P.C. John

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Served as an evangelist and bible teacher among the Syrian Christians and the Plymouth brethren for 38 years.

Birth

Born in 1876 (1051 Malayalam Year) at Kumbanad, Kerala to Padinjattedathu Chacko of Kumbanattu family.

Early Years

After the basic Malayalam education, he started his life as a farmer. He was brought up in a godly home in the MarThoma background. At the age of 16 he married to Sarammma of Kuriannoor Poozhikkalayil family. She was always a great help for him in the Lords work.

Salvation

As he heard that the David Upadeshi is speaking at the Maramon MarThoma church he went to hear him. David Upadeshi spoke about David and Absalom. When the Upadeshi asked those who are willing to accept Jesus the Savior to standup, John stood up. But Mr. John got his assurance of salvation later in some other meeting. After that in 1894 at the Maramon convention John’s wife Saramma also got assurance of salvation. From this time onward Mr. John engaged in the Lords work. He engaged in the Lords work along with his farming job.

Bible Classes by V Nagal & JG Gregson

Missionary V Nagal came to Travancore and took bible classes. He preached on the subject of dying with Christ and crucifying the flesh. These speeches and the life of Mr. Nagal encouraged Mr. John in the Christian living. Mr. John also attended the bible classes of Mr. J.G. Gregson at Ayroor. Through these bible classes Mr. John learned about Church, leadership of the church, seven stages of the church, baptism, Lords Supper etc.

Incident at MarThoma Church

By this time as more people came forward a fellowship was started at Kumbanad. One day as they were in the MarThoma church the priest spoke on Mathew 13:24-30. The priest said the good and bad people are in the church but only at the end of the world only we know who is good seed and which is tares and the priest asked John, is that not right John?. For that Mr. John replied, the field is not church, it is the world. On this Priest was very angry and hit him on one cheek. Then Mr. John showed the other cheek also. The priest hit him on the other cheek also. Then John kneeled down and started pray. At this time the priest pushed him down and hit him in both cheeks. When Mr. John reached home, his mother and wife started crying. Mr. John comforted them by reading them Acts 5:40, 41 (40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.) As his cousin P.E. Mammen heard about this, he called John spent long time in prayer together. This incident encouraged many to come out of the Episcopal churches.

Baptism

About this time Mr. P.E. Thomas, brother of PE Mammen went to Kunnamkulam and baptized under missionary V Nagal. After that PE Mammen went to Kunnamkulam and baptized by missionary Handley Bird. When P.E. Mammen came back, he baptized John.

First Lord’s Supper of the Kerala Brethren

In the year 1899 March 21 all the believers gathered at the house of Kuttiyil Mathai and broke bread without any priest. Only four people participated in the Lords Supper. But there were others who attended the meeting. Those who attended the Lords Supper were P.E. Mammen, P.E. John, P.C. John and P.C. Chacko

Fulltime Ministry

After this Mr. John had desire to go into fulltime ministry. He got assurance on this by Luke 5:1-10. For his daily needs Heb 13:5 gave strength. Thus he started his preaching ministry. He went to different places and preached the gospel.

Coming of E.H. Noel

In the year 1905 missionary EH Noel came to Kerala and Mr. John started to work with Mr. Noel. By this many churches were formed and more people came out for the Lords work. Mr. John encouraged Mr. Noel in starting different establishments for the growth of the church. He also encouraged and helped Mr. Noel to start a School in Kumbanad.

Mr. John was in the leadership role in the Conventions and the Representative meetings of the area churches, Youth meetings and Gospel Meetings.

Viyojither joins the Brethren

When K.V. Simon and the Viyojitha churches joined the Brethren Churches, Mr. John whole heartedly welcomed them. He also accepted PI Onnoonni, one of KV Simon’s followers to assist him in the work of the Lord. When the Travancore brethren Assemblies divided into four divisions (Kumbanad, Ranni, Adoor, Puthuppally) Mr. John took leadership at Kumbanad.

Family

Mr. John had two sons and six daughters. All his children were saved and in fellowship of the churches. Eldest son John Mathews B.A. worked as the correspondent of the schools and on his initiative the Malayalam School at Kumbanad became an English School and a high School. John Mathews later moved to Chethackal (Ranni) from Kumbanad. Younger son N.J. Chacko B.A.; B.T worked as the Headmaster of the Noel Memorial High School, Kumbanad.

Mr. John was very patient and loving. He encouraged and respected his co-workers and loved them. Mr. John was good bible teacher.