Our History

Dr P. G. & Lilly Vargis

Dr P. G. Vargis is the founder of IET. He was born in a remote village in South India. His father practiced a syncretistic faith of eastern orthodox Christianity. As a young man, P. G. tried to find meaning in all kinds of religion, including flirtation with black magic. Disenchanted, he became an atheist. He soon began to indulge in various vices.

Eventually he joined the Indian army. Here he started to smoke about 120 cigarettes a day. He would begin his morning coffee mixed with rum, and would continue drinking till late night. Gambling, stealing and fights became common. P. G. says, “I became a very hardened and cruel man. Borrowing Paul’s words, “I too became a chief of sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

P.G. Vargis’ parents, meanwhile, arranged his marriage to Lilly. She came from an evangelical home. But she was afraid to share her faith with a harsh man who made fun of religion, and particularly hated Christians. After several years of marriage Lilly and P. G. did not have any children. The doctors told them that they both had physiological issues and it would be an absolute miracle if they would ever conceive. Even if they conceived the baby would miscarry because Lilly’s uterus was incapable of carrying a child full term. But in 1971 Lilly became pregnant. The doctors warned again that the child would not last to full term. They asked P.G. to make sure that Lilly did not face any physical or emotional stress, to allow the baby a chance to survive to full term. He took extra care to keep his wife happy.

One day when P. G. returned home from his army base, Lilly was all dressed up. She informed him about a Christian tent meeting happening in town and she wanted to go. P. G was angry and scorned the idea. As Lilly started to cry, P.G remembered the advice of the doctors. For the sake of the baby, he decided to accompany her to the tent meeting. On the second day, he heard the gospel being preached loud and clear: “’Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:30). P. G. gave his life to Christ that night. He experienced a complete transformation. A new man, passionate to share Christ’s love and power began to quickly emerge.

God began to create breakthrough in this hardened land. Some 100 people accepted Christ in the first few months; a miracle. Within three years that number had grown to 300, and daughter churches began to spring up in the surrounding mountains. A movement began to flow out of the church in Katra. Soon, the movement spread like wildfire throughout Northern India. This was the birth of IET.

P. G. and Lilly Vargis persevered through ridicule, persecution, and death threats. With no church or agency to financially sponsor them, they faced constant poverty and hardships. Lilly recalls, “I saw my child become unconscious three times from hunger.” P. G. remembers, “I have seen my wife walk about in torn clothes. We have been chased and pushed out by people for being a missionary. We persisted because God had called us and we had made a promise.”

Our Faith

We Believe…

The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, to be the verbally inspired, inerrant Word of God. It is the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of humankind and the only unfailing rule and supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely holy and perfect, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three are co-eternal and co-equal.

In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; His virgin birth; His incarnation to have been true man; His sinless life; His divine miracles; His vicarious and atoning death on the cross; His bodily resurrection; His ascension to the right hand of the Father; His continuing work as our High Priest and Advocate, and His personal, imminent return in glory.

That man was created by and for God, in His image; that by disobedience man fell into sin and incurred spiritual death, which is separation from God, and physical death as a consequence; and that all people are sinners by nature and practice and in need of redemption.

That the Lord Jesus died for our sins and that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

In the Holy Spirit, who indwells all believers and thus enables them to live a holy life and empowers them to the life of a believer, to be a witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the spiritual unity of the Spirit of all true believers, the Church, the Body of Christ. They join together for worship, prayer, fellowship, witness, and observance of the ordinances of believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost. Those who are saved will receive the resurrection of life, and they that reject God’s forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ, will receive everlasting punishment.

In the blessed hope of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This further motivates us to a holy living and faithful service.

In the Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord to the uttermost parts of the earth. This is our holy call, as individuals and corporate body.