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The Rediff Special/ Venu Menon

'There is nothing wrong in conversions'

Reverend T S Abraham is the general secretary of the Indian Pentecostal Church. He also commands authority by virtue of being the son of the church founder, Reverend K E Abraham. Venu Menon met him at the sprawling five-acre premises of the Indian Pentecostal Church headquarters in Kumbanad in Pattanamthitta district of central Kerala.

The Pentecostal have been targeted by the Sangh Parivar. Do you think conversions are a provocation?

We believe in changing hearts, not religions. When people experience a change of heart, a fellowship forms between them. That is what is happening.

Does this fellowship imply embracing Christianity or the Pentecostal faith?

When a person changes his heart, we teach him the Bible. That is what provokes some people. Each religion has its own doctrine. Our doctrine is that the Bible is the inspired word of God. The Bible clearly states that once a person changes his heart, he accepts Jesus Christ as his saviour and nobody else.

What about the social fallout of conversions?

The violence is unjustified. There is nothing wrong in conversions. It is the right of the individual to join any religion he chooses. We only preach, we do not induce. We do help people financially. Some join us, many don't. We don't target any particular group. Both Brahmins and tribals join us. Muslims come to us. Most of our converts are Christians from other churches.

How does the Pentecostal Church plan to cope with the violence and hostility it now faces?

We pray for those who attack us. We will never take recourse to counter-violence. We believe in turning the other cheek. Of course, we have the right to defend ourselves.

'Our church is now a small wayside stall. We must make it grow into a big supermarket'
The Christian Fringe

The Rediff Specials

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