The Department of City Mission, Diocese of Madras, faithfully carries forward the sacred mission of the Church in the rapidly growing urban and peri-urban regions of Chennai.
Director
Rev. Irwin Arthur Jesudoss S
Associate Director
Prakash P N
Under the anointed and visionary leadership of our Respected and Beloved Bishop in Madras, Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Paul Francis Ravichandran, the Department of City Mission, Diocese of Madras, faithfully carries forward the sacred mission of the Church in the rapidly growing urban and peri-urban regions of Chennai. Guided by prayerful discernment, commitment to the Gospel, and compassion for the poor and marginalized, the Department seeks to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, establish vibrant Christ-centred worshipping communities, and bring hope, transformation, and the fullness of life to communities.
The Department functions through a coordinated leadership structure comprising the Director, Associate Director, and Mission Coordinator, working together with Missionaries serving in the mission fields. Its ministry focuses on church planting, strengthening mission fields, mobilizing human and financial resources, developing missionary support, and making mission a movement of the whole Church.
With the vision “வளரும் சென்னையில் மலரும் திருச்சபைகள் – Churches Flourishing in a Growing Chennai,” the Department reaches emerging urban and peri-urban communities through identified Rapid Mission Zones covering the Vandalur–Poonamallee–Nemilicherry–Padiyanallur–Minjur corridor, Adyar–Mahabalipuram (OMR), and Vandalur–Walajabad regions.
The Department combines Gospel proclamation with holistic ministry through medical camps, tuition centres, Sunday Schools, women’s meetings, senior citizens’ ministry, vocational training, Vision Divine evangelism, and street ministry. It also gives special attention to urban slum transformation, addressing spiritual, social, educational, health, and livelihood needs. Through these ministries, the Department seeks to expand the boundaries of the Diocese of Madras and advance the Kingdom of God.
A faith-based initiative to create awareness and mobilize resources for land purchase and Church planting. Special offertory envelopes, Lenten Hundi collections, fellowship sale stalls, family and individual contributions support this mission objective.
A major mission initiative focused on creating awareness and mobilizing resources for land purchase and Church planting.
Under the guidance and prayerful leadership of our Respected & Beloved Bishop in Madras, Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Paul Francis Ravichandran, the Department has purchased land in rural mission fields for Church planting and is preparing to purchase land in 20 additional locations to establish new Churches and worshipping communities.
The Department seeks to involve the whole Church in God’s mission by equipping Clergy, Mission Leaders, Lay Leaders, Mission Convenors, and congregations through awareness, training, prayer, and active participation.
Mission leaders, lay leaders, mission convenors, and congregations are equipped and empowered through prayerful training and mission-oriented guidance to participate actively in evangelism, discipleship, Church planting, and community transformation.
The Department encourages believers, families, congregations, and well-wishers to participate through faithful and sacrificial giving towards Church planting, land purchase, and mission development.
Strategic mission outreach is being developed across rapidly expanding urban and peri-urban regions, including Vandalur – Poonamallee, Poonamallee – Nemilicherry, Nemilicherry – Padiyanallur, Padiyanallur – Minjur, Adyar–Mahabalipuram (OMR), and Vandalur – Walajabad.
The Department engages urban slum communities through Gospel proclamation and holistic development, addressing spiritual, social, educational, health, and livelihood needs and seeking meaningful community transformation.
Based on field research, the Department addresses challenges including poverty, lack of health and hygiene, ignorance, social factors, lack of knowledge and skills, and spiritual needs through a faith-centred and holistic approach.
Regular medical outreach provides basic healthcare services to underserved communities. A Sunday medical camp is conducted at Ambedkar Nagar, CSI Christ Church, Alandur Pastorate.
Morning and evening Sunday School sessions provide opportunities for spiritual formation and Gospel outreach, engaging children and families beyond the existing Church community.
Regular Women’s Meetings provide opportunities for fellowship, spiritual growth, encouragement, and empowerment, strengthening women’s participation in the life and mission of the Church.
Tuition Centres provide academic support and educational development for children in the mission areas, helping strengthen their educational opportunities and development.
The Department provides pastoral care, fellowship, spiritual encouragement, and support for senior citizens, enabling them to remain connected with the Church and community.
Vision Divine is a dedicated evangelistic outreach initiative focused on proclaiming the Gospel and engaging unreached communities, encouraging people towards faith, discipleship, and participation in the Church.
Conducted twice a month in collaboration with members of CSI St. George’s Cathedral, Chennai, this ministry takes the Gospel beyond the Church through singing, public witness, prayer, tract distribution, and personal evangelism.
Conducted every Thursday from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., the programme focuses on Biblical teaching, value-based education, leadership formation, skill development, and holistic empowerment, reflecting the promise of fullness of life in Christ.
The Department seeks to identify, train, and develop Mission Influencers among youth, women, and senior citizens, empowering them to become effective witnesses of Christ and catalysts for mission engagement in their families and communities.
In response to the growing mission field, the Department seeks to strengthen missionary presence, including the appointment of additional Missionaries and Women Missionaries, particularly for evangelism, discipleship, pastoral care, counselling, women’s ministry, and community transformation.
The Department currently serves mission fields across the Diocese through its missionary teams, seeking to strengthen existing fields, establish new worship centres, nurture communities, and develop sustainable mission initiatives.
Under the theme “Equipping the Church for Urban Mission,” the Department plans to collaborate with the CSI Synod to bring together Bishops, Mission Directors, Clergy, Missionaries, theological educators, and lay leaders for reflection, sharing of best practices, and strengthening urban mission.
The Department seeks to foster a mission-minded Church by encouraging every believer to participate in evangelism, discipleship, social transformation, and Church growth, making mission a shared responsibility of the whole Church.
A special Christmas fellowship for Missionaries and their families, providing an opportunity for celebration, fellowship, encouragement, and strengthening of the missionary community.
The Department of City Mission shall jointly participate with the Board of Mission and Evangelism in the observance of the Mission Festival Thanksgiving Service and in offering thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Faith Festival.
Date to be announced
Under the blessing and prayerful guidance of our Respected & Beloved Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Paul Francis Ravichandran, and Bishop Amma, Rev. Indira Paul, the Faith Festival – “One Square Feet Land Project” promotes Church planting and land acquisition through prayer, awareness, and sacrificial giving. The Faith Festival Thanksgiving Service is conducted by the Department of City Mission to offer thanksgiving to Almighty God for His faithfulness, grace, and provision, and to acknowledge the collective participation and contribution of the Church towards the Faith Festival and the mission of Church planting and expansion in the Diocese of Madras.
2027
Theme: “Equipping the Church for Urban Mission” Organized by the Department of City Mission, Diocese of Madras, CSI, in collaboration with the CSI Synod, the Summit seeks to bring together Bishops, Mission Directors, Clergy, Missionaries, theological educators, and lay leaders to reflect on contemporary urban mission challenges, share best practices, strengthen missionary engagement, and equip the Church for effective and transformative urban ministry.
Ongoing
The Department of City Mission, Diocese of Madras, prayerfully seeks to reach the rapidly growing urban and peri-urban regions through strategic mission outreach covering Vandalur–Poonamallee, Poonamallee–Nemilicherry, Nemilicherry–Padiyanallur, Padiyanallur–Minjur, Adyar–Mahabalipuram (OMR), and Vandalur–Walajabad. The vision is to reach communities, establish new Churches and worship centres, and see “வளரும் சென்னையில் மலரும் திருச்சபைகள்” – Churches Flourishing in a Growing Chennai, for the glory of God.
