The Legacy of Kenneth G. Donald in India:
A Study of the Missiological Implications
Introduction
The progenitors of a race and the pioneers of a movement are
often remembered as ‘Fathers’. They instill inspiration for the successors, and
foster a sense of destiny among successive generations. The Church from the
very first century of her existence had ignited the flame of missions. This
happened as the disciples of Christ obeyed His Great Commission. They found
their way to different corners of the earth taking the light of the Gospel to
many people groups of the world. The flickering flame of missions had shone
brighter during succeeding centuries. The Gospel of the Kingdom was being
preached to all nations during late nineteenth century and early twentieth
century. This was in fulfillment of the prediction of Jesus Christ: “And this gospel of the kingdom will
be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end
will come” (Matthew 24:14 – NKJV). And there is the challenging history
of the Apostles of Jesus Christ and the Church Fathers thereafter.
M. K. Gandhi, who launched and invigorated the Indian Freedom
Struggle, has been called the Father of the Nation. William Carey, who rendered
unique service in the fields of Indian languages and literature, and, education
and social reform, has been acclaimed the Father of the Modern Missionary
Movement. In relation to over 100 years of service to the nation by the
Pentecostal Holiness Church, two names stand out, who are fondly remembered:
1)
John M. Turner, Father of the
Pentecostal Holiness Church in India, labored since 1920 in the present
Jharkhand State for the social, economic and spiritual upliftment of the
masses.
2)
Kenneth G. Donald, Father of the
Pentecostal Holiness Church in South India, initiated an ongoing movement of
equipping and empowering next generation leaders.
This
paper endeavors to present the legacy of Kenneth G. Donald in India with an
evaluation of his missiological strategies at the end.
The Advent of
Pentecostal Holiness Church in India
Pentecostal Holiness Church, with her genesis in the U.S.A. in
1898, was an offspring of the Wesleyan Holiness Movement of the late 19th
century, and as such, is older than the Modern Pentecostal Movement. The Manual
(2013-2017) elucidates, “As its distinctive contribution to contemporary
Christianity, this church has attempted to preserve the Wesleyan tradition
while perpetuating the Pentecostal tradition.”
Bishop J. H. King’s global tour in 1910 was the beginning of Pentecostal
Holiness presence in India, as he spent considerable time in this land. His
dream for India took on initial fulfillment when John and Olivia Turner landed
in Kolkata in 1921. A detailed saga of the trail of missionaries since then from
the U.S.A., Canada and the U.K., and their contribution to human welfare,
educational upliftment and spiritual nurture of the masses was recounted in my
book, Setting Stones: An Interpretive
History of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in India.
Early Roots of the
Donalds in India
Kenneth Donald was a great Apostle of God from the U.K. to
India. Though an Englishman by birth, he chose to be an Indian by choice.
Born on March 7, 1917 at Coventry, England to George William and Betty Donald,
he responded to the Gospel around 15 years of age. He married Joan Elsie on
August 15, 1942, and later used to quip that on the day when India got her
freedom, he lost his!
After discharge from the army, where Kenneth served in medical corps for 6
years, the Donalds felt the call for missions. Bible Colleges in England did
not accept couples those days; they both took a correspondence course. They
finally landed in India in February 1950 in faith, as independent missionaries.
Having initial fellowship with Dipti Mission, they began language study to
learn Hindi at Landour, Mussoorie, Here they met missionaries of all
denominations. In the midst of about 300, the five missionaries belonging to
the Pentecostal Holiness Church stood out, on account of their experience and
teaching of entire sanctification and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Thus they were drawn to join the
Pentecostal Holiness Church, which had its beginnings in India, at Jasidih of
the united Bihar.
Though Kenneth and Joan, started their
mission in Jharkhand in North India (where they labored for 8
years) as J.M. Turner and his successors did,
he completed his mission in Ootacamund, Tamilnadu (another
8 years), sandwiched by about 16 years of labors among Telugus in
united Andhra Pradesh. He came to Maruter village in February
1958 to pioneer and labor in Andhra Pradesh.
