Bro. E.K. Nathaniel’s Testimony and Ministry Journey

Bro. E.K. Nathaniel was born in 1959 as the fifth son of Mr. Kannan and Mrs. Kamala, into a Hindu family. Raised according to Hindu traditions, his early life began with those beliefs. However, a turning point came through the influence of his elder brother, who was studying in a Christian hostel. During school vacations, his brother would teach young Nathaniel Christian songs, prayers, and the principles of Christian life.

Through these experiences, Bro. Nathaniel came to learn about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for humanity. Deeply moved by these truths, he made a personal decision to leave Hinduism and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. In 1977, he publicly affirmed his faith through baptism.

His passion for sharing Christ began early. While still in the 6th grade, Bro. Nathaniel started teaching his classmates about Jesus. After finishing school, from 1983 to 1985, he committed himself to full-time gospel ministry, walking to remote villages to share the Good News. In the evenings, he provided free tuition to school children, using that opportunity to teach them Bible verses, songs, and how to pray.

In 1985, Bro. Nathaniel married Sis. Amutha. Following their marriage, from 1985 to 1987, he pursued a diploma in Medical Pharmacy at Pondicherry Polytechnic College. Yet his heart remained deeply committed to the Lord’s work. After much prayer and discussion, both he and Sis. Amutha decided to step away from his academic path and dedicate themselves fully to ministry. They understood the worldly advantages of completing his education—such as stable employment and a comfortable lifestyle—but were inspired by 1 Corinthians 9:16, which speaks of the obligation and joy of preaching the gospel. With this conviction, Bro. Nathaniel enrolled in the Chennai Bible Teachers Training College in June 1987 to equip himself further for full-time ministry.