Jivanlal, Kiyaram (1925-1987)
Kiyaram Jivanlal a teacher, minister, and church leader of the Mennonite Church (MC) in India was born 27 March 1925 in Durg, Madhya Pradesh (M.P.). He was the second of three sons born to Birjhuram Sahu, a Hindu cultivator family living in. Kundani village, Durg District. The parents were socially and economically well-positioned and followers of the Kabir Pant sect.
Kiyaram received his primary education through the fourth class with private tutors. In 1936 he was enrolled in the American Mennonite Mission middle school at Balodgahan, where he was deeply influenced by Christ's teachings. In 1943 he completed high school in the Mennonite Higher Secondary school in Dhamtari, and was baptized. At this time he adopted a new name "Jivanlal" (Beloved Son of Life) and thereafter was always known by this name. From 1945 to 1948 he attended South India Bible Institute in Kolar, South India and later earned an MA degree at Ravishankar University in Raipur.
From 1948 until his retirement in 1985 Jivanlal served on the staff of the Mennonite Higher Secondary School in Dhamtari, teaching political science and also serving as warden of the boys' hostel for a number of years. In 1968 he was ordained deacon for the Sundarganj congregation in Dhamtari and in 1978 was ordained to the Christian ministry. From 1963 until his death he was conference treasurer. From 1984 to 1987 he served as India delegate to Mennonite World Conference.
In 1953 he married Lena Nathan, a Christian woman from Dhamtari. They had two sons, Sharad and Madhu, and two daughters, Jyoti and Mamta. Jivanlal's courageous step out of Hinduism into Christianity was always a clear testimony of the high cost of discipleship. He died of a sudden heart attack on 15 August 1987.
Bibliography
Information from Sharad Jivanlal of Wichita, KS.
Good, Mary M. American Mennonite Mission Report 1936: 108.
Garjan Memorial School Report of the Christian Missionary Activities, Enquiry Committee, M.P., vol. 2, part B. Nagpur; Govt. Printing Press, 1956: 72-73.
| Author(s) | John A Friesen |
|---|---|
| Date Published | 1987 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Friesen, John A. "Jivanlal, Kiyaram (1925-1987)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1987. Web. 22 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Jivanlal,_Kiyaram_(1925-1987)&oldid=121167.
APA style
Friesen, John A. (1987). Jivanlal, Kiyaram (1925-1987). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 22 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Jivanlal,_Kiyaram_(1925-1987)&oldid=121167.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 466. All rights reserved.
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