As Apostle Paul, he planted many churches in the twin Godavary Districts
and beyond, identifying with people and becoming ‘all things to all’.
Later he went further down to Tamilnadu in October 1974 to
finally locate in the highest altitude of their lives in India - geographically
and spiritually: geographically, as they set their tents in the hill station of
Ootacamund; and spiritually, as they soared high in spiritual revival and compassionate
ministration to the needy. This brought deliverance and inner healing to many.
Apostle of Pentecost to
the Blue Mountains
Kenneth believed that there is no
real success without a successor. The highlight of his ministry was his
decision to leave the work he established into the hands of national leadership.
He moved down to South to pitch their tent initially at Montauban
(a property
purchased by a Christian Missionary organization around 1906). For over 100
years Montauban has been running as a Christian Guest House. Kenneth held
regular meetings and conferences there and in other places in Ootacamund.
Spirit-filled preachers and leaders like William Scott and others were invited
periodically.
The Church in Ootacamund in early 1970’s, when Donalds arrived,
was not exposed to any Pentecostal experience or Charismatic influence. In all probability, the Donalds seem to be
pioneers of the Pentecostal Movement in the Blue Mountains. As a bold Apostle
of the Pentecost, he initiated charismatic worship and ministrations among the
few who were responsive to deeper things of the Spirit. The church climate was
hostile and ostracizing to the new teaching and the new experience. However, St.
Stephen’s Church (CSI) opened up to the ministry of Kenneth Donald, and it was
this church that held a memorial meeting in his honor, after his home going.
Apart from those who sought deeper life and spiritual
growth, many people with inner hurts came in frustration and depression only to
receive a new release and a new life, as the Holy Spirit did a deeper work in
their lives. ‘Ananda Ashram’, meaning Abode of Joy, where they stayed most
during their sojourn, gave them much gladness as they kept it an ‘open house’
for any seeking refuge and relief through ‘inner healing’. The caring
ministration of Joan Donald, like a ‘mother in Israel’ added a much-needed dimension
to the work. There was much spiritual counseling and intercession for the needy
that people literally thronged to the Ashram.
A Movement Rather
Than a Monument
Kenneth
dreamed of having an educational institution with Pentecostal Holiness heritage
developed at Ananda Ashram with the help of the products of his ministry in
Andhra. It remained a dream until after a decade of his home going. The day
came when B. A. D. Vidya Sagar donated a piece of land for a Memorial Center,
and Donald Vidya Niketan, a Kindergarten School was started at Maruter in 1992.
However, it became inevitable for the venue of such a Memorial to be shifted to
Hyderabad. Ultimately Bishop B. E. Underwood dedicated Donald Memorial Ashram
on November 14, 1993. It became the venue for Donald Memorial Church, Donald
Memorial High School and later Hyderabad Bible College, which hosted Asian
Ministerial Training Program: India (AMTP India) for about 12 years - training
national leaders across the four Conferences in India. The College serves as
venue for the School of Church Planting since 2007, apart from regular
theological education. A new dimension was added to the Ashram when Bishop
Talmadge Gardner dedicated Joan’s Haven Boarding School, as a fitting memorial
for Joan Donald, in 2014.
Joan’s Will
Over
27 years Joan had been a widow, she served the Lord alone in U.K., helping with
local churches near where she lived, personally touching many lives, through
her ministry of counseling and intercession. An outstanding breakthrough came
at the end of her first 8-year cycle as a widow. Joan led Mrs. Mavis Gentry, on her deathbed, to
the Lord. As the latter “inherited the
glorious riches of heaven, she bequeathed her earthly property to the ministry
in India. It was this single
contribution that bought the original property at the Donald Ashram”. Her beloved husband ministered to the very
last day of his life, pouring out into the lives of his ‘ministers in the
making’ in South India! She followed his
trail, being effectively used by the Lord till her last breath. Even in her death, Joan longed to be a
blessing to the Church in India – making a large room for India in her Will!
