MANNA MINISTRIES

Be A HERO partners with Manna Ministries to provide operating expenses for their many children’s homes in India, and raise funds for their many building projects.

Manna Ministries, which was founded in 1966 by Ernest and Rachel Komanapalli, is a multi-faceted organization serving the country of India.  Under this umbrella falls: Manna Full Gospel Ministries ( church work, leprosy community center, catastrophe relief and development), Rock Church Ministries (church work, child care, adult literacy, education), Miriam Children’s Home (child care, orphanages, education), Rev. K.S.J.M Hospital (medical), and Arunodaya Ministries (media, TV, radio, publications).

Manna Ministries is overseen by an Executive Board and headed by its Bishop.  The present Presiding Bishop, Ernest Komanapalli is the founder of these institutions.  It is part and parcel of the philosophy of Manna Ministries that it is as important to feed the hungry as it is to impart spiritual food for the soul. 

Manna Ministries has a long and distinguished record for almost 40 years in the field of development work among the poor of India, receiving government recognition on many occasions.  It is considered by all sections of society to have contributed highly to the development of society in many different areas from education, childcare, and medical care to relief and development.
Here’s the story of how Manna Ministries became involved with caring for orphans:
In 1968 Rachel went to visit a woman dying of cancer who asked that she take care of her children upon her death. Rachel promised, never suspecting that the woman would die 2 days later. She took the two children into her home. It did not take long for the word to spread. Within 3 weeks, 25 orphan children were staying in the Komanapalli home. Miriam Children’s Home, a ministry of Manna International was born. Today over 30 orphanages are operated by the ministry; feeding, educating, giving shelter and clothing over 5,000 children. Since that small beginning, over ten thousand children have gone through these homes and on to being productive, successful and responsible citizens of India. Rachel, in addition to raising her 2 children and 3 foster children has become a true mother in Israel.
The "graduates" of the homes have found employment in many fields: Professional and Non professional, Industrial and service, Government and Private sector. Many young men have been called into the ministry and currently pastor churches. All thank God for the chance they were given to make it in life through the Ministry of Miriam Children’s Home.
Taking care of so many children brought many new concerns and responsibilities. Not only did the children require food and shelter, but what about their education? What about their future and job prospects? What about marriage?
In 1972, Miriam primary school was started in Amalapuram. This was to be a school for primary education. The idea was to teach the younger children and then send them to the government schools for the higher grades. However, it was determined that the government was unable to provide a satisfactory education for the children. As India is a developing country, funds are limited to meet the needs of nine hundred million people. It was decided to pursue a cradle to adult education policy for the orphanage children, as well as to provide quality education for the poor people of society and the Christian minority.
Soon the primary school at Amalapuram was upgraded to a high school. Once that was done schools were opened in the different areas where orphanages had been founded. As of today, 21 schools are being operated by Manna International. In India, the system of education offers students the choice of either technical education or higher academic education following 10th grade. To offer training, and provide the children with an opportunity to learn a trade, 2 Industrial students have gone on to have successful careers up on completion of their studies.
The opportunity for college education is small in India, and even smaller for the Christian minority and the poor of all backgrounds. To higher education, Paramjyoti Junior College and Miriam College have been established. Both are fully government university accredited institutions. Miriam College offers 12 major areas of study in the Bachelor Degree program. Today hundreds of students experience the joy of learning and have an opportunity for a successful future.
To learn more about Manna Ministries, visit their website at www.manna7.org