet for the modern day with practicing theology. He was born in a big family of 9 children on April 15, 1914. His parents were Pastor John and Saramma Ayyapilla, coming from Hindu Brahmin background. P. J. Thomas has been one among those pastors of Kerala who played a significant role in the development of Sharon churches in Kerala, particularly in the middle ages of 20^th century.

He came from a Christian family and his father John was also a pastor. Thomas came to know the Lord through a native missionary Kappiar Upadesi who taught him John 3:16. Impressed by the principles, he attended Seampore University from where he took a Diploma in Theology and became the principal of the IPC free School. He married Aleyamma and left to Australia for higher studies. Later he attended Wheaton College, England and took Master's degree in Comparative Religion. He brought the then three senior Indian Pentecostal Church pastors, Pastor K.E. Abraham, K.C. Cherian, and P.M. Samuel to the U.S. He worked as a teacher in the same college for a short period before he returned back to India. While at US, he also assisted Pastor K.E. Abraham for religious speeches.

Once he returned to India, he settled at Thiruvalla on the advice of Pastor J. Varghese. He also helped him to purchase the present Sharon property in March 1953. Very soon fame of Sharon spread throughout Kerala and more people began to realize the healing effects of Pentecostal beliefs. Sharon Bible College was started in 1955 which trained many pastors. With the spilt of Indian Pentecostal Church in the 1950’s, Sharon Hall was used for meditation. Though he was invited by different groups, Pastor remained neutral.

Published: N/A

Updated: March 02, 2014