Continuing to be a blessing even after death to the land she was called!
Missiological Implications
What are the missiological implications of this study?
Certain insights and implications may be drawn from the life and ministry of
Kenneth Donald, and his wife Joan, which are paradigm setters and signposts for
successive generations.
1) From North to the South!
With
its start in Bihar, the ‘graveyard of missionaries’, Pentecostal Holiness
Church blossomed forth life and light of the Gospel among the many tribes and
people groups of North India. It was providential for her to have a leap beyond
into the South, a distance of over 1000 miles, when Hobert H. Howard landed at
Maruter in West Godavary District. He went to explore the need for ministry at
the invitation of a native, whom he met at ‘Kumbanad Convention’ in Kerala in
1955. In the recorded history of missions in India, Pentecostal Holiness Church
is the only mission that, having its beginnings in North India, had spread to
South India, while it was vice versa with other denominations. As Bishop King’s
visit to India was followed by the arrival of resident missionaries after a
decade, the visit of Hobert Howard and others after him was followed by the
arrival of Donalds in 1958, and two other single ladies thereafter, as resident
missionaries in Andhra Pradesh.
2) Calling - To A Task or A Place?
Of the 40 years of their married life together, the first eight
years were spent in the U.K. preparing for mission field, the second eight
years spent in Bihar, the next sixteen years spent in Andhra Pradesh, planting
churches and training future workers, and the last eight years spent in
Ootacamund in South India, ministering to the wider body of Christ. It was as if the Lord had calculatedly
measured 5 equal portions of about 8-year duration, for each of these
progressive phases of their ministry together. The double amount of time they
invested in Andhra Pradesh established the Pentecostal Holiness Church in South
India and beyond.
While in Andhra Pradesh, having established the first
mission station at Maruter, the Donalds moved to Attili town to start another
mission station, as other missionaries continued at Maruter. While most of the
missionaries ended up in the place where they were originally called to,
Kenneth felt that the call could not be to a place – binding a missionary to
that place forever – but to a task. The duration of a missionary at a place,
therefore, is to be determined by the completion of the task and accomplishment
of the purpose, for which one is sent there. Having moved to his last station
of ministry himself, Kenneth affected the move of the only existing missionary,
Frances Carter to Chennai when Rev. B. A. D. Vidyasagar launched a new Church
Plant in early 1980’s. Sensitivity to where one is needed most, with no
localization of missions and missionaries, is seen in the history of Protestant
missions in Andhra Pradesh where the principle of ‘comity’
was in effective operation.
3) Team Work!
Teamwork signifies the nature of the
Body of Christ, with many members and differing roles. Kenneth realized that no
lone ranger would fare well for long in the mission of the Church. Being a
wonderful and unique team with his wife, he further worked well with other missionaries
in South India, and beyond. Though he preserved the Pentecostal Holiness
distinctives, Kenneth endeavored to maintain good relationships with all from
the beginning – Plymouth Brethren of the Godavari Delta Mission (GDM) around
Narsapur, American Baptist missionaries of Ongole, Lutheran missionaries of
Rajahmundry, and Anglican missionaries of the Church of South India (CSI) at
Vijayawada – sharing pulpit with their missionaries and national leaders. The Adult Literacy Programs of Mrs. Joyce
Scott were made use of with the literature of Gera Premaiah. The Scripture
Union & Children’s Special Service Mission (SU & CSSM) staff from
Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC), Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches
(STBC), CSI and the GDM found their place in the churches planted by Kenneth. He
was a promoter of ecumenical spirit among churches, fostering Christian unity.
4) Training the Task Force!
It is said that leaders are readers.
It is expected of a man of God that he be thoroughly equipped and teachable. As
Kenneth believed and preached, one can give only what one has! As we become lifetime
learners, we become equipped to equip others! It was amazing to see that
Kenneth, who served in backward Indian villages, was an avid reader and a
shrewd writer. He contributed widely to the denominational publications such as
Worldorama, and Advocate, as well as to devotional publications such as Logos Digest and Dunamis Digest and missiological journals such as Evangelical Missions Quarterly.
