(1922-1985)
A Brief Life History of Evangelist
A Brief Life History of Evangelist
As the precious truth of Gospel started enlightening the land of Kerala in the nineteenth century, in its later part, it did come to Adoor too, a town in the old Central Travancore, and the Main Central Road of old Travancore made its route. The town acted as a transit place towards South for travellers from the East and North of Central Travancore, where a spiritual revival was taking place through the ministries of great servants of God. The Christian community in East Adoor was dominated by the Jacobites and some families out of them came to the saving grace of God and to the N.T. truths and started attending meetings in nearby place Paruthippara. Later, an assembly was formed in Pannivizha, Adoor. Beside the ministry of Adoor Kunjachan upadeshi which had started in earlier days, the land was also blessed by the ministries of great men like E.H. Noel, Mahakavi K.V. Simon, P.E. Mammen (Kumbanattachan) etc. In 1922, Bro. P.M. George, who was also known fondly among the brethren as PMG, was born in a Jacobite family in Pannivizha, Adoor. George was an active church member during his early days and along with the schooling, he also helped his father in their family occupation of cultivation.
In the late 1930s Bro. Ittoop, a believer from Kallissery, came to Adoor in connection with his secular job and started to interact with this family. Under his influence, George started attending the Sunday School of Pannivizha Verpadu (Brethren) Assembly. There, he gained in-depth Gospel truths from first generation teachers like Kenkayil Kochukunju, Vilayil Idichandy, Parakode Unnoonnichen etc. and at the age of 17, accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. The passing away of his mother was a mile-stone in his life. Unable to continue his studies further, he was forced to get engaged in family affairs. During this time, Bro. P.C. Samuel, a Bible scholar from Kallissery, came to Adoor and resided, in connection with his job. He started taking Bible classes in Pannivizha Assembly and Bro George was a regular attendee. He understood the need of water baptism and at the age of 21 took baptism together with his father and joined in fellowship with the saints of Pannivizha Assembly.
Bro George enthusiastically attended all public ministries of the assembly and his spiritual fathers saw in him, a full-time evangelist, hence prayed about it. At the age of 22, he married Sister Aleyamma from Vilayil family, Adoor. This union was a great blessing to Bro. George in his spiritual life and was also helpful to him in the early years of ministry and financial difficulties. God blessed them with five children, four daughters and a son. It was at a youth conference in Mylapra in 1949, our brother, aged 27 years, confirmed his calling to full time ministry. In spite of resistance from the family and other material losses, Bro George stood firm in his decision for Lord's Work. Later during the year, Kumbanadu Bible School started its first batch, and Bro George became a student there. Bros. C.V. George, M.C. George, M.M. Zachariah, M.P. John, K.N. Ninapillai etc. were also there as students, and the association with them at the Bible school and the subsequent years had tremendous influence on George in his ministry and vision. Later on, this relationship even earned them a nick-name as “Trio-Georges” (C.V, M.C and PM)!
Bro. George with family went to a place called Chandanappalli, near Konni with the Gospel and lived there and witnessed for the Lord. He went through much financial difficulties during that time and the Lord who called him to the vineyard faithfully established him in the ministry. His wife stood by him strongly to face all the trials of life together. They were practically enjoying 'daily manna' from above. An amusing, but thrilling story of God's provision to them goes like this.... once the family had nothing to cook or eat but they prayed; soon after, one coconut tree in front of their house broke its top and fell in their court-yard with all its tender and seasoned coconuts which was sufficient for them for the day! Servant of God Bro. T.K. Samuel was in the forefront to encourage them during those days. Though a few souls were converted, it saddened Bro. George that an assembly testimony was not formed there.
