32 local churches. Under the prayerful
vision of Bishop Ezra, and to the glory of
God, ECI numbered 1,000 churches by
1998. During their 1000th church celebration in 1998, 2,231 new converts were baptized and added
to the ECI community, the largest
baptism in India in the last century.
During his 44-year tenure as
Bishop-President for ECI, Ezra led
in planting 17,000 ECI churches
and house churches with a community of 500,000 believers. He
also led the establishment of
100 primary and secondary
schools, numerous vocational training
centers, 13 theological seminaries and
Bible schools, and ECI’s mission outreach, the Indian Missionary Movement
(IMM). Today, IMM supports more than
900 workers serving among unreached tribal groups.
Through the years, Bishop
Sargunam’s focus has been steadfast on evangelism, discipleship,
and church planting among the
marginalized and underprivileged
people in the urban slums and remote tribal villages. Under Ezra’s
leadership, ECI also embraced a
holistic ministry, never hesitating
to rush to the aid of victims of natural
disasters, raising hundreds of thousands
of dollars in aid and providing practical
help to thousands of victims.
Dr. Sargunam has concluded
his tenure as Bishop-President,
and reticently accepted the title
Father Bishop bestowed upon him
by the All India Conference, the
highest governing body of ECI.
When asked what he will do now
in this new chapter of his life, he
said, “I will give myself to the tribal
ministry. My only ambition in life
is to live for Jesus, live for others,
and not for myself. I want to die
evangelizing and planting churches.”
photos page 8, top: Entrance to Allahabad Bible
Seminary inset: Ezra Sargunam attends a seminary
graduation. photos page 9, top: Ezra and Mangalam
Sargunam. bottom: Ezra distributes food and
clothing to flood victims (Dec. 2015).
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