The first mission field of IMS is Dornakal. in Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Samuel Packianathan went to serve the Lord as the first missionary. He was the Secretary of “”Baliar Sangam”” in Tirunelveli. The General Secretary of IMS Mr.V.S.Azaraiah got the calling from God and went to Dornakal as a missionary on 15th July 1909. By the Grace of God and the strenuous efforts of the missionaries, the first mission field of IMS became a Diocese. Rev. V.S.Azariah was consecrated as its first Bishop.
Mr.V.S. Azariah while working as a secretary of YMCA Chennai Visited Jafna in Srilanka there he came to know that the Srilankan Church has sent missionaries to Thondi, in Tamil Nadu. influenced by this, Azariah became zealous in his spirit & after his arrival to India met the prayer warriors at Palayamkottai, & shared the need of a missionary organization to evangelize India. Prayers got intensified. Eventually, On 12th February 1903 at “Chatthiram,” where the Tirunelveli Diocesan press is located now, 8 priests & 20 laymen along with VS Azariah formed INDIAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
