Pastor Devedas Mekala, Founder
Pastor, Evangelist and “Daddy” to almost 200 children
PASSION FOR THE WORK
Pastor Mekala and his wife Sarojini accepted Christ as their Savior in 1981. The next day they were out on the streets preaching the Gospel! Over the next sixteen years they faithfully preached on every corner of their city, and went into the remote jungles to witness to the tribes. In 1995 Pastor Mekala founded his first church. One year later, after taking in two orphaned brothers, he and Sarojini felt God calling them to start an orphanage. At this point Pastor Mekala gave a name to God’s work: Christ the King of
Kings Ministries. In 1997 he and Sarojini travelled to America for the first time to raise money for the orphanage. God blessed their efforts, and began providing regular support through U.S. donors. By 2007, Christ the King of Kings Ministries had expanded to include an orphanage of more than 200 children, a smaller tribal orphanage, and a Christian school serving 400 poor local children. In addition they have planted more than thirty area churches, provide a home for many widows and old people, and support fifty pastors. Pastor Mekala has been on the board of Bless India since its inception.
EXPERIENCE
Pastor Mekala completed his college studies at Mrs. A.V.N. College, and went on to receive a degree in Pharmacy from Andhra Medical College. It is nothing short of miraculous for an Untouchable to receive higher education; most are completely illiterate. God clearly orchestrated this time in Pastor Mekala’s life, as he learned English, and other professional skills that have proved vital in founding and operating a blossoming ministry. In a country that is completely bound by social laws of caste, Pastor Mekala has had a powerful influence in the Untouchable community. If a person of higher caste were offering help or teaching of Jesus, many would shy away. But these poorest of the poor know Pastor Mekala understands their oppression, and they yearn for the spiritual freedom he enjoys.
Pastor Mekala is a visionary. He is never content with what is already accomplished; he has an insatiable desire to do more in the name of Christ. His steady flow of ideas and boundless enthusiasm for the future of the ministry have led to such projects as the Medical Clinic.
FAMILY
Devadas and Sarojini have three grown sons. The oldest is Subhakar; he and his wife, Hepzibah, have two sons. They live and serve the ministry in Visakhapatnam. Next is Sudheer, who is married to Usha and is blessed with two daughters. They live in Paderu and head up the tribal ministry. Their youngest son is Sunil. He and his wife Donna live in San Jose, California.