Since 1969 - the history of JMHA

Start of the ministry
Joseph Annamali, the son of a Hindu priest, accepted Jesus Christ in 1957, in the region of Omalur, a town near Salem city, Tamil Nadu. He was the first protestant evangelical Christian in the region and his whole family came to know Christ through his witness. Through the years, his wife has had four sons. Currently, his son Rev Glory Dhas is the leader of the association.

In 1969, JMHA was started as a church and an orphanage. Through the ministry thousands of people have been baptised - a sign of serious change and commitment to Christianity. At one point, pastor Joseph and his family took in a small child abandoned by its mother in the hospital where he worked as a warden. Since then, the ministry of raising children to love the Lord has continued, now in three orphanages. The main desire however, that pastor Joseph and all involved with JMHA have, is to see people saved, and churches planted in un-reached and remote parts of rural South India.

As a result of their faith in God JMHA carries out many other good works for the poor and is a government registered charitable society, and is linked to the IMA (India Missions Association). The main aim, work and goal of JMHA is to see people receive the salvation that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Provision for the work of JMHA comes entirely from above, with every month being a miraculous provision of finances from God for: the many full time staff, the orphanage children, the running of a hospital and healthcare centres, day care centres for village children, pastoral networking and conferences, pastoral training centre, church planting, and the monthly magazine keeping everyone in the loop with advancements.

Left - RC Chettiputty needy childrens home 30 years ago.

So what has happened so far in JMHA's 39 years?

Below are just some examples of how God's work through JMHA has furthered the Kingdom of God on this earth. There are many many other testimonies and examples, too many to be written down, of how God has been working through his people in this region of India.

• So far there have been about 40 church congregations planted.
• There are 33 full time workers around JMHA projects. In the wider ministers fellowship network, over 250 pastors are linked.
• So far over 3000 people have been baptised through JMHA churches.
• The leadership-training centre has successfully taken in its fourth year of students.
• JMHA now has four campus areas which, as well as being church plants, are used for service to those in need in surrounding areas.
• Hundreds of children have graduated from JMHA's caring homes for those children in need. They have a stable background and good education for life.
• JMHA has become known for its good work around the world through various ministries such as Viva Network, YMCA, Indian Missions Association, Micah's Call International and other individual ministries in New Zealand, the UK and the USA.
• JMHA have received a government award for its work to the poor and low caste peoples in its area.