About the Founder

Rev. Dr. M. Rayappan
Founder of Maranatha Church Thiruninravur

Rev. Dr. M. Rayappan was born into a devoted Catholic family in a small village near Sathur in southern Tamil Nadu. He grew up in the Catholic faith until 1974, when he personally encountered Jesus Christ and accepted Him as his Lord and Saviour. Responding to God's call upon his life, he began theological studies at Maranatha Bible College in 1975 and completed them in 1977, being recognised as the best student of his graduating batch.

After completing his training, he was appointed in 1977 to serve at the House of Prayer Church in Dasarpuram, Thiruninravur, where he was also entrusted with caring for and running a children's home.

In 1980, he married Mrs. Rev. Sugirtha Rayappan. They were blessed with four sons—Ragland Prabhu, Clement Prince, Giftson Jeya King, and Benjamin Priya Raja—who have grown up and now serve God in different areas of ministry.

In 1991, Rev. Rayappan completed his B.Th. from Serampore University and began serving as a teacher at Maranatha Bible College, where he played an important role in training and equipping the next generation of Christian leaders. He also served as the Principal of the Bible College for a period before stepping down due to health reasons.

The Beginning of Maranatha Prayer House

Through years of prayer and after receiving confirmations through visions and prophetic words, Rev. Rayappan was led by God to establish Maranatha Prayer House in Thiruninravur in 1992.

What began as a small gathering of a few families gradually grew into a church with a vision to reach families and villages in and around Thiruninravur with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Under his leadership, the church continued to grow, and God opened doors for the ministry to acquire its own property and move into a larger church facility.

Rev. Rayappan was a visionary leader, preacher, teacher, and shepherd. He had a particular passion for teaching God's Word and equipping believers for the work of ministry. Above all, he was known for his pastoral heart and his desire to see people grow and mature in their relationship with Christ.

A Legacy of Ministry

In recognition of his contribution to Maranatha Ministries, his many years of faithful church ministry, and his role in training and forming Christian leaders, Rev. Rayappan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate during the Maranatha Ministries Golden Jubilee celebrations in June 2014.

His lifelong vision was to build the Kingdom of God and raise up leaders who would serve Christ and carry the Gospel to future generations.

In 2025, Rev. Dr. M. Rayappan celebrated three significant milestones on 20 September—his 75th birthday, 50 years of ministry, and 45 years of marriage. It was a special occasion of thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness throughout his life and ministry.

Just a few weeks later, on 9 October 2025, Rev. Dr. M. Rayappan went to be with the Lord.

Today, the ministry he began continues to grow, carried forward by his family and the church leadership he helped establish. His sons continue to serve in God's work, building upon the foundation he laid and carrying forward his passion for the Gospel, discipleship, leadership development, and the expansion of God's Kingdom.

His life remains a testimony of God's faithfulness, and his legacy continues through the lives he touched, the leaders he trained, and the generations he helped point toward Christ.