American Council
The Asian Christian Academy is governed by an Indian Board. The
American Council serves only as an encouraging and supportive endeavor.
The Indian Board ensures that ACA operates within the provisions of its
charter and the laws of the nation.
ACA was born in Dallas, Texas in 1970. Dr. Isaac John was working
on his Master's degree in theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. He
had earned his Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Poona, India and had
come to the United States with Jyoti, his wife and their children.
Each class at the seminary filled Dr. John with a vision for tailoring
theological training to the Indian context.
He approached me, while I was an instructor at the seminary, about
joining him in such a ministry. I would lead the American Council as a
support ministry for the seminary in India. The two of us rallied a
group of seminarians to form the American Council of the new organization.
Initially, the ministry was called the National Christian Academy of India,
but for obvious reasons the name was changed when it was incorporated in
India in 1976. The small band of men met with the John in their home
for prayer several times a week until they returned to India upon Isaac's
graduation in 1976. continued
As a member of the American Council of the Asian Christian Academy almost
since its founding, my interest in an love for ACA and its ministries is
deep and of long standing. I recall with great fondness my first
occasion to teach in the limited rented facilities in Bangalore in 1977 and
then20 years later at the magnificent campus you now occupy. How
evident is God's affirmation of the vision of Isaac John, carried on and
amplified now by Dr. George and your dedicated staff. May God continue
to enable and bless you in ever-expanding ways until the Son of Man appears
again in power and great glory.
Eugene H. Merrill
Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Studies,
Dallas Theological Seminary.
One of the unique aspects of the Asian Christian Academy is its autonomy.
ACA has Indian leadership and an Indian Board of Director. Let me put
this in perspective. In the world today, there are hundreds of
schools, hospitals and other institutions that are not autonomous; they have
"apron strings" to the West. The West dominates them in their
decisions and decision making process. Those Christian ministries are
not run by nationals but by expatriates. The well meaning "expats" do
not mean to cause harm, but they stunt the leadership of the ministry.
They also kill the individual flavor of many a ministry.
The Asian Christian Academy is run by a different set of principles.
The Bible puts forth that the people of a given area ought to be fully in
control of their ministry (see the book of Acts and the churches which Paul
founded). Paul founded a church and then moved on. Once
established, he left the people of that area to organize and operate the
ministry. It was up to the Romans to run the Roman church, and the
Ephesians to run the Ephesian church.
From the beginning, the Asian Christian Academy has held onto this
biblical principle. It was founded by an Indian, Dr. Isaac John.
It has been wisely guided by an Indian, Dr. Joykutty George. There has
not been American pressure upon the institution to organize or function in a
particular way. There has always been great support to be completely
Indian. We Americans have been enthusiastic supporters of the work
begun and led by Indians.
In my experience in forty countries, there are only a handful of schools
like this in the world today. ACA is a uniquely Indian organization,
begun and led by Indians. What a pleasure it is to have Dr. George as
the President of ACA! What excitement it brings to see such competent
Indian professors, teachers and staff. The American friends of ACA
love and appreciate Dr. George's excellent leadership and godly model.
He exemplifies the trust relationship that we in America have with this
Indian ministry. As enthusiastic and prayer onlookers in this
ministry, we desire God's continued blessing upon Dr. George's leadership
and ACA's future. Started by Indians, run by Indians, blessed by God.
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