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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.