After returning to his native place, Bro George was involved in the work of his Master in and around Adoor, giving more importance to public preaching. Adoor Gospel Hall work was started during this time, and his preaching at the Adoor Central 'Noah's Ark' was a regular affair to the town residents at that time. George was a gifted public preacher and in spite of threats and scoffing, he preached 'Christ crucified' loud and clear with enthusiasm. Even though his sphere of activities was in South Kerala, he went to different parts of Kerala with his ministries, and later, God extended his ministry to some North Indian cities and to the Gulf. He associated himself with the work of foreign brethren missionaries such as G.W Payne, G.L. Fountain, M.S. Liddle etc and was for some time responsible for the work among the neglected caste people in and around Adoor started by the missionaries. In addition to his service in the local assembly, he was regularly ministering in few other local assemblies as well. In the year 1976, an assembly testimony was started in M.G. Road, Adoor (now known as Bethany Brethren Assembly) and currently around 18 families are in fellowship.
Bro George was instrumental for the union of hundreds of Brethren men and women in marriage within the community at a time where no marriage bureau, or internet/newspaper assistance was available. He became a teacher in the Bible School where he studied at the beginning of his ministry and was also part of the team to start a new magazine among the brethren community called “Aatma Prakashini”, and became its first publisher in 1981. When Brethren assemblies were passing through a number of difficult times during the foregone generation, Bro George took up firm stand and in this respect his thoughtful, bold, conciliatory decisions appeared dear to his colleagues. He won many souls for the Kingdom of God and some of them are now being used powerfully by God in His vineyard, includes Bro. John P Thomas, renowned prophetic speaker.
Life of Abraham, the model of faith and the father of the Faithful was his favourite topic in his preaching. George was a man of faith and prayer, and used to testify that his God is the God of George Mueller. He kept the promise of God in Philippians 4:19 close to his heart and often termed it as a blank cheque to the believers. Through prayer, he had experienced miraculous interventions from God in terms of perils in Christian life, including life threatening situations, starvation, financial crisis, needs of God's people, ministry related issues etc. He spent hours together praying loudly in private prayer (!), taking to the throne of grace, the need of workers in vineyard by name, and various other matters. He led a holy life, brought up all his children in faith, and took up problems of his cobelievers as his own. Bro George maintained the integrity of God's word in all the walk of his life and was unwilling to compromise on Biblical doctrines any time. All his children and grandchildren are in faith and in fellowship with Brethren assemblies in their respective places of living.
On 26-7.1985, while returning from Kumbanadu Bible School, Bro George fell ill and was later admitted at Kottayam Medical Centre. No one thought that his abdominal illness is deadly, but Bro George apparently had a God given foreknowledge that his departure is at hand. He bid farewell to the believers gathered at his house and after getting admitted in the hospital, he used to say, “This is my vehicle (to go Home)”. As his condition was getting worse, saints from different part of Kerala started arriving, and he was bidding them farewell, giving hand-shakes and later by folded hands. “I am weak in body, Lord fulfil thy will”, was his prayer in those days. As the illness grew critical, the chief doctor visited him to prepare for a surgery as a final resort, however Bro. George told him; “enough, now I am going there”, pointing towards the crucified portrait of Christ hung on the wall, he continued, “I served the Lord for the past 36 years and He was good to me. You have tried all you can, I am thankful to all of you, doctors and nurses.” The testimony of God's servant given in his deathbed persuaded the doctor to abandon his idea of further treatment and left the room.
Later, Dr. Pulickan, the chief doctor said, “I have never seen a patient like him in my life time, nor the history of this hospital had witnessed such a death, I have grown more in my faith”. As his time of departure was approaching, the servant of God spent time with his household giving instructions calmly concern-ing family matters and even about the burial service. Evening came, and all the family members gathered around the bed. Witnessed by his co-workers and believers, Bro V.T. Mathai committed his dear brother in God's hand and all started singing the song “Vishwasa –jeevitha padakil jhan....as they sang the stanza “in the valley of the shadow of death, in Jesus I will trust”, the author of the song Bro George Peter also arrived and joined the choir... As they continued singing, the servant of God lifted his both hands upward, as if he is seeing the oncoming host of angels, put his hands down and left for home. Bro George finished his race on 5th August 1985 at the age of 64 and went to be with the Lord to receive his rewards. At the burial service, Bro. John Kurian, who witnessed the passing away of Bro George, said “If the death of a pious man is in this manner, O death, you are welcome!” “Those who honour me shall be honoured”, God honoured His servant in this way and put His seal of endorsement, not only during his life-time, but in death too.
