The A.G. Tamilnadu Bible College (AGTBC) was founded in 1948 by missionary Oliver L. Foth of the USA. It was the first Pentecostal Bible college in Tamil Nadu, and for 75 years it has trained the pastors and leaders behind the growth of the Assemblies of God across the state.
A vision for India
Oliver Foth came to India from the United States in 1948 with a burning conviction: India would be reached with the gospel by Indians, so Indians had to be trained. While on a summer break in Coonoor he met Rev. M. Benjamin and shared his dream of a Bible college in Madurai. Together they opened it that same year in a small rented house on Mothilal Second Street, near Arappalayam.
In 1948 the college also bought about an acre of land at Kalavasal, on what is now the Madurai bypass road. Simple classrooms with coconut-thatched roofs went up, and lessons began. Oliver Foth served as principal for the first three years, and other missionaries taught and led the college after him.
Learning by doing
From the start, students did not only study. Every weekend they went out in evangelism to Arappalayam and the surrounding areas, putting into practice what they learned in class.
In 1951 Sunday worship began on the campus, in a simple tiled-roof chapel where students, teachers' families, missionaries and local believers worshipped together. That small gathering grew into a strong church. Pastor S. S. Stephen, who joined the college in 1961 as teacher, warden and interpreter for the missionaries, pastored it until 1967, followed by Dr. C. Zachariah (1968–69) and Rev. P. S. Rajamoni (1969–76).
In 1973 the college bought 40 cents of land opposite the campus, and in 1976 a new church building was completed there. It became the first Assemblies of God church in the city of Madurai, and it still serves thousands of believers. Through students' weekend ministry across Madurai district, hundreds more churches were planted. Today they form five sections of the Assemblies of God in the district.
From school to college
The college was first called the Tamil Bible School. In 1963, under Dr. Clarence T. Maloney, it became the Tamil Bible Institute, offering the Certificate in Theology (C.Th.). In 1982 it was upgraded to college level as the Assemblies of God Tamilnadu Bible College, and until 1993 it offered the three-year Graduate in Theology (G.Th.).
Miss Colleen Guinn, principal for most of the years from 1967 to 1977, built much of the college's structure: an improved curriculum, a proper administration of principal, faculty, office and kitchen staff, and a strong emphasis on discipline, punctuality and spiritual life. Miss Fern Ogle served alongside her.
Rev. Paul Williams was the last missionary principal. In 1978 the leadership passed into Indian hands, with Dr. C. Zachariah as principal. After Rev. P. S. Rajamoni (1979–81), Dr. Zachariah led the college again from 1981 to 2008, laying a lasting foundation in both academics and spiritual life.
Degrees, extension and modular study
The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) and Diploma in Theology (Dip.Th.) were introduced in 1991, and from 1992 they were accredited by the Asia Theological Association, giving the college international recognition.
In 1989 Rev. Y. Jeyaraj, then superintendent of the Tamil District Assemblies of God, carried a vision to plant 500 new churches across Tamil Nadu in ten years. Five hundred churches needed five hundred workers. He shared the burden with Dr. C. Zachariah and Rev. P. S. Rajamoni, and the college's Extension Centres were born, taking theological training out to the churches. Thousands of workers have since been trained through them.
Under Dr. Samuelraj, principal until 2015, new classrooms and student rooms were built above the dining hall and the modular programme began, letting people in ministry study at the college for one week each month.
Leadership today
Dr. L. Jeyabalan became principal in 2008, followed by Dr. Samuelraj. In 2015 Dr. Rajasekar came from South Asia Bible College, Bengaluru, to lead the college, and in 2019 Dr. Edward Jeyajothi became principal. In 2022 Rev. Stanley Manickaraj, a former teacher and secretary of the Tamil District Assemblies of God, took up the role.
In 2023 a new administrative structure was formed, with Rev. Stephen Y. Jeyaraj as head of the college and Rev. A. Charles as principal. The Diamond Jubilee and the 75th Graduation in 2026 took shape under their leadership.
More than 2,500 people have graduated from the college in 75 years, and about 90% of the Assemblies of God ministers in the Tamil District trained here.
Our graduates serve across Tamil Nadu and India, and in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Gulf countries and the West.
Principals since 1948
| Years | Principal |
|---|---|
| 1948–1951 | Rev. Oliver Foth |
| 1951–1955 | Rev. Heath Lowry |
| 1955–1958 | Rev. C. W. Roberts |
| 1958 | Rev. Abel |
| 1958–1959 | Miss Ranji Masilamani |
| 1959–1960 | Rev. Victor Joseph |
| 1960–1961 | Miss Ellen Ester |
| 1961–1962 | Rev. John Wright |
| 1962–1963 | Rev. Ernest Sarbo |
| 1963–1965 | Dr. Clarence T. Maloney |
| 1965–1967 | Rev. Ernest Sarbo |
| 1967–1972 | Miss Colleen Guinn |
| 1972–1973 | Rev. David Stewart Sr. |
| 1973–1977 | Miss Colleen Guinn |
| 1977–1978 | Rev. Paul Williams |
| 1978–1979 | Rev. Dr. C. Zachariah |
| 1979–1981 | Rev. P. S. Rajamoni |
| 1981–2008 | Rev. Dr. C. Zachariah |
| 2008–2011 | Rev. Dr. L. Jeyabalan |
| 2011–2015 | Dr. Samuelraj |
| 2015–2019 | Dr. Rajasekar |
| 2019–2022 | Dr. Edward Jeyajothi |
| 2022–2023 | Rev. Stanley Manickaraj |
| 2023– | Rev. A. Charles |
From the Master's Memory
It was in April 1968 that I joined the Tamil Bible Institute as an interpreter for the missionaries. There were 22 students in all: 15 in the first year, 5 in the second and 2 in the third. There were four full-time teachers, one part-time teacher and two interpreters.
This institution has played a vital role in preparing students for the ministry. The late Dr. Y. Jeyaraj, Rev. Adam Durai, Rev. K. C. Andrews, Dr. C. Zachariah and P. S. Rajamoni were students.
In 1970, one morning during the chapel service, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon the students. They were weeping, praising and praying in the chapel, and the day was spent in confession and reconciliation. There were many prophetic utterances: "This place is a pond. Many will come and drink the water." Yes, it has come true. Today we have more than 1,500 AG churches in Tamil Nadu, and missionaries in North India and elsewhere.
Rev. Dr. L. Jeyabalan, former principal, in the 75th Graduation souvenir (extract, lightly edited)
Read the full story, in Tamil and English, in Thus Far, the 75th Graduation souvenir, and see more pictures in the photo gallery.