Church history
Rev. Cook
First baptism
Global ministry
"A man of great missionary zeal…"
Rev. Robert Felix Cook · 1908–1936
Heritage · Missionary Zeal · Global Impact

A Mission Trailblazer for the World

From the Upper Room in Los Angeles in 1908 to the shores of Kerala and across 173 nations, the Pentecostal fire kindled in Rev. Robert Felix Cook continues to burn brightly today — proclaiming holiness, healing, and the power of the Holy Ghost to every unreached corner of the earth.

Rev. Robert Felix Cook
Founder & Visionary

Rev. Robert Felix Cook

1886–1936 · Pioneer of Pentecostalism in India

1886
Church Founded
1908
Pentecostal Outpouring
1914
First India Church
173
Nations Today
138
Years of Ministry
Our Founder

Rev. Robert Felix Cook
Pioneer of Pentecostalism

The foundation stone of Pentecostalism in India was laid by Rev. R.F. Cook — a man of great missionary zeal whose legacy continues to transform lives across Kerala and the world.

The foundation stone of Pentecostalism in India was laid by Rev. R.F. Cook — a man of great missionary zeal. He and his wife Anna received the Pentecostal experience and the anointing of the Holy Spirit at the Upper Room missions in Los Angeles in 1908, igniting a fire that would reach the shores of Kerala.

From his initial arrival in Kottarakkara in 1913, through the establishment of the first Pentecostal church at Thuvayoor in January 1914 with sixty-three baptized converts, to the founding of Mt. Zion Bible College in 1922 — the first Bible training center in all of South India — Cook's ministry set the foundation for what would become the largest Pentecostal Holiness movement in the nation.

In 1936, Cook's Malankara Full Gospel Church of God formally united with the Church of God International, bringing Kerala into a global fellowship of more than 173 nations. His legacy remains alive in over 1,200 churches and 1,500 ministers who carry forward the same zeal, the same anointing, and the same message of Biblical holiness and the full Gospel that he proclaimed.

1908
Pentecostal Anointing
Rev. Cook and his wife Anna receive the Pentecostal experience and anointing of the Holy Spirit at the Upper Room missions in Los Angeles, California.
1913
Arrival in Kerala
Cook moves to Kottarakkara, Kerala, taking over the mission works and establishing the foundation for Pentecostal ministry in South India.
January 1914
First Pentecostal Church in India
After a four-day revival, Cook baptizes sixty-three converts at Thuvayoor — establishing the first Pentecostal church in India, now a Church of God local church.
1921
Foundation & Organization
Cook establishes his headquarters at Thrikkannamangal and registers his churches under the name Malankara Full Gospel Church of God. The work spreads rapidly throughout Kerala.
1922
First Bible Training School
Establishing the first Home Bible Training School at his residence — the first Pentecostal Bible Study centre in all of South India, later becoming Mt. Zion Bible College.
1936
Global Union
Cook's organization officially merges with the Church of God International during their Golden Jubilee World Tour, uniting Kerala's Pentecostal movement with a global family.
International Office

A Global Movement
Rooted in Scripture

From a humble millhouse in Tennessee to 173 nations — the Church of God International stands as the leading Pentecostal Holiness organization on earth, with Kerala as a shining beacon.

The Church of God began on August 19, 1886, in Monroe County, Tennessee, near the North Carolina border, when Richard Green Spurling preached in a millhouse along Barney Creek. Eight persons formed a Christian Union to follow the New Testament as their rule of faith and practice — giving each other equal rights to interpret Scripture and sit together as the church of God.

Twenty-one years later, the growing movement formally adopted the name Church of God. Today, its international headquarters stands at Cleveland, Tennessee, USA — overseeing a Holiness Pentecostal movement present in 173 countries around the world, making it the leading Pentecostal Holiness organization on earth.

The merger of Rev. Cook's Kerala work with the Church of God International in 1936 brought this Indian Pentecostal flame into communion with a global family. Today, Kerala State boasts over 1,200 local churches and 1,500+ ministers, spanning all 14 revenue districts and 63 taluks of the state, proclaiming the Gospel to over 337 lakh people.

1886
Year Founded
173
Nations
1936
Kerala Union
138
Years of Service
1886
Richard Green Spurling preaches at Barney Creek millhouse. Eight persons form the Christian Union — the seed of the Church of God movement.
1896
A revival at the Shearer Schoolhouse in Camp Creek, North Carolina introduces the doctrine of sanctification, sparking intense revival and Holy Spirit outpouring.
1907
The growing movement formally adopts the name "Church of God" at its first General Assembly in Cleveland, Tennessee.
1923
The first General Convention of Pentecostal Churches in India convenes on the banks of river Pampa at Arattupuzha — a historic gathering uniting all Pentecostal missionaries and native ministers.
1936
Golden Jubilee World Tour connects India's Pentecostal movement with the Church of God International — uniting Kerala's faithful with a global mission.
Present
From a humble millhouse to 187 countries — the Church of God remains the leading Pentecostal Holiness organization in the world, with Kerala as a shining beacon of faith and mission.
"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37 (KJV)