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{{Short description|Seminary in Telangana, India}}
{{Infobox University
{{About|UGC-recognised undergraduate courses (for the [[Clergy]]) and diploma, undergraduate and master's courses (for the [[Laity]]) offered by ACTC|UGC-recognised master's courses (for the Clergy) specializing in [[Religion]] and [[Sacred Scripture]]|Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture}}
|name=Andhra Christian Theological College
{{Coord|17|25|00.4|N|78|29|17.7|E|display=title}}{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
|native_name=ఆంధ్ర క్రైస్తవ వేదాంత (దివ్యజ్ఞాన) కళాశాల
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
|image_name= Actc1.jpg
{{Infobox university
|latin_name= COLLEGIUM THEOLOGICA ANDHRA CHRISTIANUS
| name = Andhra Christian Theological College
|motto=[[Latin]]: AD CONSUMMATIONEM SANCTORUM IN OPUS MINISTERII IN AEDIFICATIONEM CORPORIS CHRISTI. ''[[English language|English]]: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.''
| native_name =
|established=1964
| native_name_lang =
|type=[[Seminary]]
| image = Andhra Christian Theological College (emblem).jpg
|chancellor=[[Bishop]] P. [[Surya Prakash]] (Chairperson)
| image_size = 150
|principal=[[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] Ch. Vasantha Rao
| image_upright = .7
|students=
| image_alt =
|city = Lower Tank Bund Road, Gandhinagar Post, [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]] 500 080, [[Andhra Pradesh]]. [[Telephone]]: 91 040 2761 3892
| caption = Coat of arms
|country=[[India]]
|coor ={{coord|17|25|36|N|78|27|10|E|type:edu}}
| other_name = ACTC
| former_name = <!-- or |former_names= -->
|campus=Urban
| motto = {{langx|la|Ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii}}
|affiliations=[[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], [[Serampore]] 712 201, [[Hooghly District]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| motto_lang = [[Latin language]]
|footnotes=Data as of May 2008
| mottoeng = "Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry"
| top_free_label = Dean of Women
|top_free = The Rev. P. Priscilla Das, [[Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches in India|CMBCI]]
|top_free_label1 = Warden
|top_free1 = The Rev. M. Yonathan, [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]]
| type = Affiliated institution
| established = {{Start date|1964|07|01}}
| closed = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| founders = Churches in [[Telugu states]]
| parent =
| accreditation = [[Asia Theological Association]]
| affiliation = [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Christianity]]
| academic_affiliation = [[Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture]]
| endowment =
| budget =
| officer_in_charge =
| chair =
| chairman =
| chairperson = [[The Reverend|The Rev.]] R. R. D. Sajeeva Raju, STBC
| visitor = [[Bishop]] [[Anilkumar John Servand]], [[Methodist Church in India|MCI]]
| chancellor =
| president =
| vice_president =
| superintendent =
| vice_chancellor =
| provost =
| rector =
| principal = The Rev. G. Varaprasad, [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]]
| director =
| dean = The Rev. K. J. Premavardhan, [[Church of South India|CSI]]
| head_label = Registrar
| head = The Rev. Y. J. Rajendra Prasad, STBC
| academic_staff = 18+
| total_staff = 40+
| students = <!-- or |enrollment= -->
| undergrad =
| postgrad =
| doctoral =
| other_students = <!-- or |other= -->
| address = Lower Tank Bund Road, Gandhinagar Post
| city = [[Secunderabad]]
| state = [[Telangana]]
| province =
| country = [[India]]
| postalcode = 500 080
| coordinates = {{Coord|17|25|00.4|N|78|29|17.7|E|type:edu}}
| campus_type = Residential
| campus_size = 10+ acres
| language = [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[English language|English]]
| free_label = Bursar
| free = The Rev. V. Alfred Sudhakar, [[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars|CBCNC]]
| free_label2 = Chaplain
| free2 = The Rev. G. Niranjan Nishchal, CSI
| colors = <!--or |colours= -->
| sports_nickname = <!--or |athletics_nickname= -->
| sporting_affiliations =
| mascot = <!--or |mascots= -->
| sports_free_label = <!-- up to |sports_free_label3= -->
| sports_free = <!-- up to |sports_free3= -->
| website = {{URL|https://www.actc.edu.in/}}
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_upright =
| logo_alt = White cross and ACTC against a black-and-pink background
| embedded = <!-- or |nrhp= or |module= -->
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position =
| map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''Andhra Christian Theological College''' (ACTC) is a [[seminary]]<ref>[[Roger E. Hedlund]], ''World Christianity: South Asia'', Missions Advanced Research and Communication Center, 1980, p.48. [https://books.google.com/books?id=RfMpKxKHjwsC&q=andhra+christian+theological+college+old+testament]</ref> in [[Telangana]] which was founded in 1964.<ref>M. Ezra Sargunam (Edited), ''Mission Mandate: A compendium of the perspective of missions in India'', Mission India, Madras, 1992, p.495. [https://books.google.com/books?id=pyPkAAAAMAAJ&q=andhra+christian+theological+college]</ref> It is affiliated with [[India]]'s first<ref>Sankar Ray, The Hindu (Business Line), 11 April 2008 "Almost a century later, the charter was endorsed officially under the Bengal Govt Act IV of 1918." Internet, accessed 30 November 2008. [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2008/04/11/stories/2008041150100400.htm]</ref> university, the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]] (a university under section 2(f) of the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] Act, 1956),<ref>{{cite web|title=UGC Act-1956|url=http://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/upload_document/ugc_act.pdf|website=mhrd.gov.in/|publisher=Secretary, University Grants Commission|access-date=1 February 2016}}</ref><ref>The [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]] is a University within the meaning of Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956 under which a University means a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act, and includes any such institution as may, in consultation with the University concerned, be recognised by the Commission in accordance with the regulations made in this behalf under this Act. The UGC took the opinion that the Senate fell under the purview of Section 2 (f) of the said Act since ''The Serampore College Act, 1918'' was passed by the Government of West Bengal.[http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/history/u-g-c-and-serampore-college/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612143603/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/history/u-g-c-and-serampore-college/ |date=12 June 2017 }}</ref> and has degree-granting authority under a [[University charter|Danish charter]] ratified by the [[government of West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/about-us/history-of-council-of-serampore-college/|title=''History of Council of Serampore College''}}</ref> ACTC is on the [[Hussain Sagar]] canal (north) in Gandhinagar, [[Hyderabad]], about {{convert|4|km}} from the [[Secunderabad Junction railway station]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.co.in/maps/dir/Andhra+Christian+Theological+College,+1-2-607/1-23,+Gandhi+Nagar+Post,+New+Bakaram,+Hyderabad,+Telangana+500080/Secunderabad+Junction,+Bhoiguda,+Secunderabad,+Telangana+500025/@17.4245421,78.4872158,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x3bcb99f01c7d33c9:0xc835baba4df458d1!2m2!1d78.4882494!2d17.4166762!1m5!1m1!1s0x3bcb9a213de9c7b7:0x957c784f25ea95aa!2m2!1d78.5015956!2d17.4337397!3e0|title=Andhra Christian Theological College to Secunderabad Junction|website=Andhra Christian Theological College to Secunderabad Junction}}</ref>
'''Andhra Christian Theological College''' {[[Telugu]]: ఆంధ్ర క్రైస్తవ వేదాంత (దివ్యజ్ఞాన) కళాశాల} is a [[special purpose entity]] - an ecumenical enterprise of some of the Church societies in [[Andhra Pradesh]] in [[India]] founded in the year [[1964]] and affiliated to the [[Senate of Serampore College]], [[Serampore]], [[West Bengal]].
{| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:85%; background:#ffc; color:black; width:32em; max-width:25%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
! style="background:#ccc;"| Participating ecclesiastical societies,<br>Andhra Christian Theological College,<br> Secunderabad, Telangana<br />
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
* ''[[Methodist]]''
** [[Methodist Church in India]] (MCI); 1964<ref name="Prospectus"/>
* ''[[Lutheran]]''
** [[South Andhra Lutheran Church]] (SALC); 1964<ref name="Prospectus"/>
** [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church]] (AELC); 1964<ref name="Prospectus"/>
** [[Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church]] (GSELC); 1992
* ''[[Baptist]]''
** [[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars]] ([[CBCNC]]); 1964<ref name="Prospectus"/>
** [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches]] (STBC); 1972<ref>''Foundations'', Volume 11, American Baptist Historical Society, 1968. p. 321. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWnkAAAAMAAJ]</ref>
* ''[[Anglican]], [[Congregational]], [[Presbyterian]] and [[Wesleyan Methodism|Wesleyan Methodist]]: the [[United Society|SPG]], [[English Wesleyan Mission|WMMS]], [[London Missionary Society|LMS]], [[American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions|ABCFM]], [[Church Missionary Society|CMS]] and the [[Church of England]]''
** [[Church of South India]] (CSI); 1964<ref name="Prospectus"/>
|}


==History==
Andhra Christian Theological College came into being as a result of the Kretzmann's Commission<ref>Martin Kretzmann (1906-2000) was a missionary to India and was also instrumental in affiliating the Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil with the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]. [http://www.gracelutheranchurch.ca/MMS_IELC.html] Internet, accessed April 23, 2006.</ref> which suggested carving out a unified seminary out of existing century-old seminaries catering to the various Church societies in Andhra Pradesh. It was also as a result of [[ecumenism]] where a greater need for unity among the [[Protestant churches]] was felt worldwide.
The college was founded on the Lutheran Theological College campus in [[Rajahmundry]] and the founding societies included<ref name="Prospectus">''Prospectus ACTC'', Printed by A. Nageswara Rao at Saraswathi Power Press, Rajahmundry, 1969, p.4.</ref><ref name="Rajaiah">Rajaiah David Paul, ''Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India'', Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1972, p.146. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5cpWAAAAMAAJ&q=canadian+baptist]</ref> the [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church]], the [[Church of South India]], the [[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars]], the [[Methodist Church in India]] and the [[South Andhra Lutheran Church]]. The [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches]] held its [[Bachelor of Divinity|B.D.]] classes at ACTC in 1967, and in 1972 the [[Bachelor of Divinity|B.D.]] programme of the [[Ramayapatnam]] Baptist Theological Seminary was integrated into the college. When [[M. Victor Paul]] was principal (1991&ndash;1993), [[Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church]] joined the college.<ref name="Foundations"/><ref name="Baptist yearbook"/><ref name="Rajaiah"/>


[[Christian missions]] in Andhra Pradesh<ref>Martin Senftleben [http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis1.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209131403/http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis1.pdf |date=9 December 2008 }} Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 23 April 2006.</ref> opened seminaries in [[Gooty]] (Union Theological Seminary),<ref>Edmund Davies draws attention to Prof. Wilfred Scopes, a Missionary of the [[London Missionary Society]] who taught in the seminaries in Gooty and Dornakal. Edmund Davis, The History of Theological Education in Jamaica: The United Theological College of the West Indies and its four antecedent colleges (1841-1966), 1998, page 167. [http://igitur-archive.library.uu.nl/dissertations/01872495/full.pdf]</ref> Dornakal (Andhra Union Theological College,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.library.uu.nl/digiarchief/dip/diss/01872495/chapter9.pdf |title=Library file |access-date=5 March 2006 |archive-date=30 April 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030430084415/http://www.library.uu.nl/digiarchief/dip/diss/01872495/chapter9.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> for the Church of South India), [[Ramayapatnam]] (Baptist Theological Seminary, for the American Baptists), Luthergiri<ref>Winnipeg Free Press [http://www.abrahamlincolnarchive.com/Landing.aspx?search=luthergiri&img=Rvj45z7SpqiKID/6NLMW2ql7x7NgdtJRVzgeTTqBil9AAmBs+7/uoA==] United Lutheran Church Advances - The Board sends new missionaries to each of six foreign mission fields. Retrieved 23 April 2006.</ref> (Lutheran Theological College), [[Kakinada]] ([[Baptist Theological Seminary]], for Canadian Baptists) and [[Shamshabad]] ([[Mennonite Brethren Centenary Bible College]], for the [[Anabaptists]]). Although professors were exchanged among the seminaries, [[Bachelor of Divinity]] students attended [[Serampore College]] in West Bengal.
ACTC is situated on the banks of [[Hussain Sagar]] excess water canal (north) in Gandhinagar, [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Andhra Pradesh]].
==={{anchor|Merger of entities}}Merger===
In 1964, the college was founded in Luthergiri, [[Rajahmundry]], [[East Godavari]] with the merger of three<ref>J. Herbert Kane, ''A Global View of Christian Missions from Pentecost to the Present'', Baker Book House, 1971, p.120. [https://books.google.com/books?id=re6JAAAAMAAJ&q=andhra+christian+theological+college]</ref> theological colleges.<ref>[[Victor Premasagar]] {{cite web|url=http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU%3D2928 |title=Merging Currents, Inc.: Books on Christianity in India, Hinduism and Indian culture and history: Titles |access-date=2006-04-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604021054/http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=2928 |archive-date=4 June 2004}} Interpretive Diary of a Bishop, Chennai, 2001, p.88</ref> In 1967, [[Ramayapatnam]] Baptist Theological Seminary, [[Ramayapatnam]] moved from Ramayapatnam to Rajahmundry, as a separate part of the college in [[Rajahmundry]] until it merged in 1972.<ref name="Baptist yearbook">{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_njkAAAAMAAJ&q=rajahmundry|title=Year Book of the American Baptist Convention|first=American Baptist|last=Convention|date=19 October 1971|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="Story"/><ref name="Foundations">''Foundations: A Baptist Journal of History and Theology'', Volumes 11-12, American Baptist Historical Society, 1968, pp.320-321. [https://books.google.com/books?id=YV0mAQAAIAAJ&q=andhra+christian+theological+college]</ref>
*1964
**Andhra Union Theological College in [[Dornakal]],
**[[Baptist Theological Seminary]] in [[Kakinada]],<ref name="Yearbook"/> and
**Lutheran Theological College in [[Rajahmundry]].<ref name="Yearbook">''1966 Yearbook of the Lutheran Church in America'', United Lutheran publication house, 1965, p.11.[https://books.google.com/books?id=677kAAAAMAAJ&q=andhra+christian+theological+college]</ref>
*1972
**[[Ramayapatnam]] Baptist Theological Seminary, [[Ramayapatnam]]


With [[William D. Coleman (pastor)|William D. Coleman]] as its first principal, the college was dedicated on 1 July<ref name="Story">Margaret Eunice Hawkinson [[née]] Coleman, ''That they may be one - The Story of the Andhra Christian Theological College'', Published by the Mission Council of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, and printed at the Lenox Press, Madurai, 1966. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DsThAAAAMAAJ&q=That+they+may+be+one+-+The+Story+of+the+Andhra+Christian+Theological+College]</ref> 1964 by R. M. Clark<ref name="Story"/> of the [[Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College|BTESSC]].{{efn|Formerly known as the Board of Theological Education of the National Council of Churches in India.}} The inaugural address was delivered by Senate of Serampore College registrar [[C. Devasahayam]] in [[Rajahmundry]].<ref name="Lutheran">{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gXvkAAAAMAAJ&q=baptist+theological+seminary+kakinada+serampore|title=Baptist Year Book for the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec|first=Baptist Convention of Ontario and|last=Quebec|date=19 October 1959|publisher=Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec.|via=Google Books}}</ref>
==Motto==
The College motto is derived from [[Ephesians]] 4:12, which in the [[Latin]] [[Vulgate]] reads "Ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii in aedification corporis Christi."<ref>Vulgate, [http://www.latinvulgate.com/verse.aspx?t=1&b=10&c=4 Ephesians 4] Retrieved April 23, 2006.</ref>This is "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" in the [[King James Version]].


==Background==
===Relocation===
By 1973, the college had moved from Rajahmundry to [[Secunderabad]] due to pollution from nearby paper mills.<ref>Minutes of the Biennial Convention, Issue 7'', Lutheran Church in America, 1974, p.553.[https://books.google.com/books?id=SALkAAAAMAAJ&q=coleman]''</ref> The new buildings were dedicated by Church of South India bishop [[Pereji Solomon]] in the presence of Catholic archbishop [[Samineni Arulappa]] and seminarians from [[St. John's Regional Seminary]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.actchyd.com/milestones/ |title=ACTC web site. ''Milestones'' |access-date=13 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909221936/http://www.actchyd.com/milestones/ |archive-date=9 September 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the 1990s, the college's postal address changed to Hyderabad (now in Telangana).
Missionaries in Andhra Pradesh were involved in spreading<ref> Martin Senftleben [http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis1.pdf] Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved April 23, 2006.</ref> the ''Word of God''. With a sizeable converts at hand the need for ministering them was possible only with [[Priests]]. With this, they started to open seminaries.
{{multiple image
| total_width = 400
| align = left
| direction = horizontal
| header = Personalities
| image1 = Solomon_Raj_5.jpg
| caption1 = Bishop [[A. C. Solomon Raj]], previously Chairperson of Board of Governors
| image2 = MAR APREM METROPOLITAN METROPOLITAN OF MALABAR AND ALL INDIA NOW NATHAR KURSIYA.jpg
| caption2 = [[Aprem Mooken]], a Visitor to the college in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fJDXAAAAMAAJ&q=church+history+association+of+india+hyderabad|title=Studies in Sikhism and Comparative Religion|date=19 October 1989|publisher=Guru Nanak Foundation|via=Google Books}}</ref>
| image3 = The Rev. A. John Prabhakar.jpg
| caption3 = Homiletics Scholar, The Rev. A. John Prabhakar, an [[Alumnus]] of this institution, and past Principal.
}}
==Overview==
===Kretzmann Commission===
ACTC constituted the [[Kretzmann Commission]] in 1969,<ref>Martin Kretzmann (1906-2000) was a missionary to India and was also instrumental in affiliating the Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil with the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]. {{cite web|url=http://www.gracelutheranchurch.ca/MMS_IELC.html |title=India Evangelical Lutheran Church |access-date=2006-04-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529212414/http://www.gracelutheranchurch.ca/MMS_IELC.html |archive-date=29 May 2006 }} Internet, accessed 23 April 2006.</ref> consisting of:
* M. L. Kretzmann, [[D.D.]], secretary for planning, study and research of the [[Lutheran World Federation]]'s Department of World Missions
* [[K. Devasahayam]], [[Master of Arts|M.A.]], B.D. ([[Hon.]]), [[S.T.M.]], [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church]]
* [[A. B. Masilamani]], M.A., [[Th.M.]], Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars
* C. S. Sundaresan, [[bishop]] of the Church of South India's [[Diocese of Rayalaseema]]


The commission's report, presented to the board of governors, suggested increasing the [[Bachelor of Divinity]] curriculum and abolishing the [[Licentiate in Theology]] programme.
The missionaries were careful not to encroach into others territories while ministering - they created comities for this purpose. Seminaries were established in [[Gooty]] (Union Theological Seminary)<ref>Edmund Davies draws attention to Prof. Wilfred Scopes, a Missionary of the [[London Missionary Society]] who taught in the seminaries in Gooty and Dornakal. Edmund Davis, The History of Theological Education in Jamaica: The United Theological College of the West Indies and its four antecedent colleges (1841-1966), 1998, [[page]] 167. [http://igitur-archive.library.uu.nl/dissertations/01872495/full.pdf]</ref>, Dornakal (Andhra Union Theological College [http://www.library.uu.nl/digiarchief/dip/diss/01872495/chapter9.pdf]) to cater to the Church of South India, [[Ramayapatnam]] (Baptist Theological Seminary) for the American Baptists, Luthergiri.<ref>Winnipeg Free Press [http://www.abrahamlincolnarchive.com/Landing.aspx?search=luthergiri&img=Rvj45z7SpqiKID/6NLMW2ql7x7NgdtJRVzgeTTqBil9AAmBs+7/uoA==] United Lutheran Church Advances - The Board sends new missionaries to each of six foreign mission fields. Retrieved April 23, 2006.</ref> (Lutheran Theological College) for the Lutherans, in [[Kakinada]] ([[Baptist Theological Seminary]]) for the Canadian Baptists, and [[Shamshabad]] (Mennonite Brethren Bible College) for the [[Mennonite Brethren]].


There was exchange of Professors between the Seminaries. However, for higher education ([[Bachelor of Divinity]]), they had to send their students to [[West Bengal]] where [[Serampore College]] is located.