His close associate in ministry Bro C.K. Sam Edayaranmula wrote about him later, “he completed his service in a manly manner, a valiant at war-days, a meek among the coworkers, faithful and caring to God's people. His preaching is still echoing powerfully like a thunder, employing filtered and thoughtful words; he had a matured personality without pride, conciliatory in approaches, and beloved to brethren.” Bro. V.T. Mathai, servant of God, whom he closely associated with, wrote on his death, “God called home His servant, at a time when many were keeping an expectation about him that he might be given further grace and opportunity to be used in different other areas of ministry and in the community of saints.” Bro George left behind a legacy of faith life, standing for the integrity of New Testament truths. He taught his children to seek first the Kingdom of God and give priorities to spiritual matters above all other things, which became the proven key to success and blessings enjoyed by the generation followed, and to this day, their guiding principle.
– Samkutty George
This article originally appeared in the Harvest Times magazine's May 2017 issue.
Bro George enthusiastically attended all public ministries of the assembly and his spiritual fathers saw in him, a full-time evangelist, hence prayed about it. At the age of 22, he married Sister Aleyamma from Vilayil family, Adoor. This union was a great blessing to Bro. George in his spiritual life and was also helpful to him in the early years of ministry and financial difficulties. God blessed them with five children, four daughters and a son. It was at a youth conference in Mylapra in 1949, our brother, aged 27 years, confirmed his calling to full time ministry. In spite of resistance from the family and other material losses, Bro George stood firm in his decision for Lord's Work. Later during the year, Kumbanadu Bible School started its first batch, and Bro George became a student there. Bros. C.V. George, M.C. George, M.M. Zachariah, M.P. John, K.N. Ninapillai etc. were also there as students, and the association with them at the Bible school and the subsequent years had tremendous influence on George in his ministry and vision. Later on, this relationship even earned them a nick-name as “Trio-Georges” (C.V, M.C and PM)!
Bro. George with family went to a place called Chandanappalli, near Konni with the Gospel and lived there and witnessed for the Lord. He went through much financial difficulties during that time and the Lord who called him to the vineyard faithfully established him in the ministry. His wife stood by him strongly to face all the trials of life together. They were practically enjoying 'daily manna' from above. An amusing, but thrilling story of God's provision to them goes like this.... once the family had nothing to cook or eat but they prayed; soon after, one coconut tree in front of their house broke its top and fell in their court-yard with all its tender and seasoned coconuts which was sufficient for them for the day! Servant of God Bro. T.K. Samuel was in the forefront to encourage them during those days. Though a few souls were converted, it saddened Bro. George that an assembly testimony was not formed there.
After returning to his native place, Bro George was involved in the work of his Master in and around Adoor, giving more importance to public preaching. Adoor Gospel Hall work was started during this time, and his preaching at the Adoor Central 'Noah's Ark' was a regular affair to the town residents at that time. George was a gifted public preacher and in spite of threats and scoffing, he preached 'Christ crucified' loud and clear with enthusiasm. Even though his sphere of activities was in South Kerala, he went to different parts of Kerala with his ministries, and later, God extended his ministry to some North Indian cities and to the Gulf. He associated himself with the work of foreign brethren missionaries such as G.W Payne, G.L. Fountain, M.S. Liddle etc and was for some time responsible for the work among the neglected caste people in and around Adoor started by the missionaries. In addition to his service in the local assembly, he was regularly ministering in few other local assemblies as well. In the year 1976, an assembly testimony was started in M.G. Road, Adoor (now known as Bethany Brethren Assembly) and currently around 18 families are in fellowship.
Bro George was instrumental for the union of hundreds of Brethren men and women in marriage within the community at a time where no marriage bureau, or internet/newspaper assistance was available. He became a teacher in the Bible School where he studied at the beginning of his ministry and was also part of the team to start a new magazine among the brethren community called “Aatma Prakashini”, and became its first publisher in 1981. When Brethren assemblies were passing through a number of difficult times during the foregone generation, Bro George took up firm stand and in this respect his thoughtful, bold, conciliatory decisions appeared dear to his colleagues. He won many souls for the Kingdom of God and some of them are now being used powerfully by God in His vineyard, includes Bro. John P Thomas, renowned prophetic speaker.
