VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/17/09)—A champion of the Baptist and broader Christian community in the Indian province of Andhra, Chief Minister Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy died in a tragic helicopter crash on Sept 2nd, 2009. Baptist leaders across India and the United States have expressed their condolences for the sudden loss.

American Baptist International Ministries (IM) area director for East Asia and India, Rev. Ben Chan, met with Reddy a few years ago to discuss church issues in Andhra Pradesh. Chan remembered him as a committed Christian, along with his family who attended the Baptist Church Hyderabad which has a long relationship with IM.

"Please continue to pray for our mission involvement in South India," Chan said, "where we sponsor new church construction, theological education, leadership development and community transformation."

Reddy, his secretary, security chief and two pilots took off in bad weather. The wreckage of their helicopter was found a day later on a nearby hillside; all aboard were killed.

The office of chief minister is a political position, appointed by the province governor, and handles the day to day running of the province. Reddy was the first chief minister in Andhra Pradesh history to serve the full five years of his governor's term.

"Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy was a fine statesman, a strong humanitarian and a true and compassionate supporter of Christians," said David Sagar, general secretary of The Federation of South Asian Christians in America, and the senior pastor of Antioch Telugu Baptist Church (an American Baptist church). "Our prayers and deep condolences go out to his family and the rest of the bereaved."


American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.