Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church
(Andhra Suvisesha Lutheran Sangham)

Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church is one of the largest Lutheran churches in Asia. It has an estimated 1.5 million congregational members. There are more than 5000 congregations and 500 pastors serving in this church. Serving the poor is the motive of the church. AELC serves the people through education, medicine and social service.

ANDHRA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (AELC) The Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church is one of the biggest Lutheran Church in India and the third largest Lutheran Church in Asia. Its headquarters is situated in Guntur, one of the richly populated cities in Andhra Pradesh. Though AELC was constituted in 1927, the spade work was done by two different missionary societies: the Guntur Mission by John Christian Frederic K. Heyer of Pennsylvania Synod Society on July 31, 1842 and Rajahmundry Mission by Rev. Luis P. Manno Valett of North German Missionary Society in July 1845. In 1927 both these Missions came under the responsibility of AELC. At present it spreads over 500 miles of the Coromandel Coast (east coast of India) covering the important cities and districts in Andhra Pradesh and having a congregational membership of more than 450,000 in around 400 parishes. The strong edifice built by the missionaries for the growth of education is still being continued by AELC. It also concentrates on diaconal works such as Establishment of Hospitals, Emancipation of Women's Status, Rural Development Projects and Mother & Child Health Programme.

The  AELC is considered the third largest Lutheran church in Asia. It is served by 500 ordained pastors and a large number of workers in areas of evangelism, education, health, and other diaconic ministries. The AELC's work is mainly in the state of Andhra Pradesh, a Telugu-speaking region. Evangelism is carried out through film, radio, and personal work. Bible women are effective in gaining access to Hindu and Muslim homes. The AELC runs 500 Sunday schools. Over 30,000 women regularly study the Bible and promote the Christian faith. Five ashrams give people of various castes and ethnic backgrounds opportunities to live and study together.

The church operates a college of education, 19 secondary schools, a school of law, and cooperates in running an interdenominational college. For vocational training, it operates an agricultural school, a sewing school, two industrial schools for boys and girls, and a Bible school.

The Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church once had eight hospitals, products of the work of pioneer missionary Dr. Anna S. Kugler of Philadelphia. Beginning in 1883, her work attracted many influential Indian women and men. In recent years, many of the hospitals have been turned over to the government, but the AELC continues to operate two. The AELC works with people suffering from leprosy, and includes health education in its community development work. The Christian Medical College and Hospital in the city of Vellore is a major center for healing and teaching.

Two important theological schools are located in AELC territory. The United Theological College in Bangalore, founded in 1910, is the main Protestant institution for graduate theological studies. It has one of the best theological libraries in Asia. The Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Center in Madras relates to all Lutheran churches in India. It has a strong program relating to issues of urbanization and an accredited women's study program.

The AELC is one of ten members of the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India. The UELCI is a member of the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia. The UELCI carries out mission development in India, and has also become a member of the United Mission to Nepal.

CLICK HERE for more information

Bishop/President Most Rev. Dr. Suneel Bhanu, Busi Moderator Bishop

Location Indian states: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

Headquarter Guntur

Languages Telugu

Member: 1.5 million (approx.)

Church Worker 500 pastors

Church Structure 6 Synods Visakha, East Godavari, West Godavari, East Guntur, Central Guntur, West Guntur, 5000 congregations

Memberships Lutheran World Federation (LWF), since 1950

World Council of Churches (WCC)

United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI)

National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)

Christian Conference of Asia (CCA)