The Discipling Formula of 2 Timothy 2:2
was the guiding light for Kenneth, as he focused his labors around winning
souls and discipling them through various ministries, such as Sunday School
(with CEEFI Curriculum), Life Liners
(Youth Ministry), Women’s Ministry, Short-term Bible School, and Correspondence
Course (on Mark’s Gospel) administered by Spiritual Progress Bible School.
Pastors’ Retreats are pivotal in the training strategy adopted by Kenneth in
later years, which proved essential since his move to Ootacamund. They fostered
bond of fellowship among Pastors, and also with the missionary as he identified
with nationals. They further helped in resolving inner struggles and
personality conflicts among the Body of Christ.
Four Retreats in the last five years
of his life are significant, as recorded below:
1)
In 1978 the Ootacamund Retreat was held
after his move there in 1974. All the ministers in the making from Andhra
Pradesh gathered at YWCA Guest House with the adjacent Chapel, and there was a
wonderful time of ministry by B. E. Underwood, John B. Parker and Dr. Vinson
Synan.
2)
In
1979
the Maruter Retreat took place in February, when Kenneth gave studies on
Galatians, which were posthumously published.
Apart from background study, Kenneth delivered powerful messages on deeper
spiritual themes.
3)
In
1981
at the Maruter Retreat, Kenneth shared his studies on ‘Ministries of the Holy
Spirit’, which he presented at the First Session of Centre for International
Christian Ministries (CICM), London.
4)
Kenneth’s
Final
Retreat with Pastors took place at Dhyanashram, Chennai during July 28-31,
1982. The things he shared on the second day were the grand ‘finale’ of his
life and message.
These
Retreats and other teachings by Kenneth had ushered an emerging generation of
national leaders that continues to multiply his ministry.
Conclusion
Reproducing oneself is the ultimate
responsibility of a mature leader, and Kenneth as a seasoned leader had
equipped many next-level leaders well. Obedience to divine direction and
guidance would yield rich results here and in eternity. Pioneering pains would
sure do usher in the joy of consummation and fulfillment. Being a model for others
is the prime objective of our Christian walk and service. All these principles
were lived by Kenneth before the people he ministered.
One of Kenneth’s profound messages was
on 1 Corinthians 4:15 – “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in
Christ, yet you do not have many fathers …”. The agony for such a dearth must
have molded him to be one, and he became a spiritual father to all. The
successive generations aptly and in gratitude call him as ‘Father of the
Pentecostal Holiness Church in South India’.
B. S.
Moses Kumar, Ph.D.
About the Author:
Dr. B. S. Moses Kumar is a triple graduate, with Masters in Arts and in Pastoral Theology, and a Ph.D. His dissertation, The Religious Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins: A Theological Perspective was published by ISPCK, Delhi and his seminal work, Setting Stones: An Interpretive History of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in India was
published by LSR Publications, Franklin Springs, Georgia. Dr. Kumar for his Ph.D. in Theology penned the dissertation Incarnation of the Gospel in Indian Culture With Reference to the Art and Poetry of Pulidindi Solomon Raj. Dr.
Kumar is the Field Superintendent for IPHC India. He and his wife Dora
are the pioneer-pastors of the Donald Church, and live with their
youngest son Donald at the Donald Ashram, Hyderabad, India. He also
serves as president of the Hyderabad Bible College. http://www.nativeleader.org/moses-kumar
The principle of
comity “demarcated territorial boundaries between missionaries of
various societies in order to use personnel
efficiently, reduce the duplication of activities,
and avert competition”.
Themes like Freedom of the Gospel, Ministry with Oneness, Walking
in the Spirit, and
Worship
that Glorifies God.
Secunderabad: Authentic India, 2008.
This
Book presents themes like Reliance on the Holy Spirit, Ministering with
Compassion,
Dealing
with Fear, Moving out with a New Power, According to the Measure of Faith,
and
so on.
