Rev. Dr. J Charles Devadas, retired Presbyter of the CSIKarnataka Central Diocese was called to eternal glory at Bangalore on 10th August 2020.

He is the second son of late Rev. K Jayappa (Presbyter in Mysore Diocese for 45 years). He was born in 1933. He worked for Evangelical Fellowship of India, Mysore and in Christian Directory of India at Wesley Press,Mysore and Ceylon India General Mission.

He was a gifted Organist and he served as an organist for 15 years at Wesley Cathedral and St. Bartholomew Church and also in Holds Worth Mission Hospital, Mysore.

After completion of 20 years of service in Southern Railways, he took voluntary retirement and joined United Theological College to follow the footsteps of his father Rev. K. Jayappa and thereafter joined Karnataka Central Diocese in the year 1981. He was ordained as deacon on 12th April 1982 and as Presbyter on 24th August 1984. He served in Hudson Memorial Church (1981-1983); CSI Churches in Doddaballapura, Harehalli, and Jogihalli(1983-1985); CSI Churches in Vijayanagar, Guddahalli, Kengeri(1985-1987); CSI Rice Memorial Church (1987-1991); CSI St. Stephen’s Church,Jalahalli and CSI Sawday Memorial Church,Guddahalli(1992-1996);CSI Wesley Centenary Church,Ulsoor andCSI Church,Hoskote(1995-1999).

Rev. Dr. J. Charles Devadas was a prolific writer and musician. He was awarded the Best Poet of the Year in 2002 by Poets international. He has written poems of United Theological College and on Evening College, Mysore. He was a Radio Speaker and Essay Writer.During his service in the Diocese he contributed his services for Preacher’s Handbook. Every year he wrote an article during the Lent about the “Cross.”He was awarded Doctoral Degree by Mysore University for “Contributions of Christian Organization in Rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers in Bangalore City.”

Rev. Dr. Charles was a Pastor with a missional vision. He regularly visited the Diocesan Mission Fields such as Sholakunate near Bangarapet. While serving in Rice Memorial Church, he undertook an experimental evangelistic work in a village called Muthanadoor in Anekal Taluk, 30 kms. from Bangalore. He shared the gospel through word and deed among them. Hearranged, from time to time, Medical Camps and distributed free medicinesto all villagers. He presented a Kannada drama “RakthaSakshi” andorganized a special open air meeting on the theme: “What is Christmas?” inEnglish, Kannada, Malayalam, and Tamil.While serving CSI Ulsoor Wesley Centenary Church, he encouraged the Church to adopt a village Nandagudi to initiate outreach work. Through his tireless efforts, a congregation came into being and a Church building was constructed under his leadership.

In 1990’s, Rev. Dr. Charles became member of Indian Evangelical Mission (IEM) Society and later became Chairman of the Board. During his tenure as Chairman the Academic Block in the Outreach Training Institute(OTI) was dedicated.

Even after his retirement, Rev. Charles worked for 2 years as a Pastor in Bangalore and later shifted to Mysore where he helped in many churches in their nurture and witness.

He strongly believed in Great Commission and proclaimed it. He insisted that every church should adopt a village for evangelism and support a missionary. His favorite quotes were:
“Suffering is and inevitable part of Christian life” by Thomas Kempas
“Struggle rather than peaceful existence is growth for success” by Karl Marx
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”(Psalm 111: 10).

After the sad demise of his wife, he returned to Bangalore and stayed with his youngest daughter till his home call on 10th August 2020. Rev. Dr. Charles is survived by two daughters.

God had blessed Rev. Dr. Charles Devadaswith many talents and he used all his gifts for God’s gloryuntil his last breath. The Church has lost a Missional Pastor who has left behind a great legacy for everyone to follow.The Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Prasanna Kumar Samuel, Officers, Area Chairmen, Pastors and Diocesan Workers of the Karnataka Central Diocese express their deep condolences to the bereaved family.