Edwin J. Paul was a dedicated Christian leader who significantly contributed to the church, education, and community service. With decades of leadership experience, including roles in the C.S.I. Church, educational institutions, and various Christian organizations, he impacted countless lives through his faith, teachings, and vision for spiritual growth. His work with the Evangelical Graduates Fellowship, Gideons International, and his involvement in educational and church leadership has left a lasting legacy in Kanyakumari and beyond.
The Inspiring Journey of Edwin J. Paul
Edwin J. Paul was born on August 19, 1929, in Martandam, Kanyakumari District. He accepted Christ as his Savior on September 6, 1949, and was baptized by immersion at the age of 26. In 1971, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by the gift of tongues.
First row: young Susy, Jaya Singh Paul and Lilly
Second row: young Evangelin and Edwin J Paul
He served as the Secretary of the C.S.I. Church, Marthandam, for nearly a quarter of a century, from 1966 to 1990. Marthandam C.S.I. Church, one of the largest in the Kanyakumari District, serves around five hundred families. Edwin was elected unanimously to this office, where he served not by power or might, but by the spirit of God.
He worked as Headmaster in the following schools, St. Joseph’s Middle School, Thirithepuram in 1954 to 1955. Ringaltobe Memorial Middle School, Mylawdy in 1955 to 1956. Government Middle School, Kattathurai in 1962 to 1964.
He also serve as the Correspondent of the C.S.I. Girls’ High School and as the Convener of the C.S.I. Church building committee. He has also served as the recording Secretary of the Diocesan Council and a member of the Diocesan Executive, representing the Kanyakumari Diocese in the Synod Executive. As a member of the Synod Laity Work Committee, he visited many Christian Service Centres across India from April 7 to May 6, 1972. During this time, Rt. Rev. D. Pothirajulu, now Bishop of Madurai, was the Convener of the team.
Edwin’s leadership extended to serving as the President of the Evangelical Graduates Fellowship of Kanyakumari District for twenty-one years. Under his leadership, the fellowship has been instrumental in conducting Leadership, Discipleship, Evangelical Camps, Conferences, and Fasting Prayer Meetings. He was also involved with the Tamilnad Evangelical Graduates Fellowship and attended the U.E.S.I. Consultative Conference in Gujarat in December 1983. Additionally, he served as Regional Representative on the Central Committee of the Evangelical Teachers' Fellowship of India.
One of his significant contributions was the establishment of the Gideons International Martandam Camp in 1980, which has distributed nearly two lakh New Testaments in and around Martandam. Edwin also served as a Secretary at the Y.M.C.A., where he worked as Assistant Boys Work Secretary for the South Tamil Area and as Programme Secretary in Tirupattur, North Arcot.
Standing First Young Jaya singh paul and next one is Edwin J paul
In 1962, he completed his Bachelor of Education (B.T.) at Alagappa Chettiar Training College in Karaikudy, after which he served in the Madras Education Service for five years. In 1967, he joined Christian College, Martandam, as a Lecturer in the History Department, retiring as a professor in 1988 after serving for over two decades. During his tenure, he also served as the Chaplain of the college for five years and was an examiner for M.Phil. students in 1987. Edwin attended various leadership and training programs, including the Y.M.C.A. Secretaries Training Course in 1960-1961, Leadership Training at Andhra Theological College in 1982, and the Haggai Leadership Training in Singapore in 1978. He also visited Rome and Israel in June 1990.
As a preacher, Edwin began his ministry at a young age, preaching in churches, conventions, and fasting prayer meetings. He has translated sermons from various international speakers and remains active in attending monthly fasting prayers for Evangelists. He participated in the three-day fasting prayer at Tirupattur in September 1990, led by Bro. Sam Jebathurai and others.
A committed Christian, Edwin has maintained a disciplined life of prayer, meditation, and exercise, with his primary recreation being reading the Bible and spiritual books by authors like F.B. Meyer, Andrew Murray, Oral Roberts, and T.L. Osborn.
Edwin is married to Mrs. Ida Paul, M.A., M.Ed., who worked as the Assistant Headmistress of the C.S.I. Girls Higher Secondary School in Martandam. They have a son and a daughter. Their son, Dr. Suresh J. Paul, M.B.B.S., D.O., is the Director of the Suresh Eye Hospital. Their daughter, Mrs. Sujaya Dev, B.E., lives with her husband and children at Trivendrum. Er. S.D. Dev, M.Tech, is a retired Director of Indian Space Research Organisation.
Through his life of service and commitment to the Lord, Edwin J. Paul has made invaluable contributions to the church, education, and the Christian community. He continues to serve with a deep desire to train the younger generation in evangelism and spiritual growth, trusting in God’s guidance for future opportunities to serve and be a blessing to others.
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