Chacko K Athialy: In the year 1919, during the Maramon Convention in Kerala, Sadhu Sundar Singh spoke about his missionary experiences in Tibet. He especially emphasized how much Nepal needed missionaries. His heartfelt appeal touched many who were present. Among them was Annamma, who was pregnant at that time. As she listened, she silently decided to dedicate her unborn child to God’s service.
In March 1920, she gave birth to her son — Chacko Athialy.
Personal Information
- Birth: 15-03-1920
- Home Calling: 18-04-2011
- Native Place: Kerala
- Country: India
- Field of Vision: Nepal & India
During his youth, Athialy joined the Indian freedom movement under the Congress Party, standing against British rule. However, a deep spiritual change came when he attended special meetings in Tiruvallur. There, he committed his whole life to serve God and received ministry training. After that, he began active evangelistic work in the Travancore region, though his heart still longed to go to Nepal one day.
In 1946, when India was shaken by riots, Athialy began his journey to Allahabad and nearly lost his life on the way. But with God’s protection, he reached the city safely and continued sharing the Gospel among students.
Later, in 1948, he went to Yavatmal to study at Union Biblical Seminary. During his time there, he saw God opening the doors for Nepal.
In the summer of 1950, he finally reached Nepal. He had no financial support, no home, and no security, yet he spent Easter day preaching the Gospel on the streets of Kathmandu with faith and courage.
Ministry in Nepal & India
After a short visit to India, he returned to Nepal in 1952 with a few companions. This time he met Bahadur Rana, a Christian who became his close partner in ministry.
In 1953, Athialy started the “Christa Shanta Sangham” church in Bahadur’s home. Through his sincere work, many Nepali people came to faith in Christ, and today the church has grown to thousands of believers.
Even after retiring in 1986, Athialy did not choose a quiet life. Instead, he began working in Chhattisgarh, sharing the Gospel among the Satnami tribes, even though the environment was hostile and difficult.
In his old age, he still carried a bag filled with Gospel tracts and continued to preach wherever he went. At 91 years of age, he peacefully went to be with the Lord after a lifetime of faithful ministry.