Andhra Pradesh : Govt orders demolition of Calvary Temple Church in Guntur

  • 3,000 Hindus were being converted in the church every month

  • Order issued by the Minority Welfare Department after complaints and subsequent investigation

Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) – The Andhra Pradesh Minority Welfare department has issued demolition orders for the “Calvary Temple Church” located in Namburu village, Pedakakani Mandal, Guntur District. The church was found to be operating illegally and engaging in large-scale conversions of Hindus. These activities came to light following an investigation prompted by complaints.

1. In November 2024, a complaint against the church was lodged with the Prime Minister’s Office. The allegations included illegal operations, lack of required approvals from Government bodies such as the Panchayat Raj, Revenue, Police Department, and the Noise Pollution Control Board. Additionally, it was accused that the church’s pastor, Dr Satish Kumar, exploited people by collecting donations without paying taxes.

2. Investigations following the complaints found that the church was functioning illegally and converting poor Hindus to Christianity by offering groceries and propagating false teachings. Reports in October 2024 revealed that under the leadership of pastor Satish Kumar from Bhagyanagar, the Calvary Temple Church was converting approximately 3,000 Hindus to Christianity every month.

3. Pastor Dr Satish Kumar claimed that he had converted over 3.5 lakhs Hindus to Christianity so far. It was also revealed that he plans to establish 40 such churches across India in the next 10 years.

Pastor Satish Kumar

4. On 26th October, 2024, a video by “CBN News” (Christian Broadcasting Network) was shared on ‘X’, providing information about the conversions happening at Calvary Temple Church. Subsequently, on 28th October, the “Legal Rights Protection Forum” shared details on ‘X’ that revenue officials had seized the church following orders from the Kakinada District Collector. The church faced several allegations, including land encroachment, constructing new churches through dubious agreements, and violating laws.

Details of Calvary Temple Church

The Calvary Temple Church, established in 2005 by Satish Kumar, is one of the largest churches in Asia, with a membership exceeding 400,000. Over 20,000 people attend the church every week. Apart from the church, Satish Kumar also runs institutions such as Calvary Bible College, Calvary Hospital, and Calvary School.

Credits : The 700 Club

Pastor Satish Kumar is believed to have significant influence across various sectors, including politics in Andhra Pradesh and beyond. Additionally, he holds considerable sway within national and international Christian communities. He frequently travels to countries like the US, South Africa, and Korea for missionary work. In 2018, the then Vice President of the US, Mike Pence, shared photos of his meeting with Satish Kumar on ‘X,’ describing the interaction as “inspirational.”

Editorial Perspectives

  • Merely demolishing the church is not enough; action should also be taken against the pastors responsible for conversions. Otherwise, they will simply build another church and continue the conversions.
  • Hindus are puzzled as to – When India is a secular country, why don’t secularists open their mouths about this open conversion of Hindus in churches, why doesn’t the Government enact an anti-conversion law ?