===The Kretzmann's Commission===
=={{anchor|Governance and administration}}Administration and faculty==
Some of the Church societies in [[Andhra Pradesh]] felt the need for having a unified seminary where higher theological education could be taught. Together, they appointed a Commission under the Chairmanship<ref>crossings.org [http://www.crossings.org/thursday/Thur010804.htm] The LCMS Mission Affirmations of 1965 - Then and Now. Retrieved April 23, 2006.</ref> of M.L.Kretzmann<ref>Martin Kretzmann belonged to the Missouri Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. [http://www.ltsg.edu/db/index.htm?dir=news&page=news&cat=news&artid=612] Internet, accessed June 28, 2008</ref> to explore the possibilities of forming such a unified Seminary. After a lot of talks, the Commission came out with a report that was tabled before many of the then existing Church societies. Some of the Church societies agreed for the setting up of a unified Seminary. They zeroed-in onto Luthergiri. With this, all higher-educated Theologians taught in the newly set-up College.
==={{anchor|Board of Governors}}Board of governors===
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; font-size: 85%; background:#ffffcc; color:black; width:20em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
{| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:85%; background:#ffc; color:black; width:30em; max-width:35%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
! style="background-color:#cccccc;" | Participating Church Societies
|-
|-
! style="background:#ccc;"| Succession of [[Old Testament]] faculty at ACTC, [[Rajahmundry]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] {{small|(1964-1972)}} and [[Secunderabad]], [[Telangana]] {{small|(1973-''Present'')}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
|-
* [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church]]
| style="text-align: left;" |
* [[Church of South India]]
* [[W. D. Coleman]], [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|ELCA]], [[PhD]] ([[Hartford Seminary|Hartford]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G8QQAQAAMAAJ&q=coleman|title=List of Doctoral Dissertations in History Now in Progress at Universities in the United States and the Dominion of Canada|date=19 November 1958|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="Punnaiah">Talathoti Punnaiah, ''My Memoir, Ministry and Message - 60 years Life Experiences 1950-2010'', Craig Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakinada, 2010, pp.11, 12, 18, 23, 33.</ref>
* [[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars]]
* M. Vidyanandam, [[Church of South India|CSI]], [[Bachelor of Divinity|B.D.]] ([[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]]),<ref name="Punnaiah"/><ref>''The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's Who'', Bennett and Coleman, Bombay, 1954, p.961.[https://books.google.com/books?id=aI8jAQAAMAAJ&q=rev.m.vidyanandam]</ref>
* Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church
* P. [[Victor Premasagar]], CSI, [[PhD]] ([[University of St Andrews|St Andrews]])<ref name="Punnaiah"/><ref>John C. England, et al. (Edited), ''Asian Christian Theologies'', Volume 2, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2002, pp.275-276. [https://books.google.com/books?id=IckRAQAAIAAJ&q=victor+premasagar+st.+andrews]</ref>
* Methodist Church in India
* [[Gaddala Solomon|G. Solomon]], [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]], [[Th.M.]] ([[Eastern University (United States)|Eastern]])<ref name="Punnaiah"/><ref>[[Gaddala Solomon|G. Solomon]], ''The Concept of Suffering in the Bible and in Hinduism'', [[Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary|Eastern University (United States)]], Pennsylvania, 1957. [https://books.google.com/books?id=nwqmNwAACAAJ&q=gaddala+solomon]</ref>
* [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches]]
* G. Babu Rao, [[CBCNC]], [[M.Th.]] (Serampore)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=txUnAQAAIAAJ&q=babu+rao+old+testament|title=Guide to Indian Periodical Literature|date=19 October 1989|publisher=Indian Documentation Service|via=Google Books}}</ref>
* South Andhra Lutheran Church
* Scott L. Harris, ELCA, [[PhD]] ([[Union Theological Seminary (New York City)|Union]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://faithelcamiddletown.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FLCSEPT15.pdf|title=''Faith Lutheran Church'', Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2015, p.3}}</ref>
* N. V. Luther Paul, AELC, [[D.Th.]] (Serampore)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cDsmAQAAIAAJ&q=the+impact+of+the+united+monarchy+on+the+peasantry|title=Missionalia|date=19 October 2004|publisher=The Society|via=Google Books}}</ref>
* Ch. Vasantha Rao, CSI, [[Dr. Theol.]] ([[University of Hamburg|Hamburg]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7tpBAQAAIAAJ&q=chilkuri+vasantha+rao|title=Missionalia|date=19 October 2007|publisher=The Society|via=Google Books}}</ref>
* Henriette Howarth, [[Church of England|C of E]], [[Master of Arts|M.A.]] ([[University of Utrecht|Utrecht]])<ref>''Journal of the Henry Martyn Institute'', Volume 18, Issue 1, 1999, p.4.[https://books.google.com/books?id=0kcqAQAAMAAJ&q=old+testament]</ref>
* T. Mathews Emmanuel, CBCNC, D.Th. (Serampore)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=snsnAQAAIAAJ&q=thathapudi+matthews|title=Guide to Indian Periodical Literature|date=19 October 2006|publisher=Indian Documentation Service|via=Google Books}}</ref>
* R. Jeeva Kumar, STBC, D.Th. (Serampore)<ref>Ravela Jeeva Kumar, ''Struggle for land rights in 1 Kings 21 : a dalit hermeneutic perspective'', ISPCK, New Delhi, 2012. [https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/816956961]</ref>
* K. Joseph Premavardhan, CSI, M.Th. (Serampore)
* G. Varaprasad, AELC, D.Th. (Serampore)
|}
|}
The college is administered by a board of governors composed of representatives of participating [[Protestant]] ecclesiastical societies:
===Location===
* Telangana
In the year 1964, the College was set up in Luthergiri in the river town of [[Rajahmundry]] in [[East Godavari]] District with the coming together of the following theological colleges,<ref>[[Victor Premasagar]] [http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=2928] Interpretive Diary of a Bishop, Chennai, 2001, p.88</ref> ''viz.,''
** Church of South India (CSI) Dioceses of [[Diocese of Dornakal|Dornakal]], [[Diocese of Karimnagar|Karimnagar]], [[Diocese of Medak|Medak]] (headquartered in [[Dornakal]], [[Karimnagar]] and [[Medak]])
* Andhra Union Theological College, Dornakal,
** [[Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church]] (headquartered in [[Bhadrachalam]])
* [[Baptist Theological Seminary]], [[Kakinada]],
** [[Methodist Church in India]], Hyderabad Regional Conference
* [[Ramayapatnam]] Baptist Theological Seminary, [[Ramayapatnam]],<ref> The [[Ramayapatnam]] Seminary later shifted to Rajahmundry and functioned as an independent entity within the campus of ACTC in Luthergiri before amalgamating itself into ACTC</ref> and
** [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches]] Society, Deccan Association
* Lutheran Theological College, [[Rajahmundry]],
* [[Tamil Nadu]]
* Union Theological Seminary, [[Gooty]].
** CSI Dioceses of [[Anglican Diocese of Madras|Madras]] and [[Anglican Diocese of Vellore|Vellore]] (headquartered in [[Chennai]] and [[Vellore]])
* [[Andhra Pradesh]]
** [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church]], headquartered in [[Guntur]]
** CSI Dioceses of [[Krishna-Godavari Diocese|Krishna-Godavari]], [[Diocese of Nandyal|Nandyal]] and [[Diocese of Rayalaseema|Rayalaseema]] (headquartered in [[Machilipatnam]], [[Nandyal]] and [[Kadapa]], respectively)
** Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars, originally headquartered in [[Kakinada]]
** [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches]], originally headquartered in [[Nellore]]
** [[South Andhra Lutheran Church]], headquartered in [[Tirupati]]


===Motto===
Later, due to pollution from nearby Paper Mills, they felt the need to relocate. After many deliberations, they chose [[Secunderabad]]. By 1973 the college in its entirety was moved from [[Rajahmundry]] to [[Secunderabad]]. By virtue of postal re-classification in the 1990s, its location fell under [[Hyderabad (India)|Hyderabad]].
{| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:85%; background:#ffc; color:black; width:30em; max-width:35%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
! style="background:#ccc;"| Succession of [[New Testament]] faculty at ACTC, [[Rajahmundry]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] {{small|(1964-1972)}} and [[Secunderabad]], [[Telangana]] {{small|(1973-''Present'')}}
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
* [[Komaravalli David|K. David]],<ref>''[[Indian Journal of Theology]]'', Volume 18, 2-3, April–September 1969, p.196. [http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ijt/18-2-3_191.pdf]</ref> [[CBCNC]], [[PhD]] ([[Edinburgh University|Edinburgh]]),<ref name="Punnaiah"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=998XAQAAIAAJ&q=University+of+Edinburgh+Journal+serampore|title=University of Edinburgh Journal|date=19 October 1991|publisher=University of Edinburgh, Graduates' Association|via=Google Books}}</ref>
* [[Muriel Spurgeon Carder|Muriel Spurgeon-Carder]], [[Canadian Baptist Ministries|CBM]], [[Th.D.]] ([[Toronto School of Theology|Toronto]])<ref name="Punnaiah"/>
* [[M. Victor Paul]], [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]], [[M. Th.]] ([[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]]),<ref>Victor Paul has a postgraduate degree in New Testament from the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]. In addition, he also has a doctoral degree in the field of Christian Ministry.</ref>
* [[Suppogu Joseph|S. Joseph]], [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]], [[D. Th.]] (Serampore)
* K. Prasada Rao, STBC, M. Th. (Serampore),<ref>K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), ''Directory 1910-1997 of the [[United Theological College, Bangalore|United Theological College]]'', Bangalore, 1997, p.111</ref>
*David Roland Hall, [[English Wesleyan Mission|WMMS]], M. Th. (Serampore)<ref>''70 years of God's Faithfulness: CSI (Medak Diocese) UK Telugu Christians Souvenir commemorating the 70th year of the formation of the Church of South India'', 2016, p.15.[http://www.revcvr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/CSI-UK-Souvenir-1.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827000405/http://www.revcvr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/CSI-UK-Souvenir-1.pdf |date=27 August 2017 }}</ref>
* Klaus Schäfer,<ref>''The Bulletin of the Henry Martyn Institute of Islamic Studies'', Volume 12, 1993, p.2.[https://books.google.com/books?id=lFFTAAAAYAAJ&q=andhra]</ref> EMS,<ref>''Reconciliation as the mission of God'', Reconciliation Network, 2005, p.23.[https://divinity.duke.edu/sites/divinity.duke.edu/files/documents/cfr/reconciliaton-as-the-mission-of-god.pdf]</ref> [[Dr. Theol.]] ([[University of Hamburg|Hamburg]]),<ref>''International Bulletin of Missionary Research'', Volume 19, Number 2, April 1995, p.67.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924035523/http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/1995-02/1995-02-066-noteworthy.pdf]}}</ref>
* V. Manikya Rao, [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]], D. Th. (Serampore),<ref>''List of Recipients of Doctor of Theology Degree'', Senate of Serampore College (University). [http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/hall-of-fame/doctor-of-theology/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714055717/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/hall-of-fame/doctor-of-theology/ |date=14 July 2017 }}</ref>
* K. Suraj Kumar, [[CBCNC]], [[PhD]] ([[University of Cape Town|Cape Town]]),<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.atlanticbaptistwomen.ca/images/stories/PDF-Documents/W_5/w5_sep_2012.pdf |title=Lisa Lohnes, ''W5 on Missions'', ''Tidings'', p.16, September 2012 |access-date=31 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816140204/http://www.atlanticbaptistwomen.ca/images/stories/PDF-Documents/W_5/w5_sep_2012.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* M. John Sundar, CSI, M. Th. (Serampore),<ref>[[Church of South India Synod]], [[Diocese of Medak]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160414153100/http://csisynod.com/Admin/ministerial/25_Medak%20Diocese.pdf]</ref>
* Ch. Helen Salomy, STBC, M. Th. (Serampore),<ref>''Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on 17 July 2012'', p.32.</ref>
* G. Niranjan Nishchal, CSI, M. Th. (Serampore)<ref>''Church of South India Synod'', Pastoral Concerns Department, Lenten Meditations, 2020.[https://www.academia.edu/42524265/_Mary_Magdalene_Rev_G_Niranjan_Nishchal]</ref>
|}
The college motto is derived from [[Ephesians]] 4:12, which reads in the [[Latin]] [[Vulgate]]: ''"Ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii..."''<ref>Vulgate, [http://www.latinvulgate.com/verse.aspx?t=1&b=10&c=4 Ephesians 4] Retrieved 23 April 2006.</ref> ("For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry..." in the [[King James Version]]).


==={{anchor|The Hall System}}Hall system===
==Courses offered & admissions==
[[W. D. Coleman]], the college's first principal, explained the hall system: "Each of the participating denominations has its own 'hall'. There are two hours of instruction each week about the liturgy, history, and policy of each denomination".<ref>Edgar R. Trexler, ''Mission in a New World'', Fortress Press, 1977. p. 29.[https://books.google.com/books?id=5d7XAKvOztYC]</ref>
===Internal===
* [[Bachelor of Theology]] ([[B.Th.]])
* [[Bachelor of Divinity]] ([[Bachelor of Divinity|B.D.]])


The churches commonly associated with [[Protestantism]] in southern India include the Anglicans, Congregationalists, [[Wesleyan Methodism|Wesleyan Methodists]], [[Baptists]], [[Lutherans]] and [[Methodists]]. Each church has its own tradition. At ACTC, students learn their respective church doctrine in addition to general theology.<ref>''The American Lutheran'', American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, [[Delhi (town), New York]], 1965. p. 12. [https://books.google.com/books?id=xM4nAAAAMAAJ&q=hall+system]</ref>
===External===
* Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip.C.S.)
* Bachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S.)
* Master of Ministry (M.Min.)


