Indian Theological Seminary is a part of Gilgal Gospel Mission (GGM). GGM which initially began as a weekend ministry to rural villages in and around Secundera-bad and Hyderabad became a full-fledged Church planting ministry. The founder late Rev. Dr. Chelliah Russelliah and Mrs Christobel K. Russelliah begun their pioneering ministry to the unreached in 1974. They started their journey as pastors of St. Thomas SPG Tamil Church, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh responding to a call to serve the poor and marginalized, they embarked on a journey that would continue for years to come. The founders’ daughters, Thephil and Thehil also played a vital role in GGM from childhood till today in various capacities along with their families. As the founders walked among rural villages and shared the gospel, many people came to Christ and soon churches were planted to strengthen the new believers. At that time, the Lord directed them to form Gilgal Gospel Mission with the vision of reaching the unreached through 12 ministerial branches . So far, GGM has grown into the following ministry wings: the Indian Missionary Church (IMC), St. Philip’s School, Children’s Home and Indian Theological Seminary (ITS). Other than these, small strides in some other branches of the 12 founding goals, namely village adult education and medical care have been taken.
Founders after building the first few churches them-selves, the founders realized that they would need more laborers in the field to plant Churches among the unreached. ITS was started with the vision of creating disciples that would combine formal theological training and evangelical principles for the goal of the expansion of the Kingdom of God on earth.
Indian Theological Seminary was started in 1990 with just three students and one teacher. ITS received accreditation to Asia Theological Association for B.Th and M.Div in the late 1990’s and affiliation to the Senate of Serampore for B.Th in 2000 and for B.D in 2010. As of this academic year (2021), ITS has 40+ students, 10 teaching, 6 non-teaching and 4 service staff. The Indian Theological Seminary was started to fulfill the vision of the ministries of Gilgal Gospel Mission.
GGM began as a ministry without a place to lay its head, with no address and no land or building. God has blessed the efforts taken and GGM has grown from one small Church in Hyderabad. Today GGM & ITS has a 12,000 sqft. headquarters building which also serves as the GGM administrative office and the academic building of ITS, a staff quarters, a 6000 sqft. men’s hostel and a 3000 sqft. Library. The Children’s Home kids reside in a 3500 sq.ft. home. In 3/4 acre land The St. Philip’s school children enjoy a homey and comfortable campus with two small buildings. GGM also has 6 acres of land in which there are plans to found a hospital, school and retreat center. GGM has 22 Churches in rural villages of South India and stand as witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless our efforts and may a little one become a thousand and a small one a great nation, in His time.
