Our Vision
Our mission is to connect anyone, anywhere, to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Our vision is that you find your people, your place, and your purpose by joining us at Freedom Chennai.
Freedom Church Chennai began in 2015 from a small gathering in Santhome, Chennai. Today, we are a diverse community of people meeting in cities worldwide, including Chennai. While we love coming together, we believe church is more than just a gathering — it's about who we are as followers of Christ.
Our Beliefs
We are a Bible-believing church with a theology and beliefs that are the same as hundreds of thousands of churches around the world. The following are the essentials of what we believe at Freedom Church.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.
He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
26 Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."
Psalm 90:2 Psalm 90:2 (NIV)Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:19 (NIV)Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
1 Peter 1:2 1 Peter 1:2 (NIV)who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
2 Corinthians 13:14 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Jesus is the Son of God.
He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").
Isaiah 9:6 Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
John 1:1-5 John 1:1-5 (NIV)In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 14:10-30 John 14:10-30 (NIV)Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, 'But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?'
Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.'
All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,
Hebrews 4:14-15 Hebrews 4:14-15 (NIV)Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin.
Romans 1:3-4 Romans 1:3-4 (NIV)Regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Holy Spirit lives in each Christian from salvation.
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
John 16:7-13 John 16:7-13 (NIV)But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
John 14:16-17 John 14:16-17 (NIV)And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Acts 1:8 Acts 1:8 (NIV)But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
1 Corinthians 2:12 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV)What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
1 Corinthians 3:16 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?
Ephesians 1:13 Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
Galatians 5:25 Galatians 5:25 (NIV)Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit
The Bible is God's Word to us.
The Bible was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
2 Peter 1:20-21 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:13 2 Timothy 1:13 (NIV)What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 119:105,160 Psalm 119:105,160 (NIV)105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
Proverbs 30:5 Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
People are the supreme object of God's creation.
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:
Isaiah 53:6 Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Romans 3:23 Romans 3:23 (NIV)for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Isaiah 59:1-2 Isaiah 59:1-2 (NIV)Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it.
We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:8-9 Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.
John 14:6 John 14:6 (NIV)Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Titus 3:5 Titus 3:5 (NIV)He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
The true believer is secure in salvation for eternity.
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot lose it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
2 Timothy 1:12 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
Hebrews 7:25 Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Hebrews 10:10,14 Hebrews 10:10,14 (NIV)10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
1 Peter 1:3-5 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
People will exist eternally with or without God.
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is eternal life in hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 14:17 John 14:17 (NIV)the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Romans 6:23 Romans 6:23 (NIV)For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:17-18 Romans 8:17-18 (NIV)Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Revelation 20:15 Revelation 20:15 (NIV)Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
1 Corinthians 2:7-9 1 Corinthians 2:7-9 (NIV)No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" — the things God has prepared for those who love him
DNA
The values that shape everything we do at Freedom Church.
Relevant to Our Time
We will share an ageless message that engages the next generation and is easily understood by unchurched people. We will adapt our methods and lay down our preferences for the times and cultures we are called to reach.
Wildfire
Expressing outwardly the work that God has done inwardly, our faith and love will not be contained. We have a contagious passion for Jesus that is raw, real, and unapologetic.
We Will Elevate
We freely give honour to everyone: women, men, all ages and all races. We reveal God's value for each person by opening our homes and our lives. We honour leaders who serve us. We honour God when we build a culture that honours people.
Raise the Next
We lovingly disciple, we release leadership, we inspire kingdom influencers and plant new churches. We share the truths and opportunities given to us, changing the world through a legacy of multiplication.
Relentless Reaching
We persistently share the hope and salvation of Jesus with our family, friends and communities. We won't stand by and be silent about the truth and love God has for this world.
Heart and Soul
We take personal responsibility for the vision and unity of our church. We are committed to making God's kingdom the central cause of our lives, no matter the cost.
Punching Above Our Weight
With audacious faith, we set impossible goals, take bold, confident steps and watch our God move. We are giant-killers who refuse to limit the Holy Spirit.
Live Full Die Empty
We are adventurers who take risks and grab life by the horns. Our joy stands in opposition to lifeless religion. Dancing and laughter mark our lives, and we are determined to release all our potential before we die.
Changeling
We are on a constant journey of transformation and personal freedom to become more like Jesus. We refuse to get stuck in our ways, taking individual responsibility for our learning and growth.
First and Best
We will serve God and our church with all that we have, giving sacrificially to the one who gave us everything. We won't just go through the motions or do the minimum. The best of our talents, time and resources will be used for the kingdom.
Warrior Poets
We reflect the creator by embracing and expressing creativity. The colour of our lives becoming a revolt against the mundane and ordinary. We communicate the Gospel with the life and vibrancy in which it was intended.
Everything's a Gift
We intentionally celebrate and give thanks. We shake off complacency and entitlement to overflow with gratitude for God, our lives and one another. Practicing thankfulness gives us a joy that will sustain us.
Our Pastors
Praveen & Shana
Lead Pastors
Pastors Praveen and Shana Emmanuel are passionate about building the local church and wholeheartedly committed to serving Jesus and His people. Born and raised in Chennai, they have a deep love for the city they call home and a desire to see lives transformed by the hope of the Gospel.
With over 20 years of leadership experience across churches, international missions, and local businesses, they bring wisdom, authenticity, and a heart for people into every area of ministry. In March 2020, they stepped into full-time pastoral ministry to lead Freedom Church Chennai, with a vision to help people know Jesus, discover their purpose, and make a lasting impact for His Kingdom.
Together, they lead with humility, joy, and a genuine love for people — equipping others, raising leaders, and building a church where everyone can belong, grow in their faith, and become all that God has called them to be.
Praveen is passionate about Bible-centered teaching and communicating God's Word in a way that is both practical and life-giving. Shana leads Freedom Academy and invests deeply in developing people, encouraging them to grow in their relationship with Jesus and step confidently into their calling.
Beyond ministry, they are proud parents to three wonderful children — Zachary, Izaiah, and Zia — and consider it a privilege to serve the city they love while raising their family in the heart of the Freedom Church community.
Contact
We'd love to hear from you.