Jesus Calls Prayer Tower is a global humanitarian, non profit, philanthropic and Christian ministry, founded by D.G.S. Dhinakaran and Paul Dhinakaran, headquartered in Chennai and having branches globally. The organization operates as a non-profit entity with a mission to provide comfort, peace, and healing through prayer. This mission is facilitated through channels including physical prayer towers, prayer outreaches, public meetings, television programs, and digital platforms.
Jesus calls has 104 prayer towers in India, and prayer towers in USA, Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe, UK, New Zealand, Canada, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and in other countries globally.
History
The Jesus Calls Prayer Tower is a network of prayer facilities operated by the Jesus Calls ministry, which was founded by D.G.S. Dhinakaran in the year 1967.
The prayer towers are designed to provide a place for individuals to seek spiritual support, help and prayer. The network aims to offer assistance to people in distress seeking prayer, councelling for various issues.
The facilities include prayer support, charitable work, and spiritual guidance. The Prayer Towers typically offer services such as prayer counseling and spiritual advice, and they are staffed by individuals trained in providing prayer support.
The Jesus Calls Prayer Tower network is present in locations across different countries. Each Prayer Tower operates under the oversight of the central organization, which coordinates activities and resources for the each prayer tower.
In 1962, at the age of 27, D.G.S. Dhinakaran experienced a significant spiritual event during a period of personal crisis involving poverty, sickness, and unemployment. At that time, he encountered his uncle, who introduced him to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Subsequently, Dhinakaran reported having a vision of Jesus Christ that lasted three hours. During this vision, he felt a profound sense of God's love and compassion, which inspired him to establish the Jesus Calls ministry. He had been suffering from heart and kidney ailments.
Dhinakaran also faced various personal challenges, including health issues such as heart and kidney ailments. The Dhinakaran family experienced additional hardships, including the tragic loss of their daughter, Evangeline, in a car accident at the age of 17. These experiences shaped the mission of the Jesus Calls ministry.
The family initiated public services in 1970, with their first public Prayer Festival held in Vellore. The name "Jesus Calls" was adopted for the ministry in 1972, following a Prayer Festival organized in the city of Erode, Tamil Nadu.
In 1980, Paul Dhinakaran, joined his parents in ministry.
Further reading
- Anderson, Allan Heaton (2013). To the Ends of the Earth: Pentecostalism and the Transformation of World Christianity. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199911820.
- Bergunder, Michael (2008). The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 9780802827340.
- Jacobsen, Douglas (2011). The World's Christians: Who they are, Where they are, and How they got there. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781444397284.
- Synan, Vinson (2001). The Century of the Holy Spirit : 100 Years of Pentecostal and Charismatic Renewal, 1901-2001. Thomas Nelson Inc. ISBN 9781418587536.
References
- "Paul Dhinakaran: Building Prayer Towers to Reach the Nations". CBN.
- "Vision for the Nations: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran". CBN.
- "Globally recognised evangelist Paul Dhinakaran prays for RW". March 28, 2023.
- ^ James, Jonathan D. (2012). "The Global in the Local: The Ambivalence and Ambition of Christian Televangelism in India". In Thomas, Pradip Ninan; Lee, Philip (eds.). Global and Local Televangelism. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 1960–1964, 1969–1970. ISBN 9781137149909.
- Newslink, Indian (July 13, 2016). "Evangelist couple return to Auckland". indiannewslink.co.nz.
- "OUR MISSION & VISION | Jesus Calls - Praying for the World".
- Service, Express News (March 7, 2023). "Evangelist cancels plan to visit Jaffna". The New Indian Express.
- "D. G. S. Dhinakaran Memorial Page". dgsdhinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ^ "Evangelist Dhinakaran dead". The Hindu. 21 February 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Jesus Calls Evangelist Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Called To Glory". South Asian Connection - Portal for South Asian Christians. Archived from the original on 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ Mehta, Yuvraj (October 28, 2023). "Arunachal CM Khandu attends inaugural programme of three-day prayer festival in Itanagar". India Today NE. Guwahati: Living Media India.
- "Supreme Court Grants Permission for Christian Community Prayer in Indore, Overturns High Court Decision". thewalkers.co.in. 2024-04-10.
- ^ Staff reporter (April 11, 2024). "India's top court gives nod to prayer meet by evangelist". Hong Kong: Union of Catholic Asian News.
- ^ "SC paves way for prayer meet led by Chennai-based preacher Paul Dhinakaran at Indore, stays administration's order". The New Indian Express. April 7, 2024.
- Anderson, Allan (2004). An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. Cambridge University Press. p. 127. ISBN 9780521532808.
- Thomas, Pradip (2008). Strong Religion, Zealous Media: Christian Fundamentalism and Communication in India. SAGE Publications. pp. 110–113. ISBN 9788178298344.
- Staff reporter (July 9, 2009). "India occupying globally competitive position in space technology". The Hindu. Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: The Hindu Group. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- "SC paves way for Christian prayer meet at Indore, stays administration's order". April 10, 2024.
- Scroll Staff (April 11, 2024). "SC allows Christian prayer meeting in Indore after administration revoked permission". Scroll.in.
- "Supreme Court paves way for Christian prayer meet in Indore". National Herald. April 10, 2024.
- "Evangelist Dhinakaran meets Narendra Modi". October 11, 2013 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
- "Caught on camera: Man steals from donation box in Delhi church, held | Delhi News". The Indian Express. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- "Dr Paul Dhinakaran celebrates 60th birthday | MorungExpress". morungexpress.com. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- "Prophetic Prayers and Meetings with Master Healers". indiannewslink.co.nz. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- "Vision for the Nations: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran". CBN.
- "Paul Dhinakaran Meets PM Modi". The New Indian Express. 2014-09-11.
- "Evangelist Dhinakaran meets Narendra Modi". The Times of India. October 11, 2013.
- Hindu, The (21 February 2008). "Evangelist Dhinakaran dead". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
- India, One (20 February 2008). "Evangelist D G S Dinakaran dead". One India. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
- "Paul Dhinakaran: Building Prayer Towers to Reach the Nations". CBN.
- "Globally recognised evangelist Paul Dhinakaran prays for RW". March 28, 2023.
- "Vision for the Nations: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran".