Finding Strength and Connection in our Past
As the world is grappling with this serious pandemic, we here at the New Apostolic Church India would like to continue to practice gratitude. We are grateful for the many servants of God and faithful members who have dedicated their life to spreading the gospel of love. Although we may not be able to gather together physically we hope that these stories from our past bind us together and fill us with a sense of unity and hope.
The Life and Work of the First Six Apostles in India
This month we have chosen to focus on the life and work of the first six apostles in India. It is because of their dedication, hard work and love that we now celebrate fifty years of the New Apostolic Church in India. On 20th July 1975, in a Divine Service in London, the then Chief Apostle Streckeisen ordained the first six Apostles for India. They were to assist District Apostle Kraus in looking after the children of God in the country. Through this article we hope that you get new insights, discover interesting stories and get to know the more about the lives and times of these first Apostles.
Apostle Sharad Bower
The youngest son in a family of six siblings, Apostles S. Bower was born on 31st December 1932 in Kedgaon, Maharashtra. In 1970 he was visited by his elder brother who introduced him to the New Apostolic Church and on January 28th 1971 he was sealed and ordained into the deacon ministry. Whilst traveling with District Apostle Kraus, he was given the name Benjamin and from then on he was popularly known as Apostle Benji Bower. He was subsequently ordained into the other priestly ministries before being ordained as an Apostle in July 20th 1975.
Apostle Jose Kuthottungal
Born on the 25th of December 1936 in Kuttikad, Kerala, Apostle Jose was growing up in a Catholic family. He was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1965 and worked as a social worker caring for children before becoming acquainted with the New Apostolic Church. He was sealed on the 17th of February 1971 and was ordained into a different ministerial office each year before being ordained as an Apostle in 1975. Apostle Jose writes: “I have dedicated my life to the service of my Heavenly Father and His beloved Son…”
Apostle Jayawanth Thompson
Apostles Jayawanth Thompson was born at Mohammadabad in Bidar Karnataka on the 10th of April 1928. After giving up his ministry in a Methodist Church he moved to Bombay where he continued to search for joy and fellowship amongst God’s children. In 1971 he heard from his brother that an Apostle was going to visit Mumbai. This immediately lit a fire in his heart and he was eager to find out more. Apostle Thompson was sealed on November 2nd 1971 and ordained a Priest later that year. He served in different ministerial positions before being ordained into the Apostle ministry in 1975.
Apostle Robinson
He was born in a small town called Beawar in Rajasthan on 11th March 1933 to a Christian family. He spent his early years playing an active role in the Anglican church. He was greatly influenced by his loving grandfather and supportive parents who taught him the qualities of faith, honesty and courage. His mother’s trip to Denmark introduced him to the doctrine of the New Apostolic Church and he was sealed by District Apostle Kraus on the 10th of May 1970 at Abu Road. By 1975 he was one of the six Apostles ordained for India and was in charge of the Northern India District consisting of eight states with 25,000 members.
Apostle Lawrence Jones
Born on 11th August 1933 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Apostle Lawrence Jones spent his early years in Burma but was forced to leave due to the turmoil of war. The arduous journey back took a heavy toll on the family as both his parents lost their lives. Apostle Lawrence writes: “The hard school of life served to make me humble and directed my thoughts towards the life beyond.”
Apostle Lawrence was among the first souls sealed by District Apostle Kraus in the country. He held different ministerial positions in the New Apostolic Church through the years of 1970 to 1975 when he was ordained as an Apostle. The Bombay district entrusted to his care grew to more than 140 congregations with about 13,000 members.
Apostle Vishwas Bower
Apostle V. Bower was born on the 15th of July 1927 and was the older sibling of Apostle ‘Benji’ Bower. He was given the name Vishwas by his mother which means ‘Faith’. He first heard of the doctrine of the New Apostolic Church in 1970 but became convinced of the ministry or grace and Apostleship after attending a divine service conducted by District Apostle Kraus in 1971.
Apsotel Vishwas Bower writes: “Ever since the day of my sealing, a wonderful and inexplicable change took place in my life…My only desire in life is to remain faithful and firm till the last moment and in oneness with my District Apostle and the Chief Apostle, on Mount Zion as an over-comer.”