Life Story
Full Name: Arumugam Pillai (later renamed Aaron)
Birth: 1698
Death: 1745
Place of Birth: Cuddalore, India
Country of Ministry: India
Early Life:
Aaron Arumugam Pillai was born into a wealthy upper-caste family in Cuddalore, India. His father, Chokkanatha Pillai, was a trader with the East India Company, but after facing significant losses, he moved the family to Arasapuram. When the Tranquebar Lutheran Mission started a school in their neighborhood, young Arumugam enrolled and began learning from the Tamil books printed by the missionaries.
At the age of 19, a teacher named Savarimuthu introduced him to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Inspired by this, he accepted the faith and was baptized in 1718 by Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg in Tranquebar, receiving the Christian name “Aaron.”
Faith and Ministry:
Despite opposition from his family, Aaron remained steadfast in his faith. He studied the Bible at the Tamil Theological School and soon became an assistant catechist at New Jerusalem Church in Tranquebar.
Aaron felt a deep calling to serve the people around him. He traveled long distances, preaching the Gospel in towns such as Poraliar, Sirkali, and Sandirpadi in Tamil Nadu. His dedication impressed the German Lutheran missionaries, who ordained him as a pastor in 1733. With this, he became the first non-European to be ordained in the Lutheran Church.
Character and Achievements:
Aaron was a gifted communicator and used his skills to provide spiritual guidance to both local Tamil people and European missionaries. He became a vital link between the local communities and the foreign missionaries. Known for his courage, integrity, and wisdom, he did not avoid conflict but faced challenges directly and resolved them peacefully.
He also worked to educate local people and discourage harmful social practices. Though his ministry was relatively short, his impact was profound. He earned respect and admiration from both Hindus and Christians in the regions he served, leaving a lasting legacy of faith, leadership, and service.