A champion of the Baptist and broader Christian community in the Indian province of Andhra, Chief Minister Dr. Y. S. Rajasekar Reddy died in a tragic helicopter crash on Sept 2nd, 2009. Baptist leaders across India and the United States have expressed their condolences for the sudden loss.
American Baptist International Ministries (IM) Area Director for East Asia and India, Rev. Ben Chan, who met with the Chief Minister a few years ago to discuss church issues in Andhra Pradesh, remembered him as a committed Christian, along with his family who attended the Baptist Church Hyderabad. The church has a long relationship with IM.
“Please continue to pray for our mission involvement in South India,” Chan said, “where we sponsor new church construction, theological education, leadership development and community transformation.”
Originally a medical doctor, the Chief Minister took off along with his secretary, security chief and two pilots in bad weather. The wreckage of their helicopter was found a day later on a nearby hillside; all aboard were killed.
The office of Chief Minister is a political position, appointed by the province governor, and handles the day to day running of the province. Reddy was the first Chief Minister in Andhra Pradesh history to serve the full five years of his governor’s term.
“Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy was a fine statesman, a strong humanitarian and a true and compassionate supporter of Christians,” said David Sagar, general secretary of The Federation of South Asian Christians in America, and the senior pastor of Antioch Telugu Baptist Church (an American Baptist church). “Our prayers and deep condolences go out to his family and the rest of the bereaved.”
American Baptist International Ministries (IM) Area Director for East Asia and India, Rev. Ben Chan, who met with the Chief Minister a few years ago to discuss church issues in Andhra Pradesh, remembered him as a committed Christian, along with his family who attended the Baptist Church Hyderabad. The church has a long relationship with IM.
“Please continue to pray for our mission involvement in South India,” Chan said, “where we sponsor new church construction, theological education, leadership development and community transformation.”
Originally a medical doctor, the Chief Minister took off along with his secretary, security chief and two pilots in bad weather. The wreckage of their helicopter was found a day later on a nearby hillside; all aboard were killed.
The office of Chief Minister is a political position, appointed by the province governor, and handles the day to day running of the province. Reddy was the first Chief Minister in Andhra Pradesh history to serve the full five years of his governor’s term.
“Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy was a fine statesman, a strong humanitarian and a true and compassionate supporter of Christians,” said David Sagar, general secretary of The Federation of South Asian Christians in America, and the senior pastor of Antioch Telugu Baptist Church (an American Baptist church). “Our prayers and deep condolences go out to his family and the rest of the bereaved.”