The Refuge Mission Church India was birthed from a divine calling and a burning passion to see lives transformed by the power of the Gospel. In 1999, Dr. Arvind Allepalli Kumar, also known as Dr. Arvind Ephraim, answered the call of God upon his life and planted his first church in West Bengal, India.

With a heart for evangelism, he began preaching boldly on the streets, declaring the Gospel in public places. Remarkably, the first church gatherings took place in a small beer bar, where crowds of people came—not for drink, but for deliverance. Hundreds received Jesus, and many were miraculously healed, restored, and transformed.

As the ministry grew, God expanded Dr. Ephraim’s reach across West Bengal and throughout India, opening doors for him to conduct large-scale Gospel crusades, where thousands were healed and came to faith in Christ. The movement became a beacon of hope for the lost, sick, and spiritually hungry.
Alongside his pastoral calling, Dr. Ephraim also carried the responsibility of establishing the church’s organizational and leadership structure. As the Founder and Executive Director of The Refuge Mission Church India, he oversaw financial stewardship, developed administrative systems, trained pastors and leaders, and supervised ministry departments such as men’s, women’s, children’s, and youth ministries. Under his direction, teams of staff and volunteers were mobilized to advance the mission across India.

In a divine turn of events, God opened international doors, leading Dr. Ephraim to travel to the United States as a missionary to America. During multiple ministry visits, he developed strong relationships and came into covenant partnership with the leadership of The Refuge Mission Church in League City, Texas. Recognizing a shared vision and heart for revival, The Refuge Mission Church USA became the spiritual covering for the churches planted in West Bengal.

Dr. Arvind and his wife Subhashini faithfully served as the lead pastors of the India branch until 2021, when they, along with their children, relocated to the United States to take on their next God-given assignment.

Today, Dr. Arvind and Pastor Subhashini serve on staff at The Refuge Mission Church USA as elders and prayer pastors, overseeing the Prayer and Altar Ministry, while continuing to provide executive oversight, mentorship, and governance to the growing movement in India.
The story of The Refuge Mission Church India is a testimony of obedience, sacrifice, and the unstoppable power of God’s calling. And this is just the beginning.