==={{anchor|Principalship|Succession of Principals}}Principals===
Apart from the courses offered through the Senate, the College independently offers a three-year Master of Divinity ([[M.Div.]]) course through evening classes targeting the lay people.
The principal serves a four-year term (2022-2026), with each participating church having an opportunity to provide a principal. The current principal is the Rev. G. Varaprasad, AELC, D.Th. (Serampore).
{| class="wikitable" style="border: 5px solid #BBB; margin: .96em 0 0 .9em;"
|+ Succession of Principals at Andhra Christian Theological College,<br> [[Rajahmundry]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] {{small|(1964-1972)}} and [[Secunderabad]], [[Telangana]] {{small|(1973-''Present'')}}
|- style="font-size: 86%;"
!Term !!Years!!Church Society!!Denomination!! Principals!!Domicile
|-
|1964–1973||8||[[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]]||[[Lutheran]]||[[W. D. Coleman]], [[PhD]] ([[Hartford Seminary|Hartford]])||[[United States]]
|-
|1973–1980 ||8|| [[Church of South India|CSI]]||[[Wesleyan Methodism|Wesleyan Methodist]]||P. [[Victor Premasagar]], [[PhD]] ([[University of St Andrews|St Andrews]])||[[Telangana]]
|-
|1980–1986 ||6|| [[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars|CBCNC]]||[[Baptist]]||K. David, [[PhD]] ([[University of Edinburgh|Edinburgh]])||[[Andhra Pradesh]]
|-
|1986–1990 ||4|| [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]]||Baptist||[[Suppogu Joseph|S. Joseph]], [[D.Th.]] ([[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]])||Andhra Pradesh
|-
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|1990–1994
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|4
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|AELC
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|Lutheran
|[[M. Victor Paul]], [[D.Min.]] ([[Luther Seminary|Luther]])||Andhra Pradesh
|-
| rowspan=1|G. Sampurna Rao, D.Min. ([[McCormick Theological Seminary|McCormick]])||Andhra Pradesh
|-
|1994–1998 ||4|| CSI||Wesleyan Methodist||[[Regunta Yesurathnam|R. Yesurathnam]], D.Th. (Serampore)||Telangana
|-
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|1998–2002
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|4
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|CBCNC
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|Baptist
|K. D. G. Prakasa Rao, [[M.Th.]] (Serampore)
|Andhra Pradesh
|-
| rowspan=1|D. J. Jeremiah, M. Th. (Serampore)
|Andhra Pradesh
|-
|2002–2006 ||4|| STBC||Baptist||B. J. Christie Kumar, M.Th. (Serampore)||Telangana
|-
|2006–2010 ||4|| AELC||Lutheran||N. V. Luther Paul, D.Th. (Serampore)||Andhra Pradesh
|-
|2010–2014 ||4|| CSI||Wesleyan Methodist||Ch. Vasantha Rao, [[Dr. Theol.]] ([[University of Hamburg|Hamburg]])||Telangana
|-
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|2014–2018<ref name="2016-2017">''Principal's Annual Report 2016-2017 presented at the 53rd graduation service'', ACTC, [[Hyderabad]]</ref>
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|4
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|CBCNC
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|Baptist
|T. Matthews Emmanuel, D.Th. (Serampore)
|Andhra Pradesh
|-
| rowspan=1|N. V. Vijaya Kumari, M.Th. (Serampore)
|Telangana
|-
|2018–2022 ||4|| STBC||Baptist||A. John Prabhakar, D. Th. (Serampore)||Andhra Pradesh
|-
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|2022–2026
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|4
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|AELC
| rowspan=2 colspan=1|Lutheran
|T. Swami Raju,<ref>''Principal's Annual Report 2023-2024 presented at the 60th graduation service'', ACTC, [[Hyderabad]]</ref> D.Th. (Serampore)
|Andhra Pradesh
|-
| rowspan=1|G. Varaprasad, D.Th. (Serampore)
|Andhra Pradesh
|}


==Serampore University affiliation==
===Admission of students===
[[File:SeramporeCollege.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=Drawing of a large building with columns|1887 drawing of Senate of Serampore College (University)]]
Students are admitted on quota-basis linked to the representation factor of the participating Church societies and taught varied subjects of religion. An entrance test is conducted before admission. Church sponsorship is a must before joining. [[Bachelor of Theology]] (four years) and [[Bachelor of Divinity]] (five years) are awarded by the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]].
The college has affiliated since its founding with the Senate of Serampore College (University).<ref name="Affiliated">{{Cite web |url=http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/college_2016.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=17 September 2016 |archive-date=18 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918012218/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/college_2016.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==={{anchor|Residential courses for Pastors}}Degrees for pastors===
==Campus Life==
ACTC and Serampore<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/academics/admission/nature-of-serampore-degrees/ |title=''Nature of Serampore degrees'' |access-date=1 May 2016 |archive-date=4 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504053153/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/academics/admission/nature-of-serampore-degrees/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> offer two degrees for pastors: [[Bachelor of Divinity]] (B.D.) and [[Master of Theology]] (M. Th.) under the aegis of [[Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture]] (ARRC).<ref name="Affiliated"/>
ACTC has several recreational facilities, including a throwball court, a tennis court, a basketball court, a volleyball court, a table tennis room and a large ground that is used for playing football and cricket.
{{multiple image
| total_width = 400
| align = right
| direction = horizontal
| header = Campus
| image1 = Mens Hostel, Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad, Telangana , India (2017).jpg
| caption1 = Dormitories
| image2 = ACTC Dining hall.jpg
| caption2 = Refectory
| image3 = Residential quarters in Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad , Telangana , India (2017).jpg
| caption3 = Students residential quarters
}}


==={{anchor|Non-residential courses for Christians and non-Christians (Distance mode)}}Distance education===
Every morning, worship services are held in the [[Chapel]] on the top floor of the administrative building for the students and the faculty. On Sundays, the [[Chapel]] is also used for worship services for the general public too. Sunday School classes are held separately for children according to their ages.
Through [[distance education]], ACTC has Bachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S.) and Master of Christian Studies (M.C.S.) programmes for Christian students<ref>P. Satyanarayana, Emmanuel D.K. Meduri, ''Use of Distance Education by Christian Religion to Train, Edify and Educate Adherents'', Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, Volume 14, Number 2, April 2013. [http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1013727.pdf]</ref> and a Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip. C.S.) programme for Christian and non-Christian students.<ref name="Affiliated"/>


==={{anchor|Registrar's Visitations}}Registrar visits===
Many festivals also take place here exclusive to the ACTC community, including Christian Home Festival, Carey Day, CSI Day, Reformation Day, Independence Day.
When the college was founded in 1964, university [[Registrar (education)|registrar]] [[Chetti Devasahayam]] ([[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars|CBCNC]]) delivered its inaugural address;<ref name="Lutheran"/> registrar [[D. S. Satyaranjan]] visited the college annually. Current registrar S. K. Patro has visited ACTC to investigate the prospect of upgrading the college to a postgraduate institution.<ref name="Convocation"/>


==={{anchor|University Convocations|1979|2016}}University convocations===
===Library===
<gallery>
Image:Luther Giri.jpg|The Chapel in Luthergiri, [[Rajahmundry]], the erstwhile location of the College.
Image:ACTC tower.jpg|The [[Bell Tower]] of the College viewed from the Hostel at [[dusk]].
Image:ACTC graduation.jpg|Graduation Ceremony of [[2004]].
Image:ACTC alumni.JPG|An privately-held alumni reunion.
</gallery>


* Senate of Serampore College (University) has held two [[Convocation#University use|convocations]] at ACTC. The February 1979 convocation<ref name="Rayan">''Religion and Society'', Volume 26, Issue 2, Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore, 1979, p.77. [https://books.google.com/books?id=VO0nAAAAYAAJ&q=samuel+rayan]</ref> was hosted by college during the tenures of the [[Old Testament]] faculty [[Victor Premasagar]], CSI and G. Babu Rao, CBCNC; both had been associated with the [[Serampore College]].<ref>''The Story of Serampore and its College'', Council of Serampore College, Serampore (Fourth Edition), 2005, p.92.</ref> The convocation was attended by university registrar [[D. S. Satyaranjan]] and [[Master (college)|master]] A. D. Khan. The university president was [[Victor Premasagar]].<ref name="President and Speaker"/> The [[Commemoration (Anglicanism)|Commemoration]] Mass was led by G. Babu Rao (CBCNC) at St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral near<ref>St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad. [http://www.bangaloreorthodoxdiocese.org/index.php?view=directory&content=clergy]</ref> the college,<ref>''Convocation brochure of the University, 1979, Secunderabad''</ref> and the convocation address was delivered by Samuel Rayan,<ref name="Rayan"/> [[Society of Jesus|S.J.]]<ref name="President and Speaker">{{Cite web |url=http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/hall-of-fame/president-and-speaker-at-convocations/ |title=''Senate Presidents and Speakers at Convocations'' |access-date=1 May 2016 |archive-date=30 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430143522/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/hall-of-fame/president-and-speaker-at-convocations/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The college has a well-equipped library including reading room facilities with more than 38,000<ref>Paul, Luther N.V.L., Principal's Annual Report 2007-2008, ''for private circulation'', [[pp.]] 10-24</ref> books on its racks besides 35 subscribed periodicals. [[Reverend|Rev.]] D. J. Jeremiah is the present Librarian.
{{multiple image

| total_width = 400
===The Hall System===
| align = right
[[Image:W. D. Coleman.jpg|115px|thumb|W. D. Coleman, the first Principal of the College]]
| direction = horizontal
[[W. D. Coleman]], the first Principal of the College explains the Hall System as<ref>Edgar R. Trexler, ''Mission in a New World'', Fortress Press, 1977. p. 29.[http://books.google.co.in/books?cd=2&id=5d7XAKvOztYC&dq=]</ref>:
| header = Campus
{{quote|''Each of the participating denominations has its own 'hall'. There are two hours of instruction each week about the liturgy, history, and policy of each denomination.''}}
| image1 = Academic block face.jpg
| caption1 = Academic block face
| image2 = ACTC Tower.jpg
| caption2 = Bell tower
| image3 = ACTC Creche.jpg
| caption3 = Creche
}}
* The college hosted<ref name="Convocation">''Address of the President of the Senate'', 2016 Convocation of the University. [http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/address-of-the-president-of-the-senate/]</ref> the 2016 convocation under the tenure of Old Testament scholars T. Matthews Emmanuel,<ref name="Convocation"/> CBCNC and Vasantha Rao, CSI. The university was represented by master [[John Sadananda]],<ref name="Convocation"/> Senate president Issac Mar Philoxenos,<ref name="Convocation"/><ref name="President and Speaker"/> [[South Asia Theological Research Institute]] dean [[P. G. George]]<ref name="Convocation"/> and university registrar S. K. Patro. The Commemoration Mass was led by S. I. Nirmal Kumar, CBCNC at the Chapel in the campus. The Convocation address was delivered by Klaus Schäfer.<ref name="President and Speaker"/> [[Honorary degree|honorary doctoral degrees]] were conferred on [[D. S. Satyaranjan]]<ref name="Convocation"/> (who led the 1979 convocation) and Klaus Schäfer,<ref name="Convocation"/> who taught [[New Testament]] courses at the college from 1988<ref>''The Bulletin of the Henry Martyn Institute of Islamic Studies'', Volume 12, 1993, p.2. [https://books.google.com/books?id=lFFTAAAAYAAJ&q=andhra+christian+theological+college+old+testament]</ref> to 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a4LYAAAAMAAJ&q=andhra+christian+theological+college|title=Bangalore Theological Forum|date=19 October 1993|publisher=Division of Research and Post-graduate Studies, United Theological College|via=Google Books}}</ref>


=={{anchor|ATA affiliation}} Master of Divinity programme through ATA==
The Church societies commonly associated with [[Protestantism]] in southern India include those from the [[Church of South India]], [[Baptists]], [[Lutherans]], [[Methodists]] among others. Each Church has a tradition of its own. In ACTC, apart from teaching of theological subjects, students are also taught their respective Church doctrine<ref>''The American Lutheran'', American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, [[Delhi (town), New York]], 1965. p. 12. [http://books.google.co.in/books?lr=&id=xM4nAAAAMAAJ&dq=andhra+christian+theological+college&q=hall+system&pgis=1#search_anchor]</ref>. This is of course ''extra curricular'' and does not part form part of the [[syllabi]] prescribed by the [[University]].
The college has begun an initiative to admit Christian candidates to a [[Master of Divinity|M.Div.]] programme, for which it has been accredited by the [[Asia Theological Association]].<ref>[[Asia Theological Association]], ''Accredited Member List''.[https://ataindia.org/members/accredited-members/]</ref>


