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We are the members of Charuvila family in Kottarakara, Kollam district, Kerala, south India. My parents are The Salvation Army officers (Pastors). Pastors Major M Samuel and Thankamma Samuel, presently they are working in Trivandrum, in India South Western Territory. I have two brothers, Mr. Jiju Sam married to Jayalakshmi and Mr. Jiji Sam. Jiji studying in a Bible school to become a full time minister for God's work. We are grew up in the Salvation Army. In fact, we are the fifth generation in the Salvation Army. My great grandparents were Pastors in the Salvation Army.

My great grandfather Pastor Major P. Chacko, joined the Salvation Army in 1903, that time the Army in our territory only 7 year old (1896), he is one of the pioneer pastor and he started many corps in the suburb of Kottarakara Division. So, now we have long tradition in the Army, its more than 103 year. We are proud to be part of the "Gods Army".

What my Parents doing through the Salvation Army for the community.

Pastor Major M Samuel and Thankamma Samuel today lead the Salvation Army in Trivandrum Division. they are appointed as the leaders of the Trivandrum Divisional on 1st March 2004. Since September 2002 to 2004 February, he has served the Nedumangadu Divisional Commander.

As commander, he is the spiritual and managerial leader of the Salvation Army Trivandrum Division, leading 23 Salvation Army corps (Church) and 2 outposts, Community Centre, HIV AIDS counseling centre and 3 Tailoring institute for womens, a fleet of more than 30 Salvation Army Pastors.

His wife, Major Thankamma Samuel serves as Director of Women's Ministries for the Trivandrum Division. In her role, she leads the Salvation Army's outreach to women through worship, education, fellowship and service, overseeing the Army's outreach to nursing home residents, the elderly, veterans, prisoners and women's groups.

M Samuel is a third-generation Salvationist and a second-generation Salvation Army officer. Now he complete 32 years in his service.

In 1987, M Samuel and Thankamma were appointed to Territorial Head Quarters as a Public Relations Officer and Educational Secretary in Trivandrum. After appointments in THQ they transferred to Vallakadvu corps and after they got another appointment to Peerumadu Division as Divisional Youth Secretary and he was a delegate in ICO 151st session (International College for Officers in London on 1996)

Almost they work all over India South Western Territory. They have been worked as first Agriculture officer in Evangeline Booth Leprosy Hospital, PRO and Educational secretary in the THQ, Divisional Youth Secretary (1990-1997), Divisional Secretary (1997-2000), District Officer in Punalur District (2000 -2001), Divisional Commander in Peerumade (10th May 2001 to 14th September-2002) and September 2002 to 29th February 2004 in the Neduamngadu Division, 1st March 2004 onwards, they were appointed to Divisional Commander in Trivandrum Division. God who gives them power to do his work. And the couples have three sons and a daughter in law.

1976 January 10th Thankamma entered in the Training College “Companion of Christ Session”. In 1977 she receive commission from Colonel Robert E Bath (later Commissioner). She has been working in the Salvation Army for 27 years. From 1997-2000, Major Thankamma Samuel served as women's ministries secretary. She was a delegate in the ICO 178th session from July 17th to September 8th (Peacemakers) in London. click here the photos.....

The couple married on 1976 September 9th in the Salvation Army Central Church Kottarakara, by the then Commissioner PE George. After marriage they were appointed to the Karakulam Corps in Trivandrum Division.

Little about my fathers family background:

My father was born and brought up in a traditional Christian family. In his childhood he attend the Salvation Army church and he learnt about Jesus from a very young age. His Grand father was one of the pioneer officer in the Salvation Army. After the Promoted to glory of his grand father he choose their footsteps and entered the Salvation Army Training College, Trivandrum, Kerala, in 1972 as a member of the "Followers of Christ Session".

He receive commission from Commissioner PE George. His first appointment was the Agriculture officer in the Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Hospital Puthenkuruz.

His father promoted to Glory in the year April 2001(78 years old) and after two years his mother promoted to Glory in the age of 78 (09/10/2003). He have five sisters and one brother all are married and they living happily in God's way.

Little about my mothers family background:

My mother was born and brought up in a traditional Christian family. In her childhood she learned Biblical lessons from Sunday school. So it helped her to live correctly before God. It was quite unexpected to her coming to the Salvation Army and its Officer Ship.

Salvation Army Church closed to her house, but she had no connection with it 1974 October. In a particular day an officer came to her house with full uniform along with another officer who is working close by her house. They spoke about the Salvation Army and its ministries to her parents. Later her parents allowed her to join the Salvation Army and she got membership in the nearby corps. 1976 January 10th she entered in the Training College “Companion of Christ Session”.

Her mother promoted to Glory in the year 1991. Father is alive and is Eighty years of age. She has six sisters and two brothers, all are married. They are living very happily. Our family history is still being written !

So much has changed, but yet the central mission of The Salvation Army remains the same - to preach the gospel and serve human needs in Christ's name. Whether you think of the Army as a church or a provider of social services, our mission is the basis of everything we do. In India South Western Territory, it is evident in every service unit and program from the top of Trivandrum District to the bottom of Malabar Division.