Early Life & Roots

Manoj Samuel was born in a Christian family on the 15th of July 1977. As a teenager, he was drawn by the glitter of the world and the attractions of it. His mother Ms.Rita Samuel’s(now Rtd.Admin Head from CCI) fervent prayers and father Samuel Deva Prasad’s(now Rtd.Dy.Drug Controller of India) constant encouragement to aim high, enabled him to complete his B.Com from M.C.C,Tambaram & MBA in Marketing from University of Lincolnshire & Humberside, UK. Yet he couldn't find a suitable job and was weary and depressed due to joblessness and the guilt of it. He contemplated suicide and was ready to end his life. But the Lord miraculously met him through a friend at Loyola College where Manoj was forcefully made to do another PG as he was idle without a career to kick start. He went through a tough phase in life experiencing the agony and pain of a jobless youth though equipped with the necessary qualifications. Eventually, the Lord opened a golden door and he was placed in a leading Pharmaceutical company, which was the world's largest exporter in its class. He joined as a trainee, grew to the level of reporting to the CEO & DMD in the area of Corporate Planning & Corporate Communication. He married Meera Monica on 15th september 2000. Ministry grew simultaneously along with his career and family. It was during this period he earned a Doctorate in Ministries from a reputed Bible college. At this juncture a special mention has to be made of Ps.Manoj’s grandfather Rev.Nehemiah who resigned from his post of Tahsildar and served as the Pastor at the following Churches in the CSI Diocese, (Tiruvottiyur, virugambakkam, santhome & Chintadripet Zion Church),Chennai during Bishop Lesly New Begin & Bishop. Sundar Clark’s period. Ps.Manoj shares his same birthdate. Old friends and Witnesses speak highly of Rev.Nehemiah’s devotion and zeal for the Lord which reflected in his memorable sermons. Ps.Manoj Samuel’s only sibling is his sister named Shobana Benjamin, who is an engineering graduate from Sathyabama Institiute ,currently residing in Australia with her husband Dr.Benjamin VasanthaKumar( MD FRCA) and son JonathanBenjamin, born( 2004).

Ps.Manoj Samuel As an Evangelist

During this phase of part-time ministry (1999 to 2004) he was using the weekends and his available leave to travel across the country and overseas to share the good news of his Redeemer. He has been acknowledged by many servants of God as an anointed young prophet who is blessed with the gift of prophecy. In the year 2004, the Lord called him for full time labour, the couple heeded to the voice of the Lord and stepped out in faith throwing away a very responsible and coveted job for they knew that nothing can be compared to the privilege of working for the King of kings and since been in full time ministry spear heading Canaan Evangelistic Organisation, as in – Phil 4:8 "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." Dr.Manoj Samuel believes in standing for the Lord as a family, so they travel together along with their children Joshua, Jessica and Jeshuran. They have been travelling extensively across the state and God is using them across continents too. Ps. Manoj Samuel challenges the individual and the group with the commission from the Lord. In the case of a new believer or a convert, once their role was over, they made it a point to have a continuous follow-up through the local Pastors of the individual's area until Canaan Church was established.

Positions Held

Chairperson - CSI Madras Diocese : Youth Work Board 2009-2012. Director of International Ministries - International Institute of Church Management Inc., FL/PA, U.S.A., International Institute of Church Management Association With Other Ministries Manoj Samuel has been active in the Jesus Calls Ministries, (Founders – Dr DGS Dhinakaran & Dr Paul Dhinakaran) in their healing campaigns and youth meetings on a regular basis. Dr Manoj Samuel has also been associated with Oasis Ministries – Founder – Mrs Padma Mudaliar. During all these years he has been a guest speaker and resource person in almost all the leading Christian organistions’ meetings and church campaigns in south india and abroad. Ps.Manoj Samuel says “One life will soon be past but only what you do for God will last”. Dear friends we are reminded of the lyrics from a wonderful composition “ live for Jesus that’s what matters so that when other houses crumble ours is strong and people see the light in us and come along”

MONICA MANOJ is a wonderful gift to Pastor Manoj,their children & the ministry. She is an icon of faith and hope reverberating with the joy of the lord through her versatile gifts and talents. Her father, Mr.Neander Ramamoorthy is a retired Chief Engineer from the Highways department,Tamil Nadu. She was brought up with sound spiritual standards by her Godly parents who were Hindu converts and were worshippers at Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship in Vellore and later on at Tambaram, a suburb of Chennai. Her father Mr.Neander was saved and baptized through laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship. Hailing from the staunch Hindu Naidu clan, Mr.Neander was introduced to Christ during his school days, by one Mr.Brown, a Scottish missionary who ran a hostel for young boys at Tiruppattur. During his college days @ Coimbatore Engineering college, He developed a strong spiritual fervour by hearing Br.Joshua Daniel’s fiery sermons. Though, his circumstances led him to marry a girl from his own community Mrs.Pushpa , (later became Mercy Persis) she too, embraced the Christian faith within a few years of marriage. MonicaManoj has 2 siblings. Brother:Mr.BaluPeter(wife- Ms. Vaishali) & Sisiter :Mrs.Joy chitra Mohan (husband Mr.PaulMohan),who worship along with their families at Canaan church.

Monica manoj is an M.A(eng),M.A(Pub.AD),M.Phil(Pub Ad) from M.C.C & holds a post graduate diploma in computer science from LIBA, Loyola College. She worked @ Sacred Heart , Church Park as the EDP Head in the Computer Department and later on @Ewart Mat.Hr.Sec school. However she resigned once she delivered her first child and has been a full time caretaker for her three kids, a home maker and a wonderful partner in life and ministry to Ps.Manoj.

She leads the worship @ Canaan Services,composes songs,handles kid’s ministry, youth & women ministry. She is also blessed with the skill of playing the violin (grade 5-Trinity college of music, London). She organizes various events & activities @ Canaan keeping the youth wing grooved to their spiritual calling.

She is a zealous Prayer warrior, playwright, actor, Choreographer, writer who compiles & publishes the monthly Canaan magazine . She has translated into English Ps.SamJebadurai’s tamil edition of “100 powerful verses against the satanic powers”. The book “word to the weary soul” has also been published for internal circulation. It comprises of 20 meditations, based on the promises of God.

First Child- son- (4/12/2001) now a teenager,is an extraordinarily gifted drummer, pianist,editor and photo-shop designer. As per his Name, God by his abundant grace made him the school pupil leader for the Don Bosco Primary School in standard 5.

Second Child- Daughter-(30/12/2005) . She joins her mother in worship and is a graceful dancer already. Though a child herself, she handles the toddlers wing of Sunday school with elan and kids have taken to her graceful style of teaching. Her music videos are on youtube.

Third Child-Son-(10/10/2007) Is a live wire and a bundle of joy filled with life. He is fitted with a technical brain, and is considered Canaan’s trouble shooter. His mother has discovered his singing talent recently. May he receive the anointing to sing many a melodies for his Maker & Messiah.