=={{anchor|Faculty}}Academics==
==Principalship==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Principalship is for a term of four years. Each participating Church society gets a chance on rotation. Currently, the four-year cycle of Principalship is with the [[Church of South India]]. Ch. Vasantha Rao is the present Principal.
|+Present active faculty<ref name="SSC">[[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], ''Faculty with subjects taught''.[http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/4.-ACTC-ALLAHABAD.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521021707/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/4.-ACTC-ALLAHABAD.pdf |date=21 May 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Principal">''Principal's Annual Report 2015-2016'' in the 52nd graduation service booklet of the Andhra Christian Theological College, 2016, pp.17-30.</ref><ref name="2016-2017"/>

|-
==Present Staff==
! Subject!!Name !! Gender!!Denomination!! Highest<br> Degree !!Alma mater!!University
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; font-size: 85%; background:#ffffcc; color:black; width:20em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
! style="background-color:#cccccc;" | List of Principalships
|[[Christian ministry]]||L. Anitha, [[Methodist Church in India|MCI]]||F||[[Methodist]]||[[M.Th.]]||[[Gurukul Lutheran Theological College|Gurukul, Chennai]]<ref>[[Gurukul Lutheran Theological College]], ''Projects'', ''Academic and Administrative Committees'', ''Library Committee''. [http://www.gltc.edu/projects/26-administration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807172243/http://www.gltc.edu/projects/26-administration |date=7 August 2016 }}</ref>||[[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]]
(Church society, Years, Principal)
|-
|[[New Testament]]||Ch. Helen Salomy, [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]]<ref name="Exam"/>||F||[[Baptist]]||M.Th.||[[United Theological College, Bangalore|UTC, Bangalore]]<ref>''Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on 17 July 2012'', p.30. [http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/docs/wc-july2012.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817025256/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/docs/wc-july2012.pdf |date=17 August 2016 }}</ref>||Serampore
|-
|[[History of Christianity]]||N. V. Grace,<ref>Senate of Serampore College (University), ''Members of the Senate''.[http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/administration/members-of-the-senate/ Senate of Serampore College (University), Members of the Senate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612163632/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/administration/members-of-the-senate/ |date=12 June 2017 }}</ref> [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]]||F||[[Lutheran]]||[[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]]<ref>''University Newsletter'', Volume XVI, Number 4, January–March 2015, p.23.[https://www.nagarjunauniversity.ac.in/newsletters/january-marchnl15.pdf]</ref>||[[Acharya Nagarjuna University|ANU]], [[Namburu]]||[[Acharya Nagarjuna University|Nagarjuna]]
|-
|History of Christianity||P. Usha Priya,<ref>Senate of Serampore College (University), ''Assets'', ''UTC, Bangalore''.[http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/assets/uploads/cms_pdf/15971262562__UTC_Bangalore_Student_Telegram_IDs_Designated_Telegram_and_Email_IDs_for_Submission.pdf]</ref> STBC||F||Baptist||M.Th.||UTC, Bangalore||Serampore
|-
|[[Religions]]||K. Vimalesh Kumari, STBC||F||Baptist||M.Th.||[[Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture|ARRC]], [[Hyderabad]]||Serampore
|-
|History of Christianity||D. Dasu, CBCNC||M||Baptist||M.Th.||UTC, Bangalore||Serampore
|-
|[[Communication]]||V. Alfred Sudhakar, CBCNC<ref>Senate of Serampore College (University), Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary, Madurai, 2020, p.2.[https://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/assets/uploads/cms_pdf/15971263428__TTS_Madurai_Student_Telegram_IDs_Designated_Telegram_and_Email_IDs_for_Submission.pdf]</ref>||M||Baptist||M.Th.||[[Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary|TTS, Madurai]]||Serampore
|-
|[[Christian Ministry]]||Y. J. Rajendra Prasad,<ref>[[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], ''Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on July 15–16, 2010'', p.260. [http://senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/docs/220-284.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062216/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/docs/220-284.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> STBC||M||Baptist||D.Th.||UTC, Bangalore||Serampore
|-
|New Testament||G. Niranjan Nishchal,<ref>Church of South India Synod, ''Pastoral Concerns Department Lenten Meditations 2020''.[https://www.academia.edu/42524265/_Mary_Magdalene_Rev_G_Niranjan_Nishchal]</ref> CSI||M||Wesleyan Methodist||M.Th.||UTC, Bangalore||Serampore
|-
|[[Missiology]]||Ch. Joshi Ananda Prakash, AELC||M||Lutheran||M.Th.||Gurukul, Chennai<ref name="senateofseramporecollege.edu.in">''Directory of Teaching Staff'', [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]. [http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/faculty.php?college=Andhra+Christian+Theological+College&spez=Select+Specialization]</ref>||Serampore
|-
|Religions||T. Swami Raju, AELC||M||Lutheran||D.Th.||SATHRI, Bangalore<ref>T. Swami Raju, ''Subaltern Movements: Insights for Inter-faith Dialogue'', 2010. [http://www.edinburgh2010.org/fileadmin/files/edinburgh2010/files/docs/5._Swamiraju.doc]</ref>||Serampore
|-
|Religions||P. Alexander, [[South Andhra Lutheran Church|SALC]]||M||Lutheran||M.Th.||Gurukul, Chennai<ref>P. Alexander, ''Religion and Society - The Challenges of Contemporaniety'', CONGRESSO INTERNACIONAL DA FACULDADES EST, 1., 2012, pp.1717-1732.
[http://anais.est.edu.br/index.php/congresso/article/viewFile/134/123]</ref>||Serampore
|-
|[[Social Analysis]]||M. Yonathan,<ref>''Minutes of the Meeting of the Working Committee of the Academic Council held on July 17, 2012'', p.30.[http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/docs/wc-july2012.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817025256/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/docs/wc-july2012.pdf |date=17 August 2016 }}</ref> STBC||M||Baptist||M.Th.||TTS, Madurai||Serampore
|-
|[[Old Testament]]<ref name="Exam">[[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], ''[[United Theological College, Bangalore]] - Examination Registration 2013 in [[Master of Theology]].[http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/examregmth_2013/2MTH.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827205959/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/examregmth_2013/2MTH.pdf |date=27 August 2017 }}''</ref>||K. Joseph Premavardhan,<ref>K. James Cecil Victor (Edited), ''Sermon Outlines 2016, Based on the Third cycle (Year C) of the revised common lectionary of CSI, CNI and MTC.[http://www.csisynod.com/Admin/sermonoutlines/18_SERMONS%202016%20PRINTED%20VERSION.pdf]''</ref> CSI<ref>[[Church of South India Synod]], ''[[Rayalaseema Diocese]] Ministerial roll''.[https://www.csisynod.com/Admin/ministerial/55_Ministerial%20Roll%20-%20Rayalaseema%20Diocese.pdf]</ref>||M||[[Congregational]]||M. Th.||UTC, Bangalore||Serampore
|-
|Old Testament||G. Varaprasad, AELC||M||Lutheran||D.Th.||UTC, Bangalore<ref>[[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], Doctor of Theology. [http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/hall-of-fame/doctor-of-theology/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714055717/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/hall-of-fame/doctor-of-theology/ |date=14 July 2017 }}</ref>||Serampore
|-
|Christian theology||M. Rajendra Babu, CSI||M||[[Anglican]]||M.Th.||[[Union Biblical Seminary|UBS]], [[Pune]]||Serampore
|-
|Christian theology||B. N. Ratna Prakash,<ref>[[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], ''List of faculty''.[http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/THEOLOGY_CLUSTER.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015091922/http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/THEOLOGY_CLUSTER.pdf |date=15 October 2019 }}</ref> AELC||M||Lutheran||M.Th.||TTS, Madurai||Serampore
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Faculty on study leave
|-
! Subject!!Name !! Gender!!Denomination!! Degree !!Studying !!Institution!!Leave period
|-
|Christian theology||B. J. Moses Shanthi Kumar,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trinitychurchnyc.org/grants-partners/leadership-development/trinity-union-scholars|title=Trinity Union Scholars &#124; Trinity Church|website=trinitychurchnyc.org}}</ref> CSI<ref name="Synod">[[Church of South India Synod]], ''[[Medak Diocese]] Ministerial roll''.[http://www.csisynod.com/Admin/ministerial/53_Ministerial%20Roll%20-%20Medak%20Diocese.pdf]</ref>||M||Wesleyan Methodist||M.Th.||[[Master of Sacred Theology|S. T. M.]], [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]]||[[Union Theological Seminary (New York City)|UTS, New York]]||2019-2022
|-
|[[Christian theology]]||S. I. Nirmal Kumar, CBCNC<ref name="senateofseramporecollege.edu.in"/>||M||Baptist||M.Th.||D.Th.||ETC, [[Jorhat]]||2023-2026
|-
|-
|Christian theology||M. Gnanak Gerhardson, CSI||M||[[Wesleyan Methodism|Wesleyan Methodist]]||M.Th.||D.Th.||[[NIIPGTS]],<br> [[Kolkata]]/[[Serampore]]||2024-2027
| style="text-align: left;" |
* [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church]] (1964 - 1972)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] [[W. D. Coleman]]
* [[Church of South India]] (1972 - 1978)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] P. [[Victor Premasagar]]
* [[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars]] (1978-1986)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] K. David
* [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches]] (1986 - 1990)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] S. Joseph
* [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church]] (1990-1994)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] [[M. Victor Paul]] ''(1990-1993)''
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] G. Sampoorna Rao ''(1993-1994)''
* [[Church of South India]] (1994 - 1998)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] R. Yesurathnam
* [[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars]] (1998-2002)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] K. D. G. Prakasa Rao''(1998-2001)''
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] D. J. Jeremiah ''(2001-2002)''
* [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches]] (2002-2006)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[B. J. Christie Kumar]]
* [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church]] (2006-2010)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] N. V. Luther Paul
* [[Church of South India]] (2010-2014)
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] Ch. Vasantha Rao
|}
|}
===Teaching staff===
The faculty at ACTC have substantial pastoral experience and theological grounding. The present faculty include:


==={{anchor|Logistics|Naming of the Library}}Library===
'''[[Sacred Scriptures]]'''
ACTC's library has reading-room facilities, over 38,000<ref>Paul, Luther N.V.L., Principal's Annual Report 2007-2008, ''for private circulation'', pp. 10-24</ref> books and 35 periodicals. When the college was founded, it was known as the Dunkelberger Memorial Library.<ref name="Story"/> The [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]]<ref name="Dunkelberger">''Minutes of the twentieth biennial Convention of the United Lutheran Church in America'', Board of Publication of the United Lutheran Church in America, 1956, p.991. [https://books.google.com/books?id=EJUgAQAAMAAJ&q=dunkelberger+rajahmundry]</ref> had sponsored the library<ref name="Dunkelberger"/> in memory of Roy Martin Dunkelberger,<ref>Martin Luther Dolbeer, ''The Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church: A Brief History'', Department of Religious Education of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1951, p.145. [https://books.google.com/books?id=YGLZAAAAMAAJ&q=dunkelberger]</ref> AELC, a Lutheran missionary in Rajahmundry.<ref>Margaret Eunice Hawkinson [[née]] Coleman, ''The Church is Planted - A Biographical Record of the Missionaries in India of the Lutheran Church in America 1842-1987'', Florida, 1987.[https://www.worldcat.org/formats-editions/19473601]</ref>
* [[Old Testament]]
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] N. V. Luther Paul
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] [[Ch. Vasantha Rao]]<ref>Vasantha Rao was a doctoral candidate at the [[University of Hamburg]]. He was awarded a Doctorate of Theology ([[Dr. Theol.]]) in Old Testament by the School of Evangelical Theology at the [[University of Hamburg]]. See dissertations submitted to the Universities of Germany in the academic year 2003-2004. [http://egora.uni-muenster.de/fb2/thrv/Diss-Habil_2003-2004.pdf]</ref>
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] T. Matthews Emmanuel <ref>Matthews Emmanuel studied under the legendary Old Testament Teacher Prof. Rev. Dr. [[K. V. Mathew]], Ph. D. ([[Edinburgh]]) at the Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture, Kottayam. For online citation of Rev. Matthews read para VII in the article - Christian groups up in arms that appeared in The Times of India - Hyderabad Edition, 20 August 2007 .....Rev. Matthews, Professor of Old Testament at the Andhra Christian Theological College.... [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Christian_groups_up_in_arms/rssarticleshow/2293078.cms] </ref>


