evangelism

Kiernander

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Johann Zacharias Kiernander – Biography

Birth: 1710
Death: December 29, 1799
Country: Sweden
Place of Service: India

Johann Zacharias Kiernander was born in Sweden in 1710. He was one of the first Christian missionaries to begin work in Bengal, even before William Carey and Henry Martyn arrived. He studied theology at Halle University and later worked as a teacher of Latin.

In 1739, Kiernander felt God’s call to serve in India. He first arrived at Tharangambadi (Tranquebar) and served as a missionary in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. When the French captured Cuddalore in 1758, he had to leave the city and move to Calcutta.

Kiernander reached Calcutta in 1759 and began his ministry there. His love for teaching the Bible, his passion for sharing the Gospel, and his honest character drew many people to him. He held Sunday services in a rented room and preached both to English people and the local community in their own languages. Many non-Christians accepted the faith and were baptized through his work.

Kiernander’s marriage brought him financial stability, and he used his wealth to help poor Christians. He built several schools and founded the Old Mission Church in Calcutta, along with housing for missionaries.

He also established one of the first printing presses in Calcutta, which helped spread Christian teachings. Though he lost his wife to cholera, he continued his mission faithfully despite many challenges. Kiernander remained true to his calling until his death in 1799, completing his life’s purpose in service to God.

Iris Grace Rajakumari Paul

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Iris Grace Rajakumari Paul

Birth: 1945
Native Place: Tamil Nadu
Country: India
Place of Vision: Orissa, India

Iris Grace Rajakumari Paul is a devoted Indian missionary known for her lifelong service among the Bondo tribes in Orissa (Odisha) through an organization called the Reaching Hand Society.

She was born in Tamil Nadu into a wealthy Christian family. Though she was strong-willed and often rebellious as a child, the deep faith and devotion of her parents had a great influence on her. Eventually, she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ.

Education and Calling

During her college years, Iris actively took part in the ministry of the Union of Evangelical Students of India (UESI). She later studied medicine in Tamil Nadu and graduated with a Gold Medal for academic excellence.

Inspired by the missionary Albert Schweitzer and his work in Africa, Iris also dreamed of serving God there. However, God had a different plan — to send her as a missionary to the tribal regions of her own country.

Missionary Work in Orissa

In 1972, Iris married Dr. R. A. C. Paul, a young missionary serving among the Bondo tribes of Orissa. At that time, the Bondo people were an isolated tribal group — poor, uneducated, and struggling with high death rates.

After their marriage, Iris moved with her husband to Malkangiri, Orissa, where she opened a medical clinic to help the tribal people. Together, they traveled to remote villages, conducted medical camps, and shared the good news of Jesus Christ. Over time, many Bondo people accepted Christ and experienced transformation in their lives.

Faith Through Trials

The early years of Iris’s ministry were filled with hardships — poor health, accidents, loneliness, and emotional struggles. But she and her husband continued to serve the Lord faithfully without giving up.

In 1986, her husband, Dr. R. A. C. Paul, passed away at a young age. Despite this painful loss, Iris chose to remain in Orissa and continued the mission work alone. She cared for orphans, helped young women escape abuse and exploitation, and became a mother figure to many.

Legacy and Ongoing Work

To continue her vision, Iris founded the Reaching Hand Society, an organization that works for the spiritual and social development of the tribal people. The mission provides education, healthcare, and opportunities for a better life while sharing the love of Christ.

Today, Iris continues her work with her son, Remo Paul, and his wife, Dr. Susan Remo Paul, tirelessly transforming lives — both physically and spiritually — among the tribal communities of Orissa.