Life of Abraham, the model of faith and the father of the Faithful was his favourite topic in his preaching. George was a man of faith and prayer, and used to testify that his God is the God of George Mueller. He kept the promise of God in Philippians 4:19 close to his heart and often termed it as a blank cheque to the believers. Through prayer, he had experienced miraculous interventions from God in terms of perils in Christian life, including life threatening situations, starvation, financial crisis, needs of God's people, ministry related issues etc. He spent hours together praying loudly in private prayer (!), taking to the throne of grace, the need of workers in vineyard by name, and various other matters. He led a holy life, brought up all his children in faith, and took up problems of his cobelievers as his own. Bro George maintained the integrity of God's word in all the walk of his life and was unwilling to compromise on Biblical doctrines any time. All his children and grandchildren are in faith and in fellowship with Brethren assemblies in their respective places of living.
On 26-7.1985, while returning from Kumbanadu Bible School, Bro George fell ill and was later admitted at Kottayam Medical Centre. No one thought that his abdominal illness is deadly, but Bro George apparently had a God given foreknowledge that his departure is at hand. He bid farewell to the believers gathered at his house and after getting admitted in the hospital, he used to say, “This is my vehicle (to go Home)”. As his condition was getting worse, saints from different part of Kerala started arriving, and he was bidding them farewell, giving hand-shakes and later by folded hands. “I am weak in body, Lord fulfil thy will”, was his prayer in those days. As the illness grew critical, the chief doctor visited him to prepare for a surgery as a final resort, however Bro. George told him; “enough, now I am going there”, pointing towards the crucified portrait of Christ hung on the wall, he continued, “I served the Lord for the past 36 years and He was good to me. You have tried all you can, I am thankful to all of you, doctors and nurses.” The testimony of God's servant given in his deathbed persuaded the doctor to abandon his idea of further treatment and left the room.
Later, Dr. Pulickan, the chief doctor said, “I have never seen a patient like him in my life time, nor the history of this hospital had witnessed such a death, I have grown more in my faith”. As his time of departure was approaching, the servant of God spent time with his household giving instructions calmly concern-ing family matters and even about the burial service. Evening came, and all the family members gathered around the bed. Witnessed by his co-workers and believers, Bro V.T. Mathai committed his dear brother in God's hand and all started singing the song “Vishwasa –jeevitha padakil jhan....as they sang the stanza “in the valley of the shadow of death, in Jesus I will trust”, the author of the song Bro George Peter also arrived and joined the choir... As they continued singing, the servant of God lifted his both hands upward, as if he is seeing the oncoming host of angels, put his hands down and left for home. Bro George finished his race on 5th August 1985 at the age of 64 and went to be with the Lord to receive his rewards. At the burial service, Bro. John Kurian, who witnessed the passing away of Bro George, said “If the death of a pious man is in this manner, O death, you are welcome!” “Those who honour me shall be honoured”, God honoured His servant in this way and put His seal of endorsement, not only during his life-time, but in death too.
His close associate in ministry Bro C.K. Sam Edayaranmula wrote about him later, “he completed his service in a manly manner, a valiant at war-days, a meek among the coworkers, faithful and caring to God's people. His preaching is still echoing powerfully like a thunder, employing filtered and thoughtful words; he had a matured personality without pride, conciliatory in approaches, and beloved to brethren.” Bro. V.T. Mathai, servant of God, whom he closely associated with, wrote on his death, “God called home His servant, at a time when many were keeping an expectation about him that he might be given further grace and opportunity to be used in different other areas of ministry and in the community of saints.” Bro George left behind a legacy of faith life, standing for the integrity of New Testament truths. He taught his children to seek first the Kingdom of God and give priorities to spiritual matters above all other things, which became the proven key to success and blessings enjoyed by the generation followed, and to this day, their guiding principle.
– Samkutty George
This article originally appeared in the Harvest Times magazine's May 2017 issue.
