GELC Moderator Bishop Marshal Kerketta. Photo: LWF/J. C. Valeriano
Bishop Marshal Kerketta, Moderator, Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam
(LWI) - As a bright student, Marshal Kerketta was preparing to take competitive examinations after his graduation when he was struck by lightning at his home in Khunti, near Ranchi district, Jharkhand state, India. One of his eyes, his hands, and legs were affected, making him unfit to work or study.
It took him four years to recover from the lightning strike that handicapped him, leading him to wonder if he would ever find a suitable job. This was a turning point in his life. He believes that God had a different plan for him, leading him into ministry in the Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam (GELC), which he currently heads as bishop and moderator. He reflects about responsible theology, theological education, and some of the challenges of a church serving tribal communities.
Founded by German missionaries in 1845 to serve tribal communities, GELC which is affiliated to the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India (UELCI), is one of the 14 member churches of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in the country. It is present in the Chotanagpur region and several Indian states, including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. Today, it comprises 79 parishes and 1,992 congregations, serving over 397,000 people through five dioceses and its mother church in Ranchi.
How did you enter Christian ministry?
As a youth, I was involved in church activities and accompanied the pastor in his ministry work for several years. Therefore, the local pastor suggested that I join the GELC Theological College. Thereafter, I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees and began teaching at the seminary. In 2023, when the former bishop was due to retire, I was nominated and became bishop the same year on 10 November (Luther’s birthday) and GELC Moderator in June 2024. This is my true calling, and my friends and family endorse my work.
What is responsible theology in your context?
All Christians should be committed to working for the benefit of others. The church should promote work that has a positive impact on society. We also need to support the economically weaker sections of society, and GELC has carried out a survey to determine which families need support. Over the years, we have provided them with education and medical assistance and also distributed basic supplies of food and clothing. We have also supported those who wish to join the mission field.
The church should promote work that has a positive impact on society
Bishop Marshal Kerketta, Moderator, Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam, India
Can you describe the challenges in your church?
GELC is a big church, and the congregations are divided into three sections based on tribal groups (Oraon, Munda and Kharia), each of which has a different dialect and expectations. We need to bear in mind that the context is changing, and we need a cultural re-interpretation of the Bible to suit the present circumstances. While some former theologians have advocated child baptism, others believe in immersion baptism. We need a proper understanding that is focused on the present situation. Additionally, young people are not satisfied with our theological teachings.
The tribal communities are also disappointed that they do not receive adequate government support.
Can you share a story where faith and action brought real change?
Between 1995 and 1996, we bought a piece of land in New Delhi, thanks to the support of LWF and UELCI. We constructed a building that was used for training youth in computer studies. Given that there were many Christian families in the area, the building was later renovated and converted into a church that currently caters to 180 families and about 350 individuals. The congregation is very active: it recently constructed another church, with each family donating 100,000 rupees (EUR 943).
GELC Church in New Delhi. Photo: LWF/J. C. Valeriano
What can be done to support the church, and what is your message to the global church?
The theological education curriculum should be updated and offered in English, Hindi, and local languages. Christian leaders should learn about Lutheranism, and younger generations should be provided with sound Christian doctrine before their confirmation to enrich their lives and to strengthen their commitment to Christ.
Luther’s theology of the cross is a central point of our belief, and this needs to be taught in seminaries and in our church communities.
