The Pentecostal Mission

The Pentecostal Mission (TPM) or New Testament Church (NTC) in the United States or Universal
Pentecostal Church (UPC) in the United Kingdom is a Pentecostal denomination that was founded in
Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1923. The international headquarters is now situated in Irumbuliyur,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. There are over 37 million members across the world. It now has churches in
over 65 countries operating under various names. It was before known as Ceylon Pentecostal Mission
(CPM).

History
The church was founded by Pastor Paul Ramankutty, who was born to Hindu parents in the district of
Trichur in Kerala, India. While in Sri Lanka, at the age of 18, he became a Christian. Later, he felt a strong
call and began to preach and share the gospel in various parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka,
working with other evangelists. In 1923 he founded the church with the name Ceylon Pentecostal Mission,
later changed to The Pentecostal Mission.[1]

School
The congregation in Sri Lanka operates a school for secular studies known as C.P.M Faith School in
Wattala in Columbo.

Church leadership
The church is led by a Chief Pastor (currently Pastor Abraham Mathew). In addition, there is a Deputy
Chief Pastor (currently Pastor M.T. Thomas) and an Associate Deputy Chief Pastor (currently Pastor G.
Jeyam).

In the United States, most of the church work was pioneered by the late Pastor Don M Spiers, who had
previously worked closely with Oral Roberts.[2] Pastor Gregg Wilson now heads the work in USA and
countries around the USA. He is assisted by the sister-in-charge, Sister Lisa Billow.

Full-time ministers are expected to practice an ascetic lifestyle including celibacy, obedience to the elder
pastors, and communal living (including disposal of private possessions) in faith homes. TPM churches are
run by full-time ministers who are celibate and predominantly single. Married couples who enter full-time
ministry can become celibate and may be sent to different locations by the TPM leadership if they so
choose.

Doctrines and teachings

The doctrines of the church broadly align with trinitarian Pentecostalism.[3]

Magazine ministry
Magazines are produced in several languages. The English language magazine published in India is called
The Voice of Pentecost. Pilgrim's Journal is published and printed in the USA. Other English language
magazines are Pentecostal Messenger from Malaysia, The Youth Herald from Singapore, Power Divine
from Sri Lanka, and Trumpet of the Lord from the UK.

Church Magazines are being published in more than forty Indian languages and other foreign languages.
Malayalam magazine Pentecost is one of the oldest Pentecostal magazines from Kerala. A Hindi edition of
Pentecost Ki Wani published from New Delhi, a Tamil edition named Pentecosthin Peroli from Irumbilyur
(Chennai), Pentecost-Chi Vaani from Mumbai, "Kadavari varshapu dwani" from Hyderabad, and
Pentecost Da Sneha from Dhariwal (Punjab) are also produced.

See also
Christianity in Sri Lanka

References
1. "DoT | About" (http://www.doctrineoftruth.com/about/main.html). Doctrineoftruth.com.
Retrieved 19 October 2013.
2. "Oral Roberts" (http://www.futurliner.com/or_road.htm). Futurliner.com. Retrieved 19 October
2013.
3. "Basic Doctrines of Christ" (https://web.archive.org/web/20131024133756/http://voiceofpent
ecost.blogspot.com/2008/10/basic-doctrines-of-christ.html). PENTECOST VOICE. 28
October 2008. Archived from the original (http://voiceofpentecost.blogspot.com/2008/10/basi
c-doctrines-of-christ.html) on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.

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