The library was renamed the Gipson Memorial Library in 2014 in honour of [[Baptist]] missionary T. G. Gipson, STBC, who had modernized the library during his second term as a visiting faculty member at the college.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1kq9FGSWmE|title=Tracy Gibson Memorial Library|date=22 November 2014|via=YouTube}}</ref> The renaming ceremony was held during the tenure of T. Matthews Emmanuel ([[CBCNC]]) as principal, in the presence of board of governors chair [[K. Frederick Paradesi Babu]] (AELC) and board member [[V. Prasada Rao]] (CSI).
* [[New Testament]]
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] V. Manikya Rao,<ref>[http://www.karmayog.org/nonmumprodis.asp?r=149&nonnpoproid=2660&state=Tamil%20Nadu&city=Chennai Development Promotion Group (DPG) | Tamil Nadu | Chennai | Profile of Non Profit Organisation | nonprofit | npos | non profit | Karmayog.org<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] K. Suraj Kumar<ref>Suraj Kumar studied under Prof. Charles A. Wannamaker at the [[University of Cape Town]], South Africa and earned a [[Ph. D.]] in New Testament. Dr. Suraj's doctoral dissertation was entitled ''Paul's rhetorical use of complex metaphors in 1 Corinthians 3-4''. [http://books.google.co.in/books?id=21fYPgAACAAJ&dq]</ref>
** [[Reverend|Rev.]] M. John Sunder<ref>Almanac and Diary 2007, Church of South India, p.70. John Sunder has an [[M. Th.]] in New Testament having studied at the [[United Theological College]], [[Bengaluru]].</ref>


=={{anchor|Sport|Mass}}Student life==
'''[[Religion]]'''
ACTC has recreational facilities which include [[throwball]], tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a [[table tennis]] room and a playing field for football and cricket. Daily [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]] is said in the chapel for students and teachers, and Sunday mass is open to the public. College festivals include the Christian Home Festival, Carey Day, CSI Day, Reformation Day, and Independence Day.
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] T. Swami Raju,<ref>Swami Raju studied at the [[SATHRI]], [[Bengaluru]]. [http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2005/01/28/stories/2005012819130300.htm The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Around the City<!-- Bot generated title -->]. His doctoral thesis was entitled ''Vira cult in folk religion of Guntur District : A Dalit Perspective''. [http://www.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/helios/nel_inst/00/00/2007_12_2460.html]</ref>
=={{anchor|Notable people|Faculty|Alumni}}Notable figures==
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] P. Alexander,<ref>Alexander obtained a Master of Theology ([[M. Th.]]) through the [[Gurukul Lutheran Theological College]] and Research Institute, [[Chennai]]. [http://www.sorat.ukzn.ac.za/theology/inate/circular4.doc]</ref>
===Past Faculty===
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] S. Vijaya Kumari Joseph,<ref>Vijaya Kumari specialises in Islam. She obtained a Masters degree in Theology ([[M. Th.]]) through the Henry Martin Institute, Hyderabad and the [[United Theological College]], [[Bengaluru]]. She is a member of the [[Association of Theologically Trained Women of India]].</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
*'''Old Testament'''
**[[W. D. Coleman]], [[PhD]] ([[Hartford Seminary|Hartford]]): the college's first principal
**M. Vidyanandam, [[Church of South India|CSI]], [[Bachelor of Divinity|B.D.]] ([[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]]),
**P. [[Victor Premasagar]], CSI, [[PhD]] ([[University of St Andrews|St Andrews]])
**[[Gaddala Solomon|G. Solomon]], [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]], [[Th.M.]] ([[Eastern University (United States)|Eastern]])
**G. Babu Rao, [[CBCNC]], [[M.Th.]] (Serampore)
**Scott L. Harris, ELCA, [[PhD]] ([[Union Theological Seminary (New York City)|Union]])
**N. V. Luther Paul, AELC, [[D.Th.]] (Serampore)
**Ch. Vasantha Rao, CSI, [[Dr. Theol.]] ([[University of Hamburg|Hamburg]])
**Henriette Howarth, [[Church of England|C of E]], [[Master of Arts|M.A.]] ([[University of Utrecht|Utrecht]])
**T. Mathews Emmanuel, CBCNC, D.Th. (Serampore)
**R. Jeeva Kumar, STBC, D.Th. (Serampore)
*'''New Testament'''
**[[Komaravalli David|K. David]],
**[[Muriel Spurgeon Carder|Muriel Spurgeon-Carder]], [[Canadian Baptist Ministries|CBM]], [[Th.D.]] ([[Toronto School of Theology|Toronto]])
**[[M. Victor Paul]], [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]], [[M. Th.]] ([[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]])
**[[Suppogu Joseph|S. Joseph]], [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]], [[D. Th.]] (Serampore)
**K. Prasada Rao, STBC, M. Th. (Serampore),
**David Roland Hall, [[English Wesleyan Mission|WMMS]], M. Th. (Serampore)
**Klaus Schäfer [[Dr. Theol.]] ([[University of Hamburg|Hamburg]]),
**V. Manikya Rao, [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]], D. Th. (Serampore),
**K. Suraj Kumar, [[CBCNC]], [[PhD]] ([[University of Cape Town|Cape Town]]),
**M. John Sundar, CSI, M. Th. (Serampore),
*'''Christian Education'''
**Alice M. Findlay
*'''Social Analysis'''
**B. W. David Raju,
*'''Systematic Theology'''
**[[Waldo Penner]], M. Th. ([[American Baptist Seminary of the West|Berkeley]]): pioneered attempts to found the college with A. B. Masilamani
**[[Ryder Devapriam]], [[Th.D.]] ([[General Theological Seminary|GTS]]): bishop of the [[Diocese of Nandyal]] and moderator of the Church of South India Synod
**[[Ravela Joseph]], Th. M. ([[Andover Newton Theological School|Andover]]): church history teacher and lyricist
**B. J. Christie Kumar, M. Th. (Serampore)
**[[G. Dyvasirvadam]], [[M.Th.]] (Serampore): present bishop of the [[Krishna-Godavari Diocese]] and moderator of the Church of South India Synod
**[[:de:Jürgen Fangmeier]], [[Dr. Theol.]] ([[University of Basel|Basel]]): taught [[systematic theology]] from 1987 to 1990<ref>Leonore Krenzlin, Klaus Weigelt (edited), ''Ernst Wiechert im Gespräch: Begegnungen und Einblicke in sein Werk'', De Gruyter, Berlin, 2010, p. 300.[https://books.google.com/books?id=E8PThgA8vroC&dq=jurgen+fangmeier+hyderabad&pg=PA300]</ref>
**L. Raymond Waldock
*'''Practical Theology/Homiletics'''
**[[G. Devasahayam]], [[S.T.M.]] ([[Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia|Philadelphia]]): third president of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church
**G. Sampurna Rao, D. Min. (McCormick)
**Manoranjan Luke, [[Methodist Church in India|MCI]]<ref>Dinesh Agarwal, ''Great Struggle: Bishop's Story'', Patridge publishing, 2016.[https://books.google.com/books?id=I2TjCwAAQBAJ&dq=manoranjan%20luke%20methodist&pg=PT16]</ref>
**[[Perapogu Joseph]],<ref>P. Joseph, ''A comparative study of pastoral care in the work of a parish pastor and a hospital chaplain'', [[Brite Divinity School]] Thesis, 1975.[https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/35012]</ref> Th. M. ([[Brite Divinity School|Brite]]): Former [[Military chaplain]] and [[Pastoral care]] faculty
**[[G. T. Abraham]], [[Th.M.]] ([[Virginia Theological Seminary|Virginia]]): bishop of the [[Nandyal Diocese]]
**[[K. Reuben Mark]], PhD ([[Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences|Higginbottom]]): present bishop of [[Karimnagar Diocese]]
**A. John Prabhakar, D. Th. (Serampore)
*'''Religions'''
**[[W. P. Peery]], PhD ([[Duke University|Duke]]): later taught at the [[United Theological College, Bangalore]]
**[[Eric J. Lott]], PhD ([[University of Lancaster|Lancaster]]): later taught at the United Theological College, Bangalore
**[[Louis F. Knoll]], Ph. D. ([[University of California, Berkeley|Berkeley]]): co-founder of the college
**[[R. R. Sundara Rao]], PhD ([[Wisconsin University|Wisconsin]]): later principal of the [[Gurukul Lutheran Theological College]] in Chennai
**K. D. G. Prakasa Rao, M. Th. (Serampore)
**P. Alexander
**N. V. Vijaya Kumari
*'''Church History/History of Christianity'''
**[[B. E. Devaraj]], [[L.Th.]] (Serampore): wrote the [[Lambadi language|Lambadi]] version of the [[New Testament]]
**W. Gordon Carder
**Tracy Gipson
**B. C. Paul
**C. Yesupadam
**D. J. Jeremiah
**K. L. Richardson


'''[[Missiology]]'''
*'''Telugu'''
**P. Dass Babu
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] Ch. Joshi Ananda Prakash<ref>Joshi obtained an [[M. Th.]] through [[Gurukul Lutheran Theological College]], [[Chennai]].</ref>
*'''English'''

**LaVerne Louise-Waldock
'''Social Analysis'''
*'''Librarianship'''
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] P. Praveen Prabhu Sudheer<ref>Sudheer pursued [[M. Th.]] at the [[Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary]], [[Madurai]]</ref>
**Marjorie May Lynch-Gipson

}}
'''[[Homiletics]]'''
===Alumni===
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[Dr.]] K. Reuben Mark<ref>Reuben Mark had a research exposure at the [[University of Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]]. [http://www.cbnindia.org/print.php?id=330]</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] A. John Prabhakar<ref>[https://www.gmpublications.com/index.php?authors_id=11465&gmPsid=]</ref>
*'''Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church'''

**[[B. V. Subbamma|Bathineni Venkata Subbamma]], Ph. D. ([[Wittenberg University|Wittenberg]]): first woman senator at Senate of Serampore College (University)
'''[[History of Christianity]]'''
**[[Ch. Victor Moses]], M. Th. (Serampore): twelfth president of the church
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] D. J. Jeremiah,<ref>Jeremiah obtained an [[M. Th.]] degree through the [[United Theological College]], [[Bengaluru]]. [http://www.indianchristianity.com/html/NewsDigest.htm News Digest<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
**[[V. E. Christopher]], [[Bachelor of Divinity|B. D.]] (Serampore): thirteenth president of the church
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] K. L. Richardson,<ref>Richardson studied [[M. Th.]] at the [[United Theological College]], [[Bengaluru]]. [http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=1570&C=1483 Martyrs in the History of Christianity<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
**[[B. Suneel Bhanu]], M. Th. (Serampore): fourteenth president of the church

**[[K. Frederick Paradesi Babu]], B. D. (Serampore): current church president
'''[[Systematic Theology]]'''
*'''International Pentecostal Holiness Church'''
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] S. I. Nirmal Kumar<ref>Nirmal Kumar holds an [[M. Th.]] in theology from [[Serampore College]], [[Serampore]], the constituent college of the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]].</ref>
**[[B. S. Moses Kumar]],<ref>G. Babu Rao, ''Bibliography of some of the writings of Victor Premasagar'' in [[H. S. Wilson]] (Edited), ''The Church on the Move: A Quest to affirm the Biblical Faith'', Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1988, p.157.[https://books.google.com/books?id=S-wrAAAAMAAJ&q=g.+babu+rao+victor+premasagar]</ref> Ph. D. ([[University of Agra|Agra]])

