Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church

• Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad
• Lutheran World Federation (LWF),^[4] Geneva
• It is an affiliate member of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI),^[5] Nagpur
• It is a member church in the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India (UELCI) – a communion of Lutheran Churches,^[6] Chennai
• Asia Lutheran Communion

Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Plütschau of the Danish-Halle Missionary Society at Tranquebar were the first Protestant Missionaries to India who were Lutherans.

The AELC was founded as a mission field of the then General Synod of the Lutheran Church in America by John Christian Frederick Heyer (known as Father Heyer) on 31 July 1842.^[7] AEL Church, Polepally

The first Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church in Polepally, near Macherla Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, was first established by Father Hyer, serving as a cornerstone of Christian faith in the region. Over time, the original structure deteriorated and was demolished.

In 2015, Rev. Gera Ananda Pratap revitalized the church during his seven years of service. Under his leadership, the church was rebuilt, restoring its prominence as a center of worship and community life.

As a first step, schools were established. With new baptisms, the confidence of the missionaries increased. Later hospitals were established.

• Theological
  • Charlotte Swenson Memorial Bible Training School, Rajahmundry
  • Andhra Lutheran Theological Seminary, Rajahmundry
  • Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad
• Medical
  • Kugler Hospital, Guntur
  • Ruth Sigmon Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Guntur
  • Augustine Hospital, Bhimavaram
  • Baer Christian Hospital, Chirala, Prakasam District
• Educational
  • Andhra-Christian College, Guntur
  • Andhra-Lutheran College, Guntur
  • Stall School, Guntur
  • Lutheran High School, Bhimavaram
  • Shade Girls High School, Rajahmundry

At present, w.e.f. 25 April 2025, vide judgement dated 3 April 2025 of High Court of Andhra Pradesh, W.A. No. 1033 of 2023 along with W. A. No. 746, 1052, 1053, and 1163 of 2023, the administration is taken up by,

• Controller, Justice Sri Kurian Joseph,
• Administrator, Sri P. S. Joseph,
• Secretary to Controller, Sri Nelaturi Jesu Ratna Kumar

For administrative purposes, six synods have been established, each taken care of by a Synod President. A 32-member Executive Council whose members are drawn from the six synods administers the Church society.^[8]

The Executive Council of this Church Society elects a set of office-bearers each quadrennium.^[9] The Moderator / Bishop heads this century-old Church Society. In earlier nomenclature, the term President was used. However, with the arrival of Rev. G. Emmanuel, the nomenclature was changed to Moderator / Bishop to denote a more ecclesiastical term. However, the term President also continues to be used.