The Church of South India (CSI), formed in 1947, is one of the largest protestant churches in the world. Majority of the CSI members reside in the southern states of India. However, as people began to travel to distant places for education and better opportunities, their desire to keep their identity and culture by establishing their own CSI congregations grew. In 1994, with the approval of CSI Synod, the "Council of CSI Congregations in North America" was formed. As of now, there are over 30 CSI Congregations in North America under the umbrella of this council.