*'''Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars'''
'''[[Christian Ethics]]'''
**[[Lalitha Kumari (pastor)|M. S. G. Lalitha Kumari]], B. D. (Serampore): First ordained [[Woman priest]] of the convention
* [[Reverend|Rev.]] B. Sunil Vara Kumar<ref>Sunil obtained an [[M. Th.]] through the [[United Theological College]], [[Bengaluru]].</ref>
*'''Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches'''
<gallery>
**[[Nalla Thomas|N. Thomas]], B. D. (Serampore); Ecclesiastical Administrator of Samavesam
Image:B.J.Christie Kumar.jpg|The Systematic Theologian [[Reverend|Rev.]] [[B. J. Christie Kumar]].
*'''Church of South India'''
Image:Vijaya.JPG|[[Reverend|Rev.]] S. Vijaya Kumari Joseph teaches classes on [[Islam]].
**[[D. N. Samuel]], B. D. (Serampore): fifth bishop of the Diocese of Dornakal
Image:Ajprabhakar.jpg|[[Reverend|Rev.]] A. John Prabhakar teaches [[Homiletics]].
**[[A. Rajarathnam]], B. D. (Serampore): sixth bishop of Dornakal
Image:P. Alexander.JPG|[[Reverend|Rev.]] P. Alexander teaches [[Religions]].
**[[Samuel Kanaka Prasad]], B. D. (Serampore): sixth bishop of the [[Medak Diocese]]
</gallery>
*'''Church of South India''' (Continued)
**[[B. D. Prasada Rao]], M. Th. (Serampore): Bishop Emeritus of the [[Rayalaseema Diocese]]
**[[Vadapalli Prasada Rao]], B. D. (Serampore): present bishop of Dornakal
**[[Eggoni Pushpa Lalitha]], B. D. (Serampore): present bishop of the Nandyal Diocese
**[[George Cornelious|T. George Cornelious]], B.D. (Serampore): present bishop of Krishna-Godavari Diocese
**[[P. Issac Vara Prasad]], B. Th. (Serampore): present Bishop - in - [[Rayalaseema Diocese]]
}}
===Board of Governors===
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
*'''Methodist Church in India'''
**Elia Peter, Bishop Emeritus, Hyderabad Regional Conference of Methodist Church in India
**M. A. Daniel, Current Bishop, Hyderabad Regional Conference of Methodist Church in India
*'''South Andhra Lutheran Church'''
**O. Michael Benhur
**K. S. Chandrasekhar
**E. Vijayabhaskar
**K. J. Premkumar
*'''Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church'''
**[[K. Devasahayam]], B. A. (Andhra), B. D. (Serampore), Th. M. (LTSP)
**[[S. W. Schmitthenner]]
**K. Nathaniel L. Th. (Serampore)
**G. Emmanuel L. Th. (Serampore)
**N. Ch. Joseph
*'''Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church'''
**S. Paul Raj
**K. Abraham
*'''Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars'''
**K. P. Israel
**[[S. E. Krupa Rao]], S. T. M. ([[Union Theological Seminary (New York City)|Union]]): [[Patriarch]] of the convention
**C. L. Johnson, B. D. (Serampore)
*'''Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches'''
**B. Victor Emmanuel
**P. Sadanandam
**S. Benjamin
*'''Church of South India'''
**[[Eber Priestley]], B.A. (Birmingham),
**[[H. D. L. Abraham]], B.D. (Serampore)
**[[B. G. Prasada Rao]], B.D. (Serampore), M.Th. (Serampore)
**[[B. P. Sugandhar]], B.D. (Serampore)
**[[A. C. Solomon Raj]], B. D. (Serampore), M. Th. (Serampore)
**[[N. D. Ananda Rao Samuel]]
**[[T. B. D. Prakasa Rao]]
*'''Church of South India''' (Continued)
**[[P. Solomon]]
**[[B. Prabhudass]]
**[[G. Benjamin Devasahayam]]
**[[K. E. Swamidass]]
**[[S. John Theodore]]
**[[P. Surya Prakash]]
**[[G. S. Luke]]
**[[D. N. Samuel]]
**[[B. S. Devamani]]
**[[Clement Venkataramiah]]
**[[Ernest John]]
**[[Pabbathi John]]
**[[P. J. Lawrence]]
**[[L. V. Azariah]], B.D. (Serampore), Th. M. (WTS)
**[[C. B. M. Frederick]], B.D. (Serampore)
**[[K. B. Yesu Vara Prasad]], B.D. (Serampore)
}}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{cite journal
* {{cite web
| author=Charles W. Ranson
| author=Charles W. Ranson
| title=''The Christian Minister in India, His Vocation and Training: A Study Based on a Survey of Theological Education by the National Christian Council'', United Society for Christian Literature, Lutterworth Press.
| title=''The Christian Minister in India, His Vocation and Training: A Study Based on a Survey of Theological Education by the National Christian Council'', United Society for Christian Literature, Lutterworth Press.
| year=1946
| year=1946
| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=PVQAAAAAMAAJ&q=seminary+dornakal
| volume=
| issue=
| url =http://books.google.co.in/books?id=PVQAAAAAMAAJ&q=seminary+dornakal&dq=seminary+dornakal&pgis=1
}}
}}
* {{cite web

| author=Margaret Eunice Hawkinson [[née]] Coleman
* {{cite journal
| title=''That they may be one - The Story of the Andhra Christian Theological College'', Published by the Mission Council of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, and printed at the Lenox Press, Madurai
| author=M. L. Kretzmann
| year=1966
| title=''Kretzmann Commission Report : a survey and study of the task of theological education in the churches related to the Andhra Christian Theological College'', Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad.
| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=DsThAAAAMAAJ&q=That+they+may+be+one+-+The+Story+of+the+Andhra+Christian+Theological+College
| year=1970
| volume=
| issue=
| url =http://books.google.co.in/books?id=gnJZGwAACAAJ&dq=andhra+christian+theological+college
}}
}}
* {{cite journal
* {{cite web
| author=J. Herbert Kane
| author=M. L. Kretzmann
| title=''Kretzmann Commission Report: a survey and study of the task of theological education in the churches related to the Andhra Christian Theological College'', Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad.
| title=''A Global View of Christian Missions from Pentecost to the Present'', Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
| year=1971
| year=1970
| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=gnJZGwAACAAJ&q=andhra+christian+theological+college
| volume=Second edition (revised)
| issue=
| url =http://books.google.co.in/books?q=seminary+dornakal&btnG=Search+Books
}}
}}
* {{cite journal
* {{cite web
| author=Senftleben, Martin
| author=J. Herbert Kane
| title=''A Global View of Christian Missions from Pentecost to the Present'', Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
| title=''Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh.'' Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati
| year=1992
| year=1971
| volume=I
| volume=edition (revised)
| series=Second| url =https://books.google.com/books?q=seminary+dornakal&btnG=Search+Books
| issue=
| url =http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis1.pdf
}}
}}
* {{cite journal
* {{cite thesis
| author=_______________,
| author=Senftleben, Martin
| title=''Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh.'' Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati
| title=''Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh.'' Unpublished PhD thesis, Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati
| year=1992
| year=1992
| volume=II
| volume=I
| url=http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis1.pdf
| issue=
| access-date=5 March 2006
| url =http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis2.pdf
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209131403/http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis1.pdf
| archive-date=9 December 2008
| url-status=dead}}{{self-published inline|date=January 2024|reason=This unpublished thesis is not a peer-reviewed journal article}}
* {{cite thesis
| author=
| title=''Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh.'' Unpublished PhD thesis, Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati
| year=1992
| volume=II
| url=http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis2.pdf
| access-date=1 July 2006
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209131418/http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis2.pdf
| archive-date=9 December 2008
| url-status=dead}}{{self-published inline|date=January 2024|reason=This unpublished thesis is not a peer-reviewed journal article}}
* {{cite book
| author=Talathoti Punnaiah
| title=''My Memoir, Ministry and Message - 60 years Life Experiences 1950-2010''
| year=2010
}}{{fcn|date=January 2024|reason=Is this a book or some other pubilcation? More details are needed to make it discoverable}}
* {{cite web
| author=P. Satyanarayana, Emmanuel D.K. Meduri
| title=''Use of Distance Education by Christian Religion to Train, Edify and Educate Adherents'' in Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education
| date=April 2013
| volume=14
| issue=2
| url =https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1013727.pdf
}}
}}


{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Christian universities and colleges in India]]

[[Category:1964 establishments in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Anglican seminaries and theological colleges]]
[[Category:Christian seminaries and theological colleges in India]]
[[Category:Christian seminaries and theological colleges in India]]
[[Category:Seminaries and theological colleges in India]]
[[Category:Colleges in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1964]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1964]]
[[Category:Reformed church theological colleges and seminaries]]
[[Category:Reformed church seminaries and theological colleges]]
[[Category:Anglican theological colleges and seminaries]]
[[Category:Seminaries and theological colleges affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges affiliated with the Church of South India]]
{{Universities in West Bengal}}
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Canadian Baptist Ministries]]

Latest revision as of 00:32, 4 January 2025

This article is about UGC-recognised undergraduate courses (for the Clergy) and diploma, undergraduate and master's courses (for the Laity) offered by ACTC. For UGC-recognised master's courses (for the Clergy) specializing in Religion and Sacred Scripture, see Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture.

17°25′00.4″N 78°29′17.7″E / 17.416778°N 78.488250°E / 17.416778; 78.488250

Andhra Christian Theological College
Coat of arms
Other name
ACTC
Motto
Latin: Ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii
Motto in English
"Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry"
Dean of WomenThe Rev. P. Priscilla Das, CMBCI
WardenThe Rev. M. Yonathan, STBC
TypeAffiliated institution
EstablishedJuly 1, 1964 (1964-07-01)
FoundersChurches in Telugu states
AccreditationAsia Theological Association
AffiliationSenate of Serampore College (University)
Religious affiliation
Christianity
Academic affiliation
Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture
ChairpersonThe Rev. R. R. D. Sajeeva Raju, STBC
VisitorBishop Anilkumar John Servand, MCI
PrincipalThe Rev. G. Varaprasad, AELC
DeanThe Rev. K. J. Premavardhan, CSI
RegistrarThe Rev. Y. J. Rajendra Prasad, STBC
Academic staff
18+
Total staff
40+
Address
Lower Tank Bund Road, Gandhinagar Post
,
Secunderabad
,
Telangana
,
500 080
,
India

17°25′00.4″N 78°29′17.7″E / 17.416778°N 78.488250°E / 17.416778; 78.488250
CampusResidential, 10+ acres
LanguageTelugu and English
BursarThe Rev. V. Alfred Sudhakar, CBCNC
ChaplainThe Rev. G. Niranjan Nishchal, CSI
Websitewww.actc.edu.in

Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary[1] in Telangana which was founded in 1964.[2] It is affiliated with India's first[3] university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956),[4][5] and has degree-granting authority under a Danish charter ratified by the government of West Bengal.[6] ACTC is on the Hussain Sagar canal (north) in Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the Secunderabad Junction railway station.[7]

Participating ecclesiastical societies,
Andhra Christian Theological College,
Secunderabad, Telangana

History

[edit]

The college was founded on the Lutheran Theological College campus in Rajahmundry and the founding societies included[8][10] the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Church of South India, the Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars, the Methodist Church in India and the South Andhra Lutheran Church. The Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches held its B.D. classes at ACTC in 1967, and in 1972 the B.D. programme of the Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary was integrated into the college. When M. Victor Paul was principal (1991–1993), Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church joined the college.[11][12][10]

Christian missions in Andhra Pradesh[13] opened seminaries in Gooty (Union Theological Seminary),[14] Dornakal (Andhra Union Theological College,[15] for the Church of South India), Ramayapatnam (Baptist Theological Seminary, for the American Baptists), Luthergiri[16] (Lutheran Theological College), Kakinada (Baptist Theological Seminary, for Canadian Baptists) and Shamshabad (Mennonite Brethren Centenary Bible College, for the Anabaptists). Although professors were exchanged among the seminaries, Bachelor of Divinity students attended Serampore College in West Bengal.

Merger

[edit]

In 1964, the college was founded in Luthergiri, Rajahmundry, East Godavari with the merger of three[17] theological colleges.[18] In 1967, Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary, Ramayapatnam moved from Ramayapatnam to Rajahmundry, as a separate part of the college in Rajahmundry until it merged in 1972.[12][19][11]

With William D. Coleman as its first principal, the college was dedicated on 1 July[19] 1964 by R. M. Clark[19] of the BTESSC.[a] The inaugural address was delivered by Senate of Serampore College registrar C. Devasahayam in Rajahmundry.[21]

Relocation

[edit]

By 1973, the college had moved from Rajahmundry to Secunderabad due to pollution from nearby paper mills.[22] The new buildings were dedicated by Church of South India bishop Pereji Solomon in the presence of Catholic archbishop Samineni Arulappa and seminarians from St. John's Regional Seminary.[23] During the 1990s, the college's postal address changed to Hyderabad (now in Telangana).

