Brief Biography of Fr. M. Devadas

Brief Biography of Fr. M.

Father M. Devadas is the founder of ‘The Bible Mission’, one of the largest and fast growing denominations in South India. Father Devadas remained as a bachelor throughout his life of 120 yrs. He is a mystic with many spiritual experiences which are very peculiar to common Christianity.
Father Devadas grew up in the humble and rustic surroundings of the Godavari delta region of Andhra Pradesh. His parents are evangelists. They are not very rich in worldly matters. But they are far wealthier in many spiritual aspects who used to spend their time in prayer and intercession every day till late night. As they did not beget children after many years of their marriage, in their oldage God gave them the glorious gift i.e. a boy child, whom they named as ‘Devadas’ which means ‘Servant of God’

Birth and Childhood

Fr. Devadas was born in 1840 to Jonah and Satyavatamma, in Jegurupadu, a small village in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. He grew up in the best spiritual atmosphere which his parents provided. He was always contemplative while his young mates engulfed themselves in playing and making merry.
He used to follow his parents, in their evangelistic tours and strictly observe their meditative line up by being straight on his kneels. He received God’s special calling during these times.

Schooling and Education

He was sent to a small school in Jegurupadu by his parents for his primary Education. He is a clever child and a spontaneous learner. After coming from school he used to help his parents in their ministry and day to day life. He was very active in school and had inculcated a sense of profound love for the nature and care for the living creatures.
When he was 6 years old, his parents took him to a pastors gettogether. When a missionary asked him to pray there he prayed: “Lord Jesus, Let me be like Thee when you are in my age.” From then onwards the missionaries had a special impression on child Devadas.

Missionary Patronage

After completing his primary education, his parents took him to the Lutheran Missionaries at (N.M.E.L.C) Nigam Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church, at Dhavaleswaram on the banks of river Godavari, and left him under their patronage for further education and spiritual growth. There he finished his 8th standard and qualified to be a Higher grade teacher. Having closely watched his innate zeal and strong sense of determination to serve the Lord, the Lutheran missionaries immediately absorbed him in the teaching faculty of their mission schools.
He is always loyal to his authorities and is of excellent disposition towards his superiors. His ideal life is a serene acme for the growing children to be punctual, sincere and humble. He marvelled his authorities in all the challenging responsibilities that were entrusted to him.

Meditative Solitude

Wether at home or in missionary boarding, he inculcated the habit of making his mind quiet and silent, only to converse with his Father. He believed in these verses and strictly observed them. “I am the Teacher” Jn.13:13; “ And Learn from Me” Mt. 11:28. To realize his objective, he spent hours of solitude both day and night. This kind of habit later, paved the way for his mysterious life of ecstasy. It also resulted in the visible experience of communing with the Lord, face to face, with naked eyes. All his meditative practices made him a perfect seer. This is the internal dimension of his life which remained obscure to most of his collegues and superiors. Heavenly saints, holy angels, earthly saints and sages from Himalayas are his regular visitors in his meditative life of solitude.

Meek Mentor

Under the patronage of Lutheran missionaries, Father Devadas developed his bodily, spiritual and mental faculties. There he was in the process of becoming a great spiritual giant. His personal fellowship with Jesus Christ increased day after day with mysterious experiences concerning heaven, earth and the nether world, resulting in an unequivocal understanding and analysis of the Scriptures in general and the deep meaning for the tough passages in particular. Thus he was ready as a perfect Bible teacher, trainer and mentor to humbly discharge his duties at various levels to various sections of people in India.

Spiritual Life of St. M. Devadas

St. Paul in his First Epistle to the Corinthians in the 12th Chapter gives a list of all the spiritual gifts and virtues. St. M. Devadas possessed all these gifts and virtues. He was endowed with the gifts of healing, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues etc. He even had the experience of receiving the communion directly from the Lord. This event happened on the 24th of April 1938 when he went to attend the communion service in the Lutheran Church. As the local pastor declined to serve the Lord’s communion St. M. Devadas stayed behind in the pews and prayed. Later the Lord Himself appeared to him and served the communion to him i.e. His own blood and body which he named as “Internal Holy Communion.”
Dr. Nina Ottman a Scottish lady doctor established a prayer fellowship in Berhampur, Orissa State. St. M. Devadas used to attend this prayer fellowship . The members of this prayer group experienced the fellowship of Heavenly Saints, Holy angels and the Lord Himself. One day the Lord revealed to the members of the prayer group that He will ordain St. M. Devadas on a particular day. On the revealed day the Triune God laid His hands on St. M. Devadas and ordained him. As a result of this he was considered as an ordained minister. Later St. M. Devadas ordained his disciple Mr. Vijayaratnam.