Outstanding Leadership in Queens
2011 Honoree of the Queens Federation of Churches

The Reverend Dr. Sunder Devaprasad

The Rev. Dr. Sunder Devaprasad is pastor of the Christhava Tamil Koil, Middle Village, New York.

While serving as Health Care Administrator with New York Health and Hospital Corporation, he founded the first Tamil speaking congregation in the United States. Later he helped to start several churches across the United States. Not only is Pastor Devaprasad a born leader but he has a generous heart that helped many, many immigrants from India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Pastor Devaprasad was born in Chennai, India. He is a graduate of the University of Madras with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He came in 1957 to the United States to attend the second World Lutheran Federation Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and remained in the United States and studied at the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, where he earned his M.Div. degree. He returned to India and served with Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church and later with the Christian Medical College and Hospital.

In 1971, Pastor Devaprasad returned to the United States and served the Tamil Christians. He has written several books and has been recognized as a world leader among Tamil Christians and has received numerous awards.

Pastor Devaprasad has been an active member of the Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ and served as its Registrar for nearly ten years.

The Lutheran School of Ecumenical Theology recognized his contribution and awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

Pastor Devaprasad continues to serve God and God’s people.