In 1960, with a call to do the gospel work among the hill-tribals living in the Eastern Ghats of Tamilnadu, a few young students of the Bible college, Bangarapet, organized a prayer group. As a result of their prayer, "The Hill tribes Missionary Prayer Band" was started on 31^st July 1962. By the grace of God from 20^th May 1979 it became the Diocesan Missionary Prayer Band of Kanyakumari Diocese with a constitution framed and approved by the Church Board of the Kanyakumari Diocese vide K.K.No.7396.  It was a turning point in the growth of the Prayer band and from then on it began to develop slowly but steadily and reached the present level.

In 1911, the tribals of Kolli hills suffered a lot due to the outbreak of Malaria. Many died for want of medical care.  At that time Dr. Jessiman Brand, a young missionary doctor was staying in Sathiamangalam, a village in the plains close to the hills and helped the needy. He was deeply moved at the pitiable condition of the suffering tribals. So he went to the Kolli hills, stayed in a village called Chemmedu and gave treatment to those who were affected by the malaria.  While providing medical care, he was preaching the gospel also to them. He was serving among them for 16 years as a doctor, a gospel preacher and a teacher. Finally he was also affected by maleria and slept in the Lord after fighting a good fight of faith. Before his death, he called his wife and requested her to preach the gospel to the tribals in other who have not yet experienced the love of God. By way of fulfilling his ambition, his wife, Mother Evelin Brand traveled all over the hills – Kolli hills, Green hills, Kalrayan hills etc. by foot and on horse-back till the by foot and on horse-back till the age of 95, preaching the gospel. Finally she slept in the Lord while serving the Lord in the hills. Many have been inspired by her life and work. One among them is our first missionary Yoke Fellow Rev. Dr. D. Elias , who dedicated himself to do Gods’ work among the hill tribes.

Kolli hills, Pachamalai hills, Yearcaud hills, Kalrayan hills, Bothai hills are some of the hills of the Eastern Ghats spread in Salem, Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Vellore, Thiruvannamalai, Namakal districts of Tamilnadu. The tribals of these area call themselves as “Goundas”.  But the Government has recognized them as “Malayalis” which means inhabitants of the hills. They speak Tamil and are backward in all aspects – socially, economically and educationally.  The total population of these areas is about 6 lakhs.  They live in small huts mad of grass in the various hamlets of the hills.  As they don't have any transport facilities they suffer a lot. Due to lack of education and health care they have been suffering very much and die of Malaria, Typhoid, Tuberculosis, Cholera etc.  These people have been slowely brought to light, mainly by the services of the Christian Organizations and now to some extend by the services of the Government also.