EMS Partner church in India
Church of South India (CSI)
The CSI was founded in 1947 in an effort to unify the Protestant denominations. Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists combined to form one single church. The Lutherans did not take part in this step. The CSI maintains about 1680 kindergartens and primary schools, 221 secondary schools and colleges as well as ten teacher training colleges. With its 69 clinics, 109 mobile clinics and health centres, it provides a major service to the population in southern India. One issue on which the CSI focuses its work is the fight to abolish caste barriers. All in all, the Church of South India today is a local, independent and missionary church firmly rooted in its context and the Gospel. Its aim is to act as a mediator within India's ethnic mix and religious diversity. Consisting of approximately 3 million members in 21 church dioceses, it is at present the largest Protestant church in southern India. The CSI is member of the National Christian Council of India.
