After a prolonged battle with a kidney disease, our retired Apostle Christranjan Nanda succumbed to bodily ailments at around 13:30 hrs on Friday December 11, 2020 and entered the realms of the departed with the zeal and fire of the gospel burning within.
His earthly remains were interned by the Apostle Prem Mohan Ray the next day at 10:30 hrs on Saturday December 12, 2020, at his village in Amath, Kalahandi District in the state of Odisha, India. As his wife preceded him 10 years earlier (2010), he is survived by his three sons, their families and eight grandchildren.
A Teacher and Able Administrator
Born on June 9, 1951 into a god-fearing Christian family, Christranjan Nanda grew up in Odisha, graduated to be a teacher in 1973 and went on to be promoted as an administrator in the government education department. In 1982, he joined the Orissa Church Council and took the leadership role as a lay man.
It was during this period that Shepherd John Pattnaik from Bhilai visited and testified many times to him about the work of God in the New Apostolic Church in this area. He was soon interested in the doctrine, and believed it.
As a result, he and his family members were baptized and received the gift of the Holy Spirit on March 6, 1989. In the same service he was ordained as a Priest by Apostle Morris Lal. Heeding God’s call to utilize his gifts and talents to serve God, he retired from his job in 1997 and moved to Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh.
An Apostle of Courage and Grit Among Forest Tribes
Having served in various ministerial functions, he was ordained as an Apostle of Jesus Christ on October 28, 2000, by the late Chief Apostle Richard Fehr. He served as a minister for more than 30 years of which 18 years as an Apostle.
Beginning with Chhattisgarh and Odisha, his working area extended into West Bengal and Jharkhand in his later years. He was often confronted for his convictions of faith, captured and isolated. He never shirked to testify his convictions regarding the path to the love of God and eternal fellowship with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ.
With his experience as a professional teacher and administrator in the educational field he utilized his experience as an excellent teacher of righteousness. He established faith in the congregations and administered their reorganization very efficiently, serving and leading God’s children with a firm resolve coupled with love and compassion.
In a festive Divine Service on Sunday, January 27, 2019, the Apostle C R Nanda received a well-deserved retirement blessing through the District Apostle Helper David Devaraj by the commission of the Chief Apostle Jean Luc Schneider.
His family may be contacted through his son:
Rev. Soura Rashmi Nanda
At. Amath, Po. Nunmath
Kesinga, Kalahandi
Odisha 766 012
Ph.: 79780 19733 / 94376 25395
sourarashminanda@gmail.com