Exile and Revival: Leading the Mar Thoma Church Retreat

This past weekend, I had the privilege of speaking at the Edavaka Mission Retreat for the Mar Thoma Church of Silicon Valley, celebrating their tenth anniversary as a parish. The 17th Metropolitan of the Marthoma church, Abraham Marthoma stated “every Marthomite is a voluntary evangelist” and established Marthoma Voluntary Evangelist Association in 1924. Parish Mission or Edavaka Mission is a unit of Marthoma Voluntary Evangelists Association based in every parish of their churches.

It was an honor to be invited by their Vicar Rev. Jinhu John, secretary Mincy Chelliyil and the committee leadership to share on the theme of “Exile and Revival” based on Acts 8:1-4:

Mar Thoma Syrian Church San Francisco Silicon Valley

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

Revival in the Midst of Displacement

My message (two lectures) centered on how revival in Scripture often emerges in times of displacement or cultural tension—a theme relevant to the diaspora experience of the Mar Thoma community. Just as the early church was scattered by persecution yet remained faithful in spreading the Gospel, so too are diaspora Christians called to engage with culture while keeping their values, language, custom, and Christian identity.

The Rev Steve Macias teaching at the Mar Thoma Church

An exile often hears, “You don’t belong here.” But as Christian we understand that God has placed us where we are for a purpose, with a mission, and for His Kingdom.

We explored how setbacks and anxieties—whether personal or communal—can become opportunities for growth and renewal. Rather than retreating in the face of challenges, the scattered believers in Acts proclaimed the Gospel wherever they went, demonstrating that exile does not hinder revival—it often sparks and spreads it.

A Community Rooted in History and Mission

The Mar Thoma Church traces its origins to Saint Thomas the Apostle, who is believed to have brought the Gospel to India in the first century. (known as Mar Thoma (Saint Thomas) in Syriac). This heritage of faithfulness is our example and legacy. Throughout the retreat, I was encouraged by the discussions and engagement from the participants. Whether in the group discussions, worship, or games, it was evident that this congregation is committed to living out their faith boldly in their unique context. And most importantly, passing it on the next generation of Malayali immigrants.

The Apostle Thomas was martyred in Mylapore near Madras (Chennai) in Tamilnadu, India — traditional date is December 19th, 72 AD. The Nestorian Christians in China can also trace early Christianity through St. Thomas as evidenced by numerous archaeological artifacts (like St. Thomas crosses on tombstones.)

St Thomas Nestorian Cross in China Quanzhou South China

Grateful for the Opportunity

I am grateful to Rev. Jinu John, Mincy Chelliyil, and the entire Mar Thoma Church of Silicon Valley for their hospitality and thoughtful planning. It was a joy to be part of this gathering and witness their passion for revival in their community.

Mar Thoma Church has been in full communion with the Anglican Communion since the Bonn Agreement (1931); the American Anglicans ratified that agreement in 1934. The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church traces its origins to the year 52 and the ministry of the Apostle Thomas. It has about 1.2 million members in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Rev Jinu John Mar Thoma Church of Silicon Valley

Recent Anglican (ACNA) relations with the Orthodox Syrian and Mar Thoma Churches

Archbishop Foley Beach (ADOTS) visited Kerala, India in February 2025 (link) to visit the Church of South India Madhya Kerala Diocese and the Right Rev. Dr. Malayil Sabu K. Cherian. Bishop Cherian has visited my parish here in Los Altos twice the last year and half where have a CSI congregation planted alongside our Reformed Episcopal parish Saint Paul’s Anglican Church.

The Mar Thoma Church and the Church of South India (CSI) are in full communion with each other.

The Mar Thoma Church was a reformed movement within and from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of the Oriental Orthodox tradition. There’s another later division in the Indian Syriac Churches was between the those Orthodox under the Syriac Patriarch of Antioch called Jacobites. The photo below is Archbishop Beach, Canon Sean George, with Baselios Marthoma Mathews III of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (“Marthoma” here is a honorific used by the metropolitan as is Baselios “King”) and CSI Bishop Cherian. (I apologize for not knowing the name of the Achen (priest) on the far left)

Unknown Achen Bishop Cherian Metropolitan Matthews III Foley Beach and Sean George

In January 2025, My parish hosted an Ecumenical Prayer service with the Church of South India, the Mar Thoma Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Church. In a post about that event, I wrote a little about the history of these traditional churches: https://www.stevemacias.com/praying-with-the-st-thomas-christians/