Leadership

Mathews Chacko was born in the town of Vennikulum in the Southern India state of Kerala.   Mathews' Christian parents had dedicated their next-born child (Mathews) to the service of the Lord before he was even conceived (although Mathews did not know this until later in his life).   At the age of 16, Mathews accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord.   Soon after that, he contracted a deep respiratory illness that for 38 days threatened his life.    On that 38th day, Mathews mother prayed for God to either heal him or take him home to heaven.   That very night, Mathews was completely and miraculously healed in his sleep.
Although he was interested in studying medicine, this interest eventually yielded to a passion for ministry.   Mathews pursued Biblical education and graduated from Southern Asia Bible College.  He then studied at Southern California College in Costa Mesa, California, and later earned a Masters in Divinity from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.   Mathews  heard and obeyed the call of God in 1978 to return to his home in Vennikulam, Kerala, India.   Mathews and his wife Rachel moved their family of five from a comfortable home in Oklahoma and a high-level job at Oral Roberts University into a two-room home without running water or electricity.   He built this home on the property which today is home to the Bethany Academy campus.    Mathews has pioneered not only the academy, but also the development of many other Gospel ministries in Southern India.  All of this has been accomplished through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and by conducting all aspects of the ministry at the highest ethical levels.    Mathews is deeply grateful for the faithful prayers and financial support provided by you, the friends and co-workers in this ministry.    Through your faithful support, many thousands have been touched.   

Rachel is a native of India, and married Mathews Chacko May, 1965.    Rachel completed nurses training in Oklahoma prior to the family's return to India.   This training has been of great value to the work of IPM over the decades.  Rachel has been Mathew's partner in every aspect of their ministry in India and today oversees the residential programs of Bethany Academy including housing, nutrition, and the physical well-being of all Bethany students.

Mary-Sheba, the Chacko's youngest daughter, was only eight years old when the family moved to India.   She was a sixth grader when she became a member of the first academic session at Bethany Academy.   She completed her secondary education at Bethany, and earned her Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Literature from a neighboring college.    She then earned her Master's degree in English Literature and Literature from  Madras Christian College, one of India's oldest and most prestigious institutions.    To fulfill her dream of teaching, Mary-Sheba obtained her Bachelor's degree in Education at a college in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.    During the Covid lockdown, Mary Sheba completed a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) through a program offered jointly by Cambridge University and the British Council.     She joined the staff of Bethany Academy as a teacher in  2003.    In 2012,  Mary-Sheba was appointed  Principal of Bethany Academy.   In this role, Mary-Sheba oversees all aspects of the educational experience for Bethany's nearly 1400 students and manages the academy staff of over 100.