Personalities
Bishop A. C. Solomon Raj, previously Chairperson of Board of Governors
Aprem Mooken, a Visitor to the college in 1988.[24]
Homiletics Scholar, The Rev. A. John Prabhakar, an Alumnus of this institution, and past Principal.

Overview

[edit]

Kretzmann Commission

[edit]

ACTC constituted the Kretzmann Commission in 1969,[25] consisting of:

The commission's report, presented to the board of governors, suggested increasing the Bachelor of Divinity curriculum and abolishing the Licentiate in Theology programme.


Administration and faculty

[edit]

Board of governors

[edit]
Succession of Old Testament faculty at ACTC, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh (1964-1972) and Secunderabad, Telangana (1973-Present)

The college is administered by a board of governors composed of representatives of participating Protestant ecclesiastical societies:

Motto

[edit]
Succession of New Testament faculty at ACTC, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh (1964-1972) and Secunderabad, Telangana (1973-Present)

The college motto is derived from Ephesians 4:12, which reads in the Latin Vulgate: "Ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii..."[51] ("For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry..." in the King James Version).

Hall system

[edit]

W. D. Coleman, the college's first principal, explained the hall system: "Each of the participating denominations has its own 'hall'. There are two hours of instruction each week about the liturgy, history, and policy of each denomination".[52]

The churches commonly associated with Protestantism in southern India include the Anglicans, Congregationalists, Wesleyan Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans and Methodists. Each church has its own tradition. At ACTC, students learn their respective church doctrine in addition to general theology.[53]

Principals

[edit]

The principal serves a four-year term (2022-2026), with each participating church having an opportunity to provide a principal. The current principal is the Rev. G. Varaprasad, AELC, D.Th. (Serampore).

Succession of Principals at Andhra Christian Theological College,
Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh (1964-1972) and Secunderabad, Telangana (1973-Present)
Term Years Church Society Denomination Principals Domicile
1964–1973 8 AELC Lutheran W. D. Coleman, PhD (Hartford) United States
1973–1980 8 CSI Wesleyan Methodist P. Victor Premasagar, PhD (St Andrews) Telangana
1980–1986 6 CBCNC Baptist K. David, PhD (Edinburgh) Andhra Pradesh
1986–1990 4 STBC Baptist S. Joseph, D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
1990–1994 4 AELC Lutheran M. Victor Paul, D.Min. (Luther) Andhra Pradesh
G. Sampurna Rao, D.Min. (McCormick) Andhra Pradesh
1994–1998 4 CSI Wesleyan Methodist R. Yesurathnam, D.Th. (Serampore) Telangana
1998–2002 4 CBCNC Baptist K. D. G. Prakasa Rao, M.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
D. J. Jeremiah, M. Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
2002–2006 4 STBC Baptist B. J. Christie Kumar, M.Th. (Serampore) Telangana
2006–2010 4 AELC Lutheran N. V. Luther Paul, D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
2010–2014 4 CSI Wesleyan Methodist Ch. Vasantha Rao, Dr. Theol. (Hamburg) Telangana
2014–2018[54] 4 CBCNC Baptist T. Matthews Emmanuel, D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
N. V. Vijaya Kumari, M.Th. (Serampore) Telangana
2018–2022 4 STBC Baptist A. John Prabhakar, D. Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
2022–2026 4 AELC Lutheran T. Swami Raju,[55] D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh
G. Varaprasad, D.Th. (Serampore) Andhra Pradesh

Serampore University affiliation

[edit]
Drawing of a large building with columns
1887 drawing of Senate of Serampore College (University)

The college has affiliated since its founding with the Senate of Serampore College (University).[56]

Degrees for pastors

[edit]

ACTC and Serampore[57] offer two degrees for pastors: Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) and Master of Theology (M. Th.) under the aegis of Advanced Institute for Research on Religion and Culture (ARRC).[56]

Campus
Dormitories
Refectory
Students residential quarters

Distance education

[edit]

Through distance education, ACTC has Bachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S.) and Master of Christian Studies (M.C.S.) programmes for Christian students[58] and a Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip. C.S.) programme for Christian and non-Christian students.[56]

Registrar visits

[edit]

When the college was founded in 1964, university registrar Chetti Devasahayam (CBCNC) delivered its inaugural address;[21] registrar D. S. Satyaranjan visited the college annually. Current registrar S. K. Patro has visited ACTC to investigate the prospect of upgrading the college to a postgraduate institution.[59]

University convocations

[edit]
Campus
Academic block face
Bell tower
Creche

Master of Divinity programme through ATA

[edit]

The college has begun an initiative to admit Christian candidates to a M.Div. programme, for which it has been accredited by the Asia Theological Association.[67]

Academics

[edit]
Present active faculty[68][69][54]
Subject Name Gender Denomination Highest
Degree		 Alma mater University
Christian ministry L. Anitha, MCI F Methodist M.Th. Gurukul, Chennai[70] Serampore
New Testament Ch. Helen Salomy, STBC[71] F Baptist M.Th. UTC, Bangalore[72] Serampore
History of Christianity N. V. Grace,[73] AELC F Lutheran Ph.D.[74] ANU, Namburu Nagarjuna
History of Christianity P. Usha Priya,[75] STBC F Baptist M.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
Religions K. Vimalesh Kumari, STBC F Baptist M.Th. ARRC, Hyderabad Serampore
History of Christianity D. Dasu, CBCNC M Baptist M.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
Communication V. Alfred Sudhakar, CBCNC[76] M Baptist M.Th. TTS, Madurai Serampore
Christian Ministry Y. J. Rajendra Prasad,[77] STBC M Baptist D.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
New Testament G. Niranjan Nishchal,[78] CSI M Wesleyan Methodist M.Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
Missiology Ch. Joshi Ananda Prakash, AELC M Lutheran M.Th. Gurukul, Chennai[79] Serampore
Religions T. Swami Raju, AELC M Lutheran D.Th. SATHRI, Bangalore[80] Serampore
Religions P. Alexander, SALC M Lutheran M.Th. Gurukul, Chennai[81] Serampore
Social Analysis M. Yonathan,[82] STBC M Baptist M.Th. TTS, Madurai Serampore
Old Testament[71] K. Joseph Premavardhan,[83] CSI[84] M Congregational M. Th. UTC, Bangalore Serampore
Old Testament G. Varaprasad, AELC M Lutheran D.Th. UTC, Bangalore[85] Serampore
Christian theology M. Rajendra Babu, CSI M Anglican M.Th. UBS, Pune Serampore
Christian theology B. N. Ratna Prakash,[86] AELC M Lutheran M.Th. TTS, Madurai Serampore
Faculty on study leave
Subject Name Gender Denomination Degree Studying Institution Leave period
Christian theology B. J. Moses Shanthi Kumar,[87] CSI[88] M Wesleyan Methodist M.Th. S. T. M., Ph.D. UTS, New York 2019-2022
Christian theology S. I. Nirmal Kumar, CBCNC[79] M Baptist M.Th. D.Th. ETC, Jorhat 2023-2026
Christian theology M. Gnanak Gerhardson, CSI M Wesleyan Methodist M.Th. D.Th. NIIPGTS,
Kolkata/Serampore		 2024-2027

Library

[edit]

ACTC's library has reading-room facilities, over 38,000[89] books and 35 periodicals. When the college was founded, it was known as the Dunkelberger Memorial Library.[19] The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America[90] had sponsored the library[90] in memory of Roy Martin Dunkelberger,[91] AELC, a Lutheran missionary in Rajahmundry.[92]

The library was renamed the Gipson Memorial Library in 2014 in honour of Baptist missionary T. G. Gipson, STBC, who had modernized the library during his second term as a visiting faculty member at the college.[93] The renaming ceremony was held during the tenure of T. Matthews Emmanuel (CBCNC) as principal, in the presence of board of governors chair K. Frederick Paradesi Babu (AELC) and board member V. Prasada Rao (CSI).

Student life

[edit]

ACTC has recreational facilities which include throwball, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a table tennis room and a playing field for football and cricket. Daily mass is said in the chapel for students and teachers, and Sunday mass is open to the public. College festivals include the Christian Home Festival, Carey Day, CSI Day, Reformation Day, and Independence Day.

Notable figures

[edit]

Past Faculty

[edit]
  • Telugu
    • P. Dass Babu
  • English
    • LaVerne Louise-Waldock
  • Librarianship
    • Marjorie May Lynch-Gipson

Alumni

[edit]

Board of Governors

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Formerly known as the Board of Theological Education of the National Council of Churches in India.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Roger E. Hedlund, World Christianity: South Asia, Missions Advanced Research and Communication Center, 1980, p.48. [1]
  2. ^ M. Ezra Sargunam (Edited), Mission Mandate: A compendium of the perspective of missions in India, Mission India, Madras, 1992, p.495. [2]
  3. ^ Sankar Ray, The Hindu (Business Line), 11 April 2008 "Almost a century later, the charter was endorsed officially under the Bengal Govt Act IV of 1918." Internet, accessed 30 November 2008. [3]
  4. ^ "UGC Act-1956" (PDF). mhrd.gov.in/. Secretary, University Grants Commission. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  5. ^ The Senate of Serampore College (University) is a University within the meaning of Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956 under which a University means a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act, and includes any such institution as may, in consultation with the University concerned, be recognised by the Commission in accordance with the regulations made in this behalf under this Act. The UGC took the opinion that the Senate fell under the purview of Section 2 (f) of the said Act since The Serampore College Act, 1918 was passed by the Government of West Bengal.[4] Archived 12 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "History of Council of Serampore College".
  7. ^ "Andhra Christian Theological College to Secunderabad Junction". Andhra Christian Theological College to Secunderabad Junction.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Prospectus ACTC, Printed by A. Nageswara Rao at Saraswathi Power Press, Rajahmundry, 1969, p.4.
  9. ^ Foundations, Volume 11, American Baptist Historical Society, 1968. p. 321. [5]
  10. ^ a b Rajaiah David Paul, Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India, Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1972, p.146. [6]
  11. ^ a b Foundations: A Baptist Journal of History and Theology, Volumes 11-12, American Baptist Historical Society, 1968, pp.320-321. [7]
  12. ^ a b Convention, American Baptist (19 October 1971). "Year Book of the American Baptist Convention" – via Google Books.
  13. ^ Martin Senftleben [8] Archived 9 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 23 April 2006.
  14. ^ Edmund Davies draws attention to Prof. Wilfred Scopes, a Missionary of the London Missionary Society who taught in the seminaries in Gooty and Dornakal. Edmund Davis, The History of Theological Education in Jamaica: The United Theological College of the West Indies and its four antecedent colleges (1841-1966), 1998, page 167. [9]
  15. ^ "Library file" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2003. Retrieved 5 March 2006.
  16. ^ Winnipeg Free Press [10] United Lutheran Church Advances - The Board sends new missionaries to each of six foreign mission fields. Retrieved 23 April 2006.
  17. ^ J. Herbert Kane, A Global View of Christian Missions from Pentecost to the Present, Baker Book House, 1971, p.120. [11]
  18. ^ Victor Premasagar "Merging Currents, Inc.: Books on Christianity in India, Hinduism and Indian culture and history: Titles". Archived from the original on 4 June 2004. Retrieved 25 April 2006. Interpretive Diary of a Bishop, Chennai, 2001, p.88
  19. ^ a b c d Margaret Eunice Hawkinson née Coleman, That they may be one - The Story of the Andhra Christian Theological College, Published by the Mission Council of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, and printed at the Lenox Press, Madurai, 1966. [12]
  20. ^ a b 1966 Yearbook of the Lutheran Church in America, United Lutheran publication house, 1965, p.11.[13]
  21. ^ a b Quebec, Baptist Convention of Ontario and (19 October 1959). "Baptist Year Book for the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec". Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec. – via Google